Archive: 'Nov 2020' :

COVID-19 has created uncertainty everywhere and impacted not just our health but our wealth too. From millennials to retirees, we’ve had to review our finances and adapt to the changing environment. We’ve seen volatile share markets, slashed dividends on bank stocks, record-low interest rates and sectors like airlines, tourism and traditional retail struggling to survive. […]
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It’s a very 2020 story. Your new homemade breadmaking skills are as uneven as the lump you lifted from your oven, so you pop down to the bakers for their tasty sourdough rolls. But as you make it to the front of the socially distanced queue and pull out your $10 note, the assistant points […]
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Majority of working Aussies to benefit from personal income tax cuts Tax cuts proposed in the recent Federal Budget were passed in parliament on Friday 9 October, and you might see some of the benefits before Christmas. The government has brought forward tax cuts originally planned for 1 July 2022 and backdated them to 1 […]
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If you’re in your 20s, chances are that life could feel like a bit of a rollercoaster right now. The economic fallout of the coronavirus (COVID-19) may have knocked your personal finances for six and at the same time, you could be juggling new expenses and experiences for the first time, such as moving out […]
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Planning a holiday gives you something to look forward to. Even if you’ve been able to maintain a kind of normal during Coronavirus, most people have experienced additional stress from the uncertainty and isolation. This is especially true for Victorians who have had to endure a long and difficult lockdown period. No matter where you […]
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If retirement’s coming up on your horizon, you’ll be keen to make sure your plans stay on track. It makes sense to concentrate on things you can control, such as insurance. Too-high premiums can chew away at the foundations of your savings, at a time when they’re more important than ever. Under-insure and one day […]
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Australia: The Reserve Bank of Australia cut the official cash rate to a new historic low of 0.1%. The Treasurer released Australia’s latest Federal Budget. This was essentially a ‘no-surprises’ package of measures designed for Covid-19 challenged times. Given the scope of the challenge, the budget deficit for 2020/21 was unsurprisingly large, at $213.7 billion, […]
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Older people who are struggling to live at home and take care of themselves often face a dilemma. Many don’t want to move into aged care accommodation, but they recognise the gardening, cleaning, cooking or showering is impossible or becoming more difficult. Some worry about placing a burden on their loved ones, others can’t afford […]
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There’s always been a lot of unknowns when it comes to retirement but throw a global pandemic into the mix, and we’re feeling more uncertainty than ever before. Things we once thought of as quite certain– like being employed, getting decent returns on investments and savings, and a continual rise in house prices – seemingly […]
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Introduction As an investor it’s very easy to get thrown off by the ever-present worry list surrounding investment markets that relates to economic activity, profits, interest rates, politics, and so on. This has been magnified by a digital media where everyone is vying for attention and the best way to get this attention is via […]
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Timing is everything. It’s true in comedy, and it’s also the case when it comes to retirement. After decades of work, moving to the next stage of your life is a time of great anticipation. Your super is at its highest, you’ve planned for a lifetime of retirement income… and then…. 2020 happens. In the […]
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If you’d like your money to make a difference to the world as well as to your future, ethical investing may be for you. Almost nine in 10 (89 per cent) Australians would prefer to invest in a responsible investment option that considers ethical, social and governance (ESG) issues as well as financial returns. With […]
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With the initial six-month deferral period coming to an end, lenders have started contacting customers who deferred their home and business loans due to COVID-19. Over the next month, Aussie lenders will contact more than 450,000 borrowers to assess whether they can start repaying their loans. This includes at least 260,000 mortgage deferrals and 105,000 […]
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Key Points This economic downturn and recovery differs from those of the past in that: the downturn was driven by a government shutdown; fiscal and monetary support has been faster and bigger; forced asset sales have been headed off; it’s dependent on containing coronavirus; and it’s seeing more rapid structural change. As a result, we […]
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Implications for Investors and Australia Key points: The US election has been close and final counting as well as legal challenges could still upset the result, but the now highly likely outcome is a Biden Presidency. While there is a possibility that the Democrats could win control of the Senate via runoff elections in Georgia, […]
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Everyone in Australia has been affected by the COVID pandemic to some degree. With disruption to our work and social lives, it’s one of the biggest changes many of us have ever faced. But what has it meant for our money and financial wellbeing? Nearly half of Australians are struggling A recent survey found that […]
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A financial plan can help you build wealth over time, aiding the protection of your financial future. If that sounds like a good idea, it could be good to find a trusted financial adviser who can help you on this journey. Australians are increasingly recognising the value of financial advice with 27 per cent having […]
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Not many people can say they’ve been unaffected by COVID-19. Whether you’ve lost work, had hours reduced or been fortunate to maintain employment, COVID has been a wake-up call for how we manage our money and set financial goals. How are we managing? Many of us are doing smart things such as: 29% are cancelling […]
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How financially secure do you feel? Recent research1 into Australians’ financial wellness – which is a person’s satisfaction with their current and future financial situation – revealed that people with good financial habits feel more financially secure. It sounds like a no-brainer. But adopting good financial habits isn’t always as easy as it sounds, start […]
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Retirement is an exciting time. It’s the long-awaited reward for a lifetime of work and, if you’ve planned it correctly, it heralds a life stage synonymous with relaxation and enjoyment. However, to make sure your retirement is everything you’d hoped for, it’s crucial to make smart decisions to help you stick to your financial plan, […]
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Before you can step onto the property ladder and buy your first home, you’ll likely have to do some serious saving to build up a deposit. Here are some things to consider that can help get you started, and on the road to home ownership sooner. Work out your current situation It might sound obvious, […]