Being ‘money smart’ and understanding money management principles can help your hard-earned cash go further. Here, we share some tips that could help you budget and better manage your finances. Income Income is any ‘incoming money’ you receive. This can include: Direct income: includes your salary or wages, or financial assistance from the government such as … Read more
Trying to time investment markets is difficult if not impossible at the best of times, let alone now. The war in Ukraine, rising inflation and interest rates and an upcoming federal election have all added to market uncertainty and volatility. At times like these investors may be tempted to retreat to the ‘’safety” of cash, … Read more
This time of year, people’s thoughts start turning to their tax return, but it can also be a good time to set things up so you don’t pay more tax than required next financial year. Simply talking to your employer about setting up an arrangement to “sacrifice” some of your pre-tax salary could potentially lower … Read more
Buying a house? Don’t get caught out—here are some tips to avoid being gazumped Picture the scene. You’ve found your dream home—a short stroll to the local schools, close to a leafy park to walk the dog and on a quiet residential street with the best coffee in town right on the corner. You’ve agreed … Read more
It’s tempting to put price above everything else when choosing insurance for your property. However, whether you’ve just taken out a new mortgage or are hunting for a better deal, making sure you have enough of the right sort of cover is just as important. Here are the main insurance points to consider when comparing … Read more
For many people, the phrase “investing in the share market” is framed by either gains and losses. For the “gains” group, the thought of increasing their wealth and having the potential to generate returns is what propels them to invest. For the “losses” group, the thought of losing money is what keeps them out of … Read more
It’s a phenomenon widely being described as “the Great Resignation”. With many countries now having removed the tight operating restrictions they imposed on businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a quick ramp-up in economic activity. That ramp-up has spurred a surge in job vacancies around the world, and enticed record numbers of people to … Read more
As the end of the financial year approaches, now is a good time to check your super and see what you could do to boost your retirement nest egg. What’s more, you could potentially reduce your tax bill at the same time. There are a handful of positive changes to super due to start next … Read more
Make sure you don’t lose out on your age pension entitlements. After a lifetime of hard work, it’s important you maximise your entitlements in retirement. So you need to structure your finances carefully to make sure you don’t lose your age pension. After all, you’ve earned it.Here are some common traps to be aware of. … Read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to increase its official interest rate for the first time in more than a decade had been widely expected. The only so-called unknown was exactly when the RBA would move its cash rate higher. The cash rate is the set interest rate applied to unsecured overnight loans between banks … Read more
This year’s Federal Budget was full of talk about one-off support for households in the form of tax offsets, but most people are a bit hazy on the difference between a tax offset and a tax deduction. Both can help reduce the amount of tax you pay each year, but a tax offset generally results … Read more
A number of changes to the super system could create opportunities for Australians of all ages. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know. Last month, the Federal Government legislated a number of proposals that it previously put forward in its May 2021 Federal Budget. The changes announced will come into effect on 1 July … Read more
