At 60, retirement no longer feels like a distant event. It is close enough to imagine the lifestyle I want, the experiences I hope to enjoy and the financial decisions that will shape the years ahead. Looking back to when I first started work, superannuation was...
Reaching your seventies does not mean your travelling days are over. Yet many retirees begin to second-guess international travel because of health concerns, unfamiliar airports, long flights and the fear that something may go wrong away from home. These concerns are understandable. However, they do not...
Tax planning is not simply about finding deductions at the end of the financial year. Effective planning helps business owners understand their position, prepare for upcoming obligations and make informed decisions about cash flow, investment and growth. Regular conversations with your accountant can also help prevent...
Workplace conflict is an uncomfortable but often unavoidable part of working with other people. Different personalities, communication styles, pressures, expectations and responsibilities can all contribute to misunderstandings. While some disagreement can encourage better ideas and positive change, unresolved conflict can damage morale, reduce productivity and create...
The idea of a finish line is often associated with sport. It might be the white line at the end of a running track, the final kilometre of a marathon or the moment a competitor stands on the podium after years of training. But finish lines...
If there’s anything people learned from the recessions and global crises of recent past, it’s that no one is immune to economic upheavals. Even middle to upper-class families are at the mercy of their finances when misfortune strikes. This can come in the form of sudden...
A new kitchen, an additional bedroom or a major home upgrade can transform the way you live. Renovations can create more space, improve comfort and add considerable value to your property. However, once the builders have packed up and you are enjoying the finished result, there...
Surprise inflation data, which came in lower than expected and below the central bank’s own forecasts, was due to softer fuel prices, according to the RBA’s chief economist. Figures released on Wednesday revealed headline inflation for June fell from four per cent to 3.8 per cent,...
The government is moving to fix its so-called “widow’s tax” following criticism its tax reforms denied Australians who inherited an investment property from their partner access to negative gearing concessions. The fix is part of a raft of the federal government’s proposed changes to controversial reforms...
Australian households show no sign of pulling back on spending despite the Middle East conflict exacerbating cost-of-living concerns. Strong growth in electric vehicle purchases and a bounce back in air travel drove a surprisingly strong 0.8 per cent increase in household spending in June, according to...