How Australians save money Of those who make a savings resolution, 85% have a specific target in mind.(1) Average savings target is $11,234(1). Top 3 savings goals(1) 53% holiday 46% rainy day fund 40% buy or renovate a home. Other top money goals(2) Build wealth for retirement Pay off debts Set up a budget Get debts under control Invest in shares, bonds or commodities Buy an investment property. Top reasons people break financial resolutions(1) …
Downsizing should be a choice, not a wealth strategy Downsizing to a coastal town or regional hub can hold lifestyle appeal, but don’t bank on it as a strategy to fund your retirement. For many empty nesters, who may not have had the benefit of employer-paid super throughout their working life, the value of the family home can be seen as the jewel in the crown of a retirement funding strategy. After all, who cares …
New year, new financial resolutions The dawn of a new year is the perfect time to hit reset and correct course when it comes to your money. You may have already given thought to some health-related wellness goals for 2018, but what about your financial wellness? AMP research has revealed that a quarter of Australian workers have difficulty in making ends meet, with the most common triggers for financial stress found to be bad debt, …
Diversified funds’ performance – how did they do that? 12 July 2017 Comparing managed funds can be confusing because, contrary to current practices, evaluating performance is not all about returns – it’s also about how much risk you as the end investor took to get there. So how can you measure your fund’s level of risk? Below are four broad indicators to watch for: Exposure to growth assets – this is the most common method of …
Living longer, working longer and super balances larger Australians with the best life expectancy in history will have to work longer in order to be able to fund their retirement. But research has found only half of all working Australians will be healthy enough to work in to their golden years. The latest AMP.NATSEM report, Going the distance: Working longer, living healthier, has found the majority of Australians have less than a 50 per cent …
Thinking about managing your own super? If you’re wondering what’s involved in self managed super and whether it’s a good option for you, here are some things to consider. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to managing a self managed super fund (SMSF). Setting up a compliant fund and managing your investments takes time and can give you the freedom to have more control over your future. Of course acting as a trustee …
Retirement still more than 10 years away Retirement can seem irrelevant when you’re in your 30s or 40s. There are so many other things you can do with your money – go overseas, buy a house, raise a family, or just have fun. However, according to research by the Investment and Financial Services Association (IFSA), the Age Pension won’t be nearly enough to fund the lifestyle we’d like when we’re no longer working. So …
