Ready, set… auction! Bidding for a property at auction can be stressful but you can reduce the stress involved. Before you consider bidding use our tips to make sure you’re prepared and know what to expect. Step 1: Work out the costs Working out how much you can afford to repay on a home loan plus all the associated costs of buying a property—like stamp duty―is the first step. Of course, buying at auction …
Intergenerational wealth transfer Intergenerational wealth transfer – or in simpler terms, passing on assets to your family, can be, and often is, a huge issue for all family members concerned. If done well and executed properly, it can make a real difference to the financial position of the recipients. If misjudged or poorly handled, it can cause enormous grief, fights and resentments that are never forgotten nor forgiven. What’s involved? The first step you …
Heirlooms no more – why kids no longer want parents’ treasures If you are a baby boomer, you might be thinking about gifting some of your treasured possessions – especially if downsizing is on the horizon. But if you were planning to pass them on to your kids, you could be in for a surprise. Increasingly, millennials aren’t interested in inheriting that large landscape oil painting or dark wood antique dresser. In fact, the trend …
Top apps for the over 50s With almost 80% of 55-64 year olds and 46% of 64+ year olds on-line in Australia,i there is no denying that the SilverSurfer generation are embracing the World Wide Web – and not just from a computer – phones and tablets are fast becoming the most popular way to discover all the net has to offer. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics,ii the four most popular types …
What exactly is income protection insurance and do I need it? Have you ever wondered how you and your family would cope if you had an injury or illness and couldn’t work for several months… or even years? For some people, income protection insurance might be the answer. What exactly is income protection insurance and do I need it? Income protection insurance (or temporary incapacity or salary continuance insurance) provides cover if you can’t work …
Volunteering abroad! Ever wondered what it would be like to uproot your life and do something completely different? People of all ages do just that by volunteering abroad. In places like Mongolia, Thailand, Romania, Mexico or Fiji, volunteers are needed every day. You could use your skills and experience on projects from archaeology, journalism, environment, to human rights, teaching, sports and healthcare. Whatever your specialisation, if you have the desire to enrich a community, …
Phone security: get switched on Keep your money, identity and personal information safe Have you ever left your phone behind? It’s an odd feeling – like part of you is missing. And even though you’ll only feel right with it back in your hand, if your phone’s secure you’ll have peace of mind that your money and identity are safe in the meantime. Make sure your phone’s not susceptible to viruses and, if lost or …
Make your own plans for aged care It can be tempting to put off thinking about aged care. When you’re busy enjoying life in the present it can be challenging to find the time or desire to think too far ahead. But the key to successful ageing is having a sense of control—and when it comes to control, planning ahead is essential. When’s the right time to start planning? Considering your aged care options …
Do you have a key person in your business? If your business is like millions of other small or medium businesses in Australia, it’s likely that you’ll have one or more individuals whose involvement is critical to its success. This ‘key person’ might be important because of their investment or experience, their technical expertise or their business connections. And while we don’t like to think about it, no longer having this key person involved …
Travellers’ Tales – Thai golf dreams Thwack! – The ball goes slicing off toward the long reeds behind which there’s a pond. “Do you think it’s gone in the water?” “50/50…” says the smiling female caddy. That’s not what you want to hear. The Thais are so keen to please, that when you hit a ball out of bounds or into a lake, it nearly always elicits the “50/50” remark. They don’t want to …
