How to prepare financially for starting a family

How to prepare financially for starting a family Starting a family is exciting, but it can also mean big changes to your lifestyle and your finances. As expecting parents, it’s natural to have questions around family finance planning. One of the main questions you may have when starting a family is “how much do babies cost?” According to research, it costs an average of $140-170i. It could help to plan and have a family budget …

Oliver’s insights – seven key charts

Seven key charts worth keeping an eye on remain: global business conditions PMIs; inflation and our Inflation Indicators; unemployment and underemployment; inflation expectations; earnings revisions; the gap between earnings yields and bond yields; and the US dollar.

How to budget in 3 simple steps

How to budget in 3 simple steps Learn how to manage your money and understand where it goes so you don’t end up with a financial hangover in the New Financial Year. For many of us, making a budget seems like a daunting and fairly stressful task. However, a budget is an essential component of money management and can help you get a handle on your finances and plan for your future. Instead of picturing …

15 common sense tips to help manage your finances

15 common sense tips to help manage your finances Download PDF version Dr Shane Oliver – Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist, AMP Key points Getting your personal finances right can be a challenge at times. Here are some common-sense tips that may be of use: Shop around when it comes to financial services. Don’t take on too much debt. Allow for interest rate to go up and down. Contact your bank if struggling with mortgage …

Guide to your preservation age

Guide to your preservation age If you’re thinking about retiring, it can be helpful to understand what your preservation age is and how it affects your ability to access your super. What is preservation age? Your preservation age is generally the earliest age you can access your super, and it’s calculated based on your date of birth. It’s called preservation age because your super is a preserved benefit – locked away until you reach a …

How to trick yourself into saving money

How to trick yourself into saving money Impulse purchases and buyer’s remorse often go hand in hand. But if you take a week (or a month) to reflect on your spending, you could see a noticeable boost in the funds accumulating in your savings account. Enter, the Seven-day Rule. Don’t reply to text messages after you’ve had a glass of wine and take a deep breath before confronting someone when you’re upset. These are both …

How to avoid bill shock with bill-smoothing payments

How to avoid bill shock with bill-smoothing payments Sidestep the shock of unexpected bills by smoothing out payments and making regular, automated instalments that can be planned well in advance. Ever experience that sinking feeling when you’ve opened a bill that you can’t possibly afford to pay? The shock of receiving a big bill – or worse, a number of them arriving at the same time – can be extremely stressful. Thankfully, by setting up …

5 things to consider when saving for a house deposit

5 things to consider when saving for a house deposit Before you can step onto the property ladder and buy your first home, you’ll likely have to do some serious saving to build up a deposit. Here are some things to consider that can help get you started, and on the road to home ownership sooner. Work out your current situation It might sound obvious, but it’s easier to reach a savings goal when you …

Can you teach your kids to defer gratification?

Can you teach your kids to defer gratification? 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. While it is possible to help kids have a money-saving mindset by teaching them to delay gratification, it’s …