How can I own my home sooner? It doesn’t have to be the stuff of dreams. There are several strategies that could help you pay off your home loan sooner. And it doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing the things you love doing today. The first step towards paying off your home sooner is to understand your loan—how much you owe, how much you are paying and what other financial commitments you have. Once you know …
Where Does All My Money Go? Time to Learn Money Management! Ever get frustrated that why the money you earn is never enough to satisfy your needs? If yes, then you are not alone. Almost every other person is wondering where on earth do they spend all their money. If you don’t want to be bothered by this question ever again, then you need money management! You might have come across the term a million …
Time to sell the family home? With children gone and things slowing down it may be time to downsize. When you’ve got a family a big house with plenty of room may make sense. But these days a smaller place may suit you better. Dreams of a change may be beckoning… you may be yearning to wake up to the smell of eucalyptus or doze off with an evening sea breeze. And if you have …
Women need a plan for ‘early’ retirement We know women generally live longer than men, but new research shows the majority of Australian women are unlikely to work past the age of 65, making it more important than ever for them to take control of their finances early and plan appropriately for life after work. The latest AMP.NATSEM Report, Going the distance: Working longer, living healthier, has revealed the gender gap in the Australian workforce …
Heard of trauma insurance? Here’s how it can help you and your family With half of all Australian men and one-third of Australian women expected to be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85[1], many families are learning first-hand how an illness can interrupt even the best arranged plans. When the mortgage and school fees still have to be paid, every family deserves to be able to maintain their lifestyle, while working towards getting …
Seven steps to cutting debt It’s time to drop your debt weight and get financially fit. You enjoy a challenge – right? Then step towards financial fitness by cutting your debts this year. Understand and embrace your debt. Firstly, work out where and what type of debt you have and start to plan how you’re going to cut it down. For example, if you roll multiple debts into one, you may save on fees …
3 ways to get a foot on the property ladder Creative ideas for younger Australians to invest in property It won’t come as a huge surprise to learn that Australian homes are among the most expensive in the world. In a recent survey[1] every Australian town and suburb was rated as ‘seriously’ or ‘severely’ unaffordable. And if you’re in a capital city it’s even worse, with the average Sydney home costing nine times average household …
4 ways to make more retirement hay while the sun shines The latest AMP.NATSEM report, Going the distance: Working longer, living healthier, has found that although the pension age may rise to 70 if the Government’s proposed legislation passes, many people in their 60s simply aren’t going to be healthy enough to work that long. The report found that in 2035 one in four men and one in five women aged 60-69 are expected to …
Renovate your way to a better property Some tips to get the most out of your renovation, whether you’re staying or going Granite bench tops, sleek Euro appliances, free-floating staircases, a marble bathroom or a new pool…the possibilities are endless. But sadly your budget is limited. So where to start? The first question to ask is—are you going to sell up or stay where you are? Renovating to live If you’re renovating for the long …
Seven tips to travel on a budget Careful planning can help you enjoy a great holiday, whatever your budget Does it feel like ages since your last holiday? Maybe with responsibilities like paying off your credit card, saving for your first home, or paying back your university fees, your next holiday still seems a long way off… Well, don’t despair. There are plenty of ways to take a break without breaking the budget. Go social—Check …
