Will you be renting in retirement? Is owning your home the best option for your senior years? Discover why renting in retirement could be on the rise and explore some advantages of being a tenant in later life. Being secure in a home you own is usually part of the picture – and costs – of life in retirement. In fact, Retirement Standard figures published by the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA) are based on the assumption …
5 ways Australians will use their tax return this year With nearly one in three people planning to save their tax return, have you considered what you might do with yours? This year more than 75% of Australians expect to receive a tax return, with a large portion of the population planning to use the money they receive to take the edge off their financial commitments.i We look at the most common ways people intend …
Will my kids ever leave home? These days it can be natural for kids to stay at home until adulthood—our 7 tips can help ensure your own goals don’t pay the price. If you were expecting to have the house to yourself once your kids reached a certain age, you may have to adjust your expectations. Because for Generation Y—or millennials as they’re often called—moving out is not the rite-of-passage it once was. In 2011, …
Family matters: Becoming a parent You often hear new parents say that having a baby is an amazing, life changing experience. Nothing is ever the same again! At a time when every aspect of your life is changing, the last thing you want to think about is money. But while there may not be ways to reduce the financial commitments, there are things you can do to plan and manage them more effectively. Common questions …
Family matters: Educating the kids A good education is one of the best gifts you can give your child, but although it doesn’t have to, it can cost a lot of money. A little research and planning now could save you some financial worries in the long run. The earlier you start to save the better. Common questions to consider Some questions you may wish to consider include: How much will my children’s education cost? …
Family matters: Getting married Getting married is an exciting time in life but it can also be a time of significant financial change. Common questions to consider Some questions you may wish to consider include: How do we set a budget for our dream wedding? What are the joint financial decisions we should be thinking about now we are getting married? Do we need a Will when we are married? What types of insurance do …
Relationship breakdown It’s a sad fact, but according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2012, there were 49,917 divorces granted in Australia, an increase of 982 (2.0%) compared to 2011. People between 40-44 years of age had the highest percentage of divorces granted, with 16.9% of males and 17.6% of females being granted a divorce falling in the age group in 2012. In the midst of all the emotional turmoil caused …
Estate planning When you’ve worked hard to get where you are, you want to make sure that you and your family can enjoy the benefits. But if the unforeseen happens, how do you ensure your family are well looked after and that your assets are handed down according to your wishes? Common questions to consider Some questions you may wish to consider include: What is estate planning? Is estate planning just about making a Will? …
