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Age pension, Budgeting, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

It’s good news week

It feels like the investment world has been listening to the Hedgehoppers Anonymous 1965 song lately; where good news is bad and vice versa. One can be forgiven for having to ponder why investment markets have moved in unexpected directions this year. I’ve seen equities rise on news that we’re going into a recession and defensive investments being sold off because a recession isn’t happening quickly enough. Isn’t a recession bad? Don’t shares fall and bonds rise on bad news? Well, maybe, but it’s only part of the picture…

Budgeting, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

5 Financial Planning tips for 30-somethings!

In my opinion, you can never start planning your finances too early! But for me, as you enter your 30’s it is time to start getting serious about it. Here are 5 simple tips that you can use to start your ‘serious’ financial, and future, planning..

Budgeting, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees

Avoiding Excess Superannuation Contributions

With the new financial year well and truly underway, it’s important to understand what you can contribute to super, and how you can avoid breaching the contribution limits. Here are five tips to consider:

Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees

What is Division 293 tax .. and who pays it?

Division 293 tax is an additional tax on super contributions for higher-income earners. For first-time recipients of a Div. 293 notice from the ATO, it can come as a surprise. Super contributions such as employer contributions and salary sacrifice are taxed within your super fund at 15%. Introduced in July 2012, Div. 293 tax is an additional 15% tax for individuals with income greater than $250,000 a year. The tax is payable in addition to the standard 15% contributions tax and rather than being paid automatically by your super fund, most people learn of their Div 293 tax liability after receiving a bill from the ATO.

Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Cold Therapy

Following the COVID-19 dramas over the previous two and a half years I have found myself joking about ice baths with clients and thought I might elaborate on my experience of getting cold.

Age pension, Government benefits, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Maximising your Golden Years

During our recent radio show on 5AA (every second Thursday at 3pm), we outlined some of the implications of extending work beyond 67 on the Age Pension. The day after purchasing a coffee, I overheard a group of workers discussing the radio show. Whilst it was heartening to hear, the person leading the talk was instructing his companions on the specific course of action they should adopt. Regrettably, his recommendations were based on his own circumstances.

Aged care

How is my deposit refunded when I leave Aged Care?

The lump sum that you pay for your room (known as the Refundable Accommodation Deposit or RAD) comes back to your estate when you pass away. If you have paid a lump sum for your room in a residential care facility, you give up access to this money whilst you are in care, but these funds remain part of your estate which can be left to your beneficiaries. The full amount is refundable (unless you have allowed any ongoing care fees to be deducted instead of paying these costs via your bank account).

Budgeting, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Tips for women to boost their super

When retirement is on the horizon, things often start to get a bit easier financially. Your mortgage might be paid off or almost paid off, and you have no more school fees to worry about. Plus, if you're earning a healthy income, it's the perfect opportunity to ramp up your savings for the future. But, as most of us are all too aware, women often end up with less in their super accounts compared to men, and on top of that, they tend to live longer. These factors can really mess up your retirement plans.

Budgeting, Government benefits, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Tips to help you enjoy your Retirement

Detailed below are some “tips” to help you prepare for and enjoy your Retirement - whether in 2023, or beyond..

Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Excess Concessional Contributions: Exploring Your Options

As we enter a new financial year, people may find that they have inadvertently exceeded their concessional super contribution limits. We discuss what to consider if you find yourself in this situation. Excess concessional contributions occur when an individual exceeds their contributions cap for the year. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) assesses two key sources of information to determine if this limit has been surpassed: super contributions reported by your super fund and deduction for personal contributions stated in your tax return.

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Latest insights

11 May 2026

Financial strategies at 55, 60 and 65 — why timing changes everything

Momir Vuksa

“I wish I’d known all this earlier.” It’s a phrase I regularly hear after presenting a financial plan to new clients. It’s rarely ‘too late’ but proactive planning for the future is often the biggest advantage you can harness.

27 February 2026

Aged Care Higher Everyday Living Fee explained

Matthew Kelly

The Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) has replaced the Extra Service Fee and Additional Service Fee as part of the new aged care rules which came into effect on 1 November 2025. The intent is to provide protection to residents purchasing additional services with their residential aged care.

21 January 2026

Will Retirement Savings Still Matter in 20 Years? Let’s Talk About It.

Michelle Sanchez

Every now and then a headline pops up that makes people stop, look twice, and wonder what on earth the future might hold. Elon Musk’s recent claim that retirement savings won’t matter in 20 years definitely falls into that category. It’s bold, it’s dramatic, and it certainly gets people talking. And it’s also very easy for a multi-billionaire to say!