From psychedelic drugs and the birth of rock and roll in the sixties to the sexual revolution and female equality of the seventies through to the rapid up take of personal computers in the eighties, Australian ‘baby boomers’ have always caused waves. Now as they move into retirement, the groovy generation are about to … Read more
To downsize or not to downsize is the question facing many home-owning Australians in the lead up to or in their retirement years. And the answer is… it depends. There are many factors to consider when weighing up the decision of whether to sell the family home or not, and it depends on your personal … Read more
At the beginning of 2022 the Australian economy appeared to be sliding into recession, dragged down by higher interest rates and even higher inflation levels. As a result, it was tempting to believe the share market was also set to tumble. And while that’s not impossible, the local market traded higher during each of … Read more
You’ve decided that it’s time to buy your first home; Congratulations! It’s such an exciting milestone in anyone’s life and should be as effortless as possible. It’s important not to be caught out by the hidden costs that come with the purchase of your home. The costs add up quickly and can cause issues if … Read more
While retirement should be the best years of your life, many Australians make simple, avoidable mistakes with their finances that can leave them dependent on the age pension and without the funds to really enjoy life. However, with some simple good advice at the start of retirement, these mistakes can usually be avoided, leaving retirees … Read more
As it seems that home ownership moves beyond many peoples’ reach, the option of co-ownership is seeing many Australians achieve their own Great Australian Dream. Co-ownership refers to a single property owned by two or more parties. Geared towards people unable to purchase a property independently, it involves pooling resources with others in the same … Read more
It was the overwhelming silence that hit Judy, the first time she visited her family home after her mother’s passing, and with that thought, the slow, deepening realisation that she was going to have to cope with a lot more than the heart-breaking grief. As she sat alone, surrounded by the possessions her mother had … Read more
The new financial year provides an opportunity for a fresh start for your finances. Make this the financial year you get on top of yours… for good! We’ve broken it down into six bite-sized, manageable steps for you to tackle over six months, because real change takes time! The below is a suggested path to … Read more
Now and then, Jodi borrowed $100 from her parents. She’s good for it, and always paid it back, but her situation was not uncommon. 5.9 million Australians live pay-to-pay A study by Deloitte between November 2021 and January 2022, surveyed over 14,000 Millennials (born 1983 – 1994) and Gen Zs (born 1995 – 2003) worldwide. … Read more
Post-pandemic economic shrinkages coupled with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 have seen inflation spike to the highest level since the Great Inflation of the 1970s. This surge in inflation has prompted the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to increase cash rates, making it difficult for new homeowners, with the situation looking … Read more
Applying for a home loan can take on almost mystical proportions, with most Australians unsure of just how much money they can borrow. As a result, they often make the mistake of trying to secure too much money, only to be knocked back. Most people understand they need a deposit, usually 20 per cent or … Read more
To stem its then soaring population growth rate, which was widely believed to be crippling economic development, China introduced the draconian ‘one child policy’ in 1979 – a move now seen as directly lifting 150 million people out of poverty. The policy focused global attention on fertility rates around the world. It raised the question … Read more