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 …
Should you own the roof over your head? When it comes to the rent-versus-buy debate, like many of our clients you may be weighing up the pros and cons. You might be thinking that you’d love to buy a house but it all seems out of reach right now. Are you asking whether it’s still a good idea to invest in property at all? You’re not alone. In today’s housing market, many people are considering …
Am I better off renting or buying a home? – revisited About a year ago, we took a look at one of the biggest questions in property, whether to rent or buy. We now revisit this debate to examine whether the property market has changed over the last 12 months and how this might impact you if you were thinking about renting or buying a property. The debate continues If you’re following the rent vs …
Will my kids ever leave home? These days it can be natural for kids to stay at home until adulthood—our 7 tips can help ensure your own goals don’t pay the price. If you were expecting to have the house to yourself once your kids reached a certain age, you may have to adjust your expectations. Because for Generation Y—or millennials as they’re often called—moving out is not the rite-of-passage it once was. In 2011, …
What happens if I let my insurance lapse? Like many Australians you may be wondering if your cover can adapt to your needs. If you let your insurance lapse, you risk being unable to make a claim when you may really need to. Take a look at our claims statistics below and you’ll see that, more often than not, it’s our older customers who understand first-hand the true value of their insurance. Life claims by …
Diversifying inside super Find out what it is, how it works and why it matters to you What is diversification? Diversification is a risk strategy that lets you ride the ups and downs of investing. It reduces your exposure to risk, so your investments won’t be as affected by fluctuations in markets. How do you diversify? Investment diversification can be achieved by choosing a mix of: asset classes (cash, fixed interest, bonds, property and shares) …
Growing your wealth What is gearing? In simple terms, gearing is borrowing money to invest. The investment could be in direct shares or managed investments, such as an equity trust, balanced fund or property. Gearing is, in essence, directed towards producing a larger investment return by using borrowed funds, often in addition to your own funds, so that financial goals can be achieved more quickly. Gearing can be used as part of the overall investment …
Managing your money What is a budget? A budget is a plan that works out how you will manage your income and expenses. Maintaining a budget is a powerful way to control your money. Do you need a budget? A budget allows you to see how much money is coming in and going out. It helps you ensure there is enough money to cover your expenses and is an effective way to make sure you …
Government support in retirement What is the Age Pension? The purpose of the Age Pension is to make sure you have enough income in retirement. It is a fortnightly payment made by the government to help you meet the cost of living, if your retirement savings are below a certain level…. Read More>>> Download the free PDF file
Five money habits for a happy financial year As you say goodbye to the 2015/16 financial year, it’s a good time to put new habits for success in place for the coming year. Here are our five tips to help you make a success of the coming year as you put your tax affairs in order and say goodbye to the 2015/16 financial year. 1. Set your goals Setting achievable goals and making a commitment …
