Here’s five simple steps to create a budget that doesn’t involve tracking every expense. To achieve our financial goals, we need to know where our money is going. This is why having a budget is so important. What’s even more important is to find a budget that works for you. The envelope method is ideal […]
Shop around We often shop around to get the best deal when it comes to consumer items but the same should always apply to services we get. It’s a highly competitive world out there and service companies want to get and keep your business. So when getting a new service – whether it be for […]
Most Australian work hard to build up their nest egg but many are hesitant to spend it when they retire. You’ve worked hard to build your retirement nest egg and now the time has come or is approaching for you to begin the “decumulation phase”—taking withdrawals in retirement to live off your accumulated assets. This […]
Dating and romance scams are very destructive – both financially and emotionally. Don’t let them break your heart or wallet. Stay one step ahead of romance scams with these tips. Unfortunately, romance scams are on the rise. Australians lost $142 million to romance scams in 2021 and they’re one of the top three scams causing […]
Budgets without the boredom Say the word budget. Maybe it makes you want to blush about your credit card balance or gives you an overwhelming urge to yawn. Even when you know a budget is good for you, tracking down all your spending and making better choices can feel like a mammoth task to take […]
Is it really possible to live within your means and still enjoy life? The answer is yes and with just a few important changes you can start spending less and lose the debt. From less than zero to savings hero Debt can be a really big drag on your finances and yet borrowing to buy […]
The impacts of interest rate hikes on consumers are well known; higher interest means that mortgage debt servicing costs will go up which is negative for consumer spending. Rate hikes are also bad news for home prices, which will create another negative for households via the destruction of wealth and the associated “wealth effect”. Housing […]
Do you struggle to control your spending around your friends and family? If the urge to ‘keep up’ with a certain lifestyle is stretching your finances, it could be time to take action. From splitting the bill at an expensive restaurant, to having the ‘right’ house, car and clothes, many of us fall victim to […]
Rising inflation brings about concern for many, but Vanguard’s time-tested investment philosophy—and a long-term focus—can help any investor navigate choppy waters. What is inflation? Inflation happens when prices rise and purchasing power decreases. This can be the result of a simultaneous high demand for and low supply of goods and services. Consumers have money and […]
The concept of investing in shares or other investment products can put a lot of people off. It can be difficult to understand, the share market is intimidating, and investment brokers generally only deal with people who have a lot of money to invest. Micro-investing came about as a way to help more people get […]