Watch out for tax scams The end of the financial year will likely bring the usual wave of scams. Here’s what to watch for. The Federal Budget is behind us, and amid the celebrations over tax cuts (around $500 annually for low to middle income earners), now is the time to be mindful of scammers pretending to be from government bodies – especially the Tax Office. In some cases, scam victims have lost close to …
Has the housing bubble burst? In some states the property market is up, while in others it’s down – if you’re confused by what’s really happening to Australian house prices, read on. Driven by falling markets in Sydney and Melbourne, national house prices fell 0.1% in May, according to figures from property analytics group Core Logic. For the year from 31 May 2017 to 31 May 2018, prices were down 0.4% marking the first annual fall …
What to consider when buying a car Here’s a list of questions to ask yourself when you’re on the hunt for a new set of wheels. Whether it’s new or used, buying a car isn’t something we do very often. It might be your first big purchase, so it’s something you don’t want to get wrong. Before you hit the dealerships or the internet, check out this list of what to consider when buying a …
How to deal with financial stress – nearly 1 in 3 affected Close to one in three Aussies is feeling the pinch financially, with money worries reportedly leading to sleep loss, conflicts in relationships, isolation, as well as a range of other things.i These were the findings from the inaugural Financial Stress Index, compiled by global research firm CoreData on behalf of Aussie group, Financial Mindfulness, which indicated financial stress is not only being experienced …
All gain, no shame: What to expect from a financial planner So you’re a busy couple building careers and a better future for a young family. Getting professional financial advice might seem like something you’re not ready for yet. But what if seeing a planner could bring you wealth and peace of mind without distracting you from important goals? We all make mistakes with money from time to time. And most of us wish we …
Five important issues to consider before tying the knot Before your big day, much of the financial talk may have been around budgeting for your wedding and planning your honeymoon. But while not nearly as exciting, there’s another vital part of your new partnership that should be considered: your future finances. Finances can be one of the biggest sources of stress and tension in a marriage. However, open communication and careful planning now can help you avoid …
What tap-and-go means for our teens A survey of 1100 high school students suggests many are confused about how credit cards work. Are new technologies making it harder for young people to understand what money management is all about? And what can we do about it? Understanding what happens when you spend money on your credit card seems to be something of a blind spot for young people living in the 21st century. When asked how …
New legislation aims to benefit first home buyers and downsizers Changes aimed at improving housing affordability have passed through parliament. See what the new rules could mean for you. Government proposals around improving housing affordability in Australia were passed through parliament on 7 December 2017.i As part of the changes, first home buyers will be given a tax concession through the ability to save for a home deposit inside super, while Australians aged 65 and …
Personal debt – maybe the mortgage isn’t so bad Household debt in Australia is high but more of us are taking a sensible approach to debt management. Nationally, our household debt ratio is nudging 200%. On paper it means we owe twice as much in debt as we bring home in our pay packets each year. It sounds like an alarming figure but as 74% of all households have some level of debt, the reality …
What’s debt consolidation and do I need it? Stuck with a post-Christmas spending hangover? Debt consolidation could be a solution, but tread carefully: there are no easy fixes. Debt consolidation involves taking all your monthly debts – for example, from your credit cards, store cards, mortgage, car and other loans and so on – and rolling them into a single low interest rate loan. If you are rolling all your debt, including high interest rate …
