Plan more, worry less Want to make money worries a thing of the past? A new year can be a great time to take control of your finances and enjoy greater peace of mind, now and in the future. New year, more stress Thanks to the post-spending hangover many of us suffer after buying big for the festive season, the new year can start with an unhealthy dose of financial stress. According to a 2017 survey …
Family activities to do on a budget If your little angels are bleeding you dry, here are some cheap and effortless ways you could have fun at home. If you’ve ever taken the kids for a game of ten pin bowling, you’re probably not alone if the budget you set yourself was quickly squashed on the back of a second game, pizzas, soft drinks, and various arcade games on the way out because you know …
Weekly Market Update 18 May 2018 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share marketswere mixed last week with Japanese and Chinese shares up 0.8% and Australian shares up 0.5%, but Eurozone shares flat weighed down by a fall in Italian shares and US shares down 0.5% on the back of rising bond yields and geopolitical worries. Bond yields mostly rose led by strong data out of the US and the spread between …
Should I take my super as a lump sum? Taking your super as a lump sum might be tempting, but it won’t be the best option for everyone. You’ve probably spent much of your working life accumulating super. So, when the time comes and you’re able to access it, you might be wondering whether you’d be better off taking the money as a lump sum, income stream, or even a bit of both. To help you make …
An additional 21 great investment quotes Introduction Investing can be frustrating and depressing at times, particularly if you don’t understand how markets work and don’t have the right mindset. The good news is that the basics of investing are timeless, and some have a knack of encapsulating these in a sentence or two that is both insightful and easy to understand. In recent years I’ve written insights highlighting investment quotes that I find particularly useful. …
7 budgeting apps to help you save Where does all that money go? A host of apps are available to help you easily answer that question and even budget better, so you don’t get caught short in the event of a ‘rainy day’ and can feel more comfortable and in control of your finances every day. The best place to start is with your bank. Most major Australian banks offer their customers great tools to …
The best money blogs and financial advice for 20-somethings Are you a 20-something, a Millennial, a Gen Y or a Gen Next? Actually, it’s a trick question, as they’re all the same thing. Whether you believe such a label applies to you or not, you may think managing your money better isn’t something you should be doing until you’re 30-something and living in your own home with kids. Here we feature some money blogs to …
How much super should I have at my age? We look at the average super balances for different age groups in Australia so you can see how your super savings compare. A healthy super balance can be a key ingredient in being able to live the life we want in retirement. But for many people, retirement is a long way off, and it can be hard to know if your super is on track. If you’ve …
Is working more the answer to your financial problems? When working more means earning more, it makes sense to take that promotion or extra shift to get ahead financially. But when expenses go up and quality of life goes down, is the price you’re paying for longer hours too high? So you’ve been offered a pay rise at work that comes with more responsibilities. If that’s going to mean staying late at the office or …
How to build equity in your home and use it to invest Whether you’re looking to renovate, invest or pay off something big, home equity can be a valuable resource when it’s used correctly. The equity in your property can be a valuable resource, as it may allow you to secure finance to achieve your goals, whether they be investment or lifestyle oriented. If it’s something you’ve been thinking about, here are some pointers—the most …
