Budgeting on a growing family Having children is a rite of passage that brings a mix of joy, fulfilment and anxiety when the financial realities of raising kids become apparent. Parents must make difficult decisions about housing, education and lifestyle to keep the family budget in the black and to give their kids the best start in life. The cost of raising children rose 50 per cent from 2007 to 2012, outpacing growth in …
Procrastination: Just do it. Eventually. Move out of a rut and reach your goals with our five helpful tips. If you’ve been living in a procrastination comfort zone for too long, you’re not alone. And evidence suggests that taking a tough approach won’t help you either.i Research shows that procrastination has its roots in the brain’s frontal systems known to be involved in the processes governing self-regulation, problem solving and planning.i You can do it! …
To sell or not to sell? For many Australians, the family home is their largest asset. And if you’re planning to wind down from work, you may be considering what you’ll do with yours. Like many people, you may have worked for a lifetime to build the value you hold in your family home. While selling your home may not be your first choice, if your super balance is low this may be one …
Working to restore your balance In our fast-paced world, the desire for a better work/life balance is a common goal. It affects everyone from young professionals working long hours to get ahead, dual income households juggling inflexible jobs and children, and older workers wanting more time to help care for grandchildren or ease into retirement. While some people want to increase their working hours, the more common reason for pursuing work/life balance is to …
Preparing for the time of your life The choices we make in life have a big influence on our personal happiness and also on the wellbeing of those we love. Sometimes we anticipate choices with a sense of excitement. And sometimes life throws us curve balls in the form of unexpected events and important decisions. Perhaps you are thinking about a career change or how to achieve a better work/life balance? Maybe you …
Dreaming big with property Owning your own home has long been the Australian dream. Even if it means making a significant upfront investment, the long term gains are generally personally and financially rewarding. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the price of an average Australian home increased by about seven per cent a year between 1986 and 2013. In dollar terms, the average home has grown in value by 6.3 times over the …
How can I make my dream home a reality? Only you can choose the best home for you. But finding a smart way to buy it will probably take some help. Just like engaging an architect to draw a blueprint of your dream home, you may like to consider speaking to a financial expert to help plan the best way to finance your new home. How expert advice can really help There are plenty …
Save for something big. Using goals to achieve your dreams Many people don’t find budgeting and saving easy, nor is it on top of their priority list. Most of us are programmed to look for short cuts, or believe that with a bit of luck – and rising house prices – ‘we’ll be right’. But in reality, saving for the lifestyle we want does require a degree of discipline and an active interest in looking …
All aboard – The popularity of cruising continues to rise Pulling into the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour has to be one of the highlights of any cruise, and it seems Australians agree – according to industry experts it’s predicted that one million Australians1 will hit the high seas next year. The growth in the Australian cruise industry shows no sign of slowing down – rising by an average of 20 per cent each …
Pressed for time? When it comes to achieving work-life balance, many Australian families aim to strike the balance between time and money. If you dream of living your ideal life and achieving that elusive balance between spending time at work and being with your family, you’re not alone. These days, finding time to do it all can be challenging. In fact, around 40% of women and 30% of men report feeling often or always rushed …
