Money & Life
As well as super guarantee payments from your employer, there are all sorts of ways to save more into super and boost retirement savings.
The main ways are as follows:
Super Guarantee contributions
Concessional contributions
Non-concessional contributions
Government contributions for low-income earners
Tax offset for low-income earners
Spouse contributions and tax offsets
Financial Wisdom Insights
Working flexibly…. even in retirement & 5 ways women can take control
Today’s workforce offers a wealth of opportunities for Australians to shape their career paths – from self-employment and freelance work, to flexible working hours and career breaks. But while many older Australians may not have enjoyed this flexibility throughout their working lives, they now have more options available to find a work-life balance that suits them.
Some of the options offered are:
Ease into retirement
Become a consultant
Turn your hobby into a business
Take on a carer’s role
In many households, women often take a back seat when it comes to navigating their family’s financial future. But this can make it difficult for women to become financially independent – especially if they’re ever faced with divorce, separation or widowhood.
The 5 ways women can take control are:
Create a household budget
Keep track of spending
Boost your super
Review your will
Talk to your financial adviser
ASIC’s MoneySmart
Eight money tips for a prosperous Year of the Pig
The Year of the Pig represents wealth and fortune, a great time to assess your finances and make a plan to improve your financial position. Our eight money tips will help you to take the first steps to creating your own prosperity.
The main points are as follows:
Focus on your money goals
Take charge of your money
Create a financial calendar
Change up your spending habits
Track your progress
Clean house and clean up your home loan
Plan for your future wealth
Become a savvy investor
Money and Life
The FPA is continuing in its work to deliver better consumer protections and improve professional and educational standards as highlighted in the final Royal Commission report handed down by Justice Kenneth Hayne.
The key recommendations for financial advice are as follows:
No more trailing commissions
Ongoing advice fees to be annually reviewed
Reducing commissions on life insurance
A new disciplinary system for financial planners
Quarterly reporting of misconduct concerns
A renewed commitment to the clients’ best interests
Perpetual Investments
Please find below the new edition of the Quarterly Market Insights from the Multi Asset team at Perpetual Investments, which is a compilation of their thoughts and views of key issues in financial markets, the earnings and economic cycle, the interaction of policy makers, and how this affects investment goals.
The main points are as follows:
2018 will be remembered as a year where market volatility returned
The 2019 share market outlook is challenged as expectations remain elevated, growth is slowing across the world and margins are under considerable revenue and cost side pressure.
Global growth has entered its third deceleration phase of this cycle
After two years of above-trend growth, the global economy is set to return to a below-trend pace in 2019
Money & Life
Making New Year resolutions are one thing. Actually sticking to them is an entirely different matter altogether. Here are some surefire tips to help you succeed.
The main points are as follows:
Let go
Ditch the expectations
Know your principles
Money & Life
Your home may be looking minimal and serene in 2019 thanks to author and TV host Marie Kondo. But could your finances do with some decluttering too? Find out how to go about it with our guide to simplifying your budget, bank accounts, super and debts.
The main points are as follows:
Less really is more
Budgeting based on your values
How many bank accounts?
Simplify your super
Do away with debt
Fidelity International
Financial markets can be subject to periods of event-related volatility during which investor confidence can be significantly undermined. Here, we provide 10 key messages to help investors steer their portfolios through volatile times.
The main points are as follows:
Volatility is a normal part of long-term investing
Over the long term, equity risk is usually rewarded
Market corrections can create attractive opportunities
Avoid stopping and starting investments
The benefits of regular investing stack up
Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist.
Many investors were rattled by the equity market falls in late 2018, but Dr Shane Oliver says there are a number of reasons to suggest that in 2019 a well-diversified portfolio should deliver reasonable returns.
The main point are as follow :
This is a “mid-cycle” correction
No full-blown recession
Oil prices falling
Modest rate hikes or even cuts
Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist.
It was always likely that 2018 would under perform compared to 2017, however five big fears shaped the market more than anyone had imagined.
The main point are as follow :
Fear of the Fed
President Trump’s trade war
China slowdown
Global desynchronisation
US dollar strength
Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist.
The following note provides a review of 2018 and what it meant for investors and takes a look at the outlook for 2019. The key points are as follows:
2018 saw reasonable global economic and profit growth and still low interest rates but it has been a rough year for investors with worries about the Fed, trade wars and global growth causing volatility and poor returns.
2019 is unlikely to see the plunge into recession many fear with growth likely to stabilise supporting profit growth, the Fed is likely to undertake a pause in rate hikes and global monetary policy is likely to remain easy. The RBA is expected to cut interest rates.
Against this backdrop, share market volatility will likely remain high but markets should start to improve through the year.
The main things to keep an eye on are: the risks around the Fed, US/China tensions, global growth, Chinese growth and the property price downturn in Australia.
Money & Life
Thinking of a new job in the new year? With wage growth staying low, better benefits and work-life balance could be something to look for in your next role. Find out about the latest workplace trends for supporting employees with their health, finances and work-life balance.
Money & Life
Recent figures show personal debt levels in Australia are among the highest in the world. So does this mean we’re heading for a debt disaster? Or are we doing the right kind of borrowing to get ahead with finances? Find out what kind of debts can be a problem and how to keep borrowing within safe limits.
Money & Life
Everyone has a different life journey they’re on. But getting on top of key financial goals as you follow your own path could see you enjoying a more comfortable lifestyle and being ready for the next chapter to begin. Read our guide to getting all your money matters sorted out, one decade at a time.
Money and Life
“It’s all very well having retirement savings as a financial goal, but just how much should you plan to have in your super balance now, and when you retire? Find out more about coming up with a super balance target, for your age group, and for the retirement lifestyle you have in mind”
The key points are as follow:
Above or below average?
How much is enough?
Should I save more?
Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist.
The following note takes a look at the current worry list for global investors.
The key points are as follows:
It’s still too early to be sure that the pullback in shares seen last month is over but we remain of the view that it was not the start of a deep bear market and that the trend in shares remains up.
Worries around US interest rates, trade wars, European politics etc are unlikely to be terminal.
The US midterm election turned out pretty much as polls indicated. Since 1946 US shares have rallied in the 12 months after all midterm elections.
Money & Life.
By the time you retire your super may be one of your biggest assets. So when it comes to a divorce, it’s a very important part of a financial settlement. Find out from legal and financial experts what you need to know, and what to keep in mind when it comes to super and separating your family finances.
The key point are as follow:
Just how important is my super?
Can my ex claim some of my super (or vice versa)?
Should I go to court to get my fair share?
Things to bear in mind with super and separation
Defined benefit schemes and SMSFs
Money & Life
The following note looks at why an estate plan is so important and when you should make a start on yours.
The key points are as follow:
Am I too young to need a will?
When should I be making a will?
Don’t forget to think about :
Executors, attorneys and trustees
Beneficiaries
Tax
Super
Advances to children
Money & Life
The three biggest drains on our money are paying for housing, food and transport. And there’s no getting away from the fact that it is unlikely we can live without any of the “big three”. Here we look at some ways of how to save on these items.
The main points are as follow :
Saving on rent in the Big Smoke
Buying a home
Make money from your home
Save money on decorating and furnishing
Food for your soul
Your method of transportation
Money & Life. Charmaine Bingwa & Kylie Travers.
The 7 rules are as follow :
Know what your values are
Don’t be afraid of hard work
Have a budget and stick to it
Always plan ahead
Be ready to act
Don’t rely on a salary
Make your wellbeing a priority