Understand cash flow before you invest in property

Understanding cash flow Understanding cash flow can be the difference between a solid long-term investment and a costly mistake, writes Michael Sloan. So do your research – and get good advice before you buy. What is negative cash flow? Oftentimes investment properties generate negative cash flow. That means, you must put money in each year … Read more

Retirement income and tax

How much tax you pay on retirement income depends on your age and the type of income stream. For most people, an income stream from superannuation will be tax-free from age 60. How super income streams are taxed Types of super income streams Income from super can be an: account-based pension — a series of regular … Read more

Catch up on super to boost retirement savings

Catch up on your super If you’ve had an irregular or interrupted income in the past, you might’ve missed out on opportunities to contribute to super. If you don’t fully utilise your concessional cap, and you’re eligible, you may be able to make ‘catch up’ on concessional contributions. What is a ‘catch-up’ concessional contribution? It used … Read more

How to bucket your money and save

Bucketing is a smart way to manage your money without complicated budgets or spreadsheets. The idea is to set up multiple bank accounts called ‘buckets’ and use each one for a specific purpose, like bills, savings or entertainment. Once your buckets are set up, it’s easier to see and control how you spend and save … Read more

Borrowing to invest

Borrowing to invest, also known as gearing or leverage, is a risky business. While you get bigger returns when markets go up, it leads to larger losses when markets fall. You still have to repay the investment loan and interest, even if your investment falls in value. Borrowing to invest is a high-risk strategy for … Read more