‘Hawkish’ RBA open to more hikes after holding rates
13 August
The Reserve Bank has left the door open to more interest rate hikes as it held the benchmark lending rate steady for a second straight meeting.Falling house prices and lower-than-expected inflation helped convince the central bank’s nine-member...[Read More]
Saver or Investor? Understanding when your money needs to work harder
13 August
Most of us begin our financial lives as savers.Our first money goals are usually simple: put something aside for a holiday, build a deposit for a car, create an emergency buffer or save towards a home. Saving provides something enormously valuable...[Read More]
Households to bear the brunt of sluggish productivity
13 August
Mortgage holders may have been spared more rate pain by the Reserve Bank but Australia’s chronically weak productivity growth means households will continue to suffer.As the RBA board held interest rates steady for a second-straight meeting, it...[Read More]
‘Put people first’: landmark AI probe to set guardrails
13 August
A national-first royal commission will investigate the dangers and benefits of artificial intelligence in society as a premier pledges to get the balance right.South Australian leader Peter Malinauskas announced the inquiry on Monday after returning...[Read More]
10 things I would tell my younger self about retirement
13 August
When you are young, retirement can feel like a distant destination—something to think about after the mortgage is paid, the children have grown and your working life begins to slow down. Yet, looking back from the age of 70, 80 or beyond, it...[Read More]
Oliver’s insights – Another hawkish RBA hold at 4.35% – expect one more hike later this year
13 August
Key pointsThe RBA left the cash rate on hold at 4.35% for the second meeting in a row. Some softer than expected readings for underlying inflation, jobs and home prices allowed it to remain in wait and see mode as it “assesses” the impact of the...[Read More]
Finding your investment comfort zone: Understanding your risk profile
13 August
Investing is often discussed in terms of returns, markets, interest rates and opportunities. But one of the most important questions comes well before choosing an investment: How much risk are you genuinely comfortable taking? Understanding...[Read More]
House-hunters face spring sale shortage in market slump
13 August
Would-be home buyers hoping to snag a bargain could face a shortage of options during the usually busy spring sales season as owners try to ride out a price slump.Auction clearance rates have rebounded from recent multi-year lows, rising to a...[Read More]
Powers of attorney and advance care directives – Who will make decisions if you can’t?
13 August
Most of us spend our lives making our own decisions. We manage our finances, property, health, family matters and everyday affairs without giving much thought to what might happen if one day we were unable to do so. An accident, serious illness,...[Read More]
Aussies forgoing lifestyle for homes in record numbers
1 October
Australians are willing to cut back their spending in record numbers to afford a property, affirming the ongoing value of home ownership, new data shows.More than 75 per cent of residents were willing to cut their spending back to afford a home, a...[Read More]
Invest smarter, build wealth: 7 fundamentals every investor should know
1 October
Investing can be one of the most powerful ways to build long-term wealth, create financial security and work towards the lifestyle you want in the future. But investing successfully is not about chasing hot tips, reacting to headlines or trying...[Read More]
Advice to give your kids when starting a new job
1 October
Getting your first job is an exciting and stressful time. Kids don’t always know what to do or how to act. Giving them some advice can help them get off to a good start. Explain that they’ve already gotten through the hard part. They made...[Read More]
Interest rates hit 15-year high as RBA hikes again, up 25 basis points to 4.6 per cent
29 September
The Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted interest rates to their highest level since 2011, putting more pressure on already cash-strapped borrowers.In a unanimous decision, the central bank’s board lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.6...[Read More]
More pain brews for borrowers as rates hit 15-year high
1 October
Cash-strapped borrowers are being warned of more hikes to come by the Reserve Bank of Australia after it lifted interest rates to a 15-year high.In a unanimous decision, the central bank’s nine-member board lifted the cash rate target by 25 basis...[Read More]
When Retirement Starts to Feel Like Living; Finding the Rhythm of a Life with More Time – Part 2
1 October
A year into retirement, something had changed.The novelty of waking without an alarm had faded. The long-awaited holiday had been taken. The jobs around the house that had accumulated over twenty years were slowly disappearing from the...[Read More]