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.

  • 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…

  • Teaching Kids About Money – Simple Ways to Build Healthy Habits

    Updated on Budgeting, Education, Investing

    Talking to children about money can sometimes feel awkward, but the truth is they are learning from us every day. The way we spend, save, and talk about money shapes their attitudes well into adulthood. By teaching kids healthy money habits early, we give them confidence and skills that will last a lifetime.

  • How to build a diversified portfolio with ASX ETFs

    Updated on Finance, Investing

    Despite the temporary, sudden downturns caused by the 2007-2009 global financial crisis and the 2020-2021 COVID pandemic, the value of the ASX increased by more than 160% between 2000 and 2024, as evidenced by the growth in the ASX 200 market index. This demonstrates that it’s better to invest in a variety of shares rather than sticking to just a few.

  • Setting SMART financial goals that actually stick

    Updated on Debt, Finance, Investing

    In the context of your personal finances, SMART refers to setting clear, quantifiable, feasible and appropriate financial objectives, to be carried out within a defined time frame. You’re much more likely to succeed if you avoid vague, non-measurable, unrealistic and inappropriate aims with no actual deadline. Relying on SMART goals will help you stay on track as you shape your financial future.

  • How to start investing with just $500

    Investing

    When you have a spare $500 and are wondering whether to spend it or save it, why not consider a third option?
    Invest it. Make a commitment to your financial future, instead of wasting it on purchases that will deliver only temporary pleasure.
    Invest that $500 and watch it grow. Here’s how.

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