Living the good life in your 20s, 30s and 40s

Living the good life in your 20s, 30s and 40s Whether you’re twenty-something and single or married with kids, life is full of challenges and opportunities. How can you handle money better so you’re not held back by debts and financial stress? New guest contributor, James Trethewie Financial Planner AFP®,  AKA “Tarzan with a calculator” as dubbed by Sophie Monk on the last season of The Bachelorette, shares his tips for managing your finances for a …

Life cover – do you even have it?

Life cover – do you even have it? If you have family, dependents or debt, life insurance might be important, but one in four Aussies don’t know whether they have it. If you die and your life is insured, your beneficiaries receive a lump sum pay-out. This money can be the difference between the people who matter most to you enjoying a decent lifestyle or facing a financial struggle, yet one in four Australians aren’t …

Will you be renting in retirement?

Will you be renting in retirement? Is owning your home the best option for your senior years? Discover why renting in retirement could be on the rise and explore some advantages of being a tenant in later life. Being secure in a home you own is usually part of the picture – and costs – of life in retirement. In fact, Retirement Standard figures published by the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA) are based on the assumption …

Lessons from the Blue Zones: how to live longer – secrets of a long life

  Lessons from the Blue Zones: how to live longer – secrets of a long life The parts of the world where people live longest may hold the key to the fountain of youth. We explore how to live longer and uncover the Blue Zones’ secrets of a long life. There are five global hotspots where researchers have identified that people live longer, healthier lives than the rest of us. Known as the Blue Zones they are: …

Eight steps to improved cashflow… and lifestyle

  Eight steps to improved cashflow… and lifestyle Imagine feeling on top of your finances. Knowing you’re in a position to enjoy your life today, while also saving for tomorrow. If that sounds good to you, you’re not alone. In a recent survey, 54% of Australians aged 55-64 strongly agreed they’d like that too.i Yet, many of us don’t feel like we’re in that position. Financial stress is actually so common that 24% of Australian …

Life happens Don’t let it take you by surprise

We don’t always know the best way forward when big life events happen. Dealing with major financial questions around inheritance, having your first child, or planning to care for a frail relative can be complex and confusing. To access just click on the topic of interest’s heading link or picture of the PDF you would like. Getting expert help  With expert financial advice, you’ll have help to reach your goals. We take the time to …

The value of advice

  Have you ever wondered how your family would cope financially if you weren’t around? Life throws some curved balls at us sometimes, usually when we least expect it. That’s why it’s best to seek financial advice, no matter what age you are. In this video (2.36), Diane from AMP explains how, after becoming seriously ill, she realised how it could affect her income and her family’s lifestyle. She sought financial advice and is now financially …

What financial records do I need to keep?

What financial records do I need to keep? Ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of paper? Tame the paperwork today and reap the rewards tomorrow. Life can be complicated enough without all the administrative paperwork that often accompanies it. This is particularly true when it comes to your personal finances. If stacks of old bank statements, utility bills, receipts, insurance and superannuation documents mean you can’t see the trees for the paper, de-clutter, …

5 ways to make your life more simple

  5 ways to make your life more simple Time passes by so quickly that sometimes before we can cross the first item off our to-do list we’ve already added another. Here are some easy steps you can take to help simplify your life. If managing life’s everyday complexities only seem achievable when you’re daydreaming about the chef, cleaner, personal assistant or nanny that you don’t have, you’re probably not alone. And, if ‘turbulent’ is …

Preparing for the time of your life

  Preparing for the time of your life The choices we make in life have a big influence on our personal happiness and also on the wellbeing of those we love. Sometimes we anticipate choices with a sense of excitement. And sometimes life throws us curve balls in the form of unexpected events and important decisions.   Perhaps you are thinking about a career change or how to achieve a better work/life balance? Maybe you …