So you’re… starting a family Starting a family will bring you plenty of joy, but it will also create many challenges. In addition to possible sleepless nights and changes in your lifestyle, it could also affect you financially. First, there are the costs of raising a child. Research published by the Australian Institute of Family studies in April found the minimum weekly cost of one child in unemployed and low-income families ranges from $140 to $170 a …
Weekly Market Update 13 July 2018 Investment markets and key developments over the past week There was plenty of volatility this week as equities initially got hit following more detail from the US around additional tariffs on Chinese imports. The announcement actually contained nothing new, as Trump said in late June that the US would look to impose an additional 10% tariff on $200 billion of Chinese imports if China was to retaliate against US trade tariffs (which …
Are you mentally ready for retirement? The first thing on most peoples’ minds when they think of retirement is: “When can I afford it?” and “How much money will I need?” But the question often not considered is: “Am I mentally ready for retirement?” Financial planners often bring this to the attention of their pre-retirement clients so they can help them make the transition. Chris Giaouris, CFP® and principal advisor at Chronos Private says the main points …
EOFY super returns: how have markets fared? The last financial year has been a strong period for super fund portfolios. Equity markets posted solid gains both in Australia and offshore, up 13.7% and 15.4% respectively. Returns were also positive across other asset classes such as direct property and infrastructure, and bond returns, although modest, were much stronger than the previous year. Overall, global growth conditions helped to drive earnings and although the US Fed continued …
11 wedding budget planning tips The happiest day of your life doesn’t need to be the most expensive. For some couples, the most expensive day of their life will be when they tie the knot, with around 35%1 of newlyweds blowing their wedding budget before they even walk down the aisle. With the average Aussie wedding costing $36,200, and more than half of that money going toward food, drinks and the venue2, we check out some …
What are the traits, behaviours and attitudes that lead to success? “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail,” said Benjamin Franklin over 200 years ago and countless others since. When it comes to financial planning, the three top regrets of Australians who don’t have a financial plan are: not saving enough; poor decisions; and not taking care of themselves. But the good news is research has found that one in four Australians …
Dealing with debt: finding smarter ways to live with your liabilities Not all debts are created equal, as any good financial planner will tell you. Unsecured debt such as credit card debt – as opposed to a mortgage or car loan – generally has the highest interest rates and if you don’t pay the account off every month you are paying up to 25 per cent extra for anything you purchase with the card. Getting …
Get social to boost your savings Want to get on the fast-track to your financial goals? Partner with a money buddy or join a support group and you could find yourself saving more and getting closer to your goals. When you’re making a firm commitment to boosting your savings, getting help doesn’t have to mean cutting up your credit card or keeping away from shopping malls. With support and encouragement from your financial allies, you could …
Super Investment Options – What’s Right For You? Choosing the right super investment options at the right time could make a difference to how much money you have when you retire. When it comes to your superannuation, the investment options you choose today and in future may impact how much money you retire with. If you haven’t selected an investment option within your super, you’re probably invested in your fund’s default option, which will generally …
Superannuation stumbling blocks What’s stopping you from saving for a retirement you can really look forward to? Take a look at these four common barriers to saving more super and make a plan for having all your goals and financial priorities in order. 1. Enjoying life to the full Living for the moment is something that may come very naturally to you. Perhaps you’ve always been comfortable living month to month on your salary, seizing …
