money Archives

Financial Education for a Successful Future

30 August, 202329 August, 2023 Updated on29 August, 2023 Education, Finance

Think back to when you got your first job and that sweet taste of financial independence. Regardless of what age you started working, it’s unlikely you knew how to manage that first paycheck. Let’s face it; our world isn’t particularly adept at teaching financial literacy to the younger generation. I don’t know about you, but when I was in school, we learned trigonometry (SOH-CAH-TOA is still permanently etched in my brain), which has been helpful for all the times I’ve needed to solve the missing sides and angles of a right triangle, but not so much for managing my financial affairs as an adult. It’s time we change that narrative by sparking open, honest discussions about money and giving our young adults the financial tools they need to flourish. The Need for Open Discussions About Finance Money talk has often been cloaked in secrecy, even considered taboo in some households. This needs to change. Parents can play an integral role in setting their children up for financial success by fostering an environment where money conversations flow freely. Open dialogue demystifies the world of finance and empowers young adults to make informed decisions. Using Positive Language As we foster an environment of open discussions around money, it’s important to remember that the language we use significantly impacts the subconscious beliefs and attitudes our children will develop. Just as negativity can breed fear and anxiety, positive language can cultivate a healthy relationship with money. Instead of saying, “We can’t afford this,” try saying, “Let’s work out how we can save for this.” This small shift in dialogue encourages a mindset of abundance and possibility rather than scarcity. It helps young adults view financial challenges as opportunities for growth, aiding them in building a positive and proactive belief system around money. Financial Goal Setting Goals give us direction and purpose. Whether saving for a first car, paying off a student loan, or investing in their first property, encouraging young adults to set and work towards financial goals from an early age is a great way to help them build discipline and a future focussed mindset. It’s equally important to celebrate milestones, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement nurtures a sense of achievement and motivation, propelling them further on their financial journey. The Essentials of Budgeting Ever heard of the saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail”? That’s precisely why budgeting is so important. Budgeting is not about limiting yourself; it’s about making your money work for you. The 50/30/20 rule, where 50% of your income goes towards needs, 30% towards wants, and 20% towards savings, is a great place to start for young adults because it’s simple and gets them in the habit of saving from an early age. Understanding and Practicing Responsible Spending Managing your money doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the things you enjoy. It’s all about responsible spending. Need versus want is a timeless debate, but helping young adults to understand the difference is key. Impulse spending is something that can often sabotage budgeting and saving efforts. A great tip for young adults to help them avoid impulse spending is to implement a 48-hour waiting period for non-essential spending. This allows time to consider whether the purchase is within their budget and aligned with their financial goals. We’re not just equipping our young adults with financial knowledge but empowering them to build a successful financial future. So, let’s keep the money conversations flowing and start helping our young adults build habits that will set them up for financial success. The narrative changes today!   The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.  

Three steps to your children’s financial success

27 January, 202117 September, 2021 Updated on17 September, 2021 Budgeting, Education

For many of us, our first experience of banking and savings was the school Savings Account Program. But in 2019 the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) raised concerns that these accounts had little lasting impact on children’s savings behaviour. All parents want their children to be better-off than they were – more secure and financially independent, but the big question remains: where do you start? Ushering your children toward financial security can be a simple three-step process. Step 1: Create good habits Start early; learning to save is one of life’s great lessons. In an increasingly cash-less society, it can be difficult for children to understand the value of money and how to save. Help them by: Providing a piggy bank for very young children, or a glass jar through which they can see their savings mounting up. Teaching the difference between needs and wants. Lead by example with your own savings habits. Involving them in the household budget; compare prices at the supermarket and demonstrate bill-paying. Paying pocket money for age-appropriate chores and helping them to create a mini-budget, apportioning money to: spending on anything they want. donating to charity to instil a sense of community and empathy, saving for a goal; helpful in teaching kids restraint and how to avoid impulse buys. Step 2: Inform Nothing is free; water in the tap, electricity and even the internet don’t just happen by magic. One of the best ways to teach kids about responsible money handling is to explain debt and the consequences for not meeting financial obligations, which segues neatly into a discussion about personal credit scores. People with better credit scores find seeking finance approval easier and often qualifies them for more advantageous lending deals and better interest rates. Helping kids understand the concept of a credit score can be a little daunting, so try these tips: Brush up on your knowledge first. Try our eLearning section for some great general information. Don’t focus on numbers, explain that it’s about financial behaviour over time. Avoid complexity and keep the information age-relevant. Use examples. Discuss mistakes you’ve made in the past, explain how you rectified them. Step 3: Consider where you’re saving Record-low interest rates have taken the fun out of savings, but don’t let that stop your kids from calculating how much they can earn from the right type of account. The Moneysmart website has savings calculators that kids can play with and learn from. The banking and finance industry offers a plethora of accounts specifically designed to encourage kids to save. Help them research the account that will suit them; consider fees and interest. Additionally, searching online will reveal a range of websites, blogs and apps dedicated to engaging and educating kids about money and savings. Introduce your kids to good habits while they’re young, and you’ll be setting them up for success. Finding the most child-appropriate plans and accounts that specifically suit your child’s needs can be a minefield. Our financial advisers will work with you to assist you to guide your children into a financially secure future. The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.

What is money… really?

4 November, 202017 September, 2021 Updated on17 September, 2021 Economy, Finance

That $50 note in your pocket. What’s it worth? “$50,” you say, probably thinking it’s a dumb question. But is it really? Or a sheet of plastic and a bit of ink that likely cost the note printer less than a cent? Your $50 note only has value because the government declares that it does. This lack of intrinsic value means your $50 note, and the balances of bank accounts that represent most money in circulation, might better be described as currency rather than ‘real money’. Over the past few thousand years all sorts of items have been used as currency, from shells and cocoa beans to soap and cigarettes. But to be considered real money, several key criteria need to be met. The most important are that it is: Recognised as a medium of exchange and accepted by most people within an economy. Durable. Portable, having a high value relative to its weight and size. Divisible into smaller amounts. Resistant to counterfeiting. A store of value over long timeframes. Of intrinsic value, i.e. not reliant on anything else for its value. Throughout history gold and silver have come closest to meeting these and other criteria, though nowadays you’ll have difficulty in paying for your groceries with gold Krugerrands. Also, you’ll want to keep your gold and silver in a safe place, and it was people seeking to do just that which gave rise to paper money and our current system of bank-created money. What started out as a good idea… Centuries ago goldsmiths would take in gold and silver for safekeeping and issue the owners receipts, or notes, confirming the amount of gold held. The depositors soon discovered that these notes could be used for payment in place of the physical gold, but the goldsmiths noticed something else. It was rare for anyone to redeem all their notes at once. They saw the opportunity to issue notes as a loan that borrowers paid back over time, with interest. Provided borrowers paid back their loans on time and only a small proportion of owners wanted their gold back at any given time, all was well, and goldsmiths transformed into bankers. But this didn’t always work out. An economic shock might see everyone wanting their gold back, and if the bank couldn’t deliver the full amount that was demanded, it went broke. To help prevent this, many countries created central banks, with some governments even acting as lender-of-last-resort. While government control and the rules around banking have evolved over time, private banks are still the source of most currency created today. When things get real In economically stable times it’s easy to think of currency and real money as the same thing. However, a couple of examples reveal the difference between the two. One is when a government starts printing money to pay for its programs. Inflation usually results, and the value of currency can plummet. In the case of hyperinflation, paper money and bank deposits can quickly become worthless as happened in Germany in the 1920s. The difference between currency and real money and the issue of intrinsic value has implications for other investments. If you would like to learn more, talk to us. We’re here to help. The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.

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