Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to understand what you’re paying for and what levers you can touch to reduce mortgage repayments. What you pay: principal, interest, fees Principal: the original amount borrowed (or the outstanding balance). Every repayment contributes to reducing this to some extent. Interest: the cost of borrowing – usually expressed annually…
An unexpected critical illness or accident that results in the breadwinner being unable to work can have a devastating effect on a family, especially when the breadwinner does not have Trauma Insurance. I've witnessed firsthand the devastating financial impact that critical illnesses can have on families. While most working Australians understand the importance of health…
Last financial year's superannuation statements are hitting your mailboxes over the past week. You must check that your details are correct. The following is the type of information you should be checking: What is your balance. Is the balance trending upwards over time - remember the Centrelink aged pension will probably not provide enough for…
According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), approximately six million superannuation accounts or “supers” were “lost” in 2014. The accounts were valued at more than $16 billion. (1) There are many individuals who may have lost superannuation that they are not aware of. These accounts, however, can be “found.” The proper account holder merely needs…
You are entering the next chapter of your life and retiring, and you're asking yourself the question, what is a good monthly retirement income? It’s your goal to ensure that you can live comfortably and sustain the lifestyle you desire. Many factors may affect it, but your primary concern is securing a reliable monthly retirement…
This comprehensive analysis examines the Australian Government's proposed Division 296 Tax, a controversial superannuation reform that would impose an additional 15% tax on earnings from superannuation balances exceeding $3 million, including unprecedented taxation of unrealised capital gains. After extensive research and analysis of government documents, professional submissions, industry responses, and stakeholder perspectives, this report concludes…
Life is unpredictable. For many Australians, the risk of serious illness, disability, or death is low probability but very high impact — loss of income, medical bills, mortgage repayments, family hardship. Personal insurance helps manage those risks. Some data: The Value of Group Insurance in Superannuation report found that about 30% of working members of…
Property investment remains one of the most common routes to wealth building in Australia. Western Australia, including Perth and regional WA, has been attracting renewed interest in 2025, thanks to rising rents, constrained supply, and relatively strong capital growth in certain areas. But it is not without risk. Before investing in property in WA, or…
What are the benefits of working with a Financial Advisor? When people hear the term Financial Planner, they often think of someone who helps with investing or retirement. While that's certainly part of the picture, a financial planner's role is much broader, and often far more valuable than many realise. Whether you're just starting your…
If you're asking yourself the question, how much do I need to retire in Australia, then this article is for you. I want you to know that taking proactive steps will help you rest assured that you can afford a comfortable retirement. It is beneficial to weigh the amount you need to retire comfortably against…
