Would you open and read a letter if it could save you or your loved ones in the event of a serious accident or worse? I like to think I’d bother, even if it came from my super fund, but most don’t agree as figures around a massive alert being sent out about changes to life insurance have shown. Australian Super sent out notifications to 220,000 members affected by the July 1 changes w... read more>

The budget of 2017 was a big one for over 50’s and first home-buyers, two demographics not normally on the same page.  For first home-buys there was assistance to build a deposit inside superannuation the (First Home Super Saver Scheme) and for us, a promise to allow us to contribute downsizing proceeds into superannuation. Oh and we also received a one-off payment (for recipients of the age... read more>

Retirement is a scary thing. If you consider it for a moment, the term “retirement “ didn’t even exist 50 years ago.  Prior to then, people simply did not retire. If you were alive, you worked and if you couldn’t work, your care fell to family or charitable institutions. Looking after frail or invalid members of society was first championed by the Germans in the 1800’s. It only provided f... read more>

Delayed gratification. I practice it often, usually at the dinner table. I eat my least favorite food first and save the best until last. Some people do it with TV. Record their favorite shows and then watch them later when they can sit down and binge.  Delayed gratification is something we should be practising with our money as well. We’re facing the reality of having to work longer or r... read more>

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia this week released some disturbing figures indicating how much money is required to look after a pet into retirement.  ASFA estimates pet lovers will need to have an additional $34,500 of super savings at the time of retirement to cover the cost of a dog or $25,600 to cover the cost of a cat! Even a bird can be a fiscal burden in retire... read more>