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Category: Articles

How do you work out how much money you’ll need in retirement, and how do you plan for it?

“Price check, aisle four! Price on a medium-sized tropical island, 50-room palace, 100 staff, world-class golf course, an endless supply of Bollinger and Bintang, an airstrip and a dozen watercraft? Oh, and heaps of those electric golf cart thingys.” Could you get bored of that? Um, no. I forgot to mention the Lear jet. Just […]

Hands off our Super

PORTFOLIO POINT: Twice in a year? Another enemy of superannuation must be declared. Sometimes, “research” adds to debate, because of the inequities that get raised and the opportunities to right wrongs that get pointed out with compelling figures. On other occasions, research is so unbalanced, biased and deliberately devoid of key facts that it should […]

Like riding a bike, money habits are hard to forget

I don’t remember learning to ride a bike. I don’t remember many of the early spills. I do remember one time, with my head down and bum up peddling faster than ever, hitting a neighbour’s parked car and breaking a dozen eggs in the back seat. Serious bruising to me. Dents in the car’s front […]

Fixed versus variable mortgage rates: how do you work out which one you should choose?

“I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots, or only five … you’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do you feel lucky?’ Well, do ya punk?” Thank you Dirty Harry. Interest rates are that 44 Magnum and getting the fixed rates equation wrong could “blow your head clean off” in a financial […]

Raising the preservation bar

PORTFOLIO POINT: The pressure is on to lift superannuation’s “preservation age” closer to age pension eligibility. We know superannuation is about investing for the long term. There’s an accumulation phase of up to 45 years. That’s about getting enough money into it and then managing it as well as possible so that it’s enough to […]

What are three key questions you should ask yourself before taking on any new debt?

Unfair! The question seems to presuppose that debt is bad. Sure, some of it is pretty nasty. But not all debt. Oh, no-sir-eee. Some debt is actually okay. For example, a mortgage. Know any Gen Xers who bought their first house with savings? Mortgages help you buy what will one day be your biggest asset. […]

Superannuation statements will soon start arriving in letterboxes. What things should you look for in them?

As inscribed on the cover of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “DON’T PANIC!” I know superannuation seems a bit scary, perhaps pointless. But it’s compulsory and you’ll notice it’s a not insignificant amount now, so stay calm. Here’s what Gen Xers need to check when your super statement comes in. First up, don’t stuff […]

Super in a fee fall

PORTFOLIO POINT: The super fee revolution has landed. Over the next few years, a major review of your superannuation could save you a bundle. When you open your annual super fund letter in the next month or so, you might find yourself grizzling. The investment return from the average “balanced” super fund is going to […]

What are the best ways to handle a financial argument between family members?

Families are “unique” little units, aren’t they? Sometimes it’s all love (like The Flintstones and The Brady Bunch) and sometimes it’s all manipulation and scheming (like Dynasty and Dallas). Some families are like a comfy old slipper. And some others, well, you wish you could find the adoption papers that would prove why everyone else […]