Visualise it and make it happen in 2025!

As we move into a brand-new year, many people set their resolutions, and if buying your dream home is what you have set your sights on, with the right strategies and the right mindset you can turn that dream into reality. Big goals like home ownership call for more than just having the right strategies […]
Having a baby

Becoming a parent is an exciting and life-changing step. Be well-prepared for the costs and budget for them. Cost of having a baby Having a baby costs money. It’s possible to plan and save for most of these costs, but some can be unexpected. The earlier you start, the better. Pregnancy and birth costs During […]
How to overcome your investment fears

You’re ready to start investing, but there’s a few things holding you back. Firstly, while you have a bit of money set aside, you don’t have a lot and you’re thinking it’s probably not enough to start off with. You also don’t know a lot about financial markets and different types of investments. With so […]
Bouncing back from holiday spending

Ah, the holiday season: a time for festive gatherings, endless cheer, and, let’s face it, a bit of financial chaos if you found yourself swept up in the whirlwind of gift-giving, travel, and all those delicious holiday treats. Now the holidays are behind us, you might be feeling the aftershocks in your bank account—a classic […]
Investment income

When to declare investment income You must declare income you earn from investments and assets in your tax return. Investment income may include amounts from interest, dividends, rental income, managed investment trust credits, crypto assets and capital gains. You need to declare investment income whether you receive payments directly or through a distribution for a […]
Helping the kids without derailing your retirement plans

As parents, the instinct to support our children never truly fades, even when they become adults but when you are looking at giving them a financial helping hand there is a bit to consider. It’s important to ensure any support you provide is not at the expense of your financial future. It can also be […]
Why you need an emergency fund

What is an emergency fund? An emergency fund is a financial safety net, offering you instant access to money when you need to cover the cost of unplanned expenses, like losing a job, unexpected travel or a medical emergency. This involves putting funds aside periodically so you can dip into this cash reserve without needing […]
The Age Pension and your retirement plans

Most people intend to retire between ages 65 and 66, according to the latest data and, surprisingly, despite growing superannuation balances, the Age Pension is the main source of income for many retirees.i The intended retirement age has increased significantly in the last two decades, from just over 62 years on average in 2004. Australian […]
Dollar cost averaging: can it work for you?

Australian share prices have seen record highs in 2024 after a sluggish couple of years. The S&P ASX200 index added just under 7 per cent in the 10 months to October 31 closing at 8160.i It reached its previous all-time high of 8355 just two weeks before. So, if you were invested in an index […]
Keeping records for property

Which records to keep for your property so you can work out CGT when you sell it. Property records you should keep For your property, you should keep records of: your acquisition of the property and related expenses, such as purchase contract stamp duty legal fees settlement statement survey and valuation fees your disposal of […]