How to trick yourself into saving money Impulse purchases and buyer’s remorse often go hand in hand. But if you take a week (or a month) to reflect on your spending, you could see a noticeable boost in the funds accumulating in your savings account. Enter, the Seven-day Rule. Don’t reply to text messages after you’ve had a glass of wine and take a deep breath before confronting someone when you’re upset. These are both …
5 things to consider when saving for a house deposit Before you can step onto the property ladder and buy your first home, you’ll likely have to do some serious saving to build up a deposit. Here are some things to consider that can help get you started, and on the road to home ownership sooner. Work out your current situation It might sound obvious, but it’s easier to reach a savings goal when you …
Four key risks to consider for a comfortable retirement Sometimes saving for retirement is the easy part, it’s how to manage risks when one approaches or enters retirement that can be tricky. There are four key risks in retirement – sequencing of returns, lower-than-expected returns, longevity risk and knowing how much a retiree can spend without falling short. There are other critical issues such as living arrangements and the rising cost of healthcare, but the …
How to reassess your spending and budgeting habits From our spending habits to our saving trends, the pandemic has changed the way many Australians think about money. Learn how to reassess your financial situation and create a fresh budget for 2021. There’s no denying the pandemic has significantly affected the finances of many Australians. Some of us are spending more, some are cutting back on non-essential spending and for others, the uncertainty has challenged …
Create an 8-week Christmas savings plan The sooner you start saving for Christmas, the better. But you can do it in just eight weeks – even if you have a tight budget in the lead-up to this year’s festive season. Here’s how to develop a plan to save money and reach your holiday goals. Fairy lights twinkling, seafood on the barbie, gifts being wrapped and Michael Bublé crooning in the background – Christmas can …
3 golden rules that make saving for retirement easier If you’ve thought about how much money you need to save so you can retire comfortably, it might feel a little daunting. Maybe so much so, you’d rather not think about it at all. But, according to AMP Technical Strategy Manager John Perri, there are three simple rules anyone can follow that make saving for retirement a lot easier. Follow the sleep test All investments come …
Extreme saving – pros and cons of joining the FIRE movement The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) approach to saving and investing is catching on. Find out if living frugally now for a future of financial freedom is all it’s cracked up to be. What is FIRE all about? In a country with a tragic history of bushfires, you’d expect a website called Aussie Fire Bug to be banned immediately. But the FIRE this bug is blogging …
Superannuation 101: Your guide to a happy retirement Superannuation is a handy way of saving for retirement, so that you’ll have an income to live on once you’re no longer working. With Aussies living longer than ever before, you could be looking forward-to many happy years of retirement. Having a financial nest-egg to support you into old age is essential. Australia’s superannuation system is a highly regulated and efficient way of saving for your retirement. …
5 saving graces of giftmas Gift giving is one of life’s joys, until the credit card bill comes through. Here are five ways to maximise the love without blowing your budget. According to a recent Financial Planning Association of Australia reporti, 85% of us find more joy in giving gifts to others than in getting them ourselves. Though we love the sound of ripping wrapping paper, almost three quarters of us don’t budget for gifts. …
How to retire early Whether you choose or need early retirement, having a plan can give your money the best chance of lasting the distance. Whether lifestyle preferences or circumstances beyond your control are behind your decision to retire early, you’ll need to make a plan to help your retirement savings last, while still enjoying a few of your favourite comforts in life. Here are some retirement planning tips to consider when thinking about retiring …
