Budgeting & Saving Money - March 4th How to make a budget in 6 easy steps Writing a budget can be the first step in gaining more control over your finances. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to write a budget, plus some advice and resources that could help you stick to it.
Coronavirus - December 4th Australia emerging from recession: CommSec economist on jobs, property, interest rates & super CommSec's chief economist Craig James shares his thoughts on Australia emerging from its first recession in almost 30 years, plus what it could mean for interest rates, jobs, property prices and super.
Coronavirus - September 25th Could you save before private health insurance premiums rise on 1 October? For many Australians, the holiday from paying higher health insurance premiums is about to end. It's not too late to save money on health insurance though, one expert explains. Many health insurers postponed increasing premiums in...
Budgeting & Saving Money - September 23rd Who has access to pandemic leave and what does it offer? If you are unable to go to work due to coronavirus-related self-isolation or quarantine, there may be some financial support options available to you. As the number of Australian cases continues to fluctuate, the COVID-19 pandemic...
Budgeting & Saving Money - August 25th Which health funds are offering financial relief during COVID-19? In response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, a number of Australian health funds are offering extended coverage and financial relief packages to members who are experiencing financial difficulty. Most health insurers have delayed their annual premium...
Coronavirus - August 24th I took money out of superannuation – and it was super fast Superannuation is powerful. More than half of my net wealth is in superannuation. If I have any regrets about my investment portfolio, it is not contributing more to superannuation when I was younger. Yet last week...
Coronavirus - August 19th Creating a COVID-19 vaccine is only the first step. It'll take years to manufacture and distribute The Australian government has struck a deal to gain early access to 25 million doses of an Oxford University produced COVID-19 vaccine if it passes trials and is found to be safe. If this vaccine works,...
Coronavirus - August 17th Will COVID-19 be as bad as the GFC? CommSec senior economist Ryan Felsman shares his thoughts on how this downturn compares to the GFC and the last recession. He also outlines the impact the pandemic may have on the economy, the sharemarket and house...
Budgeting & Saving Money - July 29th Will customers buy into Coles' new Little Treehouse collectables in the midst of a pandemic? Coles has shelved its plastic mini collectables in favour of a new campaign, featuring pocket-sized children's books. But, will it help to supercharge the supermarket's sales, or will the impact be more subdued due to the...
Coronavirus - July 23rd Australian economy: COVID-19 vs The Great Depression Welcome to the Great Depression of 2020 – but it’s not as bad as it could be. That seems to be the message Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered to the nation today. “The COVID-19 pandemic is...
Coronavirus - July 23rd When do the government COVID relief and support packages expire? Many Australians have turned to government support to get by – here we break down the latest on what’s available and when the relief packages are set to expire.
Coronavirus - July 22nd Thinking about working from home long term? 3 ways it could be good or bad for your health If you have enjoyed working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and would like it to continue long term, there are some considerations regarding your health. Research Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of...
Coronavirus - July 17th Mortgage payment deferral: Banks extend home loan pauses Lenders are offering some home loan customers the option of deferring their mortgage repayments for a further four months, if they are in financial hardship due to COVID-19. We take a look at what a repayment...
Coronavirus - July 16th Applying for your mortgage online: will this digital option stick around after COVID-19? Verifying your identity through a mobile app and signing your home loan offer with your touchpad or mouse – these are just some of the ways lenders are turning to digital solutions to continue offering mortgages...
Coronavirus - July 15th Online auctions: selling homes under a virtual hammer With the Australian Government’s implementation of measures to encourage social distancing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and entire industries have been finding creative ways to pivot and bend in line with the restrictions. One such industry...
Coronavirus - July 8th What's the new coronavirus saliva test, and how does it work? A new saliva test to detect COVID-19 has been put forward as an alternative to the nasal and throat swab. But how effective is this type of testing and are there any advantages to using it?...
Coronavirus - July 6th Report finds millennials are eager to buy property post-COVID, but should they? Millennials remain optimistic about home ownership despite the current array of risk and uncertainty, unwilling to let the pandemic interrupt their plans. A third say they want to buy a property in the next one to...
Coronavirus - July 6th Should Investors be Worried about a "Second Wave" of Coronavirus Cases? Should investors be concerned about a "second wave" of coronavirus cases? How will this affect their investments? Dr Shane Oliver from AMP Capital shares his expert insights. The past few weeks have seen a flurry of...
Coronavirus - June 24th 7 lessons for Australia’s health system from the coronavirus upheaval With coronavirus restrictions now starting to lift in most states in Australia, some experts are reflecting on our nation's response to the pandemic and what we can do to better deal with an outbreak of this...
Coronavirus - June 23rd The long-term cost of taking $20,000 out of your super fund If you have lost your job or are running out of money because of coronavirus then accessing your super early may be tempting but it’s important to understand the potential risks.