Life’s not all beer and skittles – how to manage a lump sum Winning the lottery is the ultimate financial dream for many folk, but most people will not fall into the category of lottery winners in their lifetime. However, many will receive a lump sum at some stage – whether it’s a redundancy payment or an inheritance on the death of a relative. Thinking “spend, spend, spend” when it happens will soon end the …
School of hard knocks: public vs private education From kindergarten to Year 12 the total cost of putting a child through private school in Australia ranges from $296,806 to $543,334, depending on what state or region you live in. By comparison, the cost of public school education for the same years varies between $50,950 in regional Queensland and $69,589 in metropolitan New South Wales. Whether public or private, it might almost be worth moving to …
5 ways to set your kids up for financial success As we move towards a cashless society, how do we teach children that money comes from hard work and good financial management and not some magic money pot in the sky? “In a world of credit cards and online banking, actual physical money is becoming an alien concept for today’s young. From their perspective, a quick tap of the plastic is all it takes to …
Role-reversal: When parents are relying on you As your parents get older, your whole family will be facing lots of changes. Supporting them during this time can be challenging, with lots of choices to be made. Get some tips to help you prepare for this role-reversal without it becoming a burden or a cause of family conflict. In the later stages of life, many seniors want to stay independent for as long as possible, but …
Sorting out sibling squabbles When families clash over money, particularly as parents reach their senior years, there can be many issues to resolve. Hear from CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional James McFall of Yield Financial Planning about how family members can plan for a peaceful transfer of wealth between generations and siblings. Who cares? Nothing is certain except for death and taxes –it’s one of our oldest clichés. Exactly how someone meets their death isn’t certain, but if you’re lucky …
How my life changed when I became a carer Writer Ambra Sancin shares how her life changed when she became a carer for her mother. Many Australians will take on caregiver roles at some point in their lives. Mine came three-and-a-half years ago and it’s been challenging (but ultimately rewarding) on a number of levels. At 90, mum had a number of medical conditions including hypertension, atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat), macular degeneration – as …
Working after kids – is it worth it? To work, or not to work? That is the question many Australian women (and some men) have to consider after having children. Sadly, both options can have long-term negative financial consequences. While it would seem obvious that not working is likely to set your bank balance back, going back to work can also be costly. Indeed, studies have shown that some mothers go back to work for …
Insurance 101: what do you need and when? There is a dizzying array of types of insurance available in Australia, although the average person probably won’t be needing aircraft or defamation insurance. But like death and taxes, the majority of people won’t be able to avoid getting at least some of the basic types of insurance such as motor vehicle, house and contents and health cover. Motor vehicle insurance Financial Planner AFP® Amanda Cassar of Wealth …
Relationship rules for your finances (Video) Your relationship might be rock solid. But any romance can come unstuck when you fall out over money. Keep those financial squabbles at bay with our friendly guide to joint finances. If you have a question you’d like answered by a professional financial planner please email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. This video contains general financial advice only. It is provided by an Australian Financial …
5 tips for a stress-free conversation about your Will No one likes unpleasant surprises. Talking about your Will with your family can be stressful, but it can also help to avoid a worse situation when you are gone. Contemplating one’s own death can be hard and in many families, talking about money or inheritances is taboo. Some parents worry that letting their children know how much they stand to inherit may cause a sense of entitlement or …
