7 little ways to be better with money Discover these 7 essential ways to change your money mindset and behaviour for good and feel richer for decades to come. 1. Develop your own value One of the most important investments you can make is in yourself. Whether that’s reading up on something that interests you, improving your skills and education, getting expert support from a coach or mentor or looking after your health and well-being, …
What is the cost of raising a child? We take a look at the costs that come with raising kids through the different stages of their life. Laughter, joy and fun are some of the words associated with having kids, but there’s another word that often gets overlooked – expensive. Whether you’re just starting to think about having a family, have a baby on the way, or are already in the trenches with one – …
Why buying too many items on sale could be costing you a mint Are you rushing out to buy things you need, or could really be going without? We’ve all done it—seen something on sale (particularly over the Christmas/New Year trading period) and without a second thought, jumped to the conclusion—great discount, I must have it straight away. If it’s an item that has been on your list for a while, you might save some …
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 …
Investing for kids – ways to save for their future Whether you’re thinking about childcare, education or beyond, saving even a bit now could make a big difference later. It’s natural to want the best for the children in your life, whether you’re their parent, step-parent, carer, aunty, uncle, grandparent or even godparent. And, while money won’t be the be all and end all when it comes to raising happy little humans, you’d probably agree …
We tried a no-spend challenge – here’s what we learned What happened when three AMP employees set out with a grand ambition: to spend no money at all for a week. If you’re like most of us, you’d probably like to spend less money. But keeping track of where your money goes – and especially your spending on all of the little things – can be hard. One way to identify and tackle your spending …
Handy hints to create a better budget for you Nearly two out of five Aussies believe budgeting is too much effort, but these quick tips could make it a simpler task. Around 75% of Aussies will be going into 2018 with no specified budget, according to a survey by AMP, which—reality check—is probably going to make achieving financial goals, whether it’s getting out of debt, going on that long-overdue holiday, or saving for something big, a little …
Should you make your kids pay rent? Either way, some form of agreement should be reached so that what everyone wants is considered, and it’s not a one-sided affair. When your kids grow up, at least enough to hold down a steady job, one question many parents and carers might ask themselves is, should I charge my kids board? Some people will tell you yes, some people will tell you no, but at the end …
Australian men are spending more on looking good Research shows men aren’t far behind women when it comes to what they fork out on appearances. Once upon a time, male grooming was generally limited to a shave and few slaps of aftershave, whereas today, bathroom sinks around Australia are accumulating more tubes, tubs and pump packs, with a growing number of blokes keen to put their ‘best face’ forward. If it’s an all-too-familiar scenario at …
Simple steps can have a big impact on your money situation Doing nothing may be the path of least resistance, but it could cost you in the long run. Taking a few simple steps can be the difference between forging ahead financially and merely coasting along. And, action – rather than inertia – can pay off in regard to both saving, and making money. Take a closer look at key service providers On the savings …
