Money mistakes people make in their 50s and 60s

Money mistakes people make in their 50s and 60s Avoid these common money traps to make sure you have enough put aside for a comfortable retirement. When you’re in your 50s and 60s, you know you’ve worked long and hard for what you’ve achieved in life and probably have a fair idea of how you want to live in your future retirement. But it’s important not to become complacent and ignore the warning signs of …

Should you lend money to family?

Should you lend money to family? What you should consider before handing over your hard earned savings You’re probably fairly used to helping your family out with a little extra cash here and there. Whether it’s pocket money for doing chores, or money to pay phone bills, go see a movie or buy clothes, for example. But what happens when they put their hands out for help to buy the big ticket items? They might …

5 ways Australians will use their tax return this year

5 ways Australians will use their tax return this year With nearly one in three people planning to save their tax return, have you considered what you might do with yours? This year more than 75% of Australians expect to receive a tax return, with a large portion of the population planning to use the money they receive to take the edge off their financial commitments.i We look at the most common ways people intend …

Aussie banks are OK but there’s better value overseas

Aussie banks are OK but there’s better value overseas 04 October 2017 Banks globally are better value than local banks for share market investors but our “big four” still don’t look overvalued, says Shane Oliver, AMP Capital head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist. “Going forward in an absolute sense the banks look ok. P/Es [price earnings] multiples are a little under the market average multiples in Australia and dividend yields are still good.“There is …

10 experiences for $10

10 experiences for $10 For the next time you’re itching to get out, but don’t want to spend a fortune, here’s a list of 10 things to do for about $10 (or less). 1. Get near some water If you live in Australia, you probably live within 50km of the coastline.i And if you don’t, there’s a good chance you live near another type of water source – a river, dam, lake or even the local …

Helping your kids buy a home

Helping your kids buy a home Increasing house prices are good news for property owners but can be a bit of a hurdle for people trying to get into the market. If, like many of our clients, your goal is to help your children buy a home, there are a few ways you can help. Perhaps some of the tips below might give you an idea or two to discuss with your adviser. 1. Start …

Passive Investments Have Rewards and Risks Alike

07 September 2017 Passive Investments Have Rewards and Risks Alike Passive investments such as index funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) provide cheap access to global stockmarkets, but AMP Capital’s Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist, Shane Oliver, says they create risks of their own. “Yes there is a positive to passive investing, it gives you the underlying exposure and the fees are low,” Oliver says, adding that “a lot of effort goes into …

Money can buy you happiness, you’re just spending it wrong

Money can buy you happiness, you’re just spending it wrong This is the view of Dr Michael Norton from Harvard Business School. Michael’s research indicates that money can indeed make you happy if you use it to buy experiences, time, or invest in others. Buying experiences – when we buy experiences, we don’t just buy the duration of that experience. Michael’s team’s research found that we’re happiest the day before leaving for a holiday–the anticipation is …

Cryptocurrencies – Caution Needed

07 September 2017 Cryptocurrencies – Caution Needed Cryptocurrencies are generating a lot of interest from investors – helped in part by a near 2000 percent in the value of market leader – Bitcoin, but AMP Capital’s Shane Oliver is sitting on the fence.“No matter how many times its explained to me how it works I still struggle to completely understand it,” says Oliver, AMP Capital Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist. “One thing I …

Millions but not all to benefit from 2017 super changes

Millions but not all to benefit from 2017 super changes With changes to super now in effect, numerous Australians will get a leg up, many being low-income earners. According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), more than four million Australians will benefit from the super changes that came into effect on 1 July 2017.i The industry body said while many would be impacted by new rules and restrictions, millions would benefit from …