Richardson Financial Advisory Blog
Five steps to getting your insurance organised
Five steps to getting your insurance organised.
Like with most of your money choices, there are pros and cons of going of choosing different paths to obtain insurance.
What's the best way to get insurance organised?
What's the best way to get insurance organised?
Making sure you’re getting the best deal on insurance without missing out on the cover you need can feel like a minefield. Get to know where and how to buy.
How super works
If you’ve ever had a job, then super is going to be on your radar. Knowing what it’s all about is the first step to making it work for you.
Super is your savings account for retirement. But well before you retire, your balance could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. While you can’t spend it now, a sum of money that big has got to be important to you. So it makes sense to know how it works and what you can do with it before you retire.
How much super is enough?
How much super is enough?
When it comes to super, one-size-fits-all does not apply. But if you’re looking at getting your super sorted, knowing how your savings stack up can help with the next steps.
5 ways to increase your financial wellbeing
5 ways to increase your financial wellbeing
It may not be something you think about much. It may even make you uncomfortable to examine the way you manage money and think about whether you’d be able to cope if you suffer a significant financial setback. But your financial wellbeing can impact every area of your life, so it’s worth taking the time to see if there are areas where you could make improvements.
Let’s take a closer look at what financial wellbeing means – and how you can measure yours.
How to start saving for retirement in your 40s
How to start saving for retirement in your 40s
By the time you’re in your 40s you’ll potentially be earning more money than you may have previously – but you may also have unexpected or unwelcome expenses, like divorce. At this age you might also put retirement planning on the backburner in favour of more pressing financial commitments, such as your home loan and kids’ school fees. Use these potential life changes as the impetus to re-evaluate your assets and income and look at how you can maximise savings for your retirement.
Help! I’m 55 and have no retirement plan
Help! I’m 55 and have no retirement plan!
Retirement planning is one of those things that often gets pushed to the back burner. When you're young, it's easy to convince yourself that retirement is light years away and you've got plenty of time to figure it all out. But life has a habit of going by real fast and all of a sudden, you're 55 (or thereabouts) and realise that retirement is just around the corner.
If this sounds like you and you’re now thinking, "I'm in my 50s and I have no retirement plan. What do I do now?", first of all, take a deep breath. It's not too late to start planning for your retirement.
Here, we'll outline some steps you can take to secure your financial future.
The Federal Budget
How will the latest budget proposals impact you and your finances?
The 2024 Federal Budget provides cost of living relief through 1 July tax cuts, lower power bills, higher welfare payments and support for small businesses.
Understanding market volatility
Understanding market volatility
Many investors become concerned when volatility occurs in global financial markets – particularly about the impact on their superannuation and other investments. In times like these, it’s important to understand the causes of market movements and how to minimise your risk.
Should you fix your home loan?
When contemplating home ownership or refinancing an existing mortgage, we typically face the decision of choosing between a fixed rate or variable rate home loan. While both options have their merits, deciding whether or not to fix your home loan requires careful consideration of various factors
5 points to consider when deciding when to retire
5 points to consider when deciding when to retire.
The age you retire in Australia isn’t set in stone. You can really retire whenever you want to, but a number of factors could play a big part in your decision.
Your financial situation, health, employment opportunities and coordinating with your partner, if you have one, could all play a role in helping you determine when you might retire from the workforce.
How to budget in 3 simple steps
How to budget in 3 simple steps
Managing your budget and aiming for a healthy surplus (saving more than you spend) can help you achieve goals big and small-whether you’re saving up for a long-weekend getaway or a down payment on a home.
What’s in store for investors in 2024?
2023 saw the return of Goldilocks, but what’s in store for 2024 for investors?
Grow your super
How to help your super grow faster
Money isn’t everything but it helps when it comes to making choices. Growing your super balance faster can give you more choices in retirement and peace of mind right now.
The basics of superannuation
The basics of superannuation.
Other than property, super is likely to grow into your largest asset. So given its importance you should devote some thought and time to make sure it is working well for you.
Why are Australians who get financial advice more upbeat?
Why are Australians who get financial advice more upbeat?
Money doesn’t buy happiness, but having a financial adviser by your side just might.
New research from CFS shows that Australians who receive financial advice feel more confident and optimistic about their money than those who go it alone. And contrary to popular belief, it’s not necessarily because they’re earning more.*
Colonial First State commissioned research to find out about Australians’ understanding of super and investments, and how confident they felt about their money. The survey generated responses from almost 2,000 Australians who have a financial adviser and 700 who haven’t had professional financial advice.
Investment scams peak in Australia - how you can spot one
Investment scams peak in Australia - how you can spot one.
October is cyber security awareness month and a good reminder to look at what you could be doing to protect your personal information and your money.
Losses to scams have skyrocketed in recent years, with combined losses reported to different Australian government agencies up a whopping 80% over a 12-month period.
What’s more, investment scams were identified as the most commonly reported type of scam, which is why it’s important to stay alert and protect what’s yours*.
What is financial planning?
What is financial planning?
Financial planning is about helping you to make smart decisions about money so you can manage your financial affairs more effectively and reach your life goals sooner. A financial adviser can help you with budgeting, cash flow management, a savings plan, superannuation, tax planning, home loan repayments, debt management and reduction, insurance, investments and also planning for retirement.
Buying an investment property
Is an investment property the right choice for you in retirement?
Your guide to the downsizer contribution.
Downsizing into a smaller property or moving to a more affordable location could be a worthwhile way to help finance your retirement lifestyle.
It can be a valuable strategy for empty nesters, some of whom may find maintaining a big and empty family home no longer makes sense financially or from a lifestyle perspective…
Investing for retirement
Why investing for retirement is different
When you’re still employed and earning a salary, there’s money coming in you can rely on. In retirement, in the absence of a regular salary you’ll need to find a new way to secure enough income to cover your living costs.
Investing your money is one way to make the most of your savings and provide an income in retirement but if you’re expecting savings and investment earnings to help cover your expenses, it’s important to get your strategy right.