Risking your retirement

If you’re already retired or on your way to retiring, have you been obsessively checking your portfolio balance and dreading the next piece of news that might cause it to dip further? Or have you been keeping up with the news as you usually do, but confident that your portfolio will largely weather the volatility … Read more

Opening opportunities with your home equity

Many of us have seen our home’s value grow significantly over the last few years. This could mean that your equity is now large enough to put to a new use. So, whether you’re looking to renovate, invest in property or splurge on the holiday of a lifetime, the equity you have in your home … Read more

Your Guide to Home Care Services

What is Home Care? Home Care (also known as in-home care, community care, home help, home support and in-home nursing care) is the umbrella term for a range of services that allow people to remain living independently in their own homes. Many elderly Australian’s take advantage of these services as an alternative to moving into … Read more

Avoid the rush: Get ready for June 30

It seems like June 30 rolls around quicker every year, so why wait until the last minute to get your personal finances in order? With all the uncertainty and special support measures of the past two years, it’s possible your finances have changed for better, or for worse. So it’s a good idea to ensure … Read more

10 sneaky business costs every business owner should know about

For the first-time business owner, your ability to control costs is a critical success factor. But have you factored in these often-overlooked costs of running a business? What could be more cost-effective than starting your own small business?Running your business from home means no commute and money saved. No managers or investors to keep most … Read more

The true value of convenience

Even with the varying degree of lockdowns experienced across Australia in 2020 and 2021, the world remains largely at our fingertips. In fact, through the pandemic the use of our phones or computers to organise dinner, groceries, shopping, and workout programs only increased. Technology has undoubtedly enabled greater convenience in our lives. However, it’s important … Read more

Taking cover in changing times

The pandemic has changed the way so many of us live, with jobs, travel and lifestyle all transformed during COVID. Now, as we start emerging on the other side, it may be a good idea to check whether these changes have impacted on your life insurance needs. In some cases, you may require more cover … Read more

Why younger investors should rebalance

It’s a common misperception that the greatest determinant of portfolio return variability is your stock selection. Understandably, choosing which ETFs, individual shares, active funds or other securities to invest in is often the most exciting part of portfolio construction for new investors, and of course it remains an important factor. But as Vanguard research shows, … Read more

Home buying contracts and offer conditions

It’s not just about agreeing on a price when buying a property. The conditions of the offer are very important. They help protect both the buyer and the seller. Michael Sloan, from The Successful Investor, explains the finer points, so you don’t miss anything in the pressure of the moment. Typical conditions of an offer … Read more

Scams to beware (and be aware) of

There is a saying ‘a fool and his money are often parted’ but with scammers becoming ever more devious and sophisticated in their methods, it pays for everyone to be aware of the latest tricks being employed. According to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) data, last year was the worst year on record for … Read more