Money and other family values

Money and other family values At a time when spending is becoming ever more streamlined, it’s even more important for kids to understand the value of money. But how can parents and schools teach important money lessons without making kids feel anxious about not having enough or want more than they really need? Discover tools and concepts that can help with financial literacy, at home and in schools. As kids, we learn a great deal …

Early retirement – is it right for you?

Early retirement – is it right for you? International research shows leaving work early may not be so good for your life expectancy. We bring you a checklist of things to consider before you leave work and ride off into the sunset for your happily ever after. Retire early for a longer life? If you’ve already squirreled away enough super for an early retirement, it’s probably pretty high on your list of priorities. But money …

Don’t fall for it – who can you trust with your money?

Don’t fall for it – who can you trust with your money? Opportunities to make your millions can come in many guises. Maybe you’ve been tempted to jump on the Bitcoin bandwagon or find a surefire way to become rich overnight. But it’s very important to fully understand the risks involved and seek sound advice before handing over your cash. In early 2018 the media has featured many headlines about the rollercoaster ride many investors …

Italy is a worry – but 3 reasons not to be concerned about an Itexit

Italy is a worry – but 3 reasons not to be concerned about an Itexit Key points A populist coalition government in Italy is negative for Italian assets. Lingering uncertainty about a push for Italy to exit the Euro is likely a negative for the Euro too, though an Itexit and a Euro break up remain unlikely. Eurozone shares are likely to be relative outperformers globally thanks to more attractive valuations than the US, easier …

How to deal with financial stress

How to deal with financial stress – nearly 1 in 3 affected Close to one in three Aussies is feeling the pinch financially, with money worries reportedly leading to sleep loss, conflicts in relationships, isolation, as well as a range of other things.i These were the findings from the inaugural Financial Stress Index, compiled by global research firm CoreData on behalf of Aussie group, Financial Mindfulness, which indicated financial stress is not only being experienced …

Are you cheating on your partner – with money?

Are you cheating on your partner – with money? Financial “infidelity” can be just as destructive as the more traditional kind. Discover just what financial infidelity might look like in your relationship and what to do if you find you’ve been lied to – or need to confess.       Lying about money is on the rise What hurts more – having your partner hide another relationship from you, or lie about how much money …

Econosights – Five Global Risks to Watch

Econosights – Five Global Risks to Watch The global economic upswing is expected to remain in place for now which is good news for growth assets. But there are still plenty of downside risks to the growth outlook. We explore five key areas we are watching. Introduction We remain positive around the outlook for the global economy over the next year. But there are still numerous downside risks to growth that could cause issues for …

Retirement and your mental health

Retirement and your mental health It can be hard to stay engaged and keep a positive outlook in retirement, but advances in technology can help enormously. For example, if you are interested in volunteering, websites such as Good Company can instantly put you in touch with hundreds of opportunities, charities and individual projects. Or other options such as renting out a spare room on Airbnb or driving for Uber will not only contribute to keeping you more connected, you can also …

Weekly Market Update 25 May 2018

Weekly Market Update 25 May 2018 Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week has again seen geopolitical issues dominate with renewed trade worries out of the US, the cancellation of the North Korean summit and rising angst around the formation of a populist coalition government in Italy. Despite this US shares managed a slight rise but Eurozone, Japanese, Chinese and Australian shares fell. Bond yields continued to blow out in Italy …

Watch out for tax scams

Watch out for tax scams The end of the financial year will likely bring the usual wave of scams. Here’s what to look for. The Federal Budget is behind us, and amid the celebrations over tax cuts (around $500 annually for low to middle income earners if proposals are legislated), now is the time to be mindful of scammers pretending to be from government bodies – especially the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). In some cases, scam victims …