Month: December 2024

Consider the expenses involved in refinancing If you’re debating whether to refinance your home loan, you need to think about whether the benefits of switching home loans will outweigh the costs involved. There are a number of expenses to consider, including charges and fees from your current lender (and from your new lender if you’re … Read more

Retirement means different things to everyone. It may be a definite point in time when you stop work, and begin a new phase of life. Or it may be a gradual process where you vary working hours as your priorities shift. You might decide to leave employment and return to part-time work later. How much … Read more

How capital gains or losses apply When you sell or dispose of a rental property you may make a capital gain or loss. A capital gain or loss is the difference between what it cost you to obtain and improve the property (the cost base) and the amount you receive when you dispose of it. … Read more

Recently, negative gearing has been making waves in the news and with rental affordability becoming a serious issue in Australia, various political parties have weighed in.  While some argue that it’s a vital tool for encouraging investment in housing and fixing the housing crisis, others believe it fuels property price increases, contributing to housing affordability … Read more

Term deposits let you invest for a set amount of time and get a fixed interest rate. They can be useful when saving for bigger items like a car or investing when you want to be certain about the interest you’ll earn. If you want to save but might need quick access to your money, … Read more

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is becoming more prevalent in our society and although there are many early adopters of AI, there is still a very high percentage of people who have reservations about how this type of technology can or could enhance our lives, not only in the workplace but in our everyday lives as … Read more

Interest rates are officially on hold, but unofficially they’re not. Don’t expect an official rate cut anytime soon. That was the latest message from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) as it kept its policy cash rate on hold at 4.35% and ruled out any near-term prospect of an official rate reduction. There’s even a … Read more

Making extra contributions into super can go a long way. Here’s some easy steps. Each year, October 31 is designated as World Savings Day. In fact, this year actually marked the 100th anniversary of the official launch of World Savings Day at the 1924 International Savings Bank Congress held in Milan, Italy. It was a … Read more

What is a debt consolidation loan? A debt consolidation loan is a way to combine all your debts – including credit card, personal loans, store cards and more – into one loan so you make just one regular repayment. It means you can take a breath and take back some control. It also means no … Read more

Online shopping can be a convenient way to buy the things you want. Get the most out of internet shopping by staying safe online. How to protect yourself online Not sure if you should trust a website with your personal information? Here are some things to look out for. Check the website Before you enter … Read more

There is no debate that Australians love investing in property. The value of Australian residential real estate at the end of August 2024 was an estimated $10.95 trillion.i Some love it so much that they believe property is a better option for providing a retirement income. They see a bricks and mortar investment as a … Read more

Why high-quality bonds are a logical alternative to hybrid securities. Some of the biggest changes on financial markets that are likely to have a profound impact on many retail investors can occur without attracting too much attention. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), the regulator of banks, superannuation funds and other financial institutions, flagged such … Read more