How to review your direct debits and save Direct debits can be extremely convenient and even save you money. But they can become costly – and may even send you into debt – when you lose track of your automated payments. Conduct regular reviews to keep on top of your direct debits. Here’s how. Type ‘direct debit’ into your internet search engine and the words ‘hassle free’, ‘easy’ and ‘simple’ will likely pop up in …
Frugal February – how much could you save? It’s the shortest month of the year so what better time to make a change and save some money? We’ve got three tips for each of the next four weeks to help those dollars pile up in Frugal February. Week 1 – the same lifestyle for less In week one, we’re easing you into the swing of saving with some good financial habits to get you into …
Make Australia Save Again Are you one of the 20 per cent of Australians with less than $250 in their savings account?i Recent research from AMP Bank has found that one in five Australians isn’t saving any of their monthly income. And we’re all different when it comes to saving. People in Tasmania and Western Australia have the least amount of savings, while men on average have nearly 20 per cent more money saved than …
Can refinancing my home loan save me money? By replacing your home loan with a new one, you could take advantage of a better deal. Even if you secured a competitive package when you first took out your home loan, it’s worth reviewing each yeari to make sure the interest rates, fees, features and terms & conditions continue to meet your needs. And with interest rates at an all-time low in Australiaii, now may be a …
How do you save for that rainy day? It’s not just our farmers who keep their eyes on the horizon for rain. Recent research found almost twice as many Australians think saving for an emergency or a rainy day is more important than putting cash away for a holiday. Indeed, saving for a rainy day is our number one savings priority. According to AMP Bank, those aged between 35 and 44 years old are …
How to retire early Whether you choose or need early retirement, having a plan can give your money the best chance of lasting the distance. Whether lifestyle preferences or circumstances beyond your control are behind your decision to retire early, you’ll need to make a plan to help your retirement savings last, while still enjoying a few of your favourite comforts in life. Here are some retirement planning tips to consider when thinking about retiring …
Be aware of your money biases Knowledge is power. The more you’re aware of how your mind works the more you can adjust your attitude towards money. Six cognitive biases that influence how we save, spend and invest money We like to think we’re rational beings. But the reality is that a lot of our daily behaviour is influenced by our subconscious. Behavioural scientists have looked at the way human beings are wired and discovered …
How to save money Saving money doesn’t just happen, but these steps could help you to reach your saving goals sooner. How Australians save Research has found that almost three quarters of Australians surveyed save by putting spare money into a savings account, whether they do this themselves or via an automatic transfer. Other popular savings methods include keeping savings money in an account they can’t touch, building up extra savings in their transaction account …
Sharing financial wisdom between the generations Money know-how can come from anyone, young or old. When it comes to financial wisdom, author and speaker Kylie Travers and actor and singer Charmaine Bingwa have taken their lead from the previous generation. Save and save some more There’s no getting around it, getting on top of your finances means saving and saving means having discipline. Both Kylie and Charmaine learnt from their parents – and grandparents in …
To save or invest? In today’s low interest rate environment, it’s hard to get ahead with your savings to buy a home or other personal goals. But if you don’t have much to lose is it too big a gamble to be investing your money instead? This article draws on expert advice from a planner about whether investing is a good option for making more from the money you have. We’ll talk about different strategies …
