When it comes to teaching kids about healthy money habits, there are few lessons more important than being able to defer gratification. By helping kids learn to put off what they want right now and save instead, they’ll be better equipped with the skills to be financially secure adults. Deferring gratification While it is possible to help kids have a money-saving mindset by teaching them to delay gratification, it’s a lesson that can take time …
A how-to guide for rent relief, SMSFs and preventing adverse tax outcomes Whether you or someone else is leasing a property from your SMSF, the current economic situation is concerning, especially if you have experienced a downturn in business. Worse still, you may be required to shut up shop and can’t afford to pay business expenses. As trustee of your SMSF, how do you solve the cash flow problem if the fund is not receiving …
Buy, sell or sit tight? Tips for Australians buying or selling a home during COVID-19 Some people are reacting by sitting tight and waiting for the housing market to smooth out. But it may not be so easy to put your plans on hold. You might have pre-approval for a home loan. You might need to get into a school zone for the start of the year. You might have a baby on the way. …
Retirees, COVID-19, and options on the table during a market crash The spread of coronavirus has been followed by some of the biggest plunges in share markets since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), both here in Australia and around the world. There’s nothing new about a market correction, but for those close to retirement it can be a nerve-wracking experience. If you’ve checked your superannuation balance over the last week, you may need a stiff …
The threat to Australian house prices from Coronavirus Key points The Australian housing market is at risk from the coronavirus recession Australia has now entered. A relatively short recession that sees unemployment rise to around 7.5% would likely only set prices back around 5% or so after which prices would bounce back. But a deeper recession with say 10% unemployment risks tripping up the underlying vulnerability of the housing market around high prices and high …
The spread of coronavirus has been followed by some of the biggest plunges in share markets since the global financial crisis (GFC), both here in Australia and around the world. There’s nothing new about a market correction, but for those close to retirement in can be a nerve-wracking experience. If you’ve checked your superannuation balance over the last week, you may need a stiff drink. For investors, or anyone with super, the general advice is …
We’ll have to wait some time for the full effects of the COVID-19 outbreak to show up in economic indicators, but the anecdotal evidence from local business is giving us a clear indication of the industries which will be worst affected. Reflecting the fact that the greatest impacts at this stage appear to be the result of containment efforts, rather than the virus itself, the two sectors most exposed to movements of people across our …
Add some extra cash to your New Year We all dream of an unexpected windfall, and there may be no better way to kick start 2018 than with some extra cash to your name. With a bit of digging around, it can be possible to find some forgotten funds you’re entitled to. A treasure trove of forgotten cash To begin with, many state government treasuries are filled with a trove of refunds and overpayments, unpresented …
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 …
