First, we had to brush up our understanding of inflation and what it means for our hip pocket and our investments. Now the term stagflation is being thrown into the economic mix. For those with long memories, stagflation is a reminder of the late 1970s and early 1980s when the world economy fell into what … Read more
Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month. Rising inflation and interest rates remained the focus of attention in July. Inflation jumped to 6.1% in the year to June and the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 50 basis points to 1.35% in July, with similar increases tipped … Read more
As we get older, most of us want to remain independent and in our own home for as long as possible, but this can be challenging without some help with household tasks and personal care. Recognising this, the government runs a Home Care Packages program where approved aged care service providers work with individuals to … Read more
As interest rates start to increase after a lengthy period of historical lows, it’s a good time to think about how your money is working for you and whether your investing style and strategy is still in line with your goals. Higher interest rates don’t just send a ripple through the economy, aside from the … Read more
As baby boomers shift into retirement, Australia is on the brink of the nation’s biggest ever intergenerational wealth transfer. Yet estate or inheritance planning is rarely discussed by families. Talking openly about how you want your assets to be passed on can help avoid family disputes that take a toll both financially and emotionally. It … Read more
New rules that came into force on July 1 will create opportunities for older Australians to boost their retirement savings and younger Australians to build a home deposit, all within the tax-efficient superannuation system. Using the existing First Home Super Saver Scheme, people can now release up to $50,000 from their super account for a … Read more
Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month. June was a big month in an eventful year for the local and global economy, with inflation and interest rates continuing to dominate. With inflation sitting at 5.1% in Australia, cost of living pressure is mounting. The Reserve Bank lifted the … Read more
Retirement means starting a new chapter of your life, one that gives you the freedom to create your own story, as you decide exactly how you want to spend your time. While retirement may not be part of your immediate plans, there are advantages to giving some thought as to what retirement looks like for … Read more
Rising interest rates are almost always portrayed as bad news, by the media and by politicians of all persuasions. But a rise in rates cuts both ways. Higher interest rates are a worry for people with home loans and borrowers generally. But they are good news for older Australians who depend on income from bank … Read more
As the end of the financial year approaches, now is a good time to check your super and see what you could do to boost your retirement nest egg. What’s more, you could potentially reduce your tax bill at the same time. There are a handful of positive changes to super due to start next … Read more
Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month. Cost of living pressures, inflation and interest rates were major concerns in the lead-up to the May federal election. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifted the cash rate for the first time in over 11 years from 0.1% to … Read more
This time of year, people’s thoughts start turning to their tax return, but it can also be a good time to set things up so you don’t pay more tax than required next financial year. Simply talking to your employer about setting up an arrangement to “sacrifice” some of your pre-tax salary could potentially lower … Read more
