5 ways Australians will use their tax return this year With nearly one in three people planning to save their tax return, have you considered what you might do with yours? This year more than 75% of Australians expect to receive a tax return, with a large portion of the population planning to use the money they receive to take the edge off their financial commitments.i We look at the most common ways people intend …
What to do when you come into money Whether you’re faced with an inheritance, redundancy package or winning lottery ticket, it’s wise to consider your financial situation and future goals. For most of us, a financial windfall isn’t something that comes around very often. And while the extra cash is welcome, money matters may be the last thing on your mind if you’re also dealing with the emotions of losing a loved one or being …
How to make technology work for you Automate the boring things Set up direct debits so your bills are paid on time without having to remember all the due dates. And if your credit card is weighing you down, set up a regular payment and pay the full amount each month if you can to avoid more interest. Or at least pay the minimum monthly amount before the due date rolls around. You’ll have peace …
How can I safeguard my ability to pay off my home loan? It’s not unusual that life can be smooth sailing one minute and throw you a curveball the next. You might be hit with an injury or illness, a reduction in income or redundancy, a separation from your partner, or even a death in the family—all of which can be difficult, emotionally as well as financially. If you happen to owe money on your …
Go easy on the plastic over Christmas With the silly season fast approaching, it’s time to start planning how you pay for Christmas. From gifts to food, the tab can add up quickly. If this year is anything like last Christmas, on average we’ll each spend an extra $1,079 over the December/New Year period, and that’s on top of regular expenses. That makes now the time to draw up a Christmas budget. In addition …
ASPIRATIONS Newsletter Welcome to the latest edition of our client online newsletters, Our articles cover a range of topics which we hope you will find interesting. We aim to keep you informed of changes as they happen, but we also want to provide ideas to help you live the life you want – now and in the future. Our Latest Newsletter Summer 2023 Newsletter Archives Winter 2023 Autumn 2023 …
Are we becoming a cashless society? Australians are edging towards a cashless future, as consumers use debit cards or other electronic payment methods in preference to cash at the checkout and online. But whether we will entirely shun notes and coins in the future is not certain. For one thing, cash has its benefits. It’s easier for small transactions such as buying a coffee or tipping a waiter. However, the rise of contactless, credit …
How to Get Yourself Independent from Credit Cards Credit cards have almost become a necessity in today’s world for most people. They have made the use of hard cash a little less important in society while simultaneously becoming something on which people seem almost hooked up. Credit cards can be used constructively to have a positive impact on your life. However, there may be times when they cause a negative financial situation in your life. …
How Can You Repay the Debt on Your Credit Card Faster? When people get their first credit card, they assure themselves that they will not use their credit card for unnecessary purchases. However, they have just lied to themselves, as in the coming months; they find themselves in debt. If your credit cards are maxed out and the interest rates are through the roof, you are in a desperate need to get out of debt …
Tips and traps of credit Starting out with a HECS debt is bad enough, but abusing a credit card can also mean trouble. Admittedly it’s tempting to spend with interest rates at current levels, but most credit cards still have double-digit rates.1 Of course a card is useful when you don’t have ready cash, but unless you pay off the balance in full each month the interest costs add up. Credit card statements today …
