Budgeting is an essential skill for anyone looking to take control of their personal finances. It serves as the foundation for achieving financial stability and reaching your monetary goals. Yet, managing a budget can seem daunting, especially if you're unsure where to start or how to maintain one. In this article, we'll guide you through crafting a monthly budget that truly works for you, ensuring you not only manage your money effectively but also stress less about financial uncertainties. - read more
Starting a family is one of life's most rewarding experiences, but it also comes with a unique set of financial challenges. For young families in Australia, where the cost of living can rise quickly, having a solid financial plan is crucial. Financial planning is not just about managing money; it's about creating a sense of security and peace of mind for your loved ones. - read more
Superannuation, commonly known as 'super,' is a crucial part of planning for a comfortable retirement. It serves as a long-term savings measure, gradually increasing in value to support you once you stop working. But what exactly is superannuation? - read more
Investing can initially seem daunting, but it’s essentially the act of allocating money with the expectation of generating an income or profit over time. It's important because investing offers the potential for your money to grow and outpace inflation, ensuring you have a secure financial future. - read more
Your credit score is a crucial factor that lenders use to determine your creditworthiness and your ability to repay loans and credit card debts. It is a numerical representation of your credit history, and it ranges from 0 to 1,000. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to be approved for a loan or credit card, and to be offered lower interest rates. - read more
In a significant development, Wall Street's three major indices have leapt forward as the S&P 500 reached its highest point since March. This upwards trend follows the announcement of a temporary reduction in tariffs between the United States and China, offering hope for a de-escalation in global trade tensions initiated by US President Donald Trump in April. - read more
Amid pressing concerns from industry associations, the call for rapid finalization of financial advice reforms in Australia has been amplified. The lack of direction from the Labour government regarding the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) is causing uncertainty in the sector, potentially stalling essential reform work. The impending retirement of Stephen Jones has only added to the speculation surrounding the future of these reforms. - read more
Investors are increasingly discovering income prospects in commercial real estate (CRE) without owning property directly. CRE debt investments offer a popular method to generate returns by lending to those requiring capital for commercial property ventures. The investors' gains are derived from borrowing costs, encompassing interest and fees, once fund expenses are deducted. - read more
As global bond yields experience a resurgence, many income-seeking investors face diminishing returns from cash distributions. According to a recent analysis by investment researcher Zenith, a noticeable discrepancy has emerged between the average yields of bond fund portfolios and their actual income distributions. - read more
In a cautious signal to the market, Westpac has recorded a marginal decline in its half-year profit, posting a $3.45 billion result, down by one per cent compared to previous figures. This financial outcome marks the first under the direction of their new CEO, Anthony Miller, who commenced his role in December last year. Westpac has flagged geopolitical unpredictability as a significant ongoing risk, reflecting a challenging environment for the financial sector. - read more
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Knowledgebase
Principal: The original sum of money invested or lent, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.
