Be clear on investment goals

Be clear on investment goals by Jeff Rogers Retirees concerned about cuts to the official cash rate need to clearly identify their investment goals to help clarify whether capital stability or income sustainability is of greater importance. In this article, we discuss how a well-managed portfolio of select corporate bonds, equities, property and infrastructure can deliver attractive and predictable income streams that can be expected to rise over time. Sustainable income in a low-rate environment …

Pressed for time?

Pressed for time? When it comes to achieving work-life balance, many Australian families aim to strike the balance between time and money. If you dream of living your ideal life and achieving that elusive balance between spending time at work and being with your family, you’re not alone. These days, finding time to do it all can be challenging. In fact, around 40% of women and 30% of men report feeling often or always rushed …

Heirlooms no more

Heirlooms no more – why kids no longer want parents’ treasures If you are a baby boomer, you might be thinking about gifting some of your treasured possessions – especially if downsizing is on the horizon. But if you were planning to pass them on to your kids, you could be in for a surprise. Increasingly, millennials aren’t interested in inheriting that large landscape oil painting or dark wood antique dresser. In fact, the trend …

How to manage volatility in a low return world

  How to manage volatility in a low return world Responding to changing market conditions while keeping abreast of a strategy is a delicate balance. However, it’s an important skill to develop if you wish to successfully invest using a dynamic asset allocation approach. In this article, we discuss how market volatility is different to investment risk, and how you can manage your investments during market volatility while sustaining minimal long-term losses. We all know …

Tips & traps of working part-time

Tips & traps of working part-time Can you live the dream? If you’ve ever daydreamed about working less hours, returning to a shorter week after having a baby or reducing your work days before retirement, there’s a lot to consider before making the move to a changed lifestyle. Australia has one of the highest rates of part-time, temporary or self-employed workers in the world (over 35%)1 who earn more per hour than their full-time colleagues. …

Aged care – A loser in the recent 2015-16 Federal Budget

  Aged care – A loser in the recent 2015-16 Federal Budget Residential aged care received only minimal attention in the government’s recent Federal Budget. Unfortunately, people entering residential aged care from 1 January 2016 are the losers from the budget, as the strategy available to assist families wishing to keep the family home will be removed. Currently there is an advantage for people entering aged care to keep the family home and fund all …

Where Does All My Money Go? Time to Learn Money Management!

Where Does All My Money Go? Time to Learn Money Management! Ever get frustrated that why the money you earn is never enough to satisfy your needs? If yes, then you are not alone. Almost every other person is wondering where on earth do they spend all their money. If you don’t want to be bothered by this question ever again, then you need money management! You might have come across the term a million …

Time to sell the family home?

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 …

Budgeting Tips for Parents

Budgeting Tips for Parents Having a baby is one of the most beautiful feelings in the world and also a life changing event. The birth of a baby can change your life drastically and similar is the effect on your finances. With the birth of a baby the financial picture that you once painted need to be repainted and in such time it is more important than ever to have an accurate budget made and …

Brush Up On Your Knowledge Of Credit Cards

Brush Up On Your Knowledge Of Credit Cards The use of credit cards continues to enjoy an almost meteoric rise to popularity and fame. It has been seen that credit cards have now even overtaken debit cards in the race to become the top plastic alternative to money. The use of credit cards is more often than not rewarding in terms of credit scores and points. Yet, it is important that you are smart when …