The three key habits of the financially secure

Three key habits of the financially secure Financial wellness describes how we evaluate our finances and cope with any related stress. It can be a significant factor that affects our overall psychological wellbeing. AMP’s recent financial wellness research found three financial habits that people who are financially secure have in common: They save money regularly They pay off their credit card debt They avoid using layby and buy now, pay later (BNPL) services. We explore each of …

Create an 8-week Christmas savings plan

  Create an 8-week Christmas savings plan The sooner you start saving for Christmas, the better. But you can do it in just eight weeks – even if you have a tight budget in the lead-up to this year’s festive season. Here’s how to develop a plan to save money and reach your holiday goals. Fairy lights twinkling, seafood on the barbie, gifts being wrapped and Michael Bublé crooning in the background – Christmas can …

Financial wellness in 2020 – how does yours compare?

Financial wellness in 2020 – how does yours compare? Financial wellness is how you feel about your money. It can affect your overall wellbeing and other areas of your life, such as work and family. So, while money isn’t the be-all and end-all, how you feel about it is pretty important. Since 2014, AMP has been commissioning research1 into the financial wellbeing of Australians and has developed the Financial Wellness Index. It measures a person’s satisfaction …

How can I make my retirement dream a reality?

How can I make my retirement dream a reality? What does your retirement dream look like – spending time on your hobbies? Seeing the grandkids more often? Maybe pursuing a passion, or travelling? According to AMP financial adviser John Dani, the people who are most content and happy in retirement all have this one thing in common – a well-defined purpose for their golden years. Mr Dani’s worked with hundreds of people over the last …

Aussies saving for a rainy day instead of a holiday

Aussies saving for a rainy day instead of a holiday Not many people can say they’ve been unaffected by COVID-19. Whether you’ve lost work, had hours reduced or been fortunate to maintain employment, COVID has been a wake-up call for how we manage our money and set financial goals. Research1 by AMP shows that the majority of us now believe it’s more important than ever to plan for a secure financial future. For the first time …

6 steps to building good financial habits

6 steps to building good financial habits How financially secure do you feel? Recent research1 into Australians’ financial wellness – which is a person’s satisfaction with their current and future financial situation – revealed that people with good financial habits feel more financially secure. It sounds like a no-brainer. But adopting good financial habits isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Otherwise, we’d all be doing it already. With the impact of COVID-19 still being felt, …

How to identify (and beat) your spending triggers

How to identify (and beat) your spending triggers Are you buying more to perk yourself up? You aren’t alone. Since the start of COVID, there’s been an increase in online shopping1. But, if you want to get a handle on your add-to-cart habit, understanding why you spend money, can help bring your purchasing patterns in line with your financial goals. We often talk about money in terms of dollars and cents, but the subject can …

Make a plan for your tax refund

Some ways to use your tax refund for a stronger financial future Not sure what to do with your tax refund? Strategic financial decisions for your tax return begin with a strong plan. Whether you breeze through tax time or dread the extra admin, receiving a tax refund makes the effort worthwhile. For many of us, getting a financial boost will be even more welcome this year, and you might be looking around for the …

Give yourself a new financial year check-up

Give yourself a new financial year check-up Start the new financial year in the best way possible by giving your finances the once-over. Financial year 2019-20 is now behind us and there’s nothing like closing a chapter to inspire thoughts of a fresh start. But global challenges persist: Australia is officially in a recession while also bracing for a post-JobKeeper economy in September. While it’s impossible to anticipate future changes to the global economy, there’s …

What is a term deposit and how does it work?

  What is a term deposit and how does it work? Term deposits offer certainty of return, with a fixed interest rate for a given length of time. Here’s how they work and how they compare with other ways to save. Term deposits are a type of savings account where you commit your money for a fixed period of time. They can be useful when you’re looking for certainty about what interest rate your money will earn. …