Everyone buying into the housing market hopes that their purchase will appreciate over time, while sellers want to pick the top of the market. Clearly the growth rates in the Australian housing market, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, peaked some time ago – March last year. But prices have mostly been still rising, albeit at … Read more
With war in Eastern Europe, inflation surging and Covid lockdowns inhibiting industrial production in parts of China, investment markets faced a rising tide of volatility over the past quarter. Yet while this may feel like the worst of times, it may really be that the 14 or so years since the GFC are the outlier … Read more
How much you need to save for a comfortable retirement is a question many of us ask. While we all hope for a simple answer, how much money you need in retirement differs for everyone. Additionally, a comfortable retirement is based on a whole range of factors including: When you retire How long you’ll spend … Read more
Introduction Inflationary forces continued to intensify in key regions, which suggested interest rates could be raised more quickly and more aggressively than previously anticipated. Government bond yields continued to rise sharply, resulting in negative returns from fixed income markets. The likelihood of rising borrowing costs also appeared to spook equity markets, which performed poorly over … Read more
The RBA has hiked the cash rate by 0.25% taking it to 0.35% and signalling more rate hikes ahead. We expect the cash rate to rise to 1.5% by year-end and to 2% by mid next year. However, the RBA will only raise rates as far as necessary to cool inflation and high household debt … Read more
The lead up to 30 June can be a good time to maximise tax benefits that may be available to you inside super. Certain contributions, which we cover below, may have the ability to reduce your taxable income, or see you pay less on investment earnings. Contributions that could create tax benefits: Tax-deductible super contributions … Read more
The government has announced a number of changes to the super system could create opportunities for Australians of all ages. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know. More people will be eligible for contributions from their employer, under the Superannuation Guarantee (SG), as the minimum income threshold of $450 per month will be … Read more
The pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives, and romance is no exception. While lengthy separations have led some relationships to end, other couples are choosing to move in together more quickly than they might have expected. If you’re planning on living together, you might be wondering whether to merge your finances. Combining … Read more
After another year of double digit growth, many first-time buyers have been left shaking their heads in disbelief. Even those looking to upgrade the family home are having to stretch their budgets further than ever. For many would-be buyers, the speed of house price growth is far outpacing their ability to save. It’s also outstripping … Read more
According to the ABS, some half a million people intend to retire within 5 years. While many Australians will remain working until they can access their superannuation savings and/or the Age Pension, some 32% of people choose to retire beforehand due to health reasons, retrenchment, or a lack of suitable employment opportunities. No one can … Read more