Setting up your SMSF is just the beginning. Make sure you’re aware of your obligations as an SMSF trustee and get the most out of your fund with this quick guide. While the list of SMSF administrative tasks and responsibilities may seem daunting, it’s there for a good reason: to ensure your fund’s decisions protect …
Want to invest but don’t know where to start? Here are five basic steps for investing. Define your goals Taking the first step on your investment journey may feel daunting. However, setting clear goals with achievable targets can be a good place to start in the planning process. ‘I want to retire at 60 with …
How healthy are your finances? Isn’t it time you put your own financial wellbeing front and centre? You can take control of your financial future quickly and easily, with a simple financial health check. Just like your physical health, it’s worth giving your finances a checkup once in a while. Over time, unhealthy spending habits …
Saving money doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Some people are wired to save – for others it takes a bit more discipline. But developing good savings habits can do so much for both your financial wellbeing and your future security. Just like money compounds over time, so do our habits. The more we see progress, …
Your super balance will most likely play a big part in how comfortably you live in retirement. But depending on how far off retirement is for you, it might be difficult to gauge whether your super is on track, or if you might need a bit more saved up to live the lifestyle you want …
Having a budget can help you stay on top of bills, pay off debt and save for long or short-term goals. There are many ways to go about it. One budgeting strategy is the 50/30/20 approach, which requires you to designate a portion of your earnings to three categories. Some of the benefits include being …
Key points The five key themes for 2023 were: better than feared growth; disinflation; peak interest rates (probably in Australia too); lots of geopolitical threats but not as bad as feared; and AI hit the big time. This boosted shares and helped bonds with solid superannuation fund returns. 2024 is likely to see positive returns …
Introduction Starting in the early 1980s investment returns were spectacularly strong. Sure there were bumps along the way like the 1987 share crash, but Australian balanced growth superannuation funds returned an average 14.1% pa in nominal terms and 9.4% pa in real terms (i.e. after inflation) between 1982 and 1999. And that was after taxes …
In a world where financial stability plays a crucial role in our wellbeing and future aspirations, the concept of financial freedom stands out as a beacon of empowerment. Financial freedom is the ability to make life choices without being constrained by money considerations. It goes beyond just having a comfortable income; it embodies the power …
There is no magic age at which to retire. But what’s important is to plan for a longer retirement than you may expect. This is in part because research shows we’re now living longer than ever. According to the Australian Government Actuary (AGA), factoring in improvements in life expectancies over the last 25 years, half …