People the world over nominate Australia as their dream destination. But when it comes to jetting overseas, where do Australians choose to go? Does the idea of lounging in a tropical island paradise and soaking up a new culture whet your appetite or would you rather trek through foreign cities or mountain ranges? One thing’s […]
We all want a comfortable retirement and here we look at how the equity in your home may be able to help improve your retirement lifestyle. For many Australians the investment in the family home is the biggest asset, even bigger than super. You may have worked hard and built-up significant equity or value in […]
Serves 6 Preparation time: 4 hours Cooking time: 20 minutes (plus 3 hours in the fridge) Ingredients 9g sachet low-calorie raspberry jelly crystals 3 tbs unsweetened apple juice 500mL reduced fat custard 1 large ripe mango, peeled and fruit cut into 2cm pieces (see Tips) 125g fresh or frozen raspberries 125g fresh or frozen blueberries Sponge layer […]
Property fires can develop and engulf a house within minutes and building faults can result in significant water damage in a very short time. Research has shown that most families and 50% of small businesses in particular do not have any form of disaster plan in place1. A personal disaster plan would involve: Deciding with […]
Data released in October by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that China is worth $17.6 trillion compared to America’s $17.4 trillion. While the IMF method of calculation is controversial1, there can be no doubt that China is big and getting bigger by the year. China’s growing wealth China is currently the world’s most populous […]
When most people hear the words “aged care” they think “nursing home”. This is normally quickly followed by the words “Not me!” Aged care decisions, whether they are for yourself or a loved one, are complex and the choices are far more diverse than simply stay at home or move into an aged care facility. […]
But simple is not always cheaper, the cover may be inadequate or, worse still, may not pay out when you need it most. Underinsurance Personal insurance is a general terms for term life, total and permanent disability (TPD), trauma and income protection insurance. The reality is that even those people who think they are covered […]
Have you spoken with a financial adviser recently? It pays to be aware that if you receive a government age pension and set up or make changes to an account-based pension after 1 January 2015, you may be worse off. You have limited time to work out whether reviewing or setting-up an account-based pension before […]
When I left work in 2007 the ASX was around 6500 and I’m still waiting to recoup my initial investment. We didn’t go into recession, our interest rates are at record lows, unemployment is manageable and we have a triple AAA rating. So why has the Australian market been wobbling around like a drunken sailor […]
Some of my friends in their 30s have set up an SMSF. I don’t have a large super balance but want control. Is it worth it? If you’re under 55 and thinking about setting up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) you’re not alone. SMSFs are being established by younger Australians in a shift in the […]