So…the era of rock bottom interest rates is finally coming to an end. The Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision on 3 May to raise the official cash rate by 0.25% to 0.35% is the first increase since late 2010. With Australia one of the most highly leveraged countries in the worldi and the average mortgage […]
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Almost 9 in 10 (89%) Australians feel it’s important their financial institution invests responsibly and ethically across the boardi. Ethical, social and governance (ESG) investments accounted for $1,281 billion—or 40%—of assets under management in Australia at the end of 2020ii, growing at 15 times the rate of the overall investment market. What is responsible investing? […]
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After a lifetime of hard work, it’s important you maximise your entitlements in retirement. So you need to structure your finances carefully to make sure you don’t lose your age pension. After all, you’ve earned it. Here are some common traps to be aware of. Helping loved ones out… It’s only natural to want to […]
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Last month, the Federal Government legislated a number of proposals that it previously put forward in its May 2021 Federal Budget. The changes announced will come into effect on 1 July 2022. Here’s a snapshot of what will change, with further details below. More people will be eligible for contributions from their employer, under the Superannuation […]
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Australian retirees generally need a certain budget each year to live a modest or comfortable lifestyle, and industry figures recently revealed the highest annual increase in those budgets since 2010i. The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) put that increase, in part, down to a range of unavoidable price hikes on things such as […]
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New to budgeting? You may know how much money you make and have a rough idea of how much you spend. But do you know what you’re actually spending it on, or if your spending patterns will benefit you in the long run? The good news is, you don’t need complicated spreadsheets and formulas to […]
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If you’re ready to step onto the property ladder, the first thing you’ll need is a deposit. But exactly how much you’ll need to save will depend on a few factors, including what you can afford to borrow and how much your ideal property costs. Your overall financial situation, and in particular, your income and […]
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In terms of gender equality, we’ve come a long way over the past few decades. Australian homes and workplaces are very different places than they were in previous generations. But there’s still a long way to go. When it comes to superannuation there isn’t a level playing field for Australian men and women. Before we […]
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If you want to protect your family and assets, it’s worth documenting what you’d like to happen if you can’t make your own decisions later in life or if you pass away. If you’ve got people in your life who you love and assets you’d like to be distributed in a certain way, you might […]
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Staying active and connected can sometimes have its challenges, depending on where you live, but here are some tips to help keep your physical and mental wellbeing in check. When it comes to living a longer, healthier, more active lifestyle, a good approach can often involve easy tasks that you can turn into everyday habits […]
