Key takeaways Bonds can provide a stable source of income and can protect the money you invest. They can generally be considered less risky than growth assets like shares and property in normal market conditions and can help to diversify your investment portfolio. Bond prices and interest rates move in opposite directions. Last year … Read more
Don’t confuse debt consolidation with debt elimination. If you’re swamped with credit card debt and personal loans, it can sometimes help to talk to a professional about debt consolidation. However, you need to be wary so you don’t end up paying more in the long term and/or reduce the equity in your home. What is … Read more
Australians are living longer and experiencing higher house-to-wage ratios. It makes good sense to consider how you can achieve a comfortable long term future. What makes a smart investor? A webinar on borrowing to invest brought together financial advice commentator Noel Whittaker, REA Group’s Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee and NAB Equity Head of Sales Craig … Read more
There are over six million lost and Australian Taxation Office (ATO) super accounts with a total value of $16 billion1 – a share of this could be yours. Don’t miss out on super you’ve earned! How does super become lost or unclaimed in the first place? In the past, you may have lost track of … Read more
As the end of financial year fast approaches, here are three main factors to keep in mind. By being prepared, particularly with your admin, having an awareness of what you can claim and considering any capital losses or gains, you will be well positioned to make the most of EOFY. Compile your records and receipts … Read more
Moving into aged care can be a challenging time, both for those making the move and families supporting their loved ones. It’s understandable that everyone wants to find the most suitable accommodation and the appropriate standard of care, however, it can be confusing to make that choice. A new star rating system for aged care … Read more
“Beware the Ides of March” Global share markets opened the new year with mild optimism that inflation and interest rate risks were becoming more manageable and economic activity was improving. However, a sequence of financial shocks in March – the sudden US bank collapses (Silvergate, Silicon Valley and Signature) and Credit Suisse woes – have … Read more
It is important to understand where this income will come from, how long it will last, and whether your retirement investments are on track, or whether some adjustments need to be made to get you there. Work out how long your super or account-based pension will last There are many variables that come into play … Read more
It’s challenging to get a foot on the property ladder and coming up with a large enough deposit can seem like an impossible task at times. One way of increasing your savings is to boost the amount of money you have coming in. When it comes to boosting your income, every little bit helps, so … Read more
Capital gains tax (CGT) is a term you’ll often hear as tax time draws near. When you sell an asset, it can be all too easy to forget about the tax implications related to your sale. However, selling assets, like shares and investment properties, can involve capital gains tax. Here’s what you should know. Key … Read more
There are limits on how much you can pay into your super fund each financial year without having to pay extra tax. These limits are called ‘contribution caps’. How much you can contribute to your super fund and whether your fund is allowed to accept your contribution may also depend on your age and total superannuation balance. Contribution … Read more
The concept of retirement is changing, with fewer people working towards a final retirement date and then clocking off for good. Instead, those who have the flexibility to choose are often transitioning out of the workforce over several years, or even returning after a break. Whether you simply want to wind back your working hours … Read more
