Money sure can stir up a lot of emotions in relationships. From arguments over who spent too much on takeout to disagreements about saving for a house, finances can be a major stressor for couples. So, let’s dive into why money can be a relationship minefield and how you can navigate those financial trenches with … Read more
A simple ongoing investment strategy can deliver substantial returns over time Imagine planting a tree that not only grows fruit but also grows more branches, which grow even more fruit. That’s compound interest in motion, which is sometimes referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world”. It’s the financial phenomenon where your money earns … Read more
What is a retirement village There are so many options when it comes to moving into a retirement village. Here we explain what some of them are along with the contractual arrangements you may have for each accommodation. A retirement village is accommodation: intended for people who are 55 years or older that may be independent … Read more
The bad news for savers relying on income returns is set to continue Australia’s underlying level of inflation is continuing to fall, and which paved the way for another official interest rate cut when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board met earlier in the month. It was welcome news for borrowers, but not for … Read more
About SMSF investment restrictions SMSFs are complex, here we have outlined some of the restrictions to help you before you make any decisions on self-managed super fund (SMSF) investment. You must ensure you understand any restrictions on SMSF investments to avoid any penalties. There are some exceptions, however, generally your SMSF must not: lend or … Read more
The global rollercoaster ride of United States trade tariffs has now entered its latest phase. President Donald Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement placed reciprocal tariffs on all countries. A week later, amid financial market turmoil, these tariffs were paused and replaced by a 10% baseline tariff on most goods. On July 31, however, the … Read more
Understand the latest indexed changes to the pension income and assets tests Receiving the full government Age Pension, or even a partial pension payment, can provide eligible retirees with a significant amount of income over time that can supplement income earned from other assets. Millions of Australians are eligible to receive Age Pension payments every … Read more
Maintaining diversification, managing risk, and enhancing long-term returns Multi-asset portfolios are designed to provide diversification by spreading investments across various asset classes to reduce risk. Over time, however, some asset classes may become overweighted (or underweighted), potentially reducing a portfolio’s overall diversification. For example, if equities perform exceptionally well, a portfolio that was initially well-diversified … Read more
Millions of Australians hold multiple super accounts — and it could be costing them Vanguard’s late founder, John C. Bogle, was known for championing the importance of reducing investment costs. It’s a principle that’s especially important for long-term investments like superannuation. For Australians, a common scenario is having multiple superannuation accounts, which can lead to … Read more
With more than 947,000 trusts operating across Australia, it’s no surprise the ATO continues to keep a close eye on how these structures are managed. Trusts remain central to many wealth and succession plans, but their complexity means they also attract compliance scrutiny.i Closer attention to how trust structures are now being used is part … Read more
Donald Trump’s new international trade tariffs have landed. Some are lower than others, some deals have been done, but overall they are the highest they have been in 100 years. They are also unprecedented in the era of the rules-based trade system that has been in place since 1945. So what happens next? That’s a … Read more
Pros of investing in property Income – you earn rental income from the property when tenanted Less volatility – property income and property value can be less volatile than other investments such as shares or bonds etc Capital growth – if your property increases in value, you will benefit from a capital gain when you … Read more
