The Power of Budgeting A budget can help you work out what you’re spending money on and when Are you aware you need to change your spending habits, but not sure where to start? A budget can help you get back to basics and work out what’s going where and when. Whatever your plans, a budget can help you to: get more organised with your finances cut down spending in areas you have a tendency …
Beyond children: safeguarding the future With your house paid off, the children grown up and your retirement savings on target, you could be lulled into a false sense of security that you no longer need personal insurance. If you or your partner were to die, then little may change in your financial situation. But what would happen if one of your adult children had an accident and needed care for the rest of their …
The Road Next Travelled Episode 1: Ray Martin shares his own road next travelled, a passion far away from the TV cameras. Life coach Joanna Maxwell reveals the secret to a successful change of career later in life. We hear wise words around funding the next part of your life from Nicolette Rubinsztein General Manager for Retirement, Colonial First State. We also meet our three contestants for the first time and hear what they hope …
Super in a nutshell If your super’s in the too-hard basket, read on so you can take control and make the most of your money. The Australian superannuation system comprises money from working and retired Australians. All up, it’s projected to total $8 trillion by 2033[1] and some of that is likely to be your money. If you take an interest in your super today, you may have more in your hand down the track. …
How Can You Repay the Debt on Your Credit Card Faster? When people get their first credit card, they assure themselves that they will not use their credit card for unnecessary purchases. However, they have just lied to themselves, as in the coming months; they find themselves in debt. If your credit cards are maxed out and the interest rates are through the roof, you are in a desperate need to get out of debt …
How to make the transition to retirement smooth for you and your partner Couples don’t always agree on everything, including retirement. If the time comes for you to retire and your partner is still working—or vice versa—it’s a matter of anticipating the natural changes ahead and then balancing and planning so both your needs can be met. Understanding differences The age you retire may depend on the work you do, your employment arrangements, your health …
Time to sell the family home? With children gone and things slowing down it may be time to downsize. When you’ve got a family a big house with plenty of room may make sense. But these days a smaller place may suit you better. Dreams of a change may be beckoning… you may be yearning to wake up to the smell of eucalyptus or doze off with an evening sea breeze. And if you have …
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 survey[1] 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 …
4 ways to make more retirement hay while the sun shines The latest AMP.NATSEM report, Going the distance: Working longer, living healthier, has found that although the pension age may rise to 70 if the Government’s proposed legislation passes, many people in their 60s simply aren’t going to be healthy enough to work that long. The report found that in 2035 one in four men and one in five women aged 60-69 are expected to …
Important Closing of the Financial Year Money Moves There are two times in a year when there is great scope of hope and upcoming expectations. One is the start of the year and the other is the end of the year. The start of the year is the beginning of a new chapter, while the end of the year is a time to look back at the end of a chapter and hope the one …
