Key points – Many measures were pre-announced, but key new measures include tax cuts from 2026-27 & more cost of living support. – While the revenue windfall is expected to continue, it’s mostly being spent on new measures resulting a return to deficit of $27.6bn this financial year and $42.1bn next year. – The Budget … Read more
About 36% of homeowners still have a mortgage when they retire, up from 23% a decade ago. This increase in mortgage debt is due to soaring property prices, changes in retirement ages and easy access to drawdown equity loans (where you use your home as security to get a loan, which can be used to … Read more
If you are considering disposing of a property, it’s important to understand the implications so that there are no surprises when your tax bill arrives. As with most investment assets, when you dispose of an investment property generally you are liable for capital gains tax. Capital gains tax (CGT) is levied when you make a … Read more
Crypto-assets (crypto) include assets described as coins, tokens or sometimes cryptocurrencies. They digitally represent your ownership of a valuable thing or rights to something. They may or may not be backed by physical assets. Crypto is a high-risk investment. The value of crypto is very volatile, often fluctuating by huge amounts within a short period. … Read more
The end of a relationship is never easy, but there are steps you can take to help things run more smoothly. If you’re in crisis or struggling to make ends meet, see urgent help with money. You can get help with food, housing and bills, as well as emotional support. First steps when you separate … Read more
A well-thought-out investment plan can help you thrive financially as well as protect you from falling into some common behavioural investment traps. But how do you create an investment plan? And where do you start? Start with financial goals. Studies show that people are more successful when they set goals for themselves. Whether it be … Read more
Paying off your mortgage early will save you money and take a financial load off your shoulders. Here are some ways to get rid of your mortgage debt faster. Switch to fortnightly payments If you’re currently paying monthly, consider switching to fortnightly repayments. By paying half the monthly amount every two weeks you’ll make the … Read more
Be suspicious of anyone offering you easy money. Scammers are skilled at convincing you that the investment is real, the returns are high and the risks are low. There’s always a catch. If you think you’ve been targeted by scammers, act quickly. For steps to take and where to report a scam, see what to … Read more
Although the day may be a long way off, when it comes to exiting your business, the golden rule is to start planning early. With a detailed succession plan in place, you are the one who gets to decide how – and when – you leave your business. You also need to ensure the viability … Read more
Key points – CoreLogic data shows average home prices rose 0.3% in February, after a brief three-month downturn of just 0.4%. – The upswing came in anticipation of, and then confirmation of, an RBA rate cut which boosted buyer confidence. – Annual growth in rents slowed to 4.1%yoy, the slowest since 2021. Poor rental affordability … Read more
Another year of varied returns demonstrates the importance of diversification. Global share markets surged into record territory during 2024, delivering double-digit returns to many investors. Indeed, investors using broad-based exchange traded funds (ETFs) to cover the largest companies on U.S. and international share markets would have ended the year with significant gains. By contrast, total … Read more
