Switching home loans

Refinancing your home loan to take advantage of a lower interest rate might save you money. Before you switch, make sure the benefits outweigh the costs. Before you decide to switch If you’re thinking about switching home loans, you’re probably focused on getting a better interest rate. But there are other things to consider before … Read more

Manage the cost of living

Here are some quick ways to reduce your living costs. Having a money plan helps you stay on top of your spending and bills. There’s also free support and services to go to if you’re feeling overwhelmed. If you’re in crisis and struggling to pay for essentials, there are services to help you with food, … Read more

Returning to work after retirement

Employers are desperate for workers and cost of living pressures are making it tough to live on a pension. That’s a perfect mix of conditions to send some retirees back to work. But it’s smart to get good advice before you take the leap. With unemployment rates at historic lows and employers facing a shortage … Read more

Superannuation scams

If someone offers to withdraw your super or move it to a self-managed super fund (SMSF) so you can get the money, it could be a scam. Learn how to spot the signs of a super scam and what you can do to protect yourself. Scammers may target your super because most Australians have a super … Read more

The upfront costs of buying a home

When saving for your first (or next) home, it’s common to focus on building up the deposit and servicing your upcoming home loan. However, there are other upfront costs when buying a home that you should be aware of from the get-go. With it being particularly challenging these days to get your foot onto the … Read more

How to bucket your money and save

Bucketing is a smart way to manage your money without complicated budgets or spreadsheets. The idea is to set up multiple bank accounts called ‘buckets’ and use each one for a specific purpose, like bills, savings or entertainment. Once your buckets are set up, it’s easier to see and control how you spend and save … Read more

2023 Year in Review

Australia’s economy stubbornly defied predictions during 2023, dashing any hopes that we might begin to return to some kind of normal. Some had expected an end to the Reserve Bank’s continued cash rate rises during the year. Instead, inflation has been a stubborn foe and we saw five rate rises, adding another 1.25%. But there … Read more

How to increase your IQ for later in life

Key points: Dr Vincent Candrawinata founded Renovatio Bioscience in 2016 following antioxidant research at the University of Newcastle Dr Candrawinata is among many researchers who believe that a person’s intelligence quotient, commonly referred to as IQ, can be increased — instead of simply remaining static throughout life As a lauded expert in the field of … Read more

How will you use your super?

We spend decades watching our super balances grow but for those thinking about retirement in the next few years, it can be confusing to work out how best to use your super. Here are some of the considerations for the popular options. Easing into retirement You can keep working and receive regular payments from your … Read more

Preparing for property success in 2024

The new year is a time when most people sit back and set some goals for the year ahead. But why not think about your goals for next year now? If you are thinking of buying a property, get a jump-start on 2024 and be ready to buy by starting the pre-approval process and doing … Read more

The 1% rule – tiny changes add up to a BIG difference

Personal transformation can be challenging. We all have habits we’d like to break and behaviours we’d like to do more of. But when we do some self-examination and think about what is involved in navigating change, it can seem overwhelming to get to where we need to be, whether that is personally or professionally. That’s … Read more

Sending money overseas

Look for a good currency exchange rate and check the fees when sending money overseas. A small difference can mean more money gets to your family or friend. Types of overseas money transfers Money transfer company A money transfer company is usually the cheapest way to get money to someone overseas. The company can either … Read more