Insights

A guide to combining finances for couples and newlyweds

A guide to combining finances for couples and newlyweds

What it means to combine finances Even if you have a strong relationship, there are some important details to consider before joining finances. Money Smart’s guide to relationships and money makes some key points: If your partner defaults on a joint loan, you may have to pay for the whole amount

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Investing cycles – Lessons from the Magnificent 7

Investing cycles – Lessons from the Magnificent 7

When it comes to investing in shares, it’s often said that time is your friend. The data shows that investing small amounts consistently over time and riding out the ups and downs of the market by holding onto your investments for the long term, can produce a healthy return. Over

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Investment Property: Getting it right

Investment Property: Getting it right

With property remaining a high-priced asset, it’s more important than ever for investors to ensure their property investments are a financial success. The latest data demonstrates property’s popularity. One-in-five households (21%) owns a home in addition to their usual residence.i Maximising taxation benefits is one key element but the ATO

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What is aged care like in Australia?

What is aged care like in Australia?

Key points: The aged care system in Australia has three main pillars — home care, residential aged care, and retirement villages If you can’t afford aged care services, the Government will help pay for the services you need There are other services that provide allied health and wellness supports Examples of care

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Mistakes to avoid when markets are turbulent

Mistakes to avoid when markets are turbulent

These three common mistakes are easy to avoid. Making them could be costly.  Sharp downturns on global financial markets are always unsettling. Recently and largely in response to growing fears that the United States is heading into a recession, share markets fell heavily before rebounding. Share markets may remain volatile

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5 practical tips for getting your financial foundations right

5 practical tips for getting your financial foundations right

Think of your finances like your home: how its foundations are built and maintained determines its ability to stand strong for years to come. Money expert Helen Baker shares how you can get your finances in tip-top shape. Most of us are feeling the pinch from the cost of living crisis: essentials

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Transition to retirement: Access your super while you keep working

Transition to retirement: Access your super while you keep working

A ‘transition to retirement’ (TTR) strategy lets you access some of your super and keep working. Setting this up can be complicated, so contact your super fund or financial adviser for advice. How transition to retirement works If you’ve reached your preservation age (aged 60) and still working, you can use a

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Outright home ownership is the great retirement dream

Outright home ownership is the great retirement dream

Retiring without a mortgage has a large positive impact on retirement confidence. For decades the “Great Australian Dream” has been the general desire by most Australians just to own a home. But that dream has morphed over time. These days it’s not just about owning a home but having the

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Getting on top of debt

Getting on top of debt

While the Federal Government’s recent announcement about providing some relief for those with student debt is anticipated to help those with student loans, debt can hold you back financially, so let’s look at some ways to free yourself if debt is becoming a burden. Debt can be a real drag

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What’s all the noise about loud budgeting?

What’s all the noise about loud budgeting?

Loud budgeting is a trend that may have started as a joke but is being embraced by those who want to share their financial goals and priorities and in doing so, also improve their chances of achieving them. It was comedian and writer Lukas Battle who bought the term “loud

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10 money saving tips to help you reach your goals

10 money saving tips to help you reach your goals

Tips for saving money Being a good saver has plenty of advantages beyond your short-term financial goals. It can be the difference between keeping your head above water during difficult financial times and being in financial hardship. Here are our tips to help you become a better saver. 1. Set

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Rental expenses to claim

Rental expenses to claim

Rental expense categories There are 3 rental expense categories, those for which you: can claim a deduction now (in the income year you incur the expense) – for example, interest on loans, council rates, repairs and maintenance and depreciating assets costing $300 or less can claim a deduction over several years – for

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