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Why it’s so important to talk about your finances According to this research1, one in two Australians don’t sit down regularly to look at their finances and one in three say that money is a source of conflict in their relationship.   To put conversations about money...

Check the income to declare, when to report a loss, and deductions you can claim for managed investment trusts. Types of managed investment trusts Managed investment trusts include: cash management trusts money market trusts mortgage trusts unit trusts managed funds,...

Key takeaways People who are good with money are aware of their finances. They create budgets so they can be on top of their income and track their expenses They're making saving and investing part of their routine Planning ahead with short and long-term financial...

About downsizer contributions If you are 55 or older, you may be able to contribute up to $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale (or part sale) of your home into your superannuation fund. A downsizer contribution is a non-concessional contribution, but it doesn’t...

Key takeaways If you’re an Australian resident and able to access the full Age Pension, you can receive up to $1,096.70 per fortnight for singles and $1,653.40 for couples (each) If you are working, you can earn up to $204 per fortnight for a single pensioner or $360...

Your superannuation investment grows through: your employer's compulsory super guarantee contributions (concessional contributions) any voluntary contributions out of your pre-tax income, such as salary sacrifice and personal contributions you're allowed as an income...

Iron ore has been the backbone of the Australian economy and many investment portfolios for much of the 21st century. Export of the commodity saw Australia evade recession both in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis back in 2008 and the Covid epidemic. In 2021,...

Key takeaways The power of compound returns cannot be overstated, and the longer your funds have to grow, the better Spreading your investments across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and international investments helps mitigate risks and...

It has been a wild ride for the Australian dollar since the Covid-19 pandemic struck and that could mean good news or bad news for your investment portfolio. In March 2020 the Aussie dipped below US58 cents for the first time in a decade. Since then, a high of just...

If you find a transaction in your account that you don't recognise, it could be unauthorised or mistaken. If you think something is wrong, contact your bank as soon as possible. Signs of unauthorised and mistaken transactions An unauthorised transaction is when...

Key takeaways It’s hard to predict what your expenses will be when you retire, but knowing what your lifestyle costs are now, will provide a guide of what you’ll need to live off in retirement Next, determine the total amount of income you'll need to live off based on...

What is a salary sacrifice arrangement? Salary sacrifice is an agreement with your employer to contribute a certain amount of your pre-tax salary or potential bonus into your super. The aim is to potentially reduce your tax and boost your super balance at the same...