Talk of a recession in Australia has picked up in recent weeks. Rising fuel prices, a sharp fall in consumer confidence, and signs of softer spending have all added to concerns the economy may be losing momentum. A recession is commonly defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.
If you have ever checked your super balance and wondered whether you are “behind” for your age, you aren’t alone. To see where you truly sit, you should ignore “averages”, which can be skewed by a small number of very large balances. Instead, we look at the median, which is
Entering the world of investing can be a life-changer for people of all ages. Here are seven simple steps for beginners to start their wealth journey. 1. Do a financial stocktake Before taking the leap into investing, evaluate your financial position. Assess your income, savings, living expenses and, perhaps most
Dealing with illness is often unexpected and stressful. Getting emotional and financial support can help you manage. Here, we explain how you could get additional support. Work out your medical costs Medicare When managing unexpected medical costs, take some time to find out what is covered by Medicare. If you
The Federal Government increased the Age Pension from 20 March 2026, alongside a gradual rise in deeming rates. Advocacy group COTA Australia says the pension boost will offer relief, but warns updated deeming assumptions may not reflect the realities facing all older Australians. From 20 March 2026, around 2.5 million
Lenders use your credit score (or credit rating) to decide whether to give you credit or lend you money. Knowing this can help you negotiate better deals, or understand why a lender rejected you. Get your credit report and score for free If you’ve ever applied for credit or a
Just when we thought it was safe to return to the supermarket aisle, it seems inflation has come back to bite us again. Worse, the Reserve Bank of Australia predicts it will linger for longer than previously expected, adding to cost-of-living concerns. So, what is inflation, and what causes it?
Understanding how market maturity is reshaping private risk credit Private credit has moved from the edge of finance to an established component of the below-investment-grade credit markets. What began in the mid‑2000s as a relatively small and specialised form of nonbank lending has grown into a significant source of financing
You’re scrolling through an online retailer, like Amazon, Shein or eBay, and spot a shirt on sale for $40. You add it to your cart, but at checkout, a $10 shipping fee suddenly appears. Frustrated, you close the tab. But what if that same shirt was priced at $50 with
How a salary sacrifice arrangement can be used to make voluntary super contributions. Benefits of salary sacrificing You and your employer can agree on a salary sacrifice arrangement (also known as salary packaging or total remuneration packaging) to exchange part of your salary or wages for benefits of a similar
Commodities delivered strong headline returns in 2025. Yet, beneath the surface, this rally was quite uneven—precious metals rose by roughly 80%, while the remainder of the Bloomberg Commodity Index underperformed cash by more than 3%. Less than three months into the new year, the commodities rally may be broadening beyond
When you think about building wealth, you may picture investments, property and superannuation. But there’s another critical element: insurance. It’s the silent partner in your financial strategy, quietly working behind the scenes to protect everything you’ve built. Strategic asset allocation is the hallmark of a robust wealth plan, using diverse
