Why invest in property? What makes this such a popular option? You can earn rental income plus benefit from capital growth. What’s different for investors vs. homeowners? Stamp duty If you’re an investor you’ll also pay stamp duty, which varies, depending on your state. This is based on your property’s purchase price and is often … Read more
Lenders use your credit score (or credit rating) to decide whether to give you credit or lend you money. Knowing this can help you negotiate better deals, or understand why a lender rejected you. Your credit score is based on personal and financial information about you that’s kept in your credit report. You can access … Read more
Don’t confuse debt consolidation with debt elimination. If you’re swamped with credit card debt and personal loans, it can sometimes help to talk to a professional about debt consolidation. However, you need to be wary so you don’t end up paying more in the long term and/or reduce the equity in your home. What is … Read more
From Proverbs to John Lennon, many people have said it – and the last nine months have been a reminder of its truth: life happens when you are making other plans. While investors were worrying about the recession that sharply rising interest rates would surely lead to, fretting about the cost of living and waiting … Read more
Your superannuation investment grows through: your employer’s compulsory super guarantee contributions (concessional contributions) any voluntary contributions out of your pre-tax income, such as salary sacrifice and personal contributions you’re allowed as an income tax deduction (concessional contributions) any government super contributions you’re eligible for any voluntary contributions you or your spouse make out of after-tax income sources (non-concessional contributions). Your pre-tax income contributions … Read more
Rising levels of debt and finding ways to manage it is a concern for many of our clients. For some, it’s aiming to improve their credit score when applying for a mortgage or government home ownership scheme. For others, it’s being able to cover rising mortgage repayments or unexpected expenses. Fortunately, there are a number … Read more
It has been a wild ride for the Australian dollar since the Covid-19 pandemic struck and that could mean good news or bad news for your investment portfolio. In March 2020 the Aussie dipped below US58 cents for the first time in a decade. Since then, a high of just over US77 cents in 2021 … Read more
Key points: The Intergenerational Report 2023 released by Treasury gave Australians insight into the national economy from 2023 until 2062 – 2063 The care and support sector and its workforce were projected to double over the next 40 years The paid workforce participation rate was expected to dip from 66.6 percent to 63.8 percent, due … Read more
If you find a transaction in your account that you don’t recognise, it could be unauthorised or mistaken. If you think something is wrong, contact your bank as soon as possible. Signs of unauthorised and mistaken transactions An unauthorised transaction is when someone transfers money from your account without your permission. A mistaken transaction is when when you pay … Read more
Iron ore has been the backbone of the Australian economy and many investment portfolios for much of the 21st century. Export of the commodity saw Australia evade recession both in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis back in 2008 and the Covid epidemic. In 2021, resources accounted for 68 per cent of Australia’s export … Read more
What is a salary sacrifice arrangement? Salary sacrifice is an agreement with your employer to contribute a certain amount of your pre-tax salary or potential bonus into your super. The aim is to potentially reduce your tax and boost your super balance at the same time. The word sacrifice doesn’t really make this strategy sound … Read more
One of the biggest challenges first home buyers face at present is saving for a decent deposit. While there are definitely some advantages to buying as a couple compared to on your own, pooling your savings for a deposit can put a strain on even the most solid relationship. So here are some tips to … Read more
