Key takeaways The foundation of any effective budget is calculating the total amount of income you receive on a regular basis to determine how much money you have available Tracking your expenses can help you determine what you’re spending the most money on and where it might be easiest to save Make a list of … Read more
Sustainable investing is not new, but in recent years it’s moved from the green fringes into the mainstream. From climate change to animal rights and gender diversity, more people are interested in aligning their money with their values. Last year alone, Australia’s sustainable investment market increased 20 per cent to a record $1.5 trillion. According … Read more
If money’s too tight to mention, here’s some small steps that can make a big difference in achieving your financial goals. How would you rate your level of financial wellness? Do you think you’re in a good position to meet your immediate and near-term financial obligations? What about your long-term goals? They’re tough questions, asked … Read more
The numbers say that the average Australian woman retires with barely half (53 per cent)1 the super of the average man. As statistics go, it’s a shocking one. That gap starts to open early in working life, with women aged 25 to 34 having an average super balance of $31,600, compared to an average balance of … Read more
Nailing your home loan application depends on four factors — your income, expenditure, assets, and debts. But lenders also want to see evidence of a savings and (good) credit history. Here’s what you can do to improve these. 1. Start saving. Make a plan. The BT Australian Financial Health Index found that a third of … Read more
It’s easier to make a claim on your life insurance if you gather the right information for your insurer. Who to contact to make a claim To make a claim on your insurance, speak to the person or company you bought the policy from. If you bought insurance through: an insurer — contact the insurance company … Read more
Many Australians were fortunate to lock in record low interest rates, but this may be drawing to an end. A large portion of mortgages will be approaching the end of their fixed term, leaving many households paying two to three times their current fixed rate. In this article, we’ll explain what to expect when your … Read more
Until recently, financial abuse was often kept secret, especially where it occurred within the family. Thankfully that’s changing with public awareness campaigns and help becoming more readily available. The emotional and economic damage caused by financial abuse can be far reaching and devastating. A recent Australian report calculates that in 2020 alone, financial abuse victims … Read more
Just like your car needs a periodic service to stay in tune, here’s why you should rebalance your portfolio from time to time. A portfolio’s asset allocation reflects an investor’s goals and temperament—the need for return as well as the ability to withstand market turbulence. Over time, market fluctuations can affect your asset allocation weightings … Read more
Cash in a deposit account doesn’t necessarily equate to safety. That’s why many investors are shifting to fixed interest securities. By any measurement, $2.8 trillion is a lot of money. Expressed another way, it’s $2,800 billion. And it’s also the amount of money – according to Australian Prudential Regulation Authority data from January 2023 – … Read more
Here is a practical approach to creating a retirement plan that will help enable financial peace of mind. Many investors concentrate on building their nest egg during their working lives to pay or help pay for their retirement but fail to give enough attention to planning for a retirement that may last 25 years or … Read more
