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 …

Easing the strain for the sandwich generation

  Easing the strain for the sandwich generation By Paul Clitheroe AM The 2015 Intergenerational Report (IGR) confirmed that the majority of us can expect to live longer than people in previous eras, but it’s the so-called ‘sandwich generation’ who may feel the squeeze financially. The sandwich generation are those baby-boomers, usually aged in their fifties and sixties, who are caught between caring for elderly parents and supporting adult children who may be studying or …

All aboard – The popularity of cruising continues to rise

  All aboard – The popularity of cruising continues to rise Pulling into the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour has to be one of the highlights of any cruise, and it seems Australians agree – according to industry experts it’s predicted that one million Australians1 will hit the high seas next year. The growth in the Australian cruise industry shows no sign of slowing down – rising by an average of 20 per cent each …

Top apps for the over 50s

  Top apps for the over 50s With almost 80% of 55-64 year olds and 46% of 64+ year olds on-line in Australia,i there is no denying that the SilverSurfer generation are embracing the World Wide Web – and not just from a computer – phones and tablets are fast becoming the most popular way to discover all the net has to offer. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics,ii the four most popular types …

Fight for the fittest – Insurance discounts for the active

  Fight for the fittest – Insurance discounts for the active Rupert Murdoch wears one, so does Gwyneth Paltrow. Wearable fitness devices are the latest must-have accessory for health conscious media moguls, celebrities and ordinary Australians. So it was only a matter of time until health insurers got behind the trend. Some major health funds have recently launched campaigns to attract new members by offering them free fitness-tracking devices. Wristbands such as Fitbit, Polar Loop, …

Live happier, Live Longer Positive Ageing tips from around the world

Live happier, Live Longer  Positive Ageing tips from around the world By Dr. Timothy Sharp Dr. Timothy Sharp is an academic, clinician, coach and founder of the ‘Happiness Institute’. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney and at Melbourne’s RMIT University. Did you know, you are more likely to live an extra twenty to thirty years more – another adult lifetime – than your predecessors did, only two or three generations …

After the dust settles, a fresh start…

  After the dust settles, a fresh start… Taking stock of how your life’s travelling at the start of a new year is probably an exercise you’re likely to pursue with greater urgency if you’ve recently come to the end of a serious, long term relationship or gone through a divorce. What’s next, you want to know. How do you rebuild your life, is your financial outlook positive, what happens if you find a new …

The search for alpha

  The search for alpha Investment experts often talk about alpha and beta, but what do these terms mean? While it may sound like Greek to you, and it is, it’s not as complicated as you might think. Beta is simply what any particular market or index does – it’s the benchmark. And alpha is the measure of how a managed fund can outperform the index. In essence, if you are seeking alpha, then your …

3 ways to get a foot on the property ladder

3 ways to get a foot on the property ladder Creative ideas for younger Australians to invest in property It won’t come as a huge surprise to learn that Australian homes are among the most expensive in the world. In a recent surveyi every Australian town and suburb was rated as ‘seriously’ or ‘severely’ unaffordable. And if you’re in a capital city it’s even worse, with the average Sydney home costing nine times average household …

How To Save Money For The Holiday Season In A Month

How To Save Money For The Holiday Season In A Month Holiday season is such a wonderful time to have fun and enjoy with your family right? Say that to someone who is responsible for the expenses that come with the holiday season and they’ll add the word “stressful” in your description of the holiday season. Let’s give you a little relief and give you ways to save for the holiday season in a month. …