Reduce your bills with these household items See what things you might have at home that could deliver you cost savings later on. We all enjoy the odd bargain and inexpensive label that delivers quality at a fraction of the price; however, sometimes shelling out a bit more up front can mean greater cost savings down the track. Check out these seven things that could provide you with financial benefits over the long term. 1. …
Money can buy you happiness – if you spend it right At AMP’s recent Amplify program, high-profile Harvard Business professor and behavioural finance expert, Michael Norton, asked the crowded room a question. If you found $20 in the street today, how would you spend it to make yourself happiest? Norton, whose TED Talk on money and happiness has attracted almost 3.5 million views, followed up with another question: Think of the last $20 you had …
Planning to avoid financial mistakes Selling shares when prices have tumbled or buying a house at the height of a property boom only to dispose of it when the market falls are among the financial set-backs that can happen to anyone on the road to retirement. Everyone makes mistakes during their investment lifetime; the trick is to avoid them when you can and learn from the ones you can’t. Have a plan Failing to plan …
How to make technology work for you Automate the boring things Set up direct debits so your bills are paid on time without having to remember all the due dates. And if your credit card is weighing you down, set up a regular payment and pay the full amount each month if you can to avoid more interest. Or at least pay the minimum monthly amount before the due date rolls around. You’ll have peace …
How can I safeguard my ability to pay off my home loan? It’s not unusual that life can be smooth sailing one minute and throw you a curveball the next. You might be hit with an injury or illness, a reduction in income or redundancy, a separation from your partner, or even a death in the family—all of which can be difficult, emotionally as well as financially. If you happen to owe money on your …
Gut instinct is no match for expert advice By Paul Clitheroe 6 February 2017 One of the marvelous aspects of living in the digital age is the ready availability of information. It’s a far cry from the days when we often made decisions based on a hunch, and that’s just as well. Research by broking group Mortgage Choice confirms that one in three Australians have regretted a financial decision based on gut instinct. When it …
What’s your debt age now? The types of debt we have largely depends on our age and stage in life. For most of us, having debt in some form or another is an inescapable fact of life. And despite its reputation, debt is not necessarily a dirty word. If managed well, it can be a powerful tool to build wealth, and good debts, such as those used to invest in an asset which increases in …
What financial records do I need to keep? Ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of paper? Tame the paperwork today and reap the rewards tomorrow. Life can be complicated enough without all the administrative paperwork that often accompanies it. This is particularly true when it comes to your personal finances. If stacks of old bank statements, utility bills, receipts, insurance and superannuation documents mean you can’t see the trees for the paper, de-clutter, …
Why goals succeed where resolutions fail By now school, work and daily routines may be ruling your week once again. And if you made any resolutions over the holiday season, chances are you’re probably slipping back into your old ways. Don’t worry. Researchi has proven resolutions rarely work. Mainly because resolutions tend to expect us to change habits we’ve built over a lifetime, overnight. Psychology professor Peter Herman calls them the “false hope syndrome” because …
Give your career a health check Health… check. Finances… check. Career… check? Are you happy at work? Do you jump out of bed excited about tackling your next project? Or are you counting down the days until your holidays or retirement? If you answered ‘yes’ to the last question, it might be time to give your career a health check. We all know the benefits of having regular medical check-ups but, just like your body, …
