With interest rates on the rise and investment returns increasingly volatile, Australians with cash to spare may be wondering how to make the most of it. If you have a mortgage, should you make extra repayments or would you be better off in the long run boosting your super? The answer is, it depends. Your personal circumstances, interest rates, tax... View Article
Before you say ‘I do’, talk about your finances with your partner. Not getting married, but in a relationship? See relationships and money for useful tips. If COVID-19 has impacted your wedding plans, the ACCC’s explains your rights when it comes to cancellations and refunds. Manage the wedding whirlwind The average Australian wedding costs $36,000. According to a Moneysmart survey, 82% of... View Article
Buying your first home is always a big step, but with property prices rising faster than pay packets taking that first step seems more challenging than ever. National house prices rose 20 per cent in the year to September, the fastest growth since 1989. Higher prices have also fanned out from capital cities to the regions, as city folk discover... View Article
After a difficult year of COVID disruptions and uncertainty, the summer holidays can’t come quickly enough. It’s a chance to refresh and reflect on the year that was and hopefully set some goals for year ahead. Yet this year more than most, many of us may feel that our personal and financial priorities have shifted depending on our experience of... View Article
As the nation drifts back to work and study after the summer break, it’s often a time to start putting your New Year’s resolutions into practice. For some, an extended holiday may have convinced you that you are ready for more of the good life and that it’s time to retire. In the past, that would have meant leaving work... View Article
There are no prizes for guessing what dominated the economic landscape in 2021. For the second year running, the pandemic was the focus for policy makers, markets, businesses, and individuals alike. The year began with hopes that the rollout of vaccines around the globe would stem the spread of COVID-19 and allow economies to reopen. Instead, most countries were hit... View Article
When it comes to setting financial priorities, medium-term goals often suffer from middle child syndrome, not taken as seriously as the oldest or indulged as much as the youngest. The serious long-term goal of saving for retirement gets lots of attention, and rightly so. It’s super important. And next year’s trip to Bali will be so much fun, even if... View Article