Five ways to turn down the noise and stay focused as an investor Key points A surge in financial information and opinion along with our natural inclination to focus on bad news is arguably making us worse investors: more fearful & short term. Five ways to help manage the noise and stay focussed as investors are: put the latest worry list in context; recognise that shares return more than cash in the long term …
Planning a career break? Here are tips to help keep your super on track Whether you’re doing it because you want to travel, study or start a family, taking a career break can really affect your financial future. Thankfully, there are ways to help keep your superannuation in shape. Whatever your stage of life, there are several reasons for planning a career break. In some instances, leaving the workforce won’t impact your super. But in …
Planning ahead for the new financial year As history shows, a new financial year usually brings new opportunities in super and the commencement of the 2021/22 financial year is no different. From 1 July 2021, indexation of the contribution caps, Transfer Balance Cap (TBC) and Total Super Balance (TSB) takes place. Then there’s the announced continuation of the 50% minimum pension requirement, which has been in place for the previous two financial years. Indexation of …
Navigating your tax return for 2021 Do you want to get more from your tax return this financial year, but you’re not sure where to start? It could be as simple as knowing which tax deductions and offsets you’re eligible for. With the end of financial year fast approaching, you might be hoping to claw back some of your hard earned cash when you lodge your tax return this year. The Australian Taxation Office refunds billions …
The 2021-22 Australian Budget – spending the growth windfall to further grow the economy towards full employment Key points The Government now expects the Federal budget deficit to peak at $161bn this financial year (down from $214bn in October’s Budget) and fall to $107bn in 2021-22. The windfall to the budget from stronger growth is being spent on extra stimulus. Return to budget surplus looks more than a decade away. Key measures include more spending …
Getting your super back on track If you experienced financial hardship in 2020, you may have decided to withdraw from your superannuation balance to tide you over. Find out what you can be doing to top up your super and keep your retirement savings on track. In 2020, the Federal Government announced a number of different types of support for Australians in financial difficulty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For people who lost their jobs …
Why women need a unique focus on their finances For many reasons, women face additional hurdles when it comes to achieving financial freedom. So it’s important to take control of your finances now, and be proactive when it comes to planning your financial future. Ladies, it’s time for a reality check. The unfortunate truth is that women experience low-income and poverty at a much higher rate than men. In fact, up to 40 per cent …
Show your finances some self-love Are you guilty of changing your spending habits when you’re in a relationship? Do you have a financial plan, or are you relying on a partner to take care of you in retirement? Whatever your situation, there’s never been a better time to step up and take charge of your finances. Your relationship status can have a big impact on your finances. From spending and managing your money, to the …
Creating a flexi-budget for 2021 Learning how to budget is the first step on the road to financial security, and later, financial freedom. So if you struggle to stick to a budget, it’s worth trying a different approach. By building more flexibility into your plans, you’ll master your budget in no time. If 2020 has taught us anything about money, it’s the importance of financial security. With four-in-10 Aussies losing income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many …
How to save for retirement at every age No matter how old you are or where you’re at with your financial goals, it’s important to plan for your retirement. The average Australian now lives to 82.8 years, making retirement a life stage that can continue for two decades or longer. So while this milestone may seem like a lifetime away now, it’s never too early or late to start planning for retirement. Our decade-by-decade guide …
