Gen Y investing in home and away Gen Y has been brandished a generation of non-savers but that is not the reality. Gen Y is saving but unlike earlier generations they are not necessarily saving for a home. Some of that move away from saving for a home comes down to the high price of property, particularly in the major cities. According to the Bank for International Settlements, Australian house prices are the second …
Investing in a holiday home Is it really your great Aussie dream? It happens every year. You’re strolling down the high street of your local beachside town enjoying a long hot summer with the family when a holiday home in the real estate agents’ window catches your eye. And you start thinking: “If we had our own place, we could go there all year ‘round and instead of contributing to someone else’s financial future we …
Saving in a material world It’s not easy to be thrifty in our consumer society. We’re surrounded by so much temptation that it can be difficult to avoid spending money. So why not try taking a break from spending? If you can tighten your belt on the little things, it can help ensure you have enough for the odd splurge, that well-earned holiday, or for unforeseen expenses. Here are some creative ways to cut …
How To Save Money For The Holiday Season In A Month Holiday season is such a wonderful time to have fun and enjoy with your family right? Say that to someone who is responsible for the expenses that come with the holiday season and they’ll add the word “stressful” in your description of the holiday season. Let’s give you a little relief and give you ways to save for the holiday season in a month. …
The wealth in health Now that people are living longer, the cost of staying hale and hearty is rising at the same time that governments are trying to claw back spending on medical care. But good opportunities remain to make sound investments in health care sectors at home and abroad. In Australia and around the world, healthcare funding is being scrutinised by governments concerned about the big slice of gross domestic product (GDP) being …
Top places to retire in Australia and overseas As Australia’s cost of living continues to rise, more and more retirees are seeking value for money–and not always in their own backyards. While some Aussies choose to stay in the family home in retirement, many are stretching their wings and enjoying life elsewhere in Australia, and overseas. Retirement hotspots in Australia Popular retirement destinations in Australia offer unique attractions: Sunshine Coast, QLD–a relaxed community atmosphere, local …
Paying your bills in retirement Retirees and those nearing retirement have learned the hard way the importance of holding a portion of their nest egg in low-risk fixed income investments. During the financial crisis cash and bonds not only outperformed shares and property, they helped investors protect their capital and pay the bills.1 Now that interest rates on most term deposits are below four percent 2 and the official cash rate is at record …
Give yourself a gap year in your 40s Imagine taking a year to volunteer abroad on a conservation project or to build houses for the poor. Or you may wish to share the skills you’ve learned with others or learn a new skill yourself… Gap years are not just for school leavers. You can take one at any age. Some companies even have sabbatical programs that encourage staff to take time out of their jobs …
Super in a nutshell If your super’s in the too-hard basket, read on so you can take control and make the most of your money. The Australian superannuation system comprises money from working and retired Australians. All up, it’s projected to total $8 trillion by 2033[1] and some of that is likely to be your money. If you take an interest in your super today, you may have more in your hand down the track. …
How You Could Save up to $500 In A Month There was once a man who was not the most responsible person environmentally, and yet, he continued to reiterate his commitment to go green. One day a friend asked him how he intended to go green despite not being responsible for the protection of the environment. He hit back and responded, “I don’t care about the environment; the best way to go green is to …
