Downsizing – is it right for you?

  Downsizing – is it right for you? If you are heading towards retirement, or perhaps already in it, downsizing may have crossed your mind. And you might have some questions – does it make sense financially? Is a smaller home better suited to my situation? At first glance, it would seem that downsizing is a popular choice amongst older Australians. However recent research (Downsizers and Other Movers – The Housing Options Choices and Dilemmas …

Four tactics to build an investment portfolio

  Four tactics to build an investment portfolio by Jeff Rogers, Chief Investment Officer, ipac Investment Management Learn strategies to help you focus on long-term wealth accumulation, so you can fund your aspirations for retirement. An increasing number of Australians are hitting retirement age, and more people are now seriously addressing the question of how they actually want to spend their retirement and how they will fund those aspirations. If you already have investment strategies …

Tips & traps of working part-time

Tips & traps of working part-time Can you live the dream? If you’ve ever daydreamed about working less hours, returning to a shorter week after having a baby or reducing your work days before retirement, there’s a lot to consider before making the move to a changed lifestyle. Australia has one of the highest rates of part-time, temporary or self-employed workers in the world (over 35%)1 who earn more per hour than their full-time colleagues. …

Money Saving Secrets For Housewives

Money Saving Secrets For Housewives Become a Financially Savvy Housewife! Housewives usually don’t get the same level of acknowledgement as working women do- and you want to know why? That’s because they don’t earn! Bitter, as it may sound, but you can’t deny the truth. No matter, how much your husband loves you, if you have only added to his financial responsibilities- he might become frustrated.  But there is no need to lose hope! You …

Things you need to know about personal insurance

  Things you need to know about personal insurance Personal insurance premiums have increased significantly over the past 18 months, running the risk that cost-conscious consumers might consider cutting back their cover. Suddenly those quick, off-the-shelf insurance products advertised on TV look enticing. But simple is not always cheaper, the cover may be inadequate or, worse still, may not pay out when you need it most. Underinsurance Personal insurance is a general terms for term …

How to keep SMILE-ing in retirement

How to keep SMILE-ing in retirement If you’re crunching the numbers to work out how much you need in retirement, it’s time to sit down and take a deep breath… The latest Retirement Standard from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia estimates that people retiring today, who are in good health and own their own home outright, will need $430,000 if single and $510,000 for a couple to maintain a comfortable standard of living …

Women need a plan for ‘early’ retirement

Women need a plan for ‘early’ retirement   We know women generally live longer than men, but new research shows the majority of Australian women are unlikely to work past the age of 65, making it more important than ever for them to take control of their finances early and plan appropriately for life after work. The latest AMP.NATSEM Report, Going the distance: Working longer, living healthier, has revealed the gender gap in the Australian workforce …

5 Tips to Straighten Out Your Finances

5 Tips to Straighten Out Your Finances Are your finances a mess? Do you need a way to get out of the mess you have created for yourself? Well, we will give you not one, but six ways that will help you straighten out your finances. Memorize the following five ways by heart: 1.     How Much Do You Owe The Bank? Figure out the debt on all your credit cards, but try not to scream …

All you need to know about buying at auction

All you need to know about buying at auction Five simple steps―and our checklist―can help you be ready for auction! Bidding for a property at auction can be stressful but you can reduce the stress involved. Before you consider bidding use our tips to make sure you’re prepared and know what to expect. Step 1: Work out the costs Working out how much you can afford to repay on a home loan plus all the …

Do You Know the Difference between Needs and Wants?

Do You Know the Difference between Needs and Wants? What’s one reason why people aren’t able to save money? They don’t know the difference between their needs and wants, resulting in too many unwanted things spilling out of your cupboards, closets, and drawers. In order to prevent their desires from controlling their thoughts, they need to differentiate between what they need and what they can do without. Here’s how to start: 1.     Make a List …