When it comes to money, it is often the small, consistent steps that make the biggest difference. You do not need to make dramatic changes overnight. Building good habits and sticking with them over time can transform your financial future.
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.
Over the last few years, I’ve taken on the management of many self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), and in doing so, I’ve encountered a particular investment type that often causes significant…
When we think about health, we often picture diet, exercise, or regular check-ups. What we do not always think about is money. Yet financial wellbeing and overall wellbeing are closely linked.
The opinion of many people towards debt can be best summed up in the often quoted line from Shakespeare, ‘neither a borrower nor a lender be.’ Yet others will embrace…
It is natural to want to enjoy the rewards of hard work. A new job, a pay rise, or a bonus can make it tempting to upgrade your car, move to a bigger house, or start spending more on dining and holidays. This is called lifestyle creep, and while it feels good in the short term, it can quietly slow down your long-term financial goals.
You may be one of many Australians who make an interest-free loan to the federal government every year. That’s because, when you receive a tax refund, you’re not getting free money. All that’s happening is that cash which is rightfully yours is being returned, somewhat late. So it makes sense to make it work as hard as possible once it’s back in your hands.
If you’ve ever clicked on a Facebook or Instagram ad about paying off your home loan in under 10 years, chances are you’ve been bombarded with more of them since. I’m all for reducing debt as quickly as possible. But let’s be real: not all strategies are created equal, and not all of them are safe.
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.
When it comes to investing, most people focus on picking the right stocks, finding the best superannuation fund, or minimising their tax bill. And don’t get me wrong, these things…
Despite a slowdown in Australian economic and productivity growth in the last five years, Australia’s economy is usually considered strong and resilient when compared with other developed nations. Given our economic strength, why would anyone want to invest anywhere else?
To answer this question, let’s consider what stocks might be included in a share portfolio with an international focus.
For simplicity purposes, we will look into the portfolios of a leading provider of index managed funds and their top 10 holdings. These funds tend to be passively rather than actively traded, and seek to reflect their chosen share index over the medium-to-long term.
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
Australians love a good tax deduction. It’s almost ingrained in us—if there’s a way to pay less tax, we’re all ears. But what happens when tax savings become the main…
When people think about investing, they often focus on the numbers: analysing balance sheets, forecasting earnings growth, understanding sectors, and evaluating dividend yields and price-to-earnings ratios. While these elements are…
As a financial adviser, one of the most common discussions I have with clients is about helping their children financially. For those with the means, the question isn’t if they…
A client once shared a poignant regret: “When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”…
Planning for retirement can be challenging enough, but when there’s a significant age difference between partners, it adds another layer of complexity. Different life stages often mean differing priorities, timelines,…
Share markets are renowned for taking unexpected downturns and while history shows that markets eventually recover, this rebound in value can occasionally take time. Investors concerned about this risk might…
Struggling to keep track of multiple debt payments each month? For many Australian homeowners, juggling different debts—whether it’s credit card balances, personal loans, or mortgage repayments—can become overwhelming. Debt consolidation…
Achieving a high income is a significant accomplishment. You’ve put in the hard yards, climbed the ladder, and now you’re pulling in the big bucks! But don’t be mistaken; a…
Debt is a fact of life; some might say it’s a necessity. Rarely is a home or large-ticket item purchased without finance of some kind. Australians typically manage their financial…
Saving for a first home often requires a significant amount of discipline and sacrifice. The challenge of accumulating the necessary deposit can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to maintain motivation….
FORO – the fear of running out. I’d never heard the expression until I met Mark and Susan. Of course I’d heard of FOMO, the fear of missing out, but…
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