5 ways Australians will use their tax return this year With nearly one in three people planning to save their tax return, have you considered what you might do with yours? This year more than 75% of Australians expect to receive a tax return, with a large portion of the population planning to use the money they receive to take the edge off their financial commitments.i We look at the most common ways people intend …
Helping your kids buy a home Increasing house prices are good news for property owners but can be a bit of a hurdle for people trying to get into the market. If, like many of our clients, your goal is to help your children buy a home, there are a few ways you can help. Perhaps some of the tips below might give you an idea or two to discuss with your adviser. 1. Start …
Planning is the key to making it financially If you’ve paid off your home, have a healthy stash of super and take an overseas holiday each year, you’ve made it financially. That’s the view of many Australians according to recent research. A study by comparison site Finder found paying off the mortgage is the financial milestone 74% of Australians value most. Having enough in super to retire comfortably comes a close second for 59% of …
Six traits of Australians living the dream Almost one in four Australians (23%) believe they are definitely or mostly ‘living the dream’, according to recent research from the Financial Planning Association.iHere are six traits that have helped them to achieve their dreams. 1. Strong personal habits Australians living the dream are family oriented, spending more quality time with their family during the week than the average Australian. And they’re five times more likely to meditate …
Protecting your family from an inheritance nightmare Estate planning is a topic that many people would rather not talk about too often, but it’s an important part of the entire financial planning process for anyone with responsibilities, whether they are family or business responsibilities. With the current rate of divorce and people living longer, the number of blended families in Australia is increasing and family life is becoming increasingly complex. The need for comprehensive estate …
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 …
Online learning Inform your financial decisions Investing Online learning: Investment basics Once you grasp the basics of investing, you can work towards choosing the right investments for you, and get on the road to building wealth. Start now Online learning: Good debt and bad debt Not all debt is bad but if you have a loan or a credit card, it pays to know the difference. You may be able to use good debt to …
Online learning Inform your financial decisions Looking after your family Online learning: Family finances When your family finances are under control, everyday life can be a lot more enjoyable. It may be easier than you think to manage your money and work towards saving. Start now Online learning: Making a will With a valid will in place, your money and assets can go to the people you choose, and you’ll make things a lot …
Planning to avoid financial mistakes Selling shares when prices have tumbled or buying a house at the height of a property boom only to dispose of it when the market falls are among the financial set-backs that can happen to anyone on the road to retirement. Everyone makes mistakes during their investment lifetime; the trick is to avoid them when you can and learn from the ones you can’t. Have a plan Failing to plan …
