On my first big overseas trip, back in the mid 90s, I loaded up my credit card with cash. While I was drawing on my savings, I made cash advances and purchases with virtually no fees, apart from currency conversion fees, which were modest. That bank wised up to that one! By my next big […]
SUMMARY: Reverse mortgages are likely, eventually, to become a mainstay of retirement planning. The day is coming when governments will declare that the family home is no longer sacrosanct when it comes to receiving Commonwealth benefits. That is, if you have a $2-million-plus, debt-free home, you won’t be able to (potentially) claim a full government […]
When you decide that you really hate something, it’s funny how you can see all of the faults so much more clearly. Like the snivelling moron you sit next to at work, who is not only lazy and a slob in the kitchen, but it turns out he’s also a liar, disrespectful and a mummy’s […]
They’re awesome! Free flights, Christmas shopping paid for, wine deliveries … and it doesn’t feel like I’m paying for them. And I’m not really. And many others who enjoy the benefits of rewards cards don’t pay either. But someone is. Rewards program benefits are not really paid for by the bank. They are paid for […]
SUMMARY: SMSF borrowing arrangements and super tax for higher earners at biggest threat for change for Murray’s FSI final report. High-income earners and super property buyers could be about to cop a super bullet in the neck, if conjecture is to be believed. The industry chatter suggests that another series of “big bang” changes for […]
Call a family meeting in the backyard. Tell them to close their eyes, as you have a pre-Christmas surprise for them. Unfurl the garden hose and turn the tap on full. Now, calmly, press the hose trigger and spray them mercilessly, like you were crowd-controlling rowdy protestors. Hose down those expectations! Kids make Christmas Day […]
SUMMARY: Wondering what to do with your super at retirement? Look harder at the pension option. Sometimes you need an outsider to come in to critique. Rip what you’re doing to shreds. And tell you how to reconstruct it properly. American Professor Robert C Merton has done just that to Australia’s super system. On a […]
WHAT? Whoa! Really? You’re asking me to solve an out-of-control, national, credit-card bingeing problem? How about something simpler? Perhaps stopping Australians drinking beer? Halting the Ebola Virus? Smashing our druglords’ supply chains? I could get shorter odds at the TAB on me brokering peace with Islamic State. There’s nothing actually wrong with credit cards. They’re […]
Actions and consequences – every one of the former comes with one of the latter. Usually, it’s big actions that have big consequences, while we’re told “don’t sweat the small stuff”. I disagree. The small stuff, repeated daily for years, can have huge, leveraged, effects on our lives. Like a daily, mid-morning, muffin. Whether choc-blueberry […]
SUMMARY: Age pension and health care card changes start on 1 January. It’s not too late to shore yours up. Here’s what to do. There’s a deadline silently sneaking up on super pensioners – one which could cost thousands annually to those who don’t take action. From next year, account-based pensions (ABPs) will be deemed […]
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