Monthly Archives: January 2019

Housing prices go up and down, but your emotions don’t have to

Until recently, Australian house prices have marched upward so steadily that buying a house, while pricey, was rather predictable. That perception changed over the last year, as house prices fell 8.1 per cent in Sydney and 5.3 per cent in capital cities. It’s a healthy reminder that whether you are buying or selling, real estate, […]

New Year resolutions, New Year strategies

Here’s some good news for investors. With a few straightforward New Year resolutions and strategies, they can become better investors and better managers of their personal finances. Key aims should be to save more, become better at handling inevitable market volatility, overcome investment inertia, reduce your debt and make sure you are following the fundamentals […]

Top tips for first-time campers

Sleeping under the stars is an unforgettable experience. For some, the thought of camping is a scarier prospect than a visit to the dentist. However, with good advice and preparation, camping is extremely rewarding. There’s something special about embracing the great outdoors; being in touch with nature and enjoying the simple life. And we can […]

The future of retirement won’t be a cliff-edge goodbye to work

Imagine a baby is born in Europe at the very moment you finish this article. That child can expect to live for two minutes longer than one born as you finish this sentence. Increasing lifespans threaten to topple the current pensions model. But, then again, maybe it’s time for a change. Global pension assets now […]

Top 5 tips to achieve your money goals in 2019

Make a plan for your money What are your money goals for this year? To give yourself the best chance at achieving them, your goals need to be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. Setting timely goals means giving yourself a timeframe to achieve them. With a SMART goal in mind, you now need […]

5 life insurance questions you’ve always wanted to ask

What impact do factors like your weight, age and smoking status have on your ability to buy life insurance? ‘Sneaky smokers’ can breathe a sigh of relief – just because you’ve got an unhealthy habit or two, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get insurance. This list reveals the answers to those awkward questions you […]

Returning to work after having a baby

Combining work and family responsibilities can be a balancing act so here are some of the expenses you might face as well as potential benefits For most working parents, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about returning to work after having a baby is finding suitable childcare. Statistics show that 47% of […]

How does my super compare to other 20 and 30-year olds?

If your bank balance is looking a bit dreary, chances are what’s in your super fund could come as welcome news. See how you fare against others your age. If you’re like 56% of young Aussies, you probably couldn’t say exactly how much money you have in super, but according to the Association of Superannuation Funds […]