Understanding Australian dividend franking credits

A simple guide for investors and pensioners Australia’s latest dividends stream was flowing strongly recently as many listed companies and exchange traded funds (ETFs) collectively paid out income returns directly to their investors. The bulk of those payments were the dividends that were declared in August during the latest company reporting season and related to … Read more

Underinsurance: What it is and how to avoid it

Get the right amount of home insurance and protect yourself from costly surprises. When disaster strikes, the last thing you want to discover is that your insurance doesn’t stretch far enough. Underinsurance is very common in Australia and most people don’t know they are underinsured. And it can leave you significantly out of pocket when … Read more

Cheap school holidays

When school holidays come along, there are plenty of cheap and cheerful things to do. Hanging out at home With some planning and creative thinking, there are ways to keep your kids busy at home. Art and craft Look around the house for things to use for art and craft activities. Anything from making sock … Read more

Ways to fast track paying off your mortgage

Owning your home outright might feel like a far-off dream, especially if you’re grappling with cost-of-living increases – but with a few smart financial strategies, it could become a reality sooner than expected. Paying off your loan faster doesn’t have to mean overhauling your lifestyle or making huge sacrifices. In fact, many people make real … Read more

How much super should I have?

How much super should I have is a common question. But when it comes to how much super (or other savings) you’ll need for retirement there’s no single right number – because everyone’s retirement looks different. It depends what your big costs are likely to be, and what sort of lifestyle you want. No matter … Read more

The hunt for yield is on again. But not all yields are the same.

Low interest rates have intensified the search for higher income returns Noted in a recent article, Australian households are now holding record amounts of cash. Reserve Bank data shows the weighted average interest rate being paid on term deposit amounts up to $10,000 held in authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADI) such as banks and credit unions … Read more