Financial Planning
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 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 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 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…
Read MoreBeyond The Will
Practical and Philosophical Strategies To Prevent Inheritance Disputes Introduction: The Stakes of Inheritance Disputes in Australia Inheritance disputes are more common in Australia than many realise, often resulting in fractured families, prolonged legal battles, and diminished estates. According to research cited by Slater & Gordon, “almost half of Australians believe that family conflict is likely…
Read MoreFROM BOOMERS TO MILLENNIALS
RETHINKING WEALTH, HOUSING, AND OPPORTUNITY IN AUSTRALIA Introduction: The Changing Landscape of Australian Wealth Australia’s story has long been one of progress, prosperity, and the promise that each generation will enjoy a better life than the last. For decades, this narrative held true: baby boomers and their parents benefited from robust economic growth, affordable housing,…
Read MoreResilience and Reality – Understanding V-Shaped market Recoveries and what they mean for your wealth
Introduction: The Allure and Myth of V-Shaped Recoveries In the world of investing, few images are as reassuring—or as captivating—as the so-called “V-shaped” market recovery. The idea is simple: after a sharp downturn, markets bounce back just as quickly, restoring lost wealth and confidence almost overnight. For many Australians, especially in the wake of recent…
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