Mustering a deposit to buy property can be an intimidating exercise and joining forces with a partner, family, or friends could make it a lot more accessible than flying solo. However, it’s a big financial commitment which has the potential to cause tension or even conflict if not carefully handled.
How much tax you pay on your super contributions and withdrawals depends on: your total super amount your age the type of contribution or withdrawal you make If you inherit someone’s super after they die, the person’s super fund pays you a super death benefit. You may have to pay
It’s a risky business being in business for yourself, so knowing how to identify and manage risk is an important part of running a thriving business. Anything that impedes a company’s ability to achieve its financial goals is considered a risk, and there are many issues that have the potential
Travelling cheaply needn’t mean you miss out. Find out the best ways to save big on your overseas holiday plans, and make the most of every dollar. Why you should budget for your overseas holiday Most of us love to travel, but not many can afford to travel as often
Pros of investing in property Income – you earn rental income from the property when tenanted Less volatility – property income and property value can be less volatile than other investments such as shares or bonds etc Capital growth – if your property increases in value, you will benefit from a capital gain
Loud budgeting is a trend that may have started as a joke but is being embraced by those who want to share their financial goals and priorities and in doing so, also improve their chances of achieving them. It was comedian and writer Lukas Battle who brought the term “loud
Your mortgage, your super or your investments It’s tempting to pay off your mortgage as quickly as possible. But what about investing? Building your wealth by paying off your mortgage, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also consider other investment opportunities. With Australia’s residential mortgage interest rates at historic lows you can
What difference could a lower home loan rate make? Eight times a year the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Monetary Policy Boards meets to decide whether to increase, decrease, or maintain the cash rate. The decision that it makes each time flows through to home loan interest rates. It’s important
Against conventional wisdom, Australia’s first-home buyers are proving rate-resilient. Government guarantees, tight rental markets and shifting lender tactics are fuelling a surge in activity even as borrowing costs bite. This playbook distils how banks, brokers, developers and policymakers can turn that momentum into sustainable growth without inflating risk. The prize:
In November 2025, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced major changes to the Debt-To-Income (DTI) lending criteria that will be introduced on 1 February 2026. In this article, we will explain what’s happening, why, and what it means for borrowers and the overall housing market. Introducing the changes For
If you’re thinking about buying a home in Australia right now, one of the first things a lender will look at is your loan serviceability. For most new loan applicants, lending standards generally remain strict. This is partly due to the persistent three per cent buffer, a rule from the
If you are looking to buy property in the near future there are a lot of numbers you’ll be keeping track of – how much deposit you are saving for, how much you can borrow, how much to allow for closing costs, a figure for your total overall budget, as
As a homeowner with a mortgage, chances are you’ve heard of the term ‘refinancing’. Refinancing involves reviewing your current mortgage, and potentially swapping your loan to another lender, who can better meet your current needs, wants and circumstances. Refinancing can be a strategy to secure a lower interest rate, switch
Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets. We’re used to tackling physical mess. We clear out closets, sort through garages, and sometimes even face that overflowing junk drawer in the kitchen. But there’s another kind of clutter we often ignore – the kind that lives on our devices, in our inboxes,
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, the wellbeing of your employees is paramount. While you can provide subsidised gym and health insurance access, offer free massages and healthy food at your business premises, and work to reward employees effectively for their hard work, keeping your personnel thriving comes down to keeping issues
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. Get your credit report and score for free If you’ve ever applied for credit or a
Among all the voices analysing the Australian property market, you’ve probably heard many truisms about how to secure a home loan. The real truth is that there are lots of options. We thought it was time to correct some frequent misconceptions we hear from our clients. Hopefully this will help
Loud budgeting is a trend that may have started as a joke but is being embraced by those who want to share their financial goals and priorities and in doing so, also improve their chances of achieving them. It was comedian and writer Lukas Battle who brought the term “loud
With property remaining a high-priced asset, it’s more important than ever for investors to ensure their property investments are a financial success. The latest data demonstrates property’s popularity. One-in-five households (21%) owns a home in addition to their usual residence. Maximising taxation benefits is one key element but the ATO
If you are trying to get ahead financially, whether you are coming up with a deposit for your first home, focussed on paying down a mortgage, or working towards any other financial goals, budgeting and being able to save is critical, but as well as minimising your spending, a great
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