Sticking to a budget requires restraint, and unfortunately that’s often incompatible with people’s idea of fun. But saving money doesn’t have to mean missing out or putting your social life on pause. With a little creativity and planning, it’s absolutely possible to keep your social calendar full while also protecting your bank balance. We explore a few fun ideas to suggest to friends and family below. Suggest outdoor activities Australia’s climate and natural beauty make out

There’s more to getting a home loan than saving up a deposit. You’ll need to jump through plenty of hoops to prove to your lender that you’ll be a responsible borrower, and that applies even if your finances are generally in good shape. Below are some practical ways to improve your chances, based on the things lenders like to see and the things that tend to set off alarm bells. Think like a bank When a bank issues a home loan, it’s taking a bet on two things: the borrower and

When we think about retirement, we usually imagine the overseas trips, long lunches and guilt-free naps. After decades of work and responsibility, we can finally spend our days doing the things that could once only be squeezed into holidays and weekends. But retirement tends to happen in phases, and each phase places very different demands on our time, energy and finances. Understanding them upfront can put you in a much stronger position to enjoy the early years without comp

Getting ahead financially takes more than just good budgeting and an eye for cheap deals. For Aussie women, it means navigating a system that often charges more, pays less and – importantly – compounds the gap over time. While many aspects of that system are out of our control, there are plenty of ways women can work within and around it to help achieve financial security over the long term. Combatting the pink tax It’s an all-too familiar experience for many women: you toss

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche choice. By late 2025, they account for more than 8% of new car sales in Australia, driven in no small part by generous tax incentives. One of the most significant is the Federal Government’s Electric Car Discount, introduced in mid-2022. For many businesses and employees, it has materially reduced the cost of owning or leasing an EV. That said, the rules are now under review. While no immediate changes are proposed, this is an imp

Having a healthy amount of cash in the bank can provide a sense of security. It gives you a safety net for emergencies and ready access to funds when you need them. But holding too much cash, especially for long periods, can come with hidden costs. Inflation erodes the value of cash There’s an important difference between the nominal value of cash and its real value. The nominal value is the number you see in your bank account – $100 you have today will still show as $100 nex

Saving for a home deposit can feel overwhelming. And with property prices seemingly always on the rise, it can feel like you’re chasing a moving target, no matter how much you put aside. But with a clear plan, realistic expectations and some discipline, you can make progress toward your goal sooner than you might think. Set realistic goals For starters, make sure the properties you’ve got your eye on are ones you can genuinely afford. A good exercise is to work out how much a

The new year is the perfect time to pull back the curtain on your finances and check what’s working, what isn’t, and what could use some more attention. Here are a few key areas worth reviewing as you set yourself up for the year ahead. Reflect on the current state of your finances  If you have a budget in place, now is a good time to evaluate it. Be honest about your progress: have you been able to stick to it or is it proving harder than you hoped? If you’re consistently go

How to accumulate money, spend it, and put it to work in service of our long-term goals are all important questions we face daily. How we go about them will differ from person to person, but there are some common financial goals that we can often map onto each decade of life. Here are just a few. Goals for your 20s This is the time that many people are fleshing out their goals, investing in themselves (think attending university or learning a trade) and starting their careers

A good savings plan is key to getting ahead with your finances, but it won’t be worth its salt if you can’t stick to it. Here’s how to build a sustainable savings system that’s simple, realistic and easy to follow.  Choose a good home for your savings Not all savings accounts are created equal. Some come with multiple conditions, while others offer paltry interest rates that don’t stand a chance keeping up with inflation. To help you reach your savings goals faster, look for

When it comes to investing, advice (both good and bad) is never in short supply. But there’s one piece of advice that most investors can get behind, and that’s don’t put all your eggs in one basket.  This simple idea – known as diversification – has become a cornerstone of smart investing. And for newcomers in particular, it’s a great way to navigate the ups and downs of the market without losing your cool. Below, we explore what diversification is and how you can incorporate

It’s natural to want to help your kids, but if that support continues into their adult years it can be difficult to know when and where to draw the line. If you’re nearing retirement and have unwittingly taken on the role of ATM for your children, here are a few things to consider. Why boundaries matter To start, you’ll need to think about how your assistance might impact your own retirement. Dipping into your savings too much now can leave you less financially secure later o

The thought of putting your working years behind you can be exciting. But that giddy anticipation can give way to panic once all the practical considerations start piling up. Below, we address some of the more pressing questions soon-to-be retirees have, and what you can do to kick off your retirement on the right foot.  Decision #1: The level of risk you’re comfortable with Market fluctuations are part and parcel of investing. But those ups and downs you might have brushed a

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