The fiscal cliff is more likely to be a fiscal slope – and why concerns about Australia’s budget deficit are overblown | AMP Capital

The fiscal cliff is more likely to be a fiscal slope – and why concerns about Australia’s budget deficit are overblown Key points The threat to the recovery from the “second wave” of coronavirus cases necessitates additional fiscal support in Australia, with the Government recognising this. Australia’s federal budget deficit is now expected to peak at around $220bn this financial year, or around 11% of GDP, its highest since the end of WW2. This is …

Putting your own needs first | Money & Life

Putting your own needs first It’s a confronting thought, but elder abuse is more common in families than in aged care facilities. The most likely form is financial, and it often results from well-intentioned plans that go wrong. Here are some ideas on how to help your family avoid the pitfalls. It’s a win-win idea. A parent sells their home to move in with their adult child’s family, providing cash for the deposit or renovations …

How to work out your retirement number

How to work out your retirement number The amount of money needed for retirement is not one size fits all. How you’d like to spend your retirement is as unique as you. From the big life changing goals, to the smaller, more personal ones that give your life meaning. There’s no defined age you must retire by, and it isn’t just about your finances. Your state of mind, where you’d like to live, how you …

Sports lovers enjoy better financial fitness

Sports lovers enjoy better financial fitness If your golf clubs have been under wraps or your tennis racquet has been tucked away for some time, it could be worth dusting them off. Research by AMP found Australians who play sport regularly are 64% more likely to achieve their financial goals than those who don’t. With the weather warming up, plenty of us will be thinking about getting in better shape. That can mean heading outdoors …

If you’ve always thought property prices only go up…

If you’ve always thought property prices only go up… It may be time to reconsider some myths about property investment. With so much emphasis on property in the media, it can be difficult to sort fact from fiction. But before investing in any type of asset—including property—it pays to consider the pros and cons, and any commonly held misconceptions. Here we bust 3 property myths. Myth 1: Prices always go up Believing that property always …

New year, new financial resolutions

New year, new financial resolutions The dawn of a new year is the perfect time to hit reset and correct course when it comes to your money. You may have already given thought to some health-related wellness goals for 2018, but what about your financial wellness? AMP research has revealed that a quarter of Australian workers have difficulty in making ends meet, with the most common triggers for financial stress found to be bad debt, …

Managing your money when you move in together

Managing your money when you move in together Living together is a big step. You may be merging your lives more closely, but should you merge your finances?  So you’ve taken the leap and decided to move in together.  It’s an exciting time which can take your relationship to a new level, but it can also add new pressures as you address practical matters such as how you divide the chores and the costs.  Set …

Looking after your family

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 …

The unwritten rules of gift-giving

The unwritten rules of gift-giving The holiday season is full of tough questions. What to wear to the office Christmas party, whether to go in for seconds (or thirds) of ham, how long leftover seafood keeps for (don’t push it), whether pudding is an acceptable Boxing Day breakfast (it is). But the toughest dilemmas of all have to do with exchanging gifts. If you’re feeling a bit nervous about gift shopping, you’re not alone. A …

A growing family doesn’t have to blow the budget

A growing family doesn’t have to blow the budget If you’re thinking of expanding your family, be sure to keep on top of things financially. Having a family usually comes not just with extra expenses but also a drop in income as one or both of you take time off work. Raising children and growing your family can be one of life’s greatest joys. But it can also be costly. You’ll need to plan ahead …