7 budgeting apps to help you save Where does all that money go? A host of apps are available to help you easily answer that question and even budget better, so you don’t get caught short in the event of a ‘rainy day’ and can feel more comfortable and in control of your finances every day. The best place to start is with your bank. Most major Australian banks offer their customers great tools to …
The best money blogs and financial advice for 20-somethings Are you a 20-something, a Millennial, a Gen Y or a Gen Next? Actually, it’s a trick question, as they’re all the same thing. Whether you believe such a label applies to you or not, you may think managing your money better isn’t something you should be doing until you’re 30-something and living in your own home with kids. Here we feature some money blogs to …
How much super should I have at my age? We look at the average super balances for different age groups in Australia so you can see how your super savings compare. A healthy super balance can be a key ingredient in being able to live the life we want in retirement. But for many people, retirement is a long way off, and it can be hard to know if your super is on track. If you’ve …
Is working more the answer to your financial problems? When working more means earning more, it makes sense to take that promotion or extra shift to get ahead financially. But when expenses go up and quality of life goes down, is the price you’re paying for longer hours too high? So you’ve been offered a pay rise at work that comes with more responsibilities. If that’s going to mean staying late at the office or …
How to build equity in your home and use it to invest Whether you’re looking to renovate, invest or pay off something big, home equity can be a valuable resource when it’s used correctly. The equity in your property can be a valuable resource, as it may allow you to secure finance to achieve your goals, whether they be investment or lifestyle oriented. If it’s something you’ve been thinking about, here are some pointers—the most …
New legislation aims to benefit first home buyers 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 20171. As part of the changes, first-home buyers will be given a tax concession through the ability to save for a home deposit inside of super, while Australians aged 65 and over will be able to contribute …
The real cost of retirement When you’re looking at saving and planning for retirement, it’s important to know how much you can expect to be spending. The latest retirement standard figures and other data sources can give you an idea of the cost of retirement, but what else do you need to take into account to ensure your financial wellbeing? Running the numbers – the retirement standard Since June 2006, the Association of Superannuation Funds of …
The rise of the gig economy and side gigs (thanks to technology) Chances are you either have a side gig (a way to make money on the side of your usual job), want to have one, or you benefit from someone else’s. While the gig economy has been bubbling away in the background for a while now, it continues to be on the rise, and people are finding new ways to make a bit of …
Weekly Market Update 11 May 2018 Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets rose over the last week helped by another Goldilocks combination of good economic data, strong profits and benign US inflation. This was despite the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal which pushed up oil prices. For the week, US shares rose 2.4%, Eurozone shares gained 0.7%, Japanese shares rose 1.3% and Chinese shares rose 4%. The positive …
See how you can cash in on government co-contributions If you’ve made an after-tax contribution to your super fund, you might be eligible for a co-contribution of up to $500 from the government. Did you know the government may add up to $500 to your super fund, if you’re a low to middle-income earner who has made an after-tax contribution to your super? If you’d like to know more, we explain how government co-contributions work, …
