Guide to your preservation age If you’re thinking about retiring, it can be helpful to understand what your preservation age is and how it affects your ability to access your super. What is preservation age? Your preservation age is generally the earliest age you can access your super, and it’s calculated based on your date of birth. It’s called preservation age because your super is a preserved benefit – locked away until you reach a …
How to trick yourself into saving money Impulse purchases and buyer’s remorse often go hand in hand. But if you take a week (or a month) to reflect on your spending, you could see a noticeable boost in the funds accumulating in your savings account. Enter, the Seven-day Rule. Don’t reply to text messages after you’ve had a glass of wine and take a deep breath before confronting someone when you’re upset. These are both …
When can I access my super? Generally, you can access your super when you reach your preservation age and retire, but there could be special circumstances under which you might access your super early. Super is there to help you fund the years after you finish working, so normally to withdraw your super savings, you need to have reached a certain age and retired permanently. However, there are certain situations where you might be eligible …
How to avoid bill shock with bill-smoothing payments Sidestep the shock of unexpected bills by smoothing out payments and making regular, automated instalments that can be planned well in advance. Ever experience that sinking feeling when you’ve opened a bill that you can’t possibly afford to pay? The shock of receiving a big bill – or worse, a number of them arriving at the same time – can be extremely stressful. Thankfully, by setting up …
5 things to consider when saving for a house deposit Before you can step onto the property ladder and buy your first home, you’ll likely have to do some serious saving to build up a deposit. Here are some things to consider that can help get you started, and on the road to home ownership sooner. Work out your current situation It might sound obvious, but it’s easier to reach a savings goal when you …
Can you teach your kids to defer gratification? When it comes to teaching kids about healthy money habits, there are few lessons more important than being able to defer gratification. By helping kids learn to put off what they want right now and save instead, they’ll be better equipped with the skills to be financially secure adults. While it is possible to help kids have a money-saving mindset by teaching them to delay gratification, it’s …
How to review your direct debits and save Direct debits can be extremely convenient and even save you money. But they can become costly – and may even send you into debt – when you lose track of your automated payments. Conduct regular reviews to keep on top of your direct debits. Here’s how. Type ‘direct debit’ into your internet search engine and the words ‘hassle free’, ‘easy’ and ‘simple’ will likely pop up in …
Top tips on how to save money You may be keen to put more money aside to achieve your goals. But it can be hard to know where to start making savings. If you can get in the habit of tracking your spending, you’ll be on your way to creating a budget and savings plan that may help you reach your goals faster and with more confidence. Read our money saving tips below to get …
