Key takeaways An understanding of the factors that influence the amount you can borrow for a mortgage, such as income and expenses, Loan-to-Value Ratio, credit history, and employment stability. What steps you should take when considering how much to borrow, including consideration of future plans and goals, determining your capability to repay over a long … Read more
Monitor how your shares are performing compared to similar companies or the market overall. Stay up-to-date with company, economic and market changes. This gives you a better chance of acting quickly to take advantage of opportunities or to avoid losses. Set alerts to track share performance Economic and market changes can impact a company’s earnings. … Read more
If you’re age 60 or over, own your home and need to access money, releasing equity from your home may be an option. There is risk involved and a long-term financial impact. Get independent financial or legal advice before you go ahead. How home equity release works ‘Equity’ is the value of your home, less … Read more
Key takeaways According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), to have a ‘comfortable’ retirement, single people will need $595,000 in retirement savings, and couples will need $690,000, assuming they receive part Age Pensions.1 Retirement calculators can tell you how much capital you need to support the lifestyle you want A financial adviser … Read more
While we all hope for good health, the reality is that some of us may struggle at times with sickness or injury. And that may affect your family’s financial wellbeing. Different types of life insurance or personal insurance can provide an income when you’re unable earn, or a lump sum to protect your loved ones … Read more
Diversification is an investment strategy that lowers your portfolio’s risk and helps you get more stable returns. You diversify by investing your money across different asset classes — such as shares, property, bonds and private equity. Then you diversify across the different options within each asset class. For example, if you buy shares, you buy … Read more
Key takeaways Having an SMSF provides more choice and freedom to access investment options that would otherwise be unavailable through a super fund An SMSF fund can have up to six members which offers greater scale to access investment opportunities that may not be available to you as an individual Running an SMSF successfully is … Read more
Why it’s so important to talk about your finances According to this research1, one in two Australians don’t sit down regularly to look at their finances and one in three say that money is a source of conflict in their relationship. To put conversations about money back on the table, Australians should sit down for … Read more
Check the income to declare, when to report a loss, and deductions you can claim for managed investment trusts. Types of managed investment trusts Managed investment trusts include: cash management trusts money market trusts mortgage trusts unit trusts managed funds, such as a property trust, share trust, equity trust, growth trust, imputation trust or balanced … Read more
Key takeaways People who are good with money are aware of their finances. They create budgets so they can be on top of their income and track their expenses They’re making saving and investing part of their routine Planning ahead with short and long-term financial goals, indicates you’re ahead of the game. Anybody at any … Read more
About downsizer contributions If you are 55 or older, you may be able to contribute up to $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale (or part sale) of your home into your superannuation fund. A downsizer contribution is a non-concessional contribution, but it doesn’t count towards the contribution cap. It will not affect your total … Read more
