Articles
US Election: A House Divided
After a tense few days of vote counting, Joe Biden has been elected the 46th President of the US. The larger story, however, is that the US remains a house divided. Polarisation has been on the march over recent decades, but the Trump-Biden contest has underscored social and political divisions that are arguably worse than…
Top tips for downsizers
Downsizing is an exciting time that normally sees significant changes to your lifestyle and your budget. Here are our Top 5 tips for anyone thinking about downsizing… 1. Find a community you want to be a part of While normally in real estate the advice is “location, location, location” and proximity to family and friends…
Getting retirement plans back on track
After a year when even the best laid plans have been put on hold due to COVID-19, people who were planning to retire soon may be having second thoughts. You may be concerned about a drop in your super balance, insecure work, or an uncertain investment outlook? Whatever your circumstances, a financial tune-up may be…
Marcelle and Darren’s story: protecting their family and future
Marcelle and Darren have had critical illness insurance throughout their 19-year marriage and even when financial pressure tempted them to cancel the policy, they continued to pay their premiums. Marcelle has dedicated her life to raising a family and only works on a casual basis, so they often relied solely on Darren’s income. “We’ve got…
Smart super strategies for this EOFY
Want to help boost your retirement savings while potentially saving on tax? Here are five smart superannuation strategies to consider before the end of the financial year. 1. Add to your super – and claim a tax deduction If you contribute some of your after-tax income or savings into super, you may be eligible to claim…
Maintaining your mental health through the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our day-to-day lives in a dramatic way. One of the biggest changes to come from this period for many people was a transition to working from home. On top of this adjustment, parents had the additional challenge of monitoring remote schooling for their children. Social interactions were severely reduced and…
How COVID-19 changes tax time
As this financial year draws to a close, it will be viewed as a year like no other. COVID-19 (coronavirus) has impacted everybody’s life, albeit in different ways for different people. For some, staying at home has meant greater savings. For others, the virus has meant lower wages or even the prospect of unemployment for…
Timing the economic reboot
After successfully navigating our initial response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) health crisis, backed up by $285 billion in government support to individuals and businesses to keep the economy ticking over, our thoughts are turning to how to get the economy back on its feet. It’s a huge task, but Australia is better placed than most…
Hold on … bumpy markets ahead
After period of optimism, global investment markets have hit the panic button on fears about the possible economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). At times like these, it’s good to get some perspective. Australian shares rose 24 per cent last year, touching record highs, and 10 per cent a year over the past seven years….
Time for an annual tune-up?
We don’t think twice about taking our car in for a regular tune up. Why? Because we know it’s going to mean our car runs at its best and saves unexpected problems down the track. It follows then that we should take the same approach to other areas of our lives. From our goals, to…
2020 vision for financial fitness
What better year to have your financial health in tip top shape than the one requiring 20/20 vision! The start of any year is always a good time to assess your financial situation and make sure you are on track to achieving your dreams, but the start of a decade is even more significant. So,…
Our retirement system: Great, but room for improvement
You could be forgiven for thinking Australia’s superannuation system is a mess. Depending who you talk to, fees are too high, super funds lack transparency and governments of all political persuasions should stop tinkering. Yet according to the latest global assessment, Australia’s overall retirement system is not just super, it’s top class. According to the…