Protecting your wealth What is insurance? Insurance is a form of protection – a way to protect yourself, your family and the things you own if something goes wrong. It enables you to replace or repair your assets, whether those assets are your belongings or your capacity to earn income…. Maintaining your income What is transition to retirement? Transition to retirement is a strategy that can help you reduce your working hours while maintaining the …
Should you give your teenager a credit card We live in a culture of smartphones, WIFI, home delivery, online shopping and online gaming, where most needs and wants can be met almost instantly. With so much temptation to spend, it’s vital to teach your kids the money skills to help them enjoy financial wellbeing as adults. One of these key skills is learning how to deal with debt responsibly. Researchers from Cambridgei University found that children …
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 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 …
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 …
Blue collar, white collar – how the job you do can affect your financial stress It’s fair to say that COVID took a toll on the working habits of Australians. Deep into lockdown and we were all getting slightly frayed around the edges. We knew we were all in this together. But we couldn’t help looking around and comparing our situation with those of friends and family in other walks of life. In the white-collar …
How to review your direct debits and save Direct debits can be extremely convenient and even save you money. But they can become costly – and may even send you into debt – when you lose track of your automated payments. Conduct regular reviews to keep on top of your direct debits. Here’s how. Type ‘direct debit’ into your internet search engine and the words ‘hassle free’, ‘easy’ and ‘simple’ will likely pop up in …
The benefits of reaching your 60s in Australia The upside to getting older is becoming eligible for government benefits that could help lower the cost of living. So, it’s the big one. Sixty years old. It’s hard to believe… In a youth-obsessed culture it seems we’re constantly being reminded about the downside of getting older. And it’s true there are some aspects of ageing that are less than optimal. The body can get a bit …
Your end of financial year super checklist With the end of financial year fast approaching, now is a good time to consider how you can use superannuation to maximise your tax benefits. While certain contributions may be able to reduce your taxable income or see you pay less on investment earnings, there are a range of considerations. These include how much money you have in your super, whether you’re still in the accumulation phase and …
