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Category: Articles

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, […]

Federal Budget: Can super tax concessions be saved?

  SUMMARY: Pressure is building for major change on retirement incomes. Which bitter pill will we be asked to swallow? We must be in Budget kite-flying season again. That time when ideas are run up flagpoles to gauge public reaction. The public purse, we are told, is empty. It needs restocking. And one area judged […]

Mortgage rates remain at historical lows. How you can make the most of them?

Don’t cheer too hard. Leave the champagne on ice. Suck up to the boss. Batten down hatches. Interest rate cuts, sure, are like a pay rise. Sort of. Sadly, they can be taken away from you. They eventually will. You have no control over it. I don’t want to get all Nouriel Roubini (the guy […]

Property in a DIY fund can be a monstrous investment

SUMMARY: Low interest rate warning for SMSFs and potential property investment. Just when you thought the bonfire was fizzling out, the Reserve Bank throws on a little fuel. The Reserve Bank’s surprise interest rate cut last week will, no doubt, have property players frothing at the mouth. Or, perhaps, knocking the top off a frothy […]

Self-managed super is growing in popularity for all age groups. But how do you know if it is right for you?

With membership surging through one million in 2014, SMSFs seem to be the hip and cool fashion accessory for investors. But be warned. This is not like spending some coin to join the trendoids with the latest shades, shoes, or road bike. SMSFs are not just about taking investment control of your super. Running a […]