COVID relief continues for retirees The Australian Government has extended measures brought in to help retirees through the COVID-19 crisis. Lower minimum income rate… If you hold an account-based pension or similar product, you need to withdraw a certain amount each financial year – this is called your minimum income amount. The Government reduced this amount by 50% during the last year. The lower rate has now been extended until 30 June 2022 so Australian …
Coronavirus continues to cause havoc globally and in Australia – but here are five reasons for optimism Key points The news on coronavirus has been bleak again lately – with rising cases globally & the ongoing NSW lockdown. However, there are five reasons for optimism: lockdowns still work against Delta (eg, in SA & Victoria); vaccines are working; once lockdowns end economic activity rebounds quickly; the threat posed by Delta will keep fiscal & monetary …
Market Update 30 July Investment markets and key developments over the past week Despite some concerns about Chinese regulatory tightening early in the week and ongoing worries about coronavirus US and European shares rose over the last week helped by strong earnings results in the US and strong data in Europe. Japanese and Chinese shares fell though with regulatory issues weighing on the latter. The positive US lead helped push the Australian share market …
Money worries and your mental health Worrying about your finances can take a real toll on your mental health. With many people experiencing financial stress this year, we look at what you can do to improve your financial (and mental) wellbeing. It’s been a trying time for many people, with our collective mental health taking a toll as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on. The Melbourne Institute says one-in-three Australians are now reporting financial stress, while one-in-five are …
Speaking up against financial elder abuse Australians from all walks of life are being urged to speak up if they suspect they or someone they know are being subjected to financial elder abuse. Marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day last month on June 15, Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA) urged Australians to understand the red flags for financial elder abuse. These include: Unexplained inability to pay bills; Significant bank withdrawals; Changes to wills; Blocked access …
How to give your finances a health check How healthy are your finances? Isn’t it time you put your own financial wellbeing front and centre? You can take control of your financial future quickly and easily, with a simple financial health check. Just like your physical health, it’s worth giving your finances a check-up once in a while. Over time, unhealthy spending habits can creep in, threatening to derail your progress. Here’s how to give …
Tax deductible donations: Get the most out of giving back Giving to charity can be a great way to help others and give your tax return a boost, but not all donations are tax deductible. Here’s what you need to know about making a tax deductible donation. Donating to a charity or cause you care about is a win-win for both you and the charity. Charities rely on the generosity of donors to help them …
The new COVID-19 relief schemes explained As we navigate more COVID-19 lockdowns across Australia, here’s a guide to the main benefits you may be entitled to from the government, state by state. With new COVID-19 lockdowns, and an increasing number of cases it’s understandable if Aussies are feeling overwhelmed. On top of that, concern about their finances can just add to that stress. The COVID-19 early release of super program ended in December 2020 and the JobKeeper …
Market Update 23 July Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share market indexes mostly managed to look through coronavirus concerns over the last week and rebound helped by good US earnings and dovish guidance from the ECB. US, European and Chinese shares rose but Japanese shares fell. The positive global lead also helped push up the Australian share market to a new record high despite expanding lockdowns with strong gains in lockdown …
Nine common mistakes investors make Key points Many of the mistakes investors make are based on common sense rules of thumb that turn out to be wrong. As a result, it’s often wise for investors to turn common sense logic on its head. The easiest way to avoid many of these mistakes is to have a long-term investment plan that aligns your financial goals with your risk tolerance. Introduction In the confusing and often seemingly …
