Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) have gained immense popularity as a powerful vehicle for managing retirement savings in Australia. With the ability to make investment decisions tailored to individual preferences, SMSFs offer the potential for significant control and flexibility of your superannuation investments. There is much that goes into running a self-managed super fund — this…
What is loyalty tax? Loyalty tax is the premium rate that you pay for sticking for one lender when the same lender is offering cheaper rates to its new customers. Lenders do this as they assume that once your loan has settled customers won’t continue to check that they are getting a competitive rate. But…
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial commitments you will make. So, there are countless government programs throughout Australia to make this process a whole lot easier. However, the tricky part is trying to work out which concession, grant or scheme applies to you and where you’re purchasing your first home. Here’s…
The average age of first home buyers keeps increasing, with more young people turning to their parents for financial help. But is lending your children money from the “bank of mum and dad” right for you? Owning property has always been the great Australian dream. As a parent, it’s natural to want your kids to…
The RBA’s September announcement that the interest rate remains unchanged comes as no surprise. Low rates have long-term implications, but in the meantime, let’s go ‘around the grounds’ and look at how low interest rates and a global pandemic have impacted property markets so far this year. Feeling the pressure According to NAB’s Residential Property…
2020 has seen a serious slowdown in city property markets, but some rural real estate agents say they’re busier than ever. So, is this simply a result of the pandemic? Or a trend that’s set to keep growing after COVID-19 is gone? The fact is, most of us have spent a lot more time indoors…
The promise of open banking is big; a new, simpler way to share your personal financial data between banks, lenders and financial companies. It started on July 1. Here’s how it works and what it means to take back control of your data to get the best rates and offers. Switching banks has long been…
First home buyers looking at the current low interest rates as well as government stimulus incentives, and a property market whose rise has been curtailed by COVID-19, may well be thinking the time is right to enter the market. Of course, making the call on home ownership should be based on personal financial circumstances as…
In May, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg made an important announcement to the country as we began to seriously batten down the hatches in the face of the growing COVID-19 pandemic. The government was deferring its implementation of recommendations from the royal commission findings. “This announcement today balances the need to implement the recommendations of the royal…
Come July 1 the annual tax window opens again. Property investors may have access to a wide range of tax benefits, but tax is a complicated matter. It pays to be across the details. Here’s how you could maximise your return, and what to watch out for. When it’s time to lodge tax returns, investors…
Australia’s cash rate is now the lowest it has been in 23 years. As the uncharted negative interest rate zone looms, is it worth fixing your rate? Here’s what to weigh up when making your decision. The RBA has stood by its promise to keep the current rate of 0.25%, which still represents a historic…
Managing multiple loans can be difficult – and stressful. One way to simplify your financial situation and save yourself time, effort and money is to centralise your debt. But it’s not always the right answer, so here’s what to consider before you consolidate. When you borrow money, the most important thing is being able to…