School’s almost out for summer, with most teenagers probably planning to do as little as possible except sleep in, hang out and spend mum’s and dad’s money. But the Christmas holidays are an ideal time for kids to pick up a part-time job and hopefully learn a little about life along the way. In our […]
It seems Australians’ love affair with renovating continues to blossom. We forked out more than $28 billion on refurbishments last financial year, with that figure set to jump further over the next three, according to the Housing Industry Association. But when it comes to remodelling, money spent does not necessarily translate to money made. Unfortunately,
For many Australians retirement is an opportunity to down-size their homes and simplify their lives. For more than 138,000 retirees*, that means opting for life in a retirement village. Village living offers an appealing lifestyle, especially for those looking for a sense of community and to spend their new-found free time on recreation rather than
Spring has sprung and home buyers are emerging from hibernation. That’s the theory, but the reality is home buyers are on the hunt all year round for the right property at the right price. The economic cycle and how you present your property will have a far greater impact than the weather on how soon
In March this year Australian workers had more than $1.8 trillion stored away in superannuation funds, in part thanks to a system that generally requires employers to pay a contribution on employees’ behalf. From July 1, this required employer contribution jumped .25% to 9.5%.* For many wage and salary earners who benefit from these compulsory
Your home is likely to be the biggest purchase you make, so it’s something you want to get right. Mistakes can be stressful and costly. Here are the biggest ones buyers make and some tips to help you avoid them. Letting your heart rule your head. It’s often easy to be dispassionate about an investment
More than 80 per cent of Australians have insurance for their car but fewer than one third of us have income protection insurance1 to protect our livelihoods should the worst happen. While the odds of a bingle are higher – once every seven years on average – being waylaid by injury or sickness for a lengthy
Summer once again highlighted the extremities of our harsh Australian weather. In addition to Dorothea Mackellar’s “droughts and flooding rains”, communities too often contend with bushfires, cyclones and severe storms; stark reminders of the need for adequate home insurance cover. But wild weather is not to blame for every home insurance claim. Break-ins, fire and
New home sales are back on the rise, fuelled in part by many investors and owner-occupiers buying off the plan. The concept is straightforward: put up a deposit (usually 10 per cent) to help the developer fund construction and pay the balance when the build is complete. Apartments are now springing up at a rapid
Making the most of your money often requires common sense more than a commerce degree. Haven takes a look at five misconceptions about money that could be holding you back from greater financial freedom. I don’t earn enough to save A lack of savings generally has less to do with how much you earn and