Estate planning: why it’s important to have a will

What is your ‘estate’? Your ‘estate’ includes everything you own – your ‘earthly possessions’, if you will. It can include for example cash, property, cars, boats, furniture, jewellery, family heirlooms, art, shares and more. What is estate planning? This is where you decide what will happen to your belongings after you pass away. By leaving … Read more

The superannuation changes from 1 July

The super changes from the start of the 2024-25 financial year. A number of superannuation changes came into effect on 1 July 2024 and are designed to help working Australians get more money into the retirement savings system. If fully utilised, the changes potentially allow all super fund members, including those with a self managed … Read more

How much do you need to be rich these days?

Average household wealth, and what it takes to rank among Australia’s wealthiest 1%. Being a billionaire isn’t what it used to be. Back in 1990, Australia had one of them – the late media mogul Kerry Packer. But these days Australia has lots. According to the just-released Australian Financial Review Rich List, there are now 150 individuals … Read more

Debentures, secured and unsecured notes

Companies use debentures, secured and unsecured notes to raise money from investors. They offer fixed interest payments but returns often depend on risky investments. You could lose all your money if the company or investment fails. How debentures, secured and unsecured notes work Companies set the interest rate on the debentures, secured and unsecured notes … Read more

How to refinance your home loan

Steps to refinancing your home loan Refinancing your home loan is a big decision and it can be a complex process. Perhaps you need a different product to suit your needs? Or maybe you’d like to switch your home loan to another bank? No matter why you’re refinancing, here are the key steps involved in … Read more

Insurance is a sound investment

Managing risk is an essential part of investment strategy to reduce the potential for losses. Risk is not just associated with investing though – life can throw a curve ball or two and insurance is one way to manage risk in a broader context. It’s a matter of weighing up your risks and thinking about … Read more

Paying for your funeral

If you want to protect your family from your funeral costs, there are ways to pay in advance. Check your options to get the best value for money. What funerals cost Funerals can cost from $4,000 for a basic cremation to around $15,000 for a more elaborate burial. A typical funeral will have these costs: … Read more