Posts by Katrina Haskew
FROM SHAKESPEARE TO SUPER – MASTERING TIME VALUE AND BEHAVIOURAL BIASES FOR LASTING WEALTH
When life throws you a curveball a broken down car, an unexpected medical bill, or simply the temptation of a flash sale how do you respond? The choices you make in these moments can determine whether you build lasting wealth or find yourself trapped in cycles of financial stress. This isn’t just about having willpower;…
Read MoreStable Money in an Unstable World
Introduction: The Changing Face of Money Economic turbulence and rapid technological change have converged to reshape our understanding of what constitutes money. As digitisation permeates every aspect of modern life, the very nature of currency is evolving beyond physical notes and coins. “As every aspect of our lives has been transformed by digitisation, the changing…
Read MoreNavigating Resilient Retirement
Introduction: The Legacy and Limits of the 4% Rule When Bill Bengen first delved into the mathematics of spending in retirement, his aim was to answer a deceptively simple question: how much can you safely draw from your investments each year and never run out of money? After studying a range of portfolios and market…
Read MoreCompounding Interest
HOW COMPOUNDING BUILDS WEALTH FOR EVERY AUSTRALIAN Introduction: Why Compounding Is the One Investing Principle Everyone Must Know“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it.” These words, often attributed to Einstein, echo across generations for a reason. More than any market “secret,” compounding…
Read MoreWHY YOUR FUTURE SELF WILL THANK YOU
UNDERSTANDING THE TIME VALUE OF MONEY IN EVERYDAY AUSTRALIAN LIFE Introduction: The Invisible Power of Time in Personal Finance Imagine being faced with a simple choice: you can have $100 today or $120 if you’re willing to wait a year. The rational response may seem obvious wait for the higher pay out. Yet, most people…
Read MoreGIVING WISELY
HOW TAX-SMART PHILANTHROPY BUILDS WEALTH AND COMMUNITY IN AUSTRALIA Introduction: A New Era for everyday Australian Giving Philanthropy in Australia is changing. It’s no longer just for the wealthy or for big corporations everyday Australians are discovering how giving can be both deeply rewarding and financially smart. With new government incentives and easier ways to…
Read MoreI’ve paid off most of my HECS debt, should I just repay the rest now?
Whether to repay your HECS-HELP debt early depends on a few key factors. Unlike most other debts, HECS doesn’t attract interest. Instead, it’s indexed each year based on the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI). That said, because repayments are automat- ically made through your tax return once…
Read MoreIn helping Mum with her estate planning, someone mentioned a “life interest” in her home. What does that mean?
A life interest is a legal arrangement often used in estate planning that allows someone (often a surviving spouse or partner) to live in a property for the rest of their life, even if ownership is left to someone else, like children from a previous relationship. The person with the life interest can live in…
Read MoreFROM BLOCKS TO BENEFITS
NAVIGATING THE PRACTICAL AND FINANCIAL REALITIES OF SUBDIVIDING YOUR PROPERTY Introduction: The Allure and Opportunity of Subdivision For many Australians, property is more than a home—it’s a cornerstone of wealth and security. As cities grow and land becomes scarcer, the opportunity to subdivide a property has become an increasingly attractive strategy for those seeking to…
Read MoreSUPER SPLITTING
GROW YOUR WEALTH TOGETHER Introduction: Why Super Splitting Matters for Australian Families When it comes to preparing for retirement, many Australians focus on growing their superannuation individually. But what if there was a way for couples to work together, sharing their super contributions to build a stronger financial future? This is where superannuation contribution splitting—commonly…
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