What does financial freedom look like (and is it in the cards for you?)
There are many different paths to financial freedom. For some people it’s the product of years of planning and discipline. For others, it’s not necessarily a goal they set out to achieve but one they happen to stumble upon over time. Your idea of financial freedom might differ from the next person’s, but at its […]
Savvy ways to encourage your teens to save and invest
Financial literacy in school age children is important, but the stakes get much higher once your kids start working and earning an income. With money in their pockets and no shortage of places to spend it, saving and investing might be the last things on their mind. Fortunately, there are ways to entice your kids […]
Under or overconfidence: Striking the right balance as an investor
By Simon Russell Overconfidence has different components, but perhaps the simplest way of describing it is the feeling that we’re better at something than we actually are. The archetypal example here is the better-than-average driver effect: when you ask people to rate their driving ability, around 80% will consider themselves above average. Of course, we […]
How scammers target your superannuation (and what you can do to protect it)
Your super is likely one of your biggest financial assets, and unfortunately that makes it a popular target for scammers. While they have plenty of resources available to them these days, sometimes all it takes to dupe someone is a simple message and a promise of financial gain. Below, we outline a few ways scammers […]
5 steps to take right now to make sure your super is working for you
Your annual super statement will provide a snapshot of how your super is going, but it can also be an invitation to take a look under the hood and make sure you’re happy with its current settings. Here are a few things to consider once your super statement arrives this year. Consider how your super […]
Surprise retirement expenses you should know about
Retirement often forces people to put their spending habits under the microscope in ways that they didn’t during their working years. While you might find that you’re not spending as much in some areas, there’s every chance that new expenses will crop up. Here are just a few that you might encounter. Boomerang children Whether […]
The tricky reality of transferring property to your children
Many parents have been able to help their children get on the property ladder by gifting money or signing on as a mortgage guarantor. But some parents might choose to go a step further and transfer a property to their child, no strings attached. Gifting your child a property can be one of the most […]
The mental shortcuts that might be helping or hurting your finances
By Simon Russell Our brains are susceptible to certain automatic thought patterns, and fighting against them can be a challenge at the best of times. Sometimes, the solution is to ask how we can align ourselves with these thought patterns so that they actually help us rather than hurt us. Below, we look at some […]
Estate planning strategies for blended families
If you’re in the middle of the estate planning process, having a blended family can add a lot more complexity than you were prepared for. Everything from your beneficiaries to choice of executor will require much more thought, and extra care will need to be taken so no one feels excluded. We spoke to Katerina […]
Planning for retirement when you have debt
According to ABS figures, the average household debt has quadrupled over the last 18 years, jumping from $62,000 in 2003-04 to $242,000 in 2021-22. This has worrying implications for older Australians, many of whom are finding that debt following them into retirement. Ideally, your super and savings should be funding all the things you were […]
Are your parents ready for aged care? 3 questions to ask them
If your elderly mum or dad seem to be struggling to support themselves at home, it might be time to summon the courage and start a discussion about aged care. Here are a few questions to ask them to get the ball rolling. “How is your social life? Are you seeing family and friends as […]
Can you contribute to your child’s super?
As a parent, you probably want to boost your child’s chances of achieving wealth and security in life, and topping up their super might have crossed your mind. But is this allowed? And what if your child doesn’t even have a super account yet? We explore some of these questions below. Can I set up […]
