If you have ever checked your super balance and wondered whether you are “behind” for your age, you aren’t alone. To see where you truly sit, you should ignore “averages”, which can be skewed by a small number of very large balances. Instead, we look at the median, which is the middle value. Half of … Read more
Entering the world of investing can be a life-changer for people of all ages. Here are seven simple steps for beginners to start their wealth journey. 1. Do a financial stocktake Before taking the leap into investing, evaluate your financial position. Assess your income, savings, living expenses and, perhaps most importantly, your personal debts (you … Read more
Dealing with illness is often unexpected and stressful. Getting emotional and financial support can help you manage. Here, we explain how you could get additional support. Work out your medical costs Medicare When managing unexpected medical costs, take some time to find out what is covered by Medicare. If you find any of the information … Read more
The Federal Government increased the Age Pension from 20 March 2026, alongside a gradual rise in deeming rates. Advocacy group COTA Australia says the pension boost will offer relief, but warns updated deeming assumptions may not reflect the realities facing all older Australians. From 20 March 2026, around 2.5 million Australians receiving the Age Pension … Read more
Lenders use your credit score (or credit rating) to decide whether to give you credit or lend you money. Knowing this can help you negotiate better deals, or understand why a lender rejected you. Get your credit report and score for free If you’ve ever applied for credit or a loan, there will be a … Read more
Just when we thought it was safe to return to the supermarket aisle, it seems inflation has come back to bite us again. Worse, the Reserve Bank of Australia predicts it will linger for longer than previously expected, adding to cost-of-living concerns. So, what is inflation, and what causes it? Do we have to worry … Read more
How your super is affected if your marriage or relationship breaks down. Overview If your relationship with your spouse ends, you should be aware of what can happen to the super entitlements of you both. The Family Court and super-splitting laws generally enable super interests (accounts in super funds) or super payments (pensions or annuities) … Read more
Understanding how market maturity is reshaping private risk credit Private credit has moved from the edge of finance to an established component of the below-investment-grade credit markets. What began in the mid‑2000s as a relatively small and specialised form of nonbank lending has grown into a significant source of financing for small and medium‑sized companies, … Read more
You’re scrolling through an online retailer, like Amazon, Shein or eBay, and spot a shirt on sale for $40. You add it to your cart, but at checkout, a $10 shipping fee suddenly appears. Frustrated, you close the tab. But what if that same shirt was priced at $50 with “free” shipping? The likelihood that … Read more
How a salary sacrifice arrangement can be used to make voluntary super contributions. Benefits of salary sacrificing You and your employer can agree on a salary sacrifice arrangement (also known as salary packaging or total remuneration packaging) to exchange part of your salary or wages for benefits of a similar value. You can use a … Read more
Commodities delivered strong headline returns in 2025. Yet, beneath the surface, this rally was quite uneven—precious metals rose by roughly 80%, while the remainder of the Bloomberg Commodity Index underperformed cash by more than 3%. Less than three months into the new year, the commodities rally may be broadening beyond precious metals to energy and … Read more
When you think about building wealth, you may picture investments, property and superannuation. But there’s another critical element: insurance. It’s the silent partner in your financial strategy, quietly working behind the scenes to protect everything you’ve built. Strategic asset allocation is the hallmark of a robust wealth plan, using diverse holdings to build long-term financial … Read more
