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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Congratulations on your pay rise! Commiserations on your resulting higher tax bracket. Find useful information here on how to avoid the consequences of income tax bracket creep so that you can actually feel the benefit of your salary increase.

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You earn more money; you pay more tax. So far, so fair.

But what’s not so fair happens when your wage rise bumps your earnings into a higher tax bracket, even though your pay increase may only be in line with inflation. This is known as ‘bracket creep’, and the combination of inflation and a higher tax rate can mean you have less purchasing power than before your pay rise.

However, you can avoid bracket creep by putting your earnings to work in a way that means they won’t be consumed by tax. Here’s how:

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Our latest quarterly economic update includes commentary on the war in Iran and its impact on oil prices, interest rate increases, inflation pressures, market performance and cost of living challenges.
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The first quarter of 2026 will be remembered as one of the most consequential in decades. A war erupted in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz closed, oil prices surged past US$100 per barrel, and inflation roared back to life. Central banks pivoted sharply from cutting rates to raising them. For Australian households, that has so far meant two consecutive rate hikes and a stark reminder that the cost of living battle is far from over.

Geopolitical Risk: The Iran War and Oil Crisis

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This article explains how debt consolidation works and describes how combining multiple high-interest debts into a single loan may simplify repayments and potentially reduce interest costs. A case study is used to highlight the benefits, trade-offs and key considerations to help readers decide whether the strategy suits their circumstances.
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For many households, debt doesn’t come from one big decision. It builds up gradually — a credit card used for everyday expenses, a personal loan for a car or renovation, and maybe a store card that seemed convenient at the time.

Before long, you’re juggling multiple repayments, all with different interest rates and due dates. Even when you’re making every payment on time, it can feel like you’re running just to stand still.

This is where debt consolidation is sometimes considered.

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Higher interest rates may be causing many Australians to delay buying property, but waiting for rates to fall is not always the safest financial strategy. This article explores how borrowers can navigate a higher-for-longer rate environment and includes a checklist to help review existing mortgages or prepare for a future home loan.
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Interest rates are rising, and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has hinted that they could stay elevated for longer than expected.

While people who live off their investments, including self-funded retirees, welcome the rise, homebuyers must think about what higher rates will mean for them, especially if those rates stay higher for longer.

Many households put their lifestyles and financial decisions on hold until rates eventually start to come down – notably those who are looking to buy a home.

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Follow the tips in this article to put your new romance on a sound financial footing, which will ensure that it does not collapse under the weight of a monetary outlook mismatch.
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In the exhilarating early days of a new personal relationship, it can be easy to overlook warning signs that you and your prospective partner may be financially incompatible. This may lead to future stress and legal risk. It’s not a question of always being suspicious, but simply of being aware of these red flags if they appear:

• Secrecy around money matters

Although there’s no need to have financial discussions immediately, be wary of ongoing refusal or reluctance to talk about money matters such as income, debt, employment, personal or business finances, or financial goals.

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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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Are you sitting on a huge pile of frequent flyer points that you are struggling to redeem? How much are they really worth, and is it worth the effort (and cost) of collecting them? Find the answers here.

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The average Australian is sitting on a balance of 73,000 frequent flyer points, according to a 2025 survey. About a quarter of those surveyed used their points for travel occasionally, but didn’t keep track of their balance, while 18% said they rarely redeemed them, and 15% didn’t understand how frequent flyer programs worked.

Clearly, there’s a lot of confusion about collecting points, using points and their true value. Let’s remedy that.

Collecting points

Although purchasing flights (and to a lesser extent hotel accommodation) is the traditional way to earn points, this only works well for regular business travellers. Most Australians accumulate points via credit card spending and other shopping, including converting Coles Flybuys and Woolworths Rewards Points into frequent flyer points.

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Are you currently a remote worker or digital nomad? Or are you considering becoming one? This article will explain some of the tax, income structure, superannuation, banking, cash flow, insurance and investment issues you may face, and how to adjust your financial planning to meet them.
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Conventional employees can usually plan for their financial future knowing that certain fundamental parameters will not change: their regular income, their Australian tax residency, their banking arrangements, their superannuation contributions and their insurance needs.
But for digital nomads and remote workers, the picture is completely different, and their situation will have implications for how they pay tax, contribute to super, conduct their banking and investments and ensure they are covered for health problems and income protection.

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Would you like to make money while you sleep? The best way is not through social media, but by building your assets and then letting them earn for you, slowly but surely. Find out how in this article.
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What’s the first thing that springs to mind when you hear the term ‘passive income’? It may be creating an e-book, a blog or a YouTube channel, engaging in affiliate marketing or selling stock photos, but in fact, none of these is entirely passive. They all require lots of upfront effort to generate a very modest income unless you are very lucky.

However, there is some good news.

A detailed look at what works

There are plenty of guaranteed ways for Australians to set up the dream of ‘income while you sleep’. Here’s a list of what can actually succeed, but with a dose of realism attached.

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Here are instructions on how to set up the quizzes using Survey Monkey. Or if you would prefer assistance, please contact us and we’ll give you details.
This next quiz tests your readers’ knowledge on ………..

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You might know the cost of your morning coffee. You’re probably across the price of a cut and blow-dry or the latest model iPhone. But can you rattle off your mortgage interest rate or monthly Spotify subscription plan?

Understanding your personal finances isn’t about enjoying the things you can afford to buy, it’s about knowing how your money works for you and the everyday decisions you make that can quietly shape a secure financial future.

Most of us think we’re reasonably good with money, but in reality, there are over 500 debt collection agencies in Australia. Someone is keeping them in business!

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This article outlines the key financial supports Australians may be able to rely on if they’re unable to work due to disability, including insurance, superannuation, government benefits and employer entitlements, illustrated through a real-life case study.
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When life throws you a curveball and you suddenly can't work, the financial pressure can feel overwhelming. But here's something many Australians don't realise: there can be many safety nets to help you through.
Let me share Sarah's story—it's one I see far too often in my practice, but with the right guidance, it had a positive outcome.

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Not sure whether an offset account is the best choice for your mortgage structure? The details provided in this article will help you decide.

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Mortgage offset accounts have steadily increased in popularity since they were first introduced in Australia in the late 1980s. A recent study by the University of Sydney found that around 40% of Australian mortgage holders use offset accounts. Although they are obviously financially beneficial in many cases, their widespread acceptance does not mean that they are automatically the right choice for everyone. It’s worth taking a close look at the facts.

A simple definition of mortgage offset accounts

A mortgage offset account is a transaction or savings account linked to a mortgage held with the same financial institution.

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