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A superannuation slap?

SUMMARY: A superannuation slap? Stand by for broken promises on super, probably in property. Given a choice between being slapped in the face and not being slapped in the face, I’ll take the latter. As I’m sure you would. Particularly if you weren’t aware that a slap was on the menu. (Seems to have been […]

Beware the beaut deal

I’VE always thought that I was pretty smart when it came to buying cars. But maybe I’m just a cheapskate. In more than 25 years of driving, I’ve bought just five sets of wheels. In order, a 1980 Holden Gemini, a 1984 Ford Laser, a 1991 Ford Laser, a 2001 Holden Commodore and a 2009 […]

What are three good places to stash any surplus cash you may be lucky to receive?

“LUCKY to receive?” Whaaaat? Outside of the track, lotto, scratchies and an inheritance, there’s usually no luck involved in having “surplus” money! Savings are usually the result of considerable work (your job) and sacrifice (not spending)! Cue Donna Summer: “She worked hard for the money”. So, then, what should Gen Xers do with their surplus? […]

Education is not always one-way traffic from parent to child. What can kids teach their parents about money?

Nothing, apparently. Not my kids. No way. And even if they could, it would, at best, only be the bad habits learned from watching Mrs DebtMan burning the plastic fantastic at the shops. But just in case, I asked DebtGirl: “Is there anything you think you could teach Daddy about money?” A mild panic crossed […]

TTR: The secret to not having to work longer

SUMMARY: You don’t have to work longer. Just be smarter with your super. Have a transition-to-retirement pension in your sights. Yet another government manifesto says the nation’s workers are going to have to get used to the idea of working longer. The Intergenerational Report (IGR) last week punted on how much longer we’re going to […]

Wasting money can be worse than failing to save any. What three things have you regretted wasting money on?

I’d like to think I haven’t wasted too much money in my life. So I asked some mates. Fox: “Two guppies that lasted three days”. Voodoo: “Cars”. Risky: “Ex-wife. First wedding. Tyres. Bourbon from last night. Fyfe’s breakfast this morning. Whipper snipper cable”. Fyfe (ignoring taunt): “30 Sherrins that have disappeared over the back fence. […]

Wealthy will never be trapped in super

SUMMARY: Eat the rich. Super tax concessions don’t cost the $33 billion that is purported. And the aspiring wealthy would find another way. There’s a simple solution to the problem of superannuation tax breaks costing the public too much. Just tax the wealthy’s super harder. Tax ’em more on the way in. Tax ’em more […]

Private health insurance premiums are on the rise so how do you make sure you’re not paying too much?

They say bad luck comes in threes. But when it comes to your health, a single event can be devastating. I’ve seen incredibly fit people get knocked for six health wise, including Gen Xers fit enough to run marathons, collapse with heart attacks. Good luck if you want to rely on the public health system. […]

Buying property a 10-year game

If you understand one fundamental “law of life”, making improvements to your lot becomes so much simpler. That law is this: “No long-term good ever comes without sacrifice”. Ever lost weight without cutting back on intake and/or pounding the pavement? Ever got an “A” without studying? Did you buy your first home without spending a […]

How often should you think about changing the investments you hold in superannuation?

Aaah! My financial regret. Not being aggressive enough, early enough, with my super. I sat in a “balanced” fund through my 20s. Foolish. What a twit. Has already cost my retirement tens of thousands. Gen Xers, if that’s also you, it’s not too late. And making a difference now doesn’t have to be hard. Firstly, […]