This article highlights some of the key super issues (excluding investment markets) that should be at the forefront in these volatile times. The article covers salary sacrifice to cash, and life insurance through super.
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When markets get bumpy or household budgets feel tighter, it’s common for people to start questioning their super. If your balance has dipped or returns haven’t met expectations, you might wonder whether continuing to contribute is worth it — or whether super is really doing its job.

Before making any big decisions, it helps to step back and consider what superannuation is designed to do, and how it can still play a useful role even when conditions feel uncertain.

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Wondering whether you have the ideal ratio of cash to other investments in your portfolio. This article will help you to distinguish between emergency cash, cash investments and cash equivalents, as well as discussing cash ratios applicable to different life stages.

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There are always two ways for individuals to hold cash – emergency fund cash and investment cash. This needs to be clarified before discussing any investment mix.

Emergency cash (not part of your investment portfolio)

Life has a habit of delivering the unexpected, so it’s a good idea to keep 3-6 months of living expenses in cash, readily accessible in a savings account or mortgage offset account. Make that 6-9 months if your income is variable and you would like extra peace of mind. Other reasons for setting aside cash might include saving for a particular goal, such as a car purchase, an overseas holiday or a wedding.

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This article outlines the differences between two index funds – one Australian and one international. It discusses the benefits to be gained from diversification through investing in overseas share markets.

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Despite a slowdown in Australian economic and productivity growth in the last five years, Australia’s economy is usually considered strong and resilient when compared with other developed nations. Given our economic strength, why would anyone want to invest anywhere else?

To answer this question, let's consider what stocks might be included in a share portfolio with an international focus.

For simplicity purposes, we will look into the portfolios of a leading provider of index managed funds and their top 10 holdings. These funds tend to be passively rather than actively traded, and seek to reflect their chosen share index over the medium-to-long term.

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A quick and easy prompter for those readers who may be so overwhelmed by the opportunities for investing their money that they don’t do anything about it. Provides a short checklist to get the important areas covered and recommends immediate discussion with an adviser.

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Most of us suffer from this condition at some time or another. Imagine going to buy a loaf of bread – it seems simple but once you get to the supermarket there are so many different types it’s almost impossible to make a decision. Too much choice can be as much trouble as not enough.

Do you have the same problem with money? There is so much information, so many choices and so many opinions, it all gets too hard – in the end you do nothing.

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This detailed article explains the different types of income-generating investments available, from those that have no potential to lose capital value to those with the potential of capital loss, and those in between.

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Share markets are renowned for taking unexpected downturns and while history shows that markets eventually recover, this rebound in value can occasionally take time. Investors concerned about this risk might consider a stronger focus on income-generating investments. These can range from those that have no potential to lose capital value to ones with a higher risk of capital loss. Outlined below are some options.

Investments with no ‘growth’ component

The following will give you back what you put in plus interest:

Online savings accounts pay a higher rate of interest because there is less cost involved in managing these accounts. The customer “does all the work” meaning the bank doesn’t need to allocate staffing resources. Interest on these accounts can vary substantially between providers and there can be enticing offers of extra or bonus interest for new customers or if you maintain a certain balance. The best advantage of these accounts is that you have access 24/7 to your funds.

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Investment risk is tightly linked to return. Not taking on sufficient investment risk can expose investors to other risks. This article looks at achieving the right balance. It includes a case study to explain.

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If you own an investment property you will be aware that the return from the investment comes from two sources: income in the form of rent paid by the tenant and growth in the form of an increase in the value of the property while you own it. Likewise from a share investment, an investor can receive dividends (income) and capital gain (growth).

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This article helps readers understand the impact of inflation on savings and investments. It shows how cash and low-risk investments can be eroded by inflation, and focuses on the value of a diversified investment approach to safeguard against inflation’s effects.

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Inflation is a slow force working against your financial goals. It can quietly erode the purchasing power of your money over time. While it’s tempting to see cash as a safe haven, failing to factor in inflation could mean your savings are worth less when you need them most.

So, let’s dive into the showdown between inflation and your savings, and explore strategies to fight back!

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This article explores the influence of behavioural biases on investment decisions and offers practical strategies for managing these biases to achieve better investment results.

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Market trends aren't the only factors affecting your investment portfolio—behavioural biases can significantly impact your returns.

These psychological tendencies, like confirmation bias and herd mentality, often lead to poor investment decisions.

Behavioural biases are mental shortcuts or blind spots that can mislead us, even when our choices seem rational.

Understanding the most common biases and their impact on our investment decision-making is crucial for achieving the best possible returns.
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Is it worth paying more for active investment management? In this article we explore the intricacies of investing by comparing active management and index funds. We uncover the factors influencing fees and performance dynamics, gaining valuable insights for informed investment decisions.

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Ever glanced at a list of different managed funds and wondered why some have remarkably low fees compared to others? Chances are, the ones with lower fees are index funds, also known as passive funds.

Over the last couple of decades, index investing has become increasingly popular, with big players like Vanguard and Blackrock managing trillions of dollars in assets (as of 2022).

Before we dive into the reasons and consequences of this trend, let's break down the two main investment styles:

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In this article, we will cover five essential steps to get you started on your journey to mastering the art of investing… You’ll be the Da Vinci of investing in no time!

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In an age where investing has evolved from an elite club to a widespread phenomenon, even the novice investor can thrive. But have you ever stopped to wonder what separates successful investors from the rest?

"Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas." - Paul Samuelson

The answer lies in mastering the art of investing, a skill accessible to anyone willing to learn but that requires patience, consistency and discipline… much like any artform.

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Are you a young investor looking to pave the way for a successful financial future? With the Age of Information at your fingertips, the opportunities are endless. In this article, we'll share four tried and true investment strategies that are perfect for those just starting out.

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The newest generation of young investors were raised during the Age of Information.

Growing up alongside the internet, this generation has been exposed to more information and technological advancement than any generation before them.

Young investors have greater access to education around investing, more diverse opportunities for investing, as well as a rise in social media content creators creating communities around building wealth – making this topic much more popular among younger generations.

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This article discusses why investors turn to gold during volatile economic times, the benefits and consequences of investing in gold, interesting historical examples of gold stockpiling, and options for modern investors to get exposure to this asset class.

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As investors navigate through unpredictable and volatile economic times, it is essential to consider asset classes that can provide a level of stability and protection against market fluctuations. One such asset that has stood the test of time is gold. For centuries, gold has been a symbol of wealth and has played an essential role in the global economy. In this article, we will explore why investors turn to gold during uncertain times, the benefits and consequences of investing in gold, and how investors can get exposure to this precious metal.

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Surprisingly, many women are retiring in poverty, but this may be about to change. This article discusses why female investors are quickly rising in numbers and how their portfolios tend to differ from their male counterparts.{tab title="Introduction"}

Investment and portfolio building has traditionally been a male-dominated world, but these days more women are trading on the market – and they’re good at it!

According to an ASX Australian Investor Study completed in 2020, women make up 42% of Australian investors, yet 45% of those only began investing in the year prior to 2020.

It’s intriguing that younger women – known as Next Generation Investors aged 18 - 25 – are taking up stock portfolios. Their goals include saving for a holiday (50%) or paying down existing debt (34%). {snippet title="Article Subscribe Message"}{/tabs}

Can you really become wealthy from a get-rich-quick scheme? This article addresses the many “investment opportunities”, both legal and illegal, that promise big returns over a short period of time, explaining the risks associated with each, and the importance of professional advice.

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According to the Collins English Online Dictionary, a get-rich-quick scheme can be defined as, a promise to make a person extremely wealthy over a short period of time, often with little effort and no risk.

If you think that sounds a bit dodgy, you could be right. Yet ordinarily sensible and cautious people signup to such schemes every day.

In difficult times, we can be forgiven for trying to find a simple way to move our finances forward, yet if it seems too good to be true…well, you know the rest.

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With property prices high and interest rates low, many potential homebuyers are struggling to save a large enough house deposit. With the use of a case study, this article discusses the pros and cons of investing your savings if you are a few years out from buying a home.

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It’s never been easy to save the deposit for a home, but low interest rates make it even more difficult. For starters low rates drive up house prices, forcing homebuyers to come up with bigger deposit amounts. Then those low rates rob buyers of the ability to earn a decent, low risk return on their hard-earned savings. When the traditional savings vehicles of homebuyers – savings accounts and term deposits – offer only token rates of interest, aspiring homebuyers start to ask themselves what can they do to build their deposit more quickly?

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Do you prefer bricks and mortar investing or have you taken the plunge and had a dabble at cryptocurrency? This article explains both the pros and cons of investing into digital and physical assets and leaves the reader with an important message that diversification is key.

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Not a day goes by where we don’t hear about bitcoin in the news or from a friend who has a hot tip on a new cryptocurrency. The past few years have seen an increase in the popularity of digital assets such as cryptocurrency and Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Direct shares and managed funds are also digital assets.

However, this does not diminish the value of physical assets such as property, gold and cash. There are certain societies in the world that accumulate gold because it is a status symbol. On the other hand, people in countries like Australia love to invest in property.

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As daily conversation in Australia is increasingly dominated by concerns about the environment and global warming, more and more investors are looking at how they can make a difference and choose sustainable or ethical investments as part of their portfolio mix.

So what exactly is an ethical investment?

The answer can vary depending on your own personal values and attitudes, covering a range of issues usually referred to as ESG standards or Environment, Social and Governance criteria.

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The next generation of investors are here and ready to take on the investment world. They are enthusiastic but limited in knowledge. This article provides advice on how to start your investment journey and the costly mistakes that should be avoided.

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You’re young, expecting a satisfying future brimming with friends, family and a comfortable lifestyle.

You’re a Next Generation Investor, likely aged between 18 and 25, and you’re starting to think about financial security.

According to an Australian Stock Exchange study, nearly a quarter of all investors over the past two years were Next Generation Investors. Additionally, some 27% of surveyed people under age 25 intend to invest over the next year.

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Exchange Traded Fund investments are gaining popularity but do we really understand them? While they can be low-cost and relatively simple, there are a few other things you should know before hopping on board.

According to research undertaken by Morningstar, Australian investment in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) grew by 30.4% in the twelve months ending December 2020 to reach a capitalisation of $79.3 billion (US $60.8 billion).

What do these investors know that you don’t?

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