26 Apr 2012
BEFORE we evaluate the benefits and risks of fixed interest investments versus term deposits, it's helpful to re-cap on exactly what each one is.
21 Feb 2012
WITH rising grocery prices many families are left wondering how to strike a balance between eating well and managing a budget. Some weeks the food bill for a family can be astronomical, leaving us wondering how on earth we managed to spend so much money.
But with a little planning, strategy and a few clever tips, it is possible to keep your family well fed and balance the bank book. Small changes soon add up into a significant saving.
08 Feb 2012
DOES a transition to retirement pension affect Centrelink Newstart payments? I am thinking of releasing some of my super as transition to retirement.
10 Jan 2012
DID you know that nine out of 10 of us will give up our New Year’s resolutions before the end of January, with the third most common broken resolution being a commitment to financial health?
16 Dec 2011
SALES, discounts, interest free terms – it never ends and we are all guilty of being sucked in at some point, especially over Christmas.
There’s a great deal on an outdoor setting and you want to entertain your guests, so why not throw in a new barbeque as well. The best part of this deal is you don’t have to make any repayments on it for five years. Or is it the best part?
22 Nov 2011
LOOKING back in time, what could you buy for $5? Without a doubt, a lot more than what you can today. Why? The answer is inflation, and it is poses a risk to your retirement fund if you have not considered it in your plans.
15 Nov 2011
I AM paying off a credit card which has an amount of $7500 owing. Although I am required to pay a minimum of about $160 each month, I am paying $500. I would like to know how this affects my credit rating. If I am making regular payments at above the required amount, will this work in my favour?
25 Jul 2011
Q: I am getting fed up with my gas and electricity bills being so high when my retirement income is dwindling and have been trying to save using all the usual tricks. I am tempted to switch providers but it’s very hard to judge if there is a difference between them – is there any way I can compare or are they all the same?
19 Jul 2011
KNOCKING out your mortgage as soon as possible used to be a pretty bulletproof strategy, both economically and emotionally. But these days, the tax benefits of superannuation may mean it’s smarter to pump up your super balance first.
21 Jun 2010
WITH June 30 fast approaching, now is the perfect time to take stock of your spending and saving habits with the aim of making the next financial year more profitable. RaboDirect general manager Greg McAweeney offers his insight into how to boost your savings.
