In retirement, the decision to downsize homes can become important because the implications are significant for your lifestyle and finances. Downsizing involves selling your current, often larger, home and purchasing a smaller, more manageable one. We know this can be a difficult and complex decision, so we have pointed out some of the pros and cons to get you started.
With term deposit rates up around 4.5% or higher, it’s reasonable that investors may question the role of a bond fund in their portfolio. Given that bond funds had their worst return on record in 2022, and term deposits are effectively a risk free investment paying a guaranteed return, why wouldn’t investors use term deposits as the defensive allocation in their portfolio? Term deposits offer short term peace of mind - but a global bond fund gives superior long term returns, better liquidity, greater diversification benefits and are a much better defence against a volatile equity market.
In this article we take a look at why your financial success isn’t just a numbers game and five changes you can make today for a more successful relationship with your money!
This article explains the three stages to retirement, and then focuses on the final ‘Frail Years’. We outline the most important considerations when planning for these years and cover Government assistance, through to strategies for retirement planning.
Given that many investments, including shares and bonds, have experienced losses in the last 12 months, which investment is likely to give better returns in the next 12-months on so?
In this short video, Dr Steve Garth (Independent Member of our Investment Committee) explains what's driving the share market and bond market, and what investors can expect from investment returns over the next year.
Investors around the world have realised that fighting inflation is going to be difficult. This is causing enormous volatility in investment markets as investors fear that increasing interest rates may cause a recession.
In this short video, Dr Steve Garth (Independent Member of our Investment Committee) explains what's been recently happening in investment markets and the critical steps that investors must take with their portfolio management in these volatile times.
In this video, Nadine Blayney and Dr. Kirsten MacDonald from Griffith University discusses what many superannuation members did during COVID and also provides tips on how to avoid making the same mistakes with our own retirement savings.
Have you ever noticed how you can feel anxious, angry, resentful, or afraid when you think about your money situation?
When you get a bill that you don’t know when you can pay? When an unexpected cost comes in that blows your budget or financial plans?
Money and emotions are very connected, and when you don’t have control of your money situation overall, things will always come up that create negative emotions and add to your stress levels.
Saving money can be difficult at the best of times. But when everyday items such as electricity, groceries, and petrol prices go north, it pays to have some smart strategies up your sleeve to help you keep the saving momentum going.
As humans, sacrificing in the short term for long-term reward goes against our grain. Our brain works hard to come up with excuses for why we can’t save more. These excuses try to distract and protect us from anxiety and shame, but they don’t serve us long term.
Luckily, behavioural science can teach us a thing or two about how to find more success when it comes to saving. Whether you’re planning that long-awaited overseas trip, tackling some home renovations, or saving for retirement, try these ideas on for size.
For many of us, the period just before the end of the financial year can be an important time to look at finances. Taking stock at this time is a great way to check-in on your situation and see if any changes are needed in the lead up to 30 June.
For example, it may be a good idea to review your existing (and expected) concessional contributions to superannuation for the 2021-22 financial year—to see if you are making the most of the annual concessional contributions cap limit.
Below we’ve included a list of some key EOFY considerations to bear in mind. While these strategies may help reduce your personal income tax and/or provide for your retirement, their suitability will depend on your own eligibility and circumstances. As always, it’s important to seek qualified professional advice before making any changes to your finances.