The ins and outs of the Protecting Your Super package

The ins and outs of the Protecting Your Super package This year, the federal government introduced laws called the Protecting Your Super package. It’s a big deal because it addresses important changes to superannuation that are here to stay. In fact, there’s even been an industry-wide campaign about how it’s time to check your super. The package aims to protect Australians from super balances becoming eroded by fees and/or premiums in accounts that aren’t being …

Weekly Market Update 16 August 2019

Weekly Market Update 16 August 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week saw share markets remain under pressure as the trade war rolled and Chinese and German economic data was weak leading to an intensification of global growth fears particularly after declining US bond yields saw a further inversion in the US yield curve. While Chinese shares rose on stimulus hopes US, European and Japanese shares fell, leaving global shares …

How to retire early

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 …

Weekly Market Update 9 August 2019

Weekly Market Update 9 August 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week saw a roller coaster ride in share markets with sharp falls after China responded to Trump’s latest tariffs by letting the Renminbi fall in value and ordering state-owned enterprises to halt agricultural imports from the US and the US responded by labelling China a currency manipulator, followed by a rebound as China limited downside in the Renminbi and …

Our Top 10 lifestyle costs

Our Top 10 lifestyle costs Six out of the top 10 categories relate to just two things. Can you guess what they are, and could you be cutting back? As a nation, Aussies aged 18 and over spent approximately $145 billion on lifestyle costs over a 12-month period, with the average spend per person around $7,800, according to research1. While clothing and footwear took out the number one spot by a country mile on the …

Weekly Market Update 2 August 2019

Weekly Market Update 2 August 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week It was back to “risk off” over the last week as the resumption of the US/China trade war, a less dovish than expected Fed and mixed economic data pushed global share markets down. The Australian ASX 200 followed the All Ords index to a new record high early in the week but the local market succumbed to global share market falls …

Helping grown-up children with their finances

Helping grown-up children with their finances It’s only natural to want to help your kids with big ticket items to give them a good start in life—particularly in an era when tuition fees and house prices make higher education and owning a home less affordable than in previous generations. But it can be difficult to know when to start turning off the tap. If you have an adult child who isn’t very good with money, …

Weekly Market Update 26 July 2019

Weekly Market Update 26 July 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share markets rose over the last week helped along by positive news on trade, a deal to resolve the US debt ceiling and reasonable US earnings. While Australian shares slipped on Friday, they rose through the week helped by the positive global lead with the All Ords finally surpassing its 2007 all-time high with strong gains in energy, consumer, industrial …

Be aware of your money biases

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 …

Weekly Market Update 19 July 2019

Weekly Market Update 19 July 2019 Investment markets and key developments over the past week US, European and Japanese shares slipped over the last week as trade war uncertainty continued to weigh amidst some mixed US earnings reports. Global trade war uncertainties also weighed on the Australian share market with a sharp fall in oil prices particularly hitting energy stocks, but gains in materials, consumer and health stocks left the local market broadly flat for the …