Category: Financial Planning

Stressed but surviving – Aussie women and their finance Taking control of your finances starts with your super. As we battle rising interest rates, cost of living pressures and a general COVID-related economic hangover, it’s fair to say that financial stress is affecting most Australians, regardless of age, background or gender. But the reality is […]

How to upsize your super with a tax-free downsizer contribution Did you know from age 55, you may be eligible to make a super contribution of up to $300,000 using the proceeds from the sale of your home? Downsizing your home in retirement could have several upsides – some money in your pocket, less maintenance, […]

How to get more from your 2023 tax return with super contributions We all want to make the most of our tax return each year. Did you know, other than claiming the usual work-related expenses, certain super contributions may also be tax deductible? If you’re looking at what deductions you might be able to claim […]

Making downsizer contributions into super If you’re over 55 and looking to boost your retirement savings, you may be eligible to make a super contribution of up to $300,000 from the sale proceeds of your primary residence. On 1 January 2023, the age when eligible Australians qualify to make downsizer contributions was reduced from 60 […]

Avoid the superannuation death tax While there has not officially been any death duties in Australia for decades, they definitely still exist, albeit under another name – superannuation death benefit taxes. As superannuation assets and individual balances continue to grow, more and more Australian families will receive a rude shock after the death of a […]

What are some investment options outside of super When it comes to investing, you have two options – inside or outside of super.Super, being a longer-term investment designed to fund your retirement, comes with a number of advantages such as being lightly-taxed (which can mean, more money to invest in your financial future) but does […]

How to save for retirement in your 40s By the time you’re in your 40s you’ll potentially be earning more money than you may have previously – but you may also have unexpected or unwelcome expenses, like divorce. At this age you might also put retirement planning on the backburner in favour of more pressing […]

What you should know about creating your will and estate plan If you want to protect your family and assets, it’s worth documenting what you’d like to happen if you can’t make your own decisions later in life or if you pass away. If you’ve got people in your life who you love and assets […]

Why paying off your mortgage faster might not always make sense For the most part, paying off your mortgage quicker makes sound financial sense. But there are times where it may be wise to put extra money towards a different goal: Paying off ‘bad’ debt first Paying off ‘bad’ debt first – some debts, such […]

Investment fundamentals to consider in volatile times Sharp share market falls are stressful for investors as no one likes to see their investments fall in value. But at times like these, there are number of key things for investors to bear in mind. Compounding Compound interest is magical! The value of $1 invested in 1900, […]

Consumers warned about Fake Investment Opportunities as losses top $20m Losses to imposter bond investment scams have nearly tripled in the first half of this year with consumers losing over $20 million to these sophisticated scams. Imposter bond scams usually impersonate real financial companies or banks and claim to offer government/Treasury bonds or fixed term […]

Did you know gifting can impact your Age Pension? Gifting, or financially assisting family or friends by giving away some of your assets or accumulated retirement savings, can be a great way to help out younger family members or friends. But before you gift a significant amount, it’s important to understand how this could impact […]

How much do I need in retirement? How much you need to save for a comfortable retirement is a question many of us ask. While we all hope for a simple answer, how much money you need in retirement differs for everyone. Additionally, a comfortable retirement is based on a whole range of factors including: […]

Super changes that could affect you from 1 July 2022 The government has announced a number of changes to the super system could create opportunities for Australians of all ages. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know. More people will be eligible for contributions from their employer, under the Superannuation Guarantee (SG), as […]

9 retirement thought starters for people in or nearing their 40s 1. Do I have to retire by a certain age? You can retire whenever you want to in Australia, but your financial situation, employment opportunities, health and wanting to coordinate with your other half could play a big part. 2. How much money will […]

Granny flat arrangements within the context of the gifting rules Retirees wanting to downsize their home may consider the option of living in a granny flat, or an extension to / spare room of a relative or friend’s home. Money, the transfer of an asset or a combination of both, may be given as consideration […]

How does your pension live on after you die? Account-based pensions offer a flexible and tax-effective method of drawing a regular income stream from superannuation. They are an essential part of your overall retirement strategy and are usually used from retirement until death. But what happens to your tax-free account-based pension when you do die? […]

What happens to my super when I move overseas? You might be leaving the country for a variety of reasons – career prospects, love, adventure, new opportunities – or you may be returning home. While you’ve probably got a checklist of things to cover off before you jet, spare a thought for any super you […]

Demand for financial advice doubles in five years If your car engine sounds dodgy, you see a mechanic. If you’re unwell, you see a doctor. If you’ve got a tooth ache, you see a dentist. But what about when you’re looking to better manage your finances? According to 2020 figures from research group Investment Trends, […]

Mortgage versus super – a common dilemma Conventional wisdom used to dictate Australians were better paying off their home loans, and then, once debt-free turning their attention to building up their super. But with interest rates at record lows and many super funds potentially offering a higher rate of return, what’s the right strategy in […]

Downsizing your home? Understanding the downsizer contribution Downsizing the family home is often part of the longer-term financial plans for many older Australians. But did you know that you could consider investing the proceeds of the sale of your family home to your super – depending on your age and circumstances – as a downsizer […]

Saving for your child’s future As every parent knows (even before they become one), raising a child isn’t cheap. And those expenses don’t necessarily stop once they reach 18. Parents often hope to help their adult children with significant financial milestones in life too. In this article we look at some of the main expenses […]

Federal Budget 2021-22 What it means for you As the COVID economic landscape continues to take shape, Australian Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has handed down the 2021-22 Federal Budget. Among the proposed changes, he announced continuing tax relief for lower earners, help for older Australians to save for retirement and more assistance for first home […]

Relationship break-up entitlements when you’re in a de facto If you’ve recently split from your partner or are simply wondering what might happen if you do, you’ll need to keep your financial wits about you. A division of assets and debts, whether they’re held separately or together, may be on the cards. Here are some […]