An easy-to-understand guide to building wealth through regular saving and investing, including how dollar cost averaging can help investors navigate market fluctuations when investing regularly in managed funds.

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Building wealth isn’t about how much you earn or even how much you can afford to save. Building wealth is a process embodying one basic principle: developing long-term investment habits.

Investing doesn’t diminish the importance of saving, after all, you can’t invest money if you haven’t saved it first!

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Lower investment returns can be particularly concerning as retirement approaches, but this shouldn’t mean you need to completely abandon growth investments. Discover practical ways to protect your retirement income, manage market risk and make your savings and super last longer.

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A period of low investment returns can happen when you least expect it, and at a time when it is most difficult to deal with. One of the more challenging times is when you are approaching retirement, when you have less time to recover from a market downturn, and may soon be drawing money from your investments rather than adding to them.

However, with a combination of investment strategy, spending flexibility and retirement planning, you can reduce the impact of disappointing returns.

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This article uses easily relatable concepts to reinforce the importance of having a financial plan, and encourages the reader to ask an adviser for guidance.

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Most of us account for our money weeks or months in advance. Whether we use a spreadsheet, or simply mark dates on a calendar, we know that planning ahead makes sense.

Why then, do many of us consider a financial plan for 30, 20 or even 10 years ahead, unnecessary?

Maybe people think that they must have money before seeking advice. Perhaps they believe financial advisors only work with people approaching retirement.

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Property investment can build long-term wealth, but the risks aren't always as obvious as the possibility of a property market downturn. From tax and interest rate changes to unexpected costs, cash flow shortfalls and over-reliance on capital growth, discover the risks property investors often overlook – and how to build a more resilient investment strategy.

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The possibility that property prices may fall is often the biggest risk for property investors. But the truth is that the greatest risks are the less obvious ones.

Here are some property investment hazards to consider before you take the plunge, or before you expand your existing property portfolio.

Today’s tax rules are not guaranteed to be tomorrow’s rules

Property investors may be making decisions that cover long time horizons, possibly stretching into decades. But the regulatory and tax environment may undergo significant changes in the years following a property purchase.

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Starting a new job can be an exciting time and an opportunity to review your financial arrangements. This article provides a financial checklist of areas to consider, including superannuation, insurance, salary sacrifice and savings.

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Depending on how you look at it, changing jobs can either be an exciting time or a stressful one. With so much happening, you can be forgiven for focusing on the new role rather than your financial arrangements. However, a new job is also a good opportunity to review your superannuation, insurance, savings and overall financial position. Here are some things to consider when making a career move.

1. Review your superannuation

Changing jobs doesn't necessarily mean you need to change super funds. You can generally keep your existing super account or choose a different fund.

Before making a decision, compare the features of your existing fund with an alternative. Consider fees, investment options, long-term performance, insurance cover and any other features or benefits that may be important to you.

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Working from home offers flexibility, but it can also create unexpected financial, tax and career consequences. This article explores the hidden risks of remote work and the steps you can take to protect your long-term financial wellbeing.

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Working From Home (WFH) has been around for years. Since the COVID Pandemic, though, Australian organisations have embraced it to reduce expenses and offer employees a true work-life balance.

For workers, there are costs associated with WFH, like increased utilities usage and internet upgrades, often outweighed by the benefits.

But what about the not-so-obvious consequences? Those quiet, often intangible impacts?

Here are a number of hidden WFH traps that could potentially shape your career or long-term financial position.

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Your borrowing capacity isn't determined by your income alone. Find out why interest rates, lender policies, existing debts and living expenses can change how much you may be able to borrow.

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It’s been a while since you last had a salary increase, so the amount you could borrow as a home loan is the same as last time you checked, right?
Wrong.

Your salary is only one of the factors that can affect your borrowing capacity. There are many others, relating to changes in the economic and regulatory environment, adjustments in lenders’ loan assessment criteria, and changes in your personal financial circumstances unconnected to your earnings.

Here are some of the main reasons your borrowing power can change.

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Being your own boss offers flexibility, but it can also mean dealing with uneven income. Learn how contractors and freelancers can budget more effectively, prepare for tax obligations and super contributions, and build financial buffers to help smooth out the ups and downs of self-employment.

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Budgeting can be hard enough for those in regular employment, who need to cover today’s bills as well as, hopefully, tomorrow’s emergency savings and investment in their future. But if you’re a self-employed sole trader, you have three more financial headaches to add to the list: setting aside correct amounts to pay the ATO, covering your own super contributions, and dealing with periods when there is no income flowing in. It can seem like a formidable task, but with the right advice, you can create a budget that will help you to navigate this potential minefield.

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Our latest quarterly economic update includes commentary on the Iran–US peace deal and its impact on oil prices and share markets, the RBA's latest interest rate decisions, sweeping tax changes for property investors, the falling gold price and the resurgent US dollar.

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It was a quarter of two halves. Overseas, the US and Iran agreed to end their war, sending oil prices tumbling and sharemarkets rallying. At home, households copped another rate rise before the RBA hit pause, and the Federal Budget rewrote the rules for property investors.

Peace in the Middle East — Oil Falls and Markets Rally

After more than three months of conflict, the US and Iran agreed on 14 June to end the fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about one-fifth of the world's oil. Prices had already been easing as hopes of a deal grew — Brent crude fell to around US$83 a barrel, down from its March peak of US$126, and by late June US crude was below US$70 as ships began moving again. A big relief for motorists, and for inflation.

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Small monthly subscription fees can quietly add up, costing your household hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. This article explains how to conduct a simple subscription audit, eliminate unnecessary expenses, and put the savings towards achieving your financial goals.
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How many subscriptions does your household currently have?

Most of us, when we consider subscriptions, think Netflix, Prime, perhaps an online newspaper or magazine. But if you pause for a moment, there are probably more than you realise, and they’re not cheap!

Subscription creep is a real thing. It’s that quietly increasing number of services we sign up to without even noticing.

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Lower mortgage repayments can be tempting, but resetting your home loan back to 30 years could cost you far more in the long run. Discover the

hidden disadvantages of extending your mortgage, from extra interest and slower equity growth to the risk of carrying debt into retirement.
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The federal government has tried (via 2009 legislation and later instructions to banks from APRA, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) to ensure that mortgage borrowers will be able to service their loan and cope with any future interest rate rises. Despite this, many Australian homeowners are struggling financially as a result of inflation’s impact on the cost of living, geopolitical influences on fuel costs, and the Reserve Bank’s interest rate increases.

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Many Australian households are feeling the pressure of the “middle-class squeeze,” where rising living costs are making once-comfortable incomes feel increasingly stretched. This article explores the impact of lifestyle inflation and cost-of-living pressures, while highlighting practical budgeting strategies and the value of professional financial advice to regain control and build long-term financial security.

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Not so long ago, a six-figure salary was considered a solid income. But you didn’t suddenly become extravagant, so why are you now feeling like you need to tighten your belt?

You’re not imagining that growing sense of financial unease, nor are you alone. Chances are you’re experiencing what’s become known as the “middle-class squeeze.”

Middle-class squeeze is a concept that describes households on respectable incomes that are considered too well-off to qualify for government welfare or meaningful rebates, but are experiencing cost-of-living strain.

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A consideration of what ‘fair’ means in blended family asset distribution, and a guide to the associated risks of contested wills and how best to avoid them.
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About one in 10 families in Australia is a blended or step family, according to census data, and this trend has increased in recent years. Blended families can work well, but it’s best to aim to avoid any potential problems with the division of money and other assets. These may occur when there are children from previous relationships, a new spouse, shared assets and sometimes former partners in the background, making the question of what is ‘fair’ quite complex.

Here are the most important principles for protecting assets fairly in a blended family.

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Do you have too many bank accounts, or too few? This article will help you to set up a bank account structure tailored to your own needs, allowing you to take control of your bills, beat stress and invest for your future.
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There’s no such thing as a perfect number of bank accounts that will suit everyone. But there are good reasons for avoiding the extremes of having only one account struggling to cover all your needs and goals, or on the other hand, having a large and confusing mix of accounts with different banks, some of which you’ve simply forgotten to close.

There is a smarter way to structure your money so that it feels organised, controlled, and easier to manage. It’s especially important when you’re not just handling day-to-day spending, but also aiming to build wealth through investment.

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A practical, step-by-step guide for lowering your private health insurance premiums without sacrificing essential cover or leaving yourself exposed to expensive medical risks.
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For many Australians, private health insurance feels like one of those bills that just keeps going up every year. The instinct is often to cut back on cover or shop for the cheapest option available.

But there’s a catch: the cheapest policy is rarely the best one. The real goal is to pay less while still being covered for the things that could seriously impact your finances. So follow these simple steps to save heaps while maintaining peace of mind.

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With housing affordability continuing to challenge many Australians, alternative pathways to home ownership are gaining attention. This article explores emerging models such as build-to-rent-to-buy, community land trusts, and fractional ownership, highlighting both the opportunities and considerations for prospective buyers.

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Home ownership has always been central to the Great Australian Dream, but for many, that dream may feel increasingly unattainable.

This reality has prompted some thinking outside the box, giving rise to a number of purchase models aimed at helping first-time buyers plant a foot on the property ladder.

Teaming up with siblings or friends to pool income and improve borrowing power has become popular. Alternatively, some parents or grandparents gift inheritances, while still alive, to assist young family members get started.

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Cutting costs can be a useful starting point when you’re struggling to make ends meet. But true financial progress comes from mastering your cash flow. This article explores how creating a consistent surplus through smarter budgeting can help you move beyond simply getting by and start building long-term wealth through investing.
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The core purpose of budgeting is to control cash flow: cash in, cash out, and what’s left over.

Kudos to you if you’ve created a budget where your annual expenditure is less than your annual income. The surplus cash can help you to reduce debt, establish a buffer, and ultimately, create wealth. But you won’t be able to use the surplus effectively unless you protect it by organising your costs (not just cutting them) and managing the timing of your cash inflows and outflows. To do this, you may have to adjust your budgeting mindset, and as an added bonus, your credit score may improve.

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This article focuses on the financial and lifestyle considerations of renting versus buying a home, and how each choice can impact your retirement outcomes. It discusses that while there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, aligning your housing decision with your long-term financial strategy is key to achieving retirement confidence.
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Home ownership – is it still the Great Australian Dream? According to a recent survey, it is, but the option of renting for life is becoming increasingly attractive.

Real Estate agents, LJ Hooker, conducted a survey of Australians and found that 74% of respondents aspired to own their own home.
Meanwhile, in a survey of renters conducted by Budget Direct, almost 20% of respondents planned to rent forever.

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This article explains the concept of “loyalty tax,” where long-term customers may end up paying more than new customers for services such as insurance, utilities, and loans, often without realising it. The article highlights how regularly reviewing expenses, negotiating with providers, and seeking advice can help reduce costs and improve your overall financial position.

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Sandy joined her local gym a decade ago. She was proud of her long-member status and was content to pay the monthly $200 fee.

Imagine her surprise, when a friend was offered a sign-on deal of just $150 per month for the first year!

Known as loyalty tax, it’s that extra amount you pay effectively subsidising the sweetheart deals companies use to lure new customers.

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Not sure whether income protection insurance is a vital safety net for you, or just a cost burden you can do without? This article will help you decide.

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Income protection insurance is a financial tool that’s essential for some people, ‘nice to have’ for others, and possibly quite unnecessary for a third group. In other words, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether the premium cost justifies the risk. It depends on your circumstances, so it’s worth examining what the cover provides and the factors that should influence your decision-making.

What is income protection insurance?

Income protection insurance is meant to replace your income, based on your annual earnings in the year before a serious illness or injury that prevents you from working. It can pay up to 90% of your pre-tax income for the first six months of your disability and up to 70% for a further period.

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