The real cost of retirement

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 …

Splurge or save?

Splurge or save? We all have luxuries that tempt us to spend more and things we wouldn’t dream of shelling out for. We asked the Money & Life team to spill the beans about what they splurge and save on in their budget. Lauren Bolton – Marketing Manager Splurge – Holidays Abroad I always look forward to my holidays and travelling in style is a real treat for me. I don’t have a family yet, …

Retirement lifestyles: What comfortable looks like 

Retirement lifestyles: What comfortable looks like What do you need to live comfortably in retirement? This will be different for everyone but it’s useful to think about whether you’ll have enough super for a modest or comfortable retirement. It’s important for you to decide what a comfortable lifestyle looks like for you. Here’s a guide from the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA) Retirement Standard on what you might need. Lifestyle in today’s dollars A modest …

4 Things You Should Know Before You Start Budgeting

4 Things You Should Know Before You Start Budgeting With the end of the year nearing, it is almost time up for the New Year resolutions. Most people have either already made their New Year resolutions or are in the process of making or finalizing them. If you have made a resolution for this New Year that you are going to budget your expenses better this year, well then you are in luck. This blog …

Let’s talk about money

  Let’s talk about money When it comes to analysing the state of Australian relationships, you can forget the bedroom. The really revealing behaviour takes place behind closed bank accounts. Let’s talk about money.. It is no secret that money is often at the heart of divorce and family disputes. Money has certainly not bought love for Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart who is locked in a bitter court battle with her children for control of …

Budgeting Tips for Parents

Budgeting Tips for Parents Having a baby is one of the most beautiful feelings in the world and also a life changing event. The birth of a baby can change your life drastically and similar is the effect on your finances. With the birth of a baby the financial picture that you once painted need to be repainted and in such time it is more important than ever to have an accurate budget made and …