Blog
The blog for people who want to understand their finances better and feel more in control of their money.
This blog is for educational purposes only and contains general information. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances. If you would like advice tailored to your situation, you can book an appointment with one of our financial advisers here.
What Are the Top Questions to Ask Before Retiring?
You don’t need a retirement date or a finished budget before you start planning. Paul Benson shares four questions he works through with clients and explains how our free Retirement Readiness Guide can help you find your own answers.
The Anthropic IPO: What It Means for Australian Investors
Could Anthropic end up in your super even if you never buy a share? Nick Donato explains how the company behind Claude could find its way into index funds and why the float could matter to Australian investors who already hold global shares.
Is It Too Late to Start Retirement Planning?
At 54, with a substantial mortgage still to pay, one of Paul Benson’s clients wondered if she could afford to retire when she’d planned. The numbers gave her a choice she hadn’t expected. Paul explains what he looks at when someone feels behind and how he works out what’s still possible.
Is AI a Bubble? What It Means for Your Investments
AI could change the economy without every AI investment being a good buy. Nick Donato on what that distinction means as retirement gets closer, and the overlap most portfolios miss.
What Should You Do With Excess Money in Retirement?
What happens when you’ve built more wealth than you’ll ever need? Paul Benson explains four things retirement plans often miss: giving to family while you’re alive, the tax your children may pay on inherited shares and super, keeping your Will up to date, and supporting causes you care about.
Is Debt Recycling Worth It?
Debt recycling could help you build investments while paying down your home loan. But is it worth it? We unpack the tax maths, the risks and the setup mistake that can cost you the deduction.
Will My Money Last in Retirement?
You want to enjoy retirement without wondering whether you’re spending too much. Paul Benson explores what a longer retirement could mean for your investments, spending and the choices you’ll want later in life.
Do Active Fund Managers Beat the Market in Australia?
Fund managers have the analysts, the models and a working day devoted to finding opportunities. Over 15 years, 89% of them still trailed the index. Here is why, and where active management does hold up.
What Rising Bond Yields Mean for Your Mortgage, Shares and Retirement Saving
Bond yields in Australia, the US and Japan have hit multi-year highs, and it touches your mortgage, your shares and your retirement savings.
Should You Give Your Children Their Inheritance Early?
From 1 July 2027, the 50% CGT discount is replaced by inflation indexation, with a minimum 30% tax rate on affected gains. The change is prospective, so the gain you've already built up keeps the old rules whenever you sell. Which is exactly why selling before the deadline may not help. Here's what's actually worth reviewing.
Offset vs Redraw: Which One Is Better For Building Wealth?
Private equity buys ownership in companies that aren't listed on a stock exchange. Private credit lends to them. Most Australians hold some of both through their super without ever choosing to — and ASIC has been raising its voice about one of them all year. Here's the difference, and why it's there.
How Much of My Income Should I Save and Invest? (Hint: It’s Not a Percentage)
How much of your income should you save and invest? The usual answer is 20%, but that figure doesn’t take into account your mortgage, family or goals. Nick Donato explains how to find a monthly amount you can realistically maintain and what to consider once you know the number.
Should You Sell Your Investments Before the Capital Gains Tax Changes on 1 July 2027?
From 1 July 2027, the 50% CGT discount is replaced by inflation indexation, with a minimum 30% tax rate on affected gains. The change is prospective, so the gain you've already built up keeps the old rules whenever you sell. Which is exactly why selling before the deadline may not help. Here's what's actually worth reviewing.
Can You Afford to Take a Career Break? How to Work Out What You'd Actually Need
You want to take six months off… maybe a year. But can you actually afford it? Here's what a career break actually costs, how to prepare for one, and the timing decision that can leave you better off after tax.
Private Equity vs Private Credit: What's the Difference, and Why Is It in Your Super?
Private equity buys ownership in companies that aren't listed on a stock exchange. Private credit lends to them. Most Australians hold some of both through their super without ever choosing to — and ASIC has been raising its voice about one of them all year. Here's the difference, and why it's there.
Mortgage, Super or Investing: Where Should Your Extra Money Go in Your 30s and 40s?
You've got a bit of money left over this month. Not a windfall, just enough to wonder whether you're doing the right thing with it. The tricky part is that by your late 30s and 40s you don't have one good option any more. You have several.
Are Investment Bonds Worth It in Australia? Why the 2027 Tax Changes Could Change the Answer
Investment bonds have been easy to overlook for years. But with major tax changes coming from July 2027, they could become a much more interesting option for Australians building wealth outside super. Paul Benson explains how they work, the rules that matter and when they may be worth another look.
Which Debt Should You Pay Off First?
Should you attack your mortgage, car loan or investment debt first? Paul Benson explains how to compare your debts, where the snowball and avalanche methods fit, and why paying everything off as fast as possible isn’t always the best strategy.
Should Australians Invest Directly in the US Stock Market When Buying US Shares? (And What Changes Are Coming to Wall Street)
Buying US shares directly is becoming easier for Australian investors. But does that make it a better option than investing through the ASX? Nick Donato looks at the fees, currency risk, diversification and other factors worth weighing up.
Can I Retire Before 60? How to Work Out If You Can Afford It
How much investment risk should you actually take? I look at how your goals, timeframe and tolerance for market falls can help determine whether your portfolio is too conservative, too aggressive or about right.