The wallet challenge – savings and budget checklist

The wallet challenge – savings and budget checklist Budgeting and savings might sound very basic, but many people find it difficult to get these fundamentals right, or don’t have these in place at all. Here are some tips to help you get started, and on the right track to building your personal wealth. Have a plan If you are planning to go anywhere, you will need to know your starting point and destination, otherwise you’ll just …

Seven rules for success

Seven rules for success If you’re ready to start living your dreams, it might be time to change the rules you live by. Actor Charmaine Bingwa and CEO Kylie Travers tell us about the rules that have kept them moving on the path to success. 1. Know what your values are When you set goals that connect with your values, it’s easier to make decisions and take action that moves you towards them. “Working out your core values –  …

Dealing with redundancy

Dealing with redundancy How you spend your time and money after redundancy can make a difference to your future career and wellbeing. Find out how to plan for your best outcome. When your time at work comes to an end because of redundancy, it can stir up all sorts of feelings, ideas and possibilities. For some it’s a great opportunity to rethink how you want to be spending your time. Fear of the unknown can …

Wedding planning: Budgeting tips for your big day

Wedding planning: Budgeting tips for your big day With the average Australian wedding costing over $65,000, is it more financially savvy to say ‘I do’ or ‘I don’t’ to a big budget wedding? When it comes to planning a wedding, every couple has their dream day in mind, which often includes extravagant flowers, a swanky venue, custom-made wedding attire, unlimited alcohol, vintage wedding cars and the list goes on. While digging deep into your pockets to …

11 wedding budget planning tips

11 wedding budget planning tips The happiest day of your life doesn’t need to be the most expensive.  For some couples, the most expensive day of their life will be when they tie the knot, with around 35%1 of newlyweds blowing their wedding budget before they even walk down the aisle. With the average Aussie wedding costing $36,200, and more than half of that money going toward food, drinks and the venue2, we check out some …

The 5 big bills you need to save for (Video)

The 5 big bills you need to save for (Video)  Some major expenses just can’t be avoided. If you can build up a savings buffer for these 5 big bills, you’re less likely to suffer from financial shockwaves, a big credit card balance and hardship when it’s time to pay up. If you’d like to get in the habit of saving more for those big bills, get some tips with our savings and budget checklist or team …

Family activities to do on a budget

Family activities to do on a budget If your little angels are bleeding you dry, here are some cheap and effortless ways you could have fun at home. If you’ve ever taken the kids for a game of ten pin bowling, you’re probably not alone if the budget you set yourself was quickly squashed on the back of a second game, pizzas, soft drinks, and various arcade games on the way out because you know …

The real cost of retirement

The real cost of retirement When you’re looking at saving and planning for retirement, it’s important to know how much you can expect to be spending. The latest retirement standard figures and other data sources can give you an idea of the cost of retirement, but what else do you need to take into account to ensure your financial wellbeing? Running the numbers – the retirement standard Since June 2006, the Association of Superannuation Funds of …

Baby budget – Money mistakes new parents make

Baby budget – Money mistakes new parents make It’s no secret that having children can completely change the way you live, and your perceptions of life around you. So, to help you get your head (and new baby budget) around this new lifestyle, here’s a list of some of the new parent money mistakes to avoid, and some suggestions for what you could do instead. Tip 1: Don’t forget the milk We start with the …

The 2018-19 Australian Budget – saving a windfall with the hope of (decent) tax cuts to come

The 2018-19 Australian Budget – saving a windfall with the hope of (decent) tax cuts to come Introduction The 2018-19 Budget will be the last before the next election (due by May 2019) and so had to provide pre-election goodies but in a way that keeps the return to surplus on track. Thanks to an improvement in the budget position since the Mid-Year review, of around $7bn per annum, this has been made relatively easy. …