Budgeting for your wedding
Weddings can be expensive, with a recent survey reporting that the average cost of a wedding in Australia is $31,3001. So when it comes to your big day, it's important to talk to your partner about how much you can…
What does the recent market volatility mean for investors?
John Owen, Portfolio Specialist, MLC What’s causing the market volatility? There are a number of factors worth noting. Very low interest rates and central banks injecting cash into economies has contributed significantly to the strong market returns we’ve seen in…
A dynamic approach to retiree spending and drawdowns
Here's a critical question for retirees and those nearing retirement: How much are you intending to drawdown and spend each year from your retirement savings? Historically-low yields, expected muted portfolio returns and growing life expectancies can make this a particularly…
Dealing with the 'housing wealth effect' – to your advantage
Are you feeling wealthier, less wealthy or somewhere in between? You may be experiencing what is sometimes called "the housing wealth effect". Movements in house prices, up and down, can affect how we feel about the state of our wealth…
One memorable way to remember stuff
By Flying Solo contributor Lucinda Lions Have you ever said to yourself, “That’s a great idea, I don’t need to write it down,” only to regret your decision within 17.7 seconds? Here's a quick, easy way to remember names, numbers and…
Eat your greens! A four-step guide to ethical investing
Like many kids growing up in the 1970s I was taught to eat everything on my plate. It was good advice, particularly as an active kid living in a rural setting. Through my teenage years, I had more discretion and…
Stress : The Health Epidemic Of The 21st Century
Do you feel like ‘stressed’ is your new normal state of being? Can you remember the last time you went to bed without a care in your mind and woke up the next morning energized and excited for the day?…
Super choices for employees
If you earn most of your income from employment, you may want to make personal deductible contributions – instead of, or in addition to, salary sacrifice. Super options Since 1 July 2017, employees have been able to claim personal super…
Guard your super
Critical challenges for super fund members in the accumulation phase are to keep their savings intact and to keep adding to those savings when possible with voluntary contributions. Australia's $2.6 trillion-plus super savings can present a powerful temptation to obtain some of…
Spending money for good
With thousands of charities competing for your donation, it's important to do some research to make sure your money is being used for the cause you want to support. It is also essential to make sure the charity is actually…