Understand what exactly you are signing up to as it can cost you money. Here are my financial tips on what to look out for when it comes to a legal contract and money. How many times have you downloaded a new app or connected to free Wi-Fi and agreed to the terms and conditions without giving them a second glance? In your rush to gain access to the must-have service you may end up agreeing to scrub public portaloos.…
Australians are a nation of animal lovers. According to the Australian Companion Animal Council, we have one of the highest incidences of pet-ownership in the world! Popular Pets in Australia Dogs and cats are our favourites; around 36% of Australian households own a dog, and 23% own a cat. We’re familiar with the companionship pets bring, and the social interaction they foster, but there are other benefits too, such as: The Costs of Owning a Pet When considering a pet,…
Many Australians caught in the nine-to-five grind of working for a living dream of the possibility of taking early retirement, spending their days travelling or playing golf or doing nothing much at all. There’s even a name for it these days. The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement is prompting more and more young Australians to question exactly what it takes to retire early. Yet without winning Tattslotto or suddenly inheriting a fortune from a long, lost relative, how possible…
While the move is on to become a cashless society, notes and coins are likely to be with us for some time yet. ‘Touch and go’ payments may be increasing, but for many small purchases most of us still rely on good old cash. And because it’s easier to hand over a note for each purchase than to scramble in our pockets or purses for the correct change, by the end of the week we often end up with a…
We’re an ageing population; the media keeps reminding us, as does the government, but are we prepared for what this means? As a society? As individuals? One thing’s for sure – it’s something we cannot ignore and that we all need an aged care funding strategy. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2018 over 3.9 million Australians were aged 65 and over. Consider for a moment: this figure shows those people contemplating aged care for elderly family members…
Millennials – take a bow. Not only are you concerned about how your super is invested, you are more likely than any other age group to act on your beliefs when choosing a super fund and do ethical investing. Research commissioned by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) reveals that 75% of Millennials prefer to invest in a responsible super fund than one that only considers maximising financial returns. Well ahead of Gen X on 66% and Baby Boomers on…
Falling in love is a magical and wondrous experience, but once the heart flutters have settled a little and two people move towards a more serious relationship, various challenges may need to be addressed. Many of these challenges can be easily resolved when we’re young and carefree, but what happens when Cupid appears – or reappears – later in life? How do you deal with money and love when love blossoms later in life? Unlike earlier relationships, when love blossoms…
We all have a vision of our perfect retirement. Living your dream retirement may be to travel around the country in a luxurious motor home, playing golf every day or spending more time with the grandkids. But how do you accumulate enough to pay for your golden years? How much do I need to live my lifestyle? Lifestyle is a personal choice. The big question is: How much do you need to save while you’re working to pay your preferred retirement…
The latest Inter-generational Report tells us that Australians aged 65 years and over accounted for 14% of the population – and that figure is rising. Whether you’re concerned about your future self or a loved one, aged care is an issue most of us will have to manage at some time in our lives. So it pays to begin planning for aged care as soon as you can. At the time of Federation, Australians at birth had an average life expectancy…
If you are aged over 50, male, highly educated, financially literate and manage your own super, beware. You’re at a higher risk of being the target (and victim) of an organised financial scam, mainly around investment fraud. This isn’t necessarily because your demographic is particularly gullible. Rather, it’s because you’re more likely to control higher levels of wealth, perhaps as the trustee of a self-managed super fund (SMSF); you’re accustomed to making financial decisions; and you’re actively looking for attractive…