Introduction The past financial year saw a spectacular rebound in returns for investors as the focus shifted from the recession to recovery against a backdrop of policy stimulus and vaccines. The big developments of the last financial year The global and Australian economies were confirmed to have seen deep recessions in the first half of…
In the past, wealth was often passed on through inheritance. But with our longer lifespans, and the higher cost of living (especially housing), the desire to help our kids while we’re alive and well is increasing. If your children are young, you may have twenty or thirty years to save and invest on their behalf,…
Downsizing the family home is often part of the longer-term financial plans for many older Australians. But did you know that you could consider investing the proceeds of the sale of your family home to your super – depending on your age and circumstances – as a downsizer contribution? What is a downsizer contribution? If…
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have emerged from a difficult year stronger than ever. Not only have balances been repaired after the initial market shock in the early days of COVID-19, but more young people and women are taking control of their retirement savings. At the end of March there were 597,396 SMSFs with 1,120,936 members,…
For some, the thought of a mid-life crisis may bring to mind quirky Steve Carell comedies like Crazy Stupid Love or The 40-Year-Old Virgin. But if you or a loved one are actually going through something that resembles one, you probably have fewer reasons to chuckle. A mid-life crisis is a transition where you might start to question…
Be suspicious of anyone that offers you easy money. Scammers are skilled at convincing you that the investment is real, the returns are high and the risks are low. But there’s always a catch. How to spot an investment scam There are three main types of investment scams: The investment offer is completely fake. The…
Women are entering retirement with significantly less superannuation and personal savings than men – leading to a growing class of women living out their golden years in poverty. We explore how the gender pay gap is adding to this growing epidemic. While most people have heard of the ‘gender pay gap’ (GPG), many of us…
Your 60s are the time in which you’re most likely to retire – according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, of the Aussies who are planning their retirement, the average age they intend to retire is 65.5 years. But just because you’re getting close to retirement age, doesn’t mean you can afford to stop being…
What does investing sustainably mean? Investing sustainably, also known as ESG investing, is a growing trend within Australia. ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, and represents the non-financial factors that define how responsible an investment is -and therefore how risky or appealing a prospect is to an investor. Examples of ESG criteria might include:…
Finances are one of the biggest sources of stress in Australia. Whether it’s worrying about making ends meet or planning for the future, anxiety around money can be a huge burden and can affect the quality of your work, life and relationships. I hope this article provides you with a few proactive steps you can…
