How to be an ethical consumer and save money

How to be an ethical consumer and save money Want to use your spending power to make a difference? By shopping more ethically, you can do your bit and save money. Whether you want to change the world or just reduce your impact on it, it seems more and more of us are considering the provenance of what we buy and how it’s produced when making purchasing decisions. And the best news is that spending …

How mortgage stress could impact your share portfolio

How mortgage stress could impact your share portfolio Investors in the local share market should be on high alert for signs of risks creeping into their portfolios as mortgage stresses may start mounting on younger families into next year, says Dermot Ryan, AMP Capital’s Equity Income Fund Co-Portfolio Manager. No sooner have we seen slight mortgage increases from the banks do we see a swath of profit downgrades from listed companies who sell to young …

How to create visibility on spending goals in retirement

How to create visibility on spending goals in retirement Retirees looking to develop a sustainable financial plan face a challenging technical problem. So it makes sense to simplify some of the inputs. Those of us who focus on the production of investment returns for retirees’ financial assets often choose to make simple assumptions about consumption patterns in retirement. However a more detailed understanding of priorities for spending in retirement can inform the design of appropriate …

Diversified funds’ performance – how did they do that?

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 …

How can I safeguard my ability to pay off my home loan?

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 …

How do transition to retirement strategies work?

How do transition to retirement strategies work? A transition to retirement strategy could allow you to work less, or work the same hours and increase your superannuation, without reducing your take-home pay. Even if you’re nearing retirement age you mightn’t be looking to leave the workforce just yet. Maybe you want to save more money or perhaps you enjoy the interaction and mental stimulation. Whatever the reason, a transition to retirement (TTR) strategy could provide …

How can I make my dream home a reality?

  How can I make my dream home a reality? Only you can choose the best home for you. But finding a smart way to buy it will probably take some help. Just like engaging an architect to draw a blueprint of your dream home, you may like to consider speaking to a financial expert to help plan the best way to finance your new home. How expert advice can really help There are plenty …

How can property make me better off?

  How can property make me better off? If you’ve built up some equity over the years, it may be time to look at the options your property may give you. Here are four possibilities that could help you: You could buy an investment sooner. Borrowing against the value of your home—which is one way you can access your equity—may enable you to buy an investment sooner than if you had to save the money. …

How You Can Save Money On Back To Back When Shopping For School?

How You Can Save Money On Back To Back When Shopping For School? When the vacations are over, the excitement of children is at their peaks. A new school year is a beautiful new prospect for students each year with parents often rejoicing the steps on the ladder of education by their child. Yet the start of the school year can be a worrying sign for some families that believe firmly in budgets since new …