What do Tiger Woods, Ben Stiller, Australian pensioners and dating app users have in common? Despite being from different walks of life, they have all fallen prey to various scams. In 2024, more than A$2.03 billion was lost to scams in Australia across 494,732 reported cases. Most of these scams were enabled by technology, with … Read more
A simple guide for investors and pensioners Australia’s latest dividends stream was flowing strongly recently as many listed companies and exchange traded funds (ETFs) collectively paid out income returns directly to their investors. The bulk of those payments were the dividends that were declared in August during the latest company reporting season and related to … Read more
How much super should I have is a common question. But when it comes to how much super (or other savings) you’ll need for retirement there’s no single right number – because everyone’s retirement looks different. It depends what your big costs are likely to be, and what sort of lifestyle you want. No matter … Read more
What is Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)? If you’re finding it difficult to save a 20% home loan deposit, you might still be able to borrow by paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Here’s everything you need to know: Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is insurance that a lender takes out to insure itself against the risk of not recovering … Read more
Divorce can be one of life’s most emotionally and financially disruptive events. Whether you’re in the early stages of separation or rebuilding after a settlement, understanding the financial implications and taking proactive streps can make all the difference. More than 47,000 divorces were granted in Australia in 2024, down 3 per cent on the previous … Read more
When school holidays come along, there are plenty of cheap and cheerful things to do. Hanging out at home With some planning and creative thinking, there are ways to keep your kids busy at home. Art and craft Look around the house for things to use for art and craft activities. Anything from making sock … Read more
Owning your home outright might feel like a far-off dream, especially if you’re grappling with cost-of-living increases – but with a few smart financial strategies, it could become a reality sooner than expected. Paying off your loan faster doesn’t have to mean overhauling your lifestyle or making huge sacrifices. In fact, many people make real … Read more
The number of applications to access super for medical treatments has surged You may have heard or read ads from some dental service providers asserting that you can access your superannuation to pay for dental procedures. It may sound like a great idea to some people, but don’t smile too soon. The Australian Taxation Office … Read more
Risks of entering into a scheme An SMSF is a trust generally run for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits to its members. Generally, it’s illegal for anyone to benefit from the SMSF outside this arrangement. Individuals are being targeted to start an SMSF for a range of inappropriate and illegal reasons, such as: … Read more
Low interest rates have intensified the search for higher income returns Noted in a recent article, Australian households are now holding record amounts of cash. Reserve Bank data shows the weighted average interest rate being paid on term deposit amounts up to $10,000 held in authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADI) such as banks and credit unions … Read more
Recently, there was an alert about the ASIC Moneysmart website being impersonated. It’s part of a growing – and increasingly sophisticated – trend of scammers targeting reputable, high traffic websites. These days, websites can be very easily set up and look quite professional without much effort, thanks to templates. So, whether you’re visiting the website … Read more
Get the right amount of home insurance and protect yourself from costly surprises. When disaster strikes, the last thing you want to discover is that your insurance doesn’t stretch far enough. Underinsurance is very common in Australia and most people don’t know they are underinsured. And it can leave you significantly out of pocket when … Read more
