How you can benefit from market fluctuations
When share markets experience a downturn, it’s easy to get nervous about the impact on your investments. But this kind of volatility doesn’t always necessarily spell bad news – as …
Incorporating alternative investments in self-managed super funds
Incorporating alternative investments in self-managed super funds It’s no secret a diversified portfolio may help to protect your wealth from market ups and downs. Including investment alternatives in your self-managed …
Australia slides into a “per capita recession”
Key points Australian growth slowed even more in the December quarter. Growth may bounce back a bit this year, but the housing downturn will likely constrain it to around 2- …
Super contributions guide
As well as super guarantee payments from your employer, there are all sorts of ways to save more into super and boost retirement savings. Find out more in our comprehensive …
Successful investing despite 115 million worries and Truth Decay
It may seem that the worry list for investors is bigger and more confusing than ever before. Some of this may relate to US President Trump’s disruptive and “open mouth” …
Market Volatility
Market Volatility: An Overview Many investors become concerned when volatility occurs in global financial markets – particularly about the impact on their superannuation and other investments. In times like these, …
Investing in the ageing population
You’ve undoubtedly heard that Australians are living longer. The most recent Intergenerational Report for instance, projected that the number of Australians aged 65 and over would more than double by …
Investing in ETFs
An ETF is an investment fund that holds a basket of securities – such as shares or bonds that tracks a specified index – and is itself a listed share, …
Economic Update
Australia Economic data continues to paint a mixed picture of the domestic economy. The manufacturing PMI survey – a useful gauge of activity levels in the sector – came in …
Superannuation and separation: Who keeps the money?
A divorce from your husband or wife, or a separation from your de facto, could mean a division of your assets and debts, whether they’re held separately or together, and …
SMSFs and your retirement horizon
Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) trustees often ask themselves, “What is the right mix of investments for my SMSF?” It’s a very common question, and one that will need to consider …
Retire on your own terms
As the novelist C. S. Lewis once observed, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Retirement should be the start of a …
Could your home deposit be helped by your super?
It’s no secret that saving for a house is tough. Raising the money for a deposit can seem to take forever, even if you’re consistent with your savings plan. Want …
How to spend more to save
The old saying “penny wise, pound foolish” couldn’t ring truer than in today’s throw-away world of overconsumption and excessive production of disposable items. Did you know that many manufacturers have …
New rules to benefit those downsizing for retirement
Australians aged 65 and over who are downsizing for retirement can now contribute the proceeds from the sale of their main residence (up to $300,000) into super. We take a …
Role-reversal: When your parents are relying on you
In the later stages of life, many seniors want to stay independent for as long as possible, but there usually comes a time when they need more support. So how …
Who is the boss of your super?
It’s tempting not to think too much about your super when retirement is still a long way off. After all, it’s growing just fine by itself … right? But the …
Make sure your super goes to your loved ones
While a Will states how you would like your hard-earned assets to be distributed, it doesn’t automatically include your super. That’s because, unlike directly owned property or shares, super doesn’t …
How close are we to a cashless society?
With tap and go payments becoming ever more popular and the advent of instant transfers between domestic bank accounts, how much longer will we be using cash as a form …
Getting personal insurance right
With recent media coverage about insurance sales tactics, many Aussies might be concerned they’re being sold personal insurance policies – life, total and permanent disablement (TPD) and income protection – …