Make working later in life work for you

  Make working later in life work for you Tips for taking a freestyle approach to work and retirement The relationship between work and retirement is changing. Nowadays we expect a lot more from our later years than previous generations—we’re no longer satisfied with treading water and we want to go freestyle. But with the pension qualification age increasing, people living longer and concerns about whether we have enough money in our super, we may …

Women are building financial intelligence

Women are building financial intelligence International Women’s Day on 8 March encourages us to aim for parity for women. On average, Australian women are paid 17.1% less than meni. They also tend to spend more time away from paid work to have children and care for loved ones which impacts their income, savings and superannuation. The good news is things are improving. Women are building financial intelligence. Women are closing the gap Women have come a …

Marriage in later life

  Marriage in later life Romance blooms at any age, including as we get older and supposedly wiser about such things of the heart, and head. So, if you’re considering marriage, perhaps for a second time or more, give thought to the financial implications of marrying later in life and sidestepping some of the money-related hazards. Financially, there are two important areas to address. Probably not for the wedding day speeches – but what happens …

A bump in the road, then a new start

A bump in the road, then a new start Taking stock of how your life’s travelling at the start of a new year is a great idea but you might feel more urgency if you’ve recently come to the end of a serious, long term relationship or gone through a divorce. What’s next, you want to know. How do you rebuild your life, is your financial outlook positive, what happens if you find a new …

Gen Y investing in home and away

  Gen Y investing in home and away Gen Y has been brandished a generation of non-savers but that is not the reality. Gen Y is saving but unlike earlier generations they are not necessarily saving for a home. Some of that move away from saving for a home comes down to the high price of property, particularly in the major cities. According to the Bank for International Settlements, Australian house prices are the second …

New year, new start – are you ready for retirement?

New year, new start – are you ready for retirement? If 2016 is the year you were thinking about retiring, Renata Singer – a writer, community activist and educator who recently released a book called Older and Bolder, Life after 60, actively encourages women in particular, to not give up work too soon. “If you’re feeling the pressure to retire, stay doing what you love and are good at for another ten years,” she insists. …

Resolutions for a wealthy future

Resolutions for a wealthy future Shedding a few kilos and getting fit are popular New Year’s resolutions, but along with improving your health why not resolve to boost your wealth in 2016? The best way to do that is to have a clear picture about what you want to achieve. Perhaps you want to buy a new car, save a deposit for your first home, prepare for the birth of a child or go on …

Saving in a material world

  Saving in a material world It’s not easy to be thrifty in our consumer society. We’re surrounded by so much temptation that it can be difficult to avoid spending money. So why not try taking a break from spending? If you can tighten your belt on the little things, it can help ensure you have enough for the odd splurge, that well-earned holiday, or for unforeseen expenses. Here are some creative ways to cut …

Insurance through my super

Insurance through my super Am I better off buying insurance through my super?   What are the benefits of Insurance through my super? Get more for less It can be cost effective to buy insurance through super. That doesn’t mean you won’t find cheaper cover outside your super fund. But it’s likely you’ll be better off because tax benefits mean you could end up paying less overall and group buying power—which normally comes with insurance …

Beyond children: safeguarding the future

  Beyond children: safeguarding the future With your house paid off, the children grown up and your retirement savings on target, you could be lulled into a false sense of security that you no longer need personal insurance. If you or your partner were to die, then little may change in your financial situation. But what would happen if one of your adult children had an accident and needed care for the rest of their …