6 tips for retiring earlier Are you dreaming about an earlier retirement, but unsure how to go about it? According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 40 per cent of Aussie men and 35 per cent of Aussie women are planning to work past age 70 because they are worried about their ‘f

Understanding how SMSF contributions work Contributions can play an essential role in a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF). Your SMSF contributions can be made in two ways – either by cash or an asset (known in the trade as ‘in specie’ contribution). Typically, your SMSF can acce

Economic update Australia CPI data for the September quarter showed prices rising 1.8% from a year ago. This was below expectations of a 2.0% increase. Recent increases in utility prices had a more modest impact on the inflation data than anticipated. Housing and transport costs also

Compare principal and interest and interest-only home loans Finding out which home loan is right for you depends on your personal situation. Are you looking for a home loan to buy your first home, update your current one or as an investment in retirement? Are you confused by all the j

Don’t be driven by short-term sentiment and emotion Arguably, the most common fear holding an investor back from achieving a great return is a misunderstanding of what happens when markets fall (as they invariably do). In order to use fear to our advantage, we would be well serv

Staying safe online Financial cybercrime is on the rise in Australia, as the increasing use of technology such as online banking and social media makes it an attractive target for criminals. Despite increasingly sophisticated methods being used, there are a number of things you can do

Super savings for your first home Let’s face it, getting your foot on the first rung of the property ladder is not only hard, for an increasing number of younger Australians, it’s downright impossible. As housing prices, particularly in capital cities, continue to outstrip wages growt

Travel tips to help you spend less on your next holiday  It’s that time of year again when it feels as though everyone you know is escaping winter to head off across the world on a fabulous holiday (and sharing many photos to prove it). Whether you’re about to head off on a travelling

Working after kids – is it worth it? To work, or not to work? That is the question many Australian women (and some men) have to consider after having children. Sadly, both options can have long-term negative financial consequences. While it would seem obvious that not working is likel

MARKET UPDATE Australia The RBA’s July interest rate decision was complicated by the recent strength of the Australian dollar, largely driven by a weaker US currency. The RBA noted that: “the higher exchange rate is expected to contribute to subdued price pressures in the economy. It