As Australia emerges from lockdowns in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria, and the economy recovers from a September quarter contraction, where should investors put their money? Currently cash and bond returns are very low. The local bourse had another weak September – during eight out of the last 11 Septembers the … Read more
Three months ago, if the government and economists were told that the economy would grow by 0.7% during the June quarter, they might have been disappointed. Back then the employment market was picking up pace, big sectors of the economy such as construction and retail were enjoying a government assisted spending boom, and the main … Read more
Your credit report reveals whether you’ve been paying your bills on time and it matters because it could affect your ability to borrow money. If you’ve got a credit card, personal loan, mobile phone plan or utility account, there’s probably a credit reporting agency out there that has a file with your name on it. … Read more
We often don’t like to think of our mortality, but it’s a fact of life. The best way to take care of your business, family and loved ones in the event that you are no longer here is by putting in place a solid plan, writes Melisa Sloan, author of Legacy, and an Estate Planning Lawyer. … Read more
There are really only two types of businesses; those that are growing and those that are shrinking, writes Fred Wilson. Many business owners often ask themselves how much faster they may have been able to achieve their success if they had only been better prepared and more aware of the business mistakes they were making … Read more
Taking your super as a lump sum might be tempting, but it won’t be the best option for everyone. You’ve probably spent much of your working life accumulating super. So, when the time comes and you’re able to access it, you might be wondering whether you’d be better off taking the money as a lump sum, … Read more
Unsure about whether to lock down your interest rate for a period with a fixed rate home loan, or take your chances with a variable rate home loan? It’s a decision everyone faces – from first-home buyers right through to investors – at various points in a loan’s life. The choice can cause anxiety and … Read more
By Tony Kaye, Senior Personal Finance Writer, Vanguard Australia Australian interest rates aren’t likely to be rising in the near future. That was the continued message from the Reserve Bank of Australia this month when it announced it was keeping the official cash rate at a record low 0.1 per cent for the tenth month … Read more
Perhaps you’re considering options for how to reduce your debt before retiring. Well, one option may be to use your pension account, but there are some important things you should consider first. It’s no secret that Australia, like many countries, has an ageing population. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 16.3% of us are over … Read more
Lenders use your credit score (or credit rating) to decide whether to give you credit or lend you money. Knowing this can help you negotiate better deals, or understand why a lender rejected you. Your credit score is based on personal and financial information about you that’s kept in your credit report. You can access … Read more
