See how you can cash in on government co-contributions If you’ve made an after-tax contribution to your super fund, you might be eligible for a co-contribution of up to $500 from the government. Did you know the government may add up to $500 to your super fund, if you’re a low to middle-income earner who has made an after-tax contribution to your super? If you’d like to know more, we explain how government co-contributions work, …
The future for working mothers On Mother’s Day 2018, we explore some of the challenges currently facing working Mums in Australia and whether they can expect better career opportunities, rewards and work-life balance in the future. Challenge 1: Mind the gap According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, women take home on average $251.20 less than men each week (based on full-time adult earnings), creating a national gender “pay gap” of 15.3%1. This means that women, on …
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Wrap 11 May 2018 This month the key ESG issues making headlines are: Rio Tinto’s climate change resolution marks a significant shift in investor culture Obesity and Nutrition: How are Australia’s largest food and beverage manufacturers performing? Finance: UK Government calls on top pension funds to disclose climate risks EU Commission approves Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto Florida shooting – will things change for the better in the US? Rio Tinto’s climate …
7 steps to wealth and living well 1. Time is critically important When it comes to superannuation and savings it’s very important to remember that time waits for no one. So I’ll always encourage my clients to start saving right away, even if it’s just a modest amount. Compound interest is your best friend when it comes to saving but it needs time to work. Although starting to save early is the ideal, it’s never …
Psych yourself into saving Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or living comfortably, saving money can be something you’ll be finding hard to do. In her new book “Mind Over Money: The Psychology of Money and How To Use it Better” BBC broadcaster and psychologist Claudia Hammond shares insights into how we can change our ways when it comes to budgeting, spending and saving more for a rainy day. Why should we save? If …
Your retirement questions answered If you’re wondering what you might do with your super money when you do access it, remember there will be a number of things to weigh up and look into. How can I take my super? Taking super as a lump sum A lump sum could help you pay off your home loan or other outstanding debts, but there may be tax implications to consider and you should think about what …
All about annuities All about annuities Offering a secure income for as long as you need it, annuities are often seen as a safe, but not very sexy option for investing your retirement savings. This animation unpacks the pros and cons of annuities. Online source: Produced by The Financial Financial Planning Association of Australia and published on 25 January 2018. Original article.
How to make money by turning your unwanted goods into cash Whether it’s not-quite-right gifts you have received or the results of an annual clean out, your trash might be someone else’s treasure. A survey by online marketplace Gumtree found that Australians received more than 21 million unwanted gifts for Christmas in 2017 with an average value of $68 eachi. If that sounds familiar, you might be among – or might want to consider joining …
Baby budget – Money mistakes new parents make It’s no secret that having children can completely change the way you live, and your perceptions of life around you. So, to help you get your head (and new baby budget) around this new lifestyle, here’s a list of some of the new parent money mistakes to avoid, and some suggestions for what you could do instead. Tip 1: Don’t forget the milk We start with the …
The 2018-19 Australian Budget – saving a windfall with the hope of (decent) tax cuts to come Introduction The 2018-19 Budget will be the last before the next election (due by May 2019) and so had to provide pre-election goodies but in a way that keeps the return to surplus on track. Thanks to an improvement in the budget position since the Mid-Year review, of around $7bn per annum, this has been made relatively easy. …
