Did You Know?

  • Budgeting on an irregular income: A guide for sole-trader contractors and freelancers

    Updated on Budgeting, Investing

    Budgeting can be hard enough for those in regular employment, who need to cover today’s bills as well as, hopefully, tomorrow’s emergency savings and investment in their future. But if you’re a self-employed sole trader, you have three more financial headaches to add to the list: setting aside correct amounts to pay the ATO, covering your own super contributions, and dealing with periods when there is no income flowing in. It can seem like a formidable task, but with the right advice, you can create a budget that will help you to navigate this potential minefield.

  • The hidden cost of extending your mortgage back to 30 years

    Updated on Investing

    The federal government has tried (via 2009 legislation and later instructions to banks from APRA, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) to ensure that mortgage borrowers will be able to service their loan and cope with any future interest rate rises. Despite this, many Australian homeowners are struggling financially as a result of inflation’s impact on the cost of living, geopolitical influences on fuel costs, and the Reserve Bank’s interest rate increases.

  • When good money doesn’t mean financial security

    Budgeting, Investing

    Not so long ago, a six-figure salary was considered a solid income. But you didn’t suddenly become extravagant, so why are you now feeling like you need to tighten your belt? You’re not imagining that growing sense of financial unease, nor are you alone. Chances are you’re experiencing what’s become known as the “middle-class squeeze.”

  • Strategies for Reducing Debt and Enjoying Your 60s

    Investing

    Carrying debt into your 60s can feel stressful, especially when retirement is getting closer. The good news is that there may be practical ways to reduce debt while still making room to enjoy this important stage of life.

  • How many bank accounts should you really have?

    Updated on Investing

    There’s no such thing as a perfect number of bank accounts that will suit everyone. But there are good reasons for avoiding the extremes of having only one account struggling to cover all your needs and goals, or on the other hand, having a large and confusing mix of accounts with different banks, some of which you’ve simply forgotten to close.

  • Future of home ownership – time to think outside the box?

    Investing

    Home ownership has always been central to the Great Australian Dream, but for many, that dream may feel increasingly unattainable.
    This reality has prompted some thinking outside the box, giving rise to a number of purchase models aimed at helping first-time buyers plant a foot on the property ladder.

  • The Risks of Property Investing: What Social Media Doesn’t Tell You 

    Updated on Investing

    If you scroll through social media, you’ve probably seen bold claims from property investors, buyers’ agents, and real estate professionals boasting about the incredible growth of their portfolios. Properties worth tens of millions and annual percentage gains that seem unreal—it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement.

  • Income protection insurance: Is it still worth the premiums?

    Insurance

    Income protection insurance is a financial tool that’s essential for some people, ‘nice to have’ for others, and possibly quite unnecessary for a third group. In other words, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether the premium cost justifies the risk. It depends on your circumstances, so it’s worth examining what the cover provides and the factors that should influence your decision-making.

  • Quarterly Economic Update: January to March 2026

    Updated on Economy

    The first quarter of 2026 will be remembered as one of the most consequential in decades. A war erupted in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz closed, oil prices surged past US$100 per barrel, and inflation roared back to life. Central banks pivoted sharply from cutting rates to raising them. For Australian households, that has so far meant two consecutive rate hikes and a stark reminder that the cost of living battle is far from over.

  • Living with higher-for-longer interest rates

    Updated on Investing

    Interest rates are rising, and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has hinted that they could stay elevated for longer than expected. While people who live off their investments, including…

  • Financial Wellbeing: More than Just Numbers

    Updated on Education

    When most people think about financial advice, they picture investments, superannuation, or maybe insurance. But the true value of advice isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about what those numbers allow you to do in your life.

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