Should I invest my home deposit? | Money & Life

Should I invest my home deposit? In the past year, national housing values have risen a whopping 22.2 per cent, adding around $126,700 to the median cost of a home. The rapid rate of growth has left many would-be homebuyers out in the cold. So if you’re saving for your first home, or looking to upgrade, what can you do? After another year of double digit growth, many first-time buyers have been left shaking their …

Should you merge your finances with your partner? | Money & Life

Should you merge your finances with your partner? If you’re in a relationship, it can be tricky to work out when to start sharing income and expenses. Here are a few ways to successfully merge money as a couple. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives, and romance is no exception. While lengthy separations have led some relationships to end, other couples are choosing to move in together more quickly than …

How ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ affects your credit score | Money & Life

How ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ affects your credit score What impact does ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ have on your credit score, particularly for people wanting to secure a home loan? Christopher Zinn explains. In recent years, ‘buy now pay later’ (BNPL) has become an increasingly popular method for consumers looking to purchase goods via installments without resorting to credit cards. These services are often billed as a safer and more convenient  way for consumers to …

Money worries and your mental health | Money & Life

Money worries and your mental health Worrying about your finances can take a real toll on your mental health. With many people experiencing financial stress this year, we look at what you can do to improve your financial (and mental) wellbeing. It’s been a trying time for many people, with our collective mental health taking a toll as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on. The Melbourne Institute says one-in-three Australians are now reporting financial stress, while one-in-five are …

What you can claim when working from home | Money & Life

What you can claim when working from home Setting up a home office? Here’s how to create a comfortable workspace, while offsetting the extra costs of working remotely. If you’re among those who’s decided to say ‘so-long’ to the office, you’ve probably also realised that having the right home-office set up is essential for your productivity – and sanity. As many of us learnt during lockdown, trying to fit in a full day’s work at …

Buying a home in 2021? Read this first | Money & Life

Buying a home in 2021? Read this first Thinking about making a sea-change or tree-change? Wondering if it’s a good time to buy in the city? With house prices rising fast across most of the country, here’s what you need to know to get onto the property ladder. It’s official, Australia is experiencing a widespread property boom not seen for more than a decade. After COVID-19 put the brakes on the housing market early last …

Why women need a unique focus on their finances

Why women need a unique focus on their finances For many reasons, women face additional hurdles when it comes to achieving financial freedom. So it’s important to take control of your finances now, and be proactive when it comes to planning your financial future. Ladies, it’s time for a reality check. The unfortunate truth is that women experience low-income and poverty at a much higher rate than men. In fact, up to 40 per cent …

Is your Christmas debt still hanging around? How to clear a debt hangover | Money & Life

  Is your Christmas debt still hanging around? How to clear a debt hangover After an incredibly difficult 2020, many of us used the Christmas period as an opportunity to splash out and make up for what we missed out on during the year. But if the urge to say good riddance to 2020 put your finances on shaky ground, here’s how to reset for the year ahead. After being separated from family and friends …

How to protect your finances from cybercrime

  How to protect your finances from cybercrime Cybercrime rose sharply in 2020, as more people worked, shopped and socialised online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone can be a target, so it’s essential to be proactive when it comes to protecting your finances and identity online. Our digital tools and technology were a welcome relief last year, allowing us to stay connected through successive lockdowns and social distancing measures. But with the sudden and …

What is a Power of Attorney? | Money & Life

Just as having a Will ensures assets are managed properly when you die, a Power of Attorney allows someone else to look after your finances when you’re unable to. Find out more about what’s involved in having a Power of Attorney and why you’d be wise to have one, just in case. Money & Life team Money & Life contributors draw on their diverse range of experience to present you with insights and guidance that will …