Tax deductible donations: Get the most out of giving back
Donating to a charity or cause you care about is a win-win for both you and the charity. Charities rely on the generosity of donors to help them do their …
Why should I see a financial planner?
Financial planning is something more and more people are considering as a service they need to help them get the best from their finances and focus on putting their money …
Should you merge your finances with your partner?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives, and romance is no exception. While lengthy separations have led some relationships to end, other couples are choosing to …
5 steps to better financial goals
Everyone has financial goals. Maybe you want to pay off your mortgage early, stop relying on your credit cards, or go on an amazing overseas holiday (once we’re allowed to …
Millennials and money: what does the future hold?
The first millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are turning 40 this year. Still, despite more than twenty years in the workforce, it seems their financial wellbeing isn’t guaranteed. A Commonwealth …
How to invest ethically
Ethical investing involves using your ethical principles to filter and guide your investment decisions. The practice has been around for more than 30 years in Australia, and has started to …
How ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ affects your credit score
In recent years, ‘buy now pay later’ (BNPL) has become an increasingly popular method for consumers looking to purchase goods via instalments without resorting to credit cards. These services are …
Demand for financial advice doubles in five years
If your car engine sounds dodgy, you see a mechanic. If you’re unwell, you see a doctor. If you’ve got a tooth ache, you see a dentist. But what about …
7 ways to stay active and healthy in retirement
When it comes to living a longer, healthier, more active lifestyle, a good approach can often involve easy tasks that you can turn into everyday habits – even when social …
Your 7-point retirement planning checklist
You might feel emotionally ready to retire but you’ll want to make sure you’re financially ready too. Socialising with mates, enjoying leisurely activities and indulging in the odd trip away …
Should I still change jobs despite COVID-19?
Go back a month or two and you’d be forgiven for thinking we were on the fast track to pay rises all round. The unemployment rate fell to its lowest …
Mortgage versus super – a common dilemma
Conventional wisdom used to dictate Australians were better paying off their home loans, and then, once debt-free turning their attention to building up their super. But with interest rates at …
How salary sacrificing into super could work for you
An effective way of building your super savings (and potentially reducing your taxable income) is through salary sacrificing – that is, asking your employer to put some of your before-tax …
Financial rights and wellbeing for LGBTI couples
Since marriage equality was achieved in 2017, LGBTI people have had access to the same legal and financial rights as heterosexual married couples. Yet members of the LGBTI community still …
11 things everyone should know about their super
Super is there to provide you with an income when you stop working and it may provide a tax-effective way to save for your retirement over the long-term. What’s probably …
Women and superannuation – how the pay gap can impact your super
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women are retiring with 37% less than men in their super accounts, which is a frightening thought considering women, on average, live up …
Should you use your super to save for a home?
Getting money together to buy your first home can be a big ask. As well as a deposit (ideally 20% of the house price), you also need to consider stamp …
Money worries and your mental health
It’s been a trying time for many people, with our collective mental health taking a toll as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on. The Melbourne Institute says one-in-three Australians are now …