Australia remains one of the most prosperous nations in the world. We enjoy a stable political system, abundant natural resources, a relatively strong labour market and living standards many countries would envy. Yet beneath the surface, something important is shifting. The latest findings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ General Social Survey reveal a growing…
Playing monopoly was a tradition in our family for a long time. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t come out as often these days – I guess I don’t play board games much anymore. In the good old days, I played Monopoly with my parents when I was young, with my children when they were young, and…
We live in uncertain times. Just look at all the financial, economic and political problems we are facing, as well as the social and political problems around the world. Amid all this, we must go about our business, our investing, and live our lives. And to do that we must feel comfortable with our long-term…
Housing affordability is the current topic of conversation in the media and at dinner tables across Australia. And for families with Gen Y children, in particular, it’s probably a discussion based around how they’ll struggle to ever buy their own home. There’s no denying it has become a lot harder to get a start on…
A billion – in Australia – is $1,000,000,000. You see this amount written everywhere these days. You cannot escape it. It was brought home to me a few weeks back, whilst driving through New South Wales. Road work signs proudly announced $2.3 billion worth of construction here, another $1.7 billion there. Governments love to announce…
There’s an old saying that the easiest tax to sell is one that only applies to “wealthy people.” Most Australians won’t complain too loudly if Canberra says it is closing a loophole used by high-income families, business owners or investors. But history shows that when governments start tinkering with the rules around wealth, tax and…
Have you ever wondered what the most common major problems are in life? I have. I spent 15 years studying the rich and the poor (Rich Habits Study) and found that there were 12 frequent big problems almost everyone has to contend with: Health Problems Financial Problems Family Problems Neighbour Problems Home Ownership Problems Car…
Want to avoid the taxman rejecting your claim? Even worse, do you want to prevent the taxman from digging deeper and auditing your affairs? The Australian Taxation Office has a lot of information on its website to help property investors. Whether you use a tax agent or choose to lodge your tax return yourself, the…
Most people have a rough idea that their investments will grow over time, but very few can tell you how fast without reaching for a calculator. There’s a simple mental formula that’s been used by savvy investors for decades, and once you know it, you’ll find yourself using it all the time. It’s called the…
In our modern economy, nearly every system is engineered to extract your hard-earned dollars. Credit-card companies flood your inbox with “pre-approved” offers. Retailers use algorithms to trigger impulse buys at the exact moment your willpower dips – typically in the checkout line. Social media bombards you with FOMO-fueled ads for the latest gadget, vacation, or…
