Four powerful ways to build investing confidence
Emotions always play a role in investing. For some investors, especially newer ones, it can be hard to separate the idea of investing from “losing it all.” If you’re anxious or insecure about your investing plan, you could make heat-of-the-moment decisions during market downturns that might not be best for your long-term goals.
Is property investment for you?
When it comes to investing in real estate, equity is a key concept to wrap your head around. The Successful Investor’s Michael Sloan explains what equity is, and how you can use it to your advantage.
The cost of refinancing
Refinancing can be a great way to save money if you believe you are paying too much for your loan, but there is more to it than just finding a loan with a lower interest rate and making the change. Before making the switch, ensure the savings you could make outweigh the fees involved.
Retirement planning: it’s not all about the money
Retirement is often a massive life change for the majority of people who experience it. Most of us will have mixed emotions around the end of our working life and the beginning of our 'second half'. For some it will be a relief, and something they have long planned for and are looking forward to, but for others it will be a source of anxiety.
Why superannuation funds fees matter
The fees you pay on your super could have a material impact on how you retire, which is why it's important to understand how they work.
A quick internet search of the term “super fees” turned up other questions people ask, including “what fees are charged on superannuation?”, “do all super (funds) have fees?” and “how do you calculate super fees?”.
A financial safety net through super
Most super funds offer life, total and permanent disability (TPD) and income protection insurance for their members.
When reviewing your insurance, check if you're covered through your super fund. Compare it with what's available outside super to find the right policy for you.
Think you’ll never fall for a scam? Think again!
It’s no secret that scammers are getting more sophisticated. As this is an ever-evolving space, scammers are constantly developing new ways to part you with your hard-earned cash - and they cast their net wide.
How to get super ready for EOFY
Superannuation has dominated recent headlines, with proposed changes announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. While the details of these changes still need to be released, it’s worthwhile turning our focus to superannuation balances as we approach the end of financial year.
How do interest rates affect your investments?
Interest rates are an important financial lever for world economies. They affect the cost of borrowing and the return on savings, and it makes them an integral part of the return on many investments. It can also affect the value of the currency, which has a further trickle-down effect on other investments.
Three simple steps for financial wellness
If money’s too tight to mention, here’s some small steps that can make a big difference in achieving your financial goals.
How would you rate your level of financial wellness?
What is portfolio rebalancing?
Just like your car needs a periodic service to stay in tune, here's why you should rebalance your portfolio from time to time.
A portfolio’s asset allocation reflects an investor’s goals and temperament—the need for return as well as the ability to withstand market turbulence.
5 essential investment property strategies
Buying your first investment property can be a bold step towards a more prosperous and secure future. But it also poses risks. The Successful Investor’s Michael Sloan outlines five strategies to help you take the right path.
Trust your gut to boost your health
Gut health has become one of the hottest health topics in recent years as we have started to learn about the complex connection between gut health and overall health. So why is gut health so important and how can we support and boost our own microbiomes?
Star ratings for Aged Care help make family choices easier
Moving into aged care can be a challenging time, both for those making the move and families supporting their loved ones. It's understandable that everyone wants to find the most suitable accommodation and the appropriate standard of care, however, it can be confusing to make that choice.
Flexing your retirement plans
The concept of retirement is changing, with fewer people working towards a final retirement date and then clocking off for good.
Instead, those who have the flexibility to choose are often transitioning out of the workforce over several years, or even returning after a break.
How to prepare for a fixed-rate mortgage cliff
Do you have a fixed-rate mortgage contract that’s coming to an end soon? It can be a stressful time, particularly with rate rise news dominating the headlines. So today we’ve got some tips for a smooth transition.
What’s the DAP from RAD?
Lots of rules and lots of jargon makes understanding aged care even more complicated. This article demystifies one of the more common strategies of DAP from RAD.
Understanding aged care can be complicated enough, without needing to decipher all the jargon and acronyms. An example is the “DAP from RAD” strategy, which can be confusing if you don’t understand what all the letters mean.
8 retirement mistakes and how to avoid them
Retirement is a phase of life most of us look forward to. It’s a chance to pursue other interests, travel and maybe do some part-time work or volunteering.
Thanks to more than 30 years of compulsory superannuation, we are retiring with more savings than previous generations but that also brings its challenges.
Being wary of scams and sharing your personal information
Being wary of scams and sharing your personal information
Key Points:
Never use the same password or variations of the same password, utilise different numbers and letters with a mixture of capital and lower case letters
Money saving tips for travel
Travelling cheaply needn’t mean you miss out. Find out the best ways to save big on your overseas holiday plans, and make the most of every dollar.
Most of us love to travel, but not many can afford to travel as often as we’d like. A trip to Europe or the US might seem like it’s out of reach, but there are ways to rein in your travelling expenses and get to the places you love, more often.