Is this insurance cover necessary?
Consumer credit insurance, also called loan or mortgage protection insurance, helps you meet repayments on a mortgage, personal loan, credit card or other loan contract if you lose your job, cannot work due to illness or injury, or die. It may also cover theft of your...
read moreHow the world celebrates Christmas
Beyond the rush of shopping, parties and the anticipation of holidays, Christmas still has the power to bring people together in the spirit of goodwill. The practice of exchanging gifts has become traditional around the world and an essential ingredient of Christmas...
read more5 ways to benefit from record low interest rates
Interest rates have never been lower, and it’s possible they might fall even further. This creates opportunities for householders and businesses, so how can you best take advantage of low interest rates? Pay off your debt more quickly By maintaining constant...
read moreBeing sensible with Buy Now Pay Later this silly season
Move over debit and credit cards; consumers are flocking to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services. Afterpay, Zip Pay and several similar payment solutions allow shoppers to take home their goodies now while paying them off via a few weekly, fortnightly or monthly...
read moreQuarterly Economic Update: July – September 2019
This article summarises the key announcements and important changes to the economy that has occurred over recent months. We touche on interest rate concerns, rising property prices and US-China trade negotiations. Interest rates The RBA followed up its June interest...
read moreTake the risk management test
Everyone faces some level of financial risk but most people hope that catastrophe will strike someone else. Sadly ‘someone else’ may be you. This is why it is critical to review your insurances regularly and ensure they still meet your needs. Would you be able to cope...
read moreRetire at 65 but don’t retire your money
Australian retirees are facing a ‘double whammy’ when it comes to funding their retirement. On the one hand we, as a nation, are enjoying longer and healthier lives. On the other hand, record low interest rates have slashed the returns on the traditional bedrocks of...
read moreUsing your equity to build wealth
The equity you have in your home is simply the difference between the current market value of your home and the amount you still owe on your home loan. For example, if your home is worth $800,000 and your outstanding loan balance is $200,000, your equity is $600,000....
read moreTraps to avoid in retirement – carrying debt into retirement
Increased housing costs and low wage growth are seeing more Australians carry higher levels of debt into retirement. Repaying this debt can place a major drag on retirement cash flows and hinder the achievement of retirement goals. These may include maintaining an...
read moreTraps to avoid in retirement – ignoring estate planning
Don’t have a Will? You’re in good company. Less than half of Australian adults do. Even then, many Wills are out of date or invalid. The upshot is that hard earned wealth may be fought over by family or distributed by government formula, and not end up with the...
read more