International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate progress. It’s also a moment to acknowledge a reality that quietly shapes many financial decisions - caring responsibilities.

In late December the Australian Securities & Investments Commission issued a warning to investors on so-called ‘pump and dump’ operators – unscrupulous actors who start rumours about small cap securities to inflate the share price in the hope of making a quick profit.

The start of 2026 has seen gold and silver surge to record highs.

So what’s behind those surges and falls? And what should everyday investors know about the risks of investing in precious metals right now?

Capital gains tax is once again the subject of parliamentary debate, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers declining to rule out options for reform.

Along with negative gearing, the capital gains tax discount has long been suggested as one cause of Australia’s housing affordability crisis.

There's a rise in criminals calling, emailing or messaging people and pretending to be from the bank so that they can steal your money.

The scammers ask you for personal or financial information or to transfer funds or to give them a one-time security code over the phone.

There has been a spate of articles and commentary in recently calling on the Australian government to reduce spending.

Those calling for government cuts – mostly long-time advocates of smaller government – claim this would lower inflation, and as a consequence, reduce interest rates.

When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously to lift the cash rate to 3.85% in February, the decision was driven by one overriding concern. It wants to stop the rising cost of living from becoming entrenched.

Lenders use your credit score (or credit rating) to decide whether to give you credit or lend you money. Knowing this can help you negotiate better deals, or understand why a lender rejected you.

If you've ever applied for credit or a loan, there will be a credit report about you.

New research shows grief in aged care begins long before death, starting at the moment a loved one enters residential care. Families describe a long, evolving journey shaped by loss of role, communication, and meaningful rituals – pointing to the need for grief support across the entire aged care experience.

Stopping work is a big shift – especially when you haven’t planned for it.

Only one-third of Australians retire because they’ve reached retirement age. For many, retirement happens earlier than they expect due to events outside their control.

Tax Office data shows fewer people used its super scheme in 2024-25.

Introduced in 2018, the home downsizer scheme allows eligible Australians aged 55 and older to contribute up to $300,000 from the sale of their home into superannuation, outside of normal annual contribution caps.

When disaster strikes, the last thing you want to discover is that your insurance doesn’t stretch far enough.

Underinsurance means your insurance won’t cover the full cost to rebuild, repair or replace what you’ve lost. It's important to get the right amount of home insurance and protect yourself from costly surprises.

As the end of the financial year (EOFY) approaches, investors often focus on topping up super, maximising deductions, prepaying interest or reviewing portfolios. While these are all valuable activities, there are some less obvious tasks that can have a big impact on your tax position, wealth preservation and long-term planning outcomes.

Most families don’t expect disputes to arise within their trust, especially when its purpose is to protect wealth and support loved ones. But misunderstandings about control, rights or responsibilities can quickly create friction.

A little upfront planning can help preserve relationships as well as assets.

Warren Buffett has never looked much like a financial celebrity. He lives in the same house he bought in Omaha in 1958, prefers simple food, and has built one of the greatest investment records in history using his long-term value investing strategy.

During the course of 2026 already we've had a number of great client meetings with both new clients and existing clients, at a stage of life where they're starting to contemplate what their retirement years might look like.

I wanted to describe a little bit about what's been coming up for people there and how we've been dealing with that.

Forget expensive creams, doing push-ups, or pretending you like kale. The real anti-aging secret might be digging out your carry-on bag.

Travel, it turns out, is basically a spa treatment for your brain, your body, and your soul, except, instead of coconut water, you get the thrill of new adventures and stories you will retell forever.

A volatile geopolitical landscape, rapid technological shifts and evolving energy systems are helping to reshape investment returns.

As we settle into 2026, the challenge for investors is in understanding and taking advantage of (or avoiding, if necessary) these global trends.

Interest rate swings, market volatility and global tensions make one thing clear: wealth management needs both protection and growth strategies to thrive.

Finding the balance between driving growth and safeguarding capital takes a disciplined approach to portfolio construction but it could help your wealth to endure, despite the ups and downs of the market and the impact of inflation on your purchasing power.

Your super could be one of the biggest assets you’ll accumulate in your lifetime.

However, many Australians think they don’t need to worry about their super until retirement. Some don’t think about it at all.