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Key takeaways Investing a portion of your income is one way you can keep up with a high cost of living Shopping around for the best deals on your home loan, electricity and insurance, can end up saving you hundreds of dollars over the long-term You can find an extra...

You can't control what happens on financial markets. But you can control one factor to improve your returns. When it comes to investing, there are things you can never control and things that you can. You can't control what happens on financial markets on a day-to-day...

Using a fundamental investing principle could help many Australians bring their retirement forward. It’s simple investing mathematics really. The more money you can save in investing fees, the more of your total returns you ultimately get to keep in your pocket. In...

Investing is one of the best ways to build your wealth, and while it isn’t brain surgery, you do need some level of knowledge and experience to make consistently good decisions. Because let’s face it, making money is more enjoyable than losing it! Whether you’re new...

Cost of living pressures coupled with rate rises have made it more difficult to save for a home deposit and afford the lifestyle you’ve either become accustomed to or are dreaming of. Budget Direct’s Cost of Living Survey & Statistics 2023 found that despite the...

1. How much do I need to save for a deposit? Many lenders require a 20 per cent deposit plus additional costs, such as stamp duty, to approve your home loan. Options and assistance if you don't have a 20 per cent deposit Government assistance such as first home buyer...

Key takeaways Keeping track of your expenses versus income can help identify possible savings to pay off debt Investing with a long-term plan means you're less likely to be affected by short-term market fluctuations Adding more to your super on a regular basis offers...

Investing successfully and improving your investment portfolio can be as much about minimising mistakes as trying to pick the ‘next big thing’. It’s all about taking a calm and considered approach and not blindly following trends or hot tips. Let's delve into some of...

A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is a private super fund that you manage yourself. SMSFs are different to industry and retail super funds. When you manage your own super, you put the money you would normally put in a retail or industry super fund into your own SMSF....

Key takeaways Alternative options for homeownerships, such as rent-to-buy schemes, shared equity homeownership, co-living, and kit homes. The key benefits of homeownership, including housing security, financial stability, increased wellbeing, and a stronger sense of...

If you’re lucky enough to have received a windfall, perhaps an inheritance or a retrenchment payout, your first decision will be what to do with it. Assuming you have decided against a shopping splurge, finding the best place to invest a lump sum is all about the...

Understanding your retirement income options How you organise your retirement income streams can make a huge difference to your quality of life. Here are some options you might want to consider. What will you do with your super when you retire? You have plenty of...