Getting on top of your finances is one of the most common new year’s resolutions. But sticking to them can be hard. If you want to get your finances unstuck, here’s five money tasks you can tick off during your summer down time, that will help set you up for success this year. Check your ... Read more
We plan for holidays, home renovations, and retirement but we’re less likely to plan for the unexpected. Life insurance is one quiet but powerful way to protect the people you love from financial stress if something happens to you. Whether you’re raising a family, supporting a partner, or building a business, life insurance helps ensure ... Read more
Self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustees always have a lot on their to-do lists but the first few months of 2026 are likely to be busier than usual. Topping the list is preparing for the introduction of Payday Super and the Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions on 1 July 2026. Payday Super is a change to when ... Read more
A sudden death can place financial stress on those who depend on you. If this happens, life cover can help them pay the bills and other living expenses. What is life cover Life cover is also called ‘term life insurance’ or ‘death cover’. It pays a lump sum amount of money when you die. The ... Read more
Men are earning on average A$9,753 more than women each year in the form of performance bonuses, allowances and overtime pay. That’s according to the latest gender pay gap data released on Thursday by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. It covers more than 8,000 private companies for 2024–25, employing more than 5.4 million workers across ... Read more
Investing may be all about the numbers – growth, returns and risk – to build a secure future but increasingly investors are interested in an even more meaningful approach. Four out of five respondents to a 2024 survey wanted their investments to have a positive impact in the world.i The survey, by the Responsible Investment ... Read more
Few investment sectors combine geopolitical intrigue, technological innovation and long-term growth potential quite like rare earth elements (REEs). For Australians, the recent deal with the United States to supply rare earths to seed US$8.5 billion worth of new projects, has thrust the sector into the spotlight.i What are rare earths? Rare earth elements are a ... Read more
Retirement has often been seen as a time to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life. And for many, that’s the dream. But retirement is no longer defined by one image or one path. In fact, it can be something much more expansive. Today, retirement is increasingly viewed as a time of ... Read more
Recently, there was an alert about the ASIC Moneysmart website being impersonated. It’s part of a growing – and increasingly sophisticated – trend of scammers targeting reputable, high traffic websites. These days, websites can be very easily set up and look quite professional without much effort, thanks to templates. So, whether you’re visiting the website ... Read more
Ageing comes with wisdom, experience and a lifetime of stories, but it can also bring new challenges. Tasks that once felt effortless may now require support, and while many people assume the only option is moving into residential care, that isn’t the case. You can often receive the help you need while continuing to live ... Read more
Many investors breathed a sigh of relief at having survived (and even thrived) the turbulent economic and political events of 2025. Super funds posted strong double-digit returns for the 2024-2025 financial year. Australia recorded modest economic growth, while inflation cooled a little throughout the year – albeit with a slight uptick at year’s end – ... Read more
What role will an inheritance play in your long-term wealth strategy? If the ballpark numbers are at least remotely close, the amount of assets set to be transferred from one generation to the next in Australia over the coming decades will amount to trillions of dollars. According to estimates within a 2021 Productivity Commission report, ... Read more
You’re nearly there. After a lifetime of toil – of digging, building, thinking, manufacturing, planting, helping and nurturing – it’s time for you to enjoy your Golden Years. If you’re an Australian resident, you’re entitled to an age pension and a Seniors Card. Here’s what you need to do next. Age ... Read more
Hedge funds use investment strategies that are more complex than other managed funds. Many aim for positive or less volatile returns, in both rising and falling markets. A hedge fund is a complex investment and risks vary. Read the product disclosure statement and consider getting financial advice ... Read more
What’s your super strategy? Creating a strong super strategy is crucial to setting yourself up for success later in life. Starting now and making small changes to how you approach your super savings can make all the difference to ensuring you have a secure and comfortable retirement. A proactive and ...Read more
Information and resources to help you care for an older Australian. Caring for the elderly or aged means caring for someone who is either: older than 65 older than 50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. It may be your parent, grandparent, extended family member or loved one. You have access to ...Read more
The Australian economy picked up strength in the June quarter as consumers opened their wallets, boosted by interest rate cuts earlier in the year. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.6% in the June quarter and 1.8% over the year — the ...Read more
If you’ve ever had a job in Australia, even short-term, your employer probably paid money into a super fund for you. This money is yours – even if you’ve moved, changed names, stopped using your old phone or email, or never signed up for an account. To find out how much you have you can: ... Read more
Investing isn’t just a numbers game. It’s an activity that stirs various emotions from hope and optimism to fear and anxiety. Whether the ASX is surging or stumbling, emotional responses to market movements can shape outcomes just as much as economic fundamentals. Understanding those responses is crucial ...Read more
The global trading system that promoted free trade and underpinned global prosperity for 80 years now stands at a crossroads. Recent trade policy developments have introduced unprecedented levels of uncertainty – not least, the upheaval caused by United States President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff ...Read more
Older Australians can access both government-funded and private aged care services, each with different costs, eligibility rules and flexibility. Understanding the differences between these options can help you or your loved ones make informed choices about the right support at home or in care. Elderly ...Read more
Putting off investing could cost you more than you think Many people delay investing because they feel they don’t know enough, are afraid of making mistakes or believe they need a large sum to begin. This ‘investment procrastination’ — which can be a result of uncertainty, fear or hesitation — can ...Read more
If you’re lodging your self-managed super fund annual return for the first time learn about your lodgment obligations. If you have a new self-managed super fund (SMSF) you must lodge your SMSF annual return (SAR) by 31 October 2025. Contact us as soon as possible if you need help preparing your SMSF annual ...Read more
Key points: The Intergenerational Report 2023 released by Treasury gave Australians insight into the national economy from 2023 until 2062 – 2063 The care and support sector and its workforce were projected to double over the next 40 years The paid workforce participation rate was expected to dip ... Read more
How to develop an estate planning strategy to deal with your assets in the event of your death. Estate planning involves developing a strategy to deal with your assets after you die – the legal instruments and structures, such as a will, you put in place to transfer your assets in the event of death. ... Read more
It’s easy to get sucked into the lure of the biggest companies – they’re the most powerful; they’re unstoppable. But history suggests that’s not how these things work. The companies many investors have relied on for their returns in the last few years are the Magnificent 7 (Mag 7). Today, what kind of ...Read more
We can help you plan for retirement and meet financial challenges when you’re retired. You may be at a point in your life where you’re thinking about retiring. This could mean you’re reducing your work hours or stopping work completely. There are many things to consider about life in retirement. Some of ...Read more
Two mental traps that could be affecting your investing Even the most experienced investors can fall prey to subtle psychological traps. These behavioural biases often operate under the surface, influencing decisions in ways that can undermine long-term investment success. Here are two of the most common ...Read more
Planning to retire means considering the steps and decisions needed to get you to where you want to be. Think ahead to the kind of life you want to live and how you will support yourself when you’re no longer working. Work out how much you need to retire How much you need to retire ... Read more
A simple ongoing investment strategy can deliver substantial returns over time Imagine planting a tree that not only grows fruit but also grows more branches, which grow even more fruit. That’s compound interest in motion, which is sometimes referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world”. It’s the ...Read more
Take a sec to check Scammers aim to take advantage of weak security and plan on you being distracted with everyday life. To keep yourself safe: Stop – Don’t share your personal information such as your myGov sign in details, Tax File Number (TFN), or bank account details, with anyone unless you trust the ...Read more
Money sure can stir up a lot of emotions in relationships. From arguments over who spent too much on takeout to disagreements about saving for a house, finances can be a major stressor for couples. So, let’s dive into why money can be a relationship minefield and how you can navigate those financial ...Read more
About SMSF investment restrictions SMSFs are complex, here we have outlined some of the restrictions to help you before you make any decisions on self-managed super fund (SMSF) investment. You must ensure you understand any restrictions on SMSF investments to avoid any penalties. There are some exceptions, ...Read more
What is a retirement village There are so many options when it comes to moving into a retirement village. Here we explain what some of them are along with the contractual arrangements you may have for each accommodation. A retirement village is accommodation: intended for people who are 55 years or older ...Read more
The global rollercoaster ride of United States trade tariffs has now entered its latest phase. President Donald Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement placed reciprocal tariffs on all countries. A week later, amid financial market turmoil, these tariffs were paused and replaced by a 10% baseline ...Read more
The bad news for savers relying on income returns is set to continue Australia’s underlying level of inflation is continuing to fall, and which paved the way for another official interest rate cut when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board met earlier in the month. It was welcome news for ...Read more
Understand the latest indexed changes to the pension income and assets tests Receiving the full government Age Pension, or even a partial pension payment, can provide eligible retirees with a significant amount of income over time that can supplement income earned from other assets. Millions of ...Read more
Maintaining diversification, managing risk, and enhancing long-term returns Multi-asset portfolios are designed to provide diversification by spreading investments across various asset classes to reduce risk. Over time, however, some asset classes may become overweighted (or underweighted), potentially ...Read more
Donald Trump’s new international trade tariffs have landed. Some are lower than others, some deals have been done, but overall they are the highest they have been in 100 years. They are also unprecedented in the era of the rules-based trade system that has been in place since 1945. So what happens next? ...Read more
Millions of Australians hold multiple super accounts — and it could be costing them Vanguard’s late founder, John C. Bogle, was known for championing the importance of reducing investment costs. It’s a principle that’s especially important for long-term investments like superannuation. For Australians, ...Read more
With more than 947,000 trusts operating across Australia, it’s no surprise the ATO continues to keep a close eye on how these structures are managed. Trusts remain central to many wealth and succession plans, but their complexity means they also attract compliance scrutiny. i Closer attention to how trust ...Read more
With the new financial year comes a fresh wave of superannuation changes that could make a real difference to your retirement savings. Let’s unpack what’s changing – and how to make the most of it. The SG rate hits 12% One obvious lift to retirement incomes is the increase in the Super Guarantee (SG) rate ... Read more
Pros of investing in property Income – you earn rental income from the property when tenanted Less volatility – property income and property value can be less volatile than other investments such as shares or bonds etc Capital growth – if your property increases in value, you will benefit from a ...Read more
What is a good credit score? Your credit score, also known as your credit rating, is a number that represents your creditworthiness. This shows the credit card or loan provider what your history of credit use is and if you’re able to manage your debt(s) effectively. A credit score is calculated and ...Read more
Volatility indexes are a barometer for where share markets may be heading It should come as no surprise that there isn’t an accurate way to foretell what share markets will do from one day to the next. Yet, while there is no share market crystal ball as such, there are dozens of market indexes globally ... Read more
If you have a poor credit score or an error in your credit report, it may affect loans or credit you apply for. You have a right to get errors fixed for free, and you can arrange this yourself. What you can get fixed (for free) Here are some of the typical errors in credit ... Read more
Tracking your spending is a way to take control of your money. Knowing where your money goes can help you spend less and save more. 1. Track your spending and expenses First, get a clear view of where your money is going day to day. Choose how long to track One week for daily spending ... Read more
Key points: My Aged Care will be your first point of contact if you are in looking to access Government funded aged care services A RAS or ACAT/S assessment can determine what services will best suit your needs If you are found eligible for government-funded servicesyou will then be able to start looking ... Read more
How much tax you pay on your super contributions and withdrawals depends on: your total super amount your age the type of contribution or withdrawal you make If you inherit someone’s super after they die, the person’s super fund pays you a super death benefit. You may have to pay tax on some of this ... Read more
Define your renovation goals Renovations can be an exciting time to re-shape the look and feel of your home, however before you start getting into the details, it’s important take a step back and clarify ‘why’ you’re renovating. For instance: Do you need more space? Is your kitchen too dated? Are you ...Read more
