Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that over the year to December, wages grew by 3.4%. For households, however, the number that really matters is what happened to wages after inflation. Over the same period, the consumer price index (CPI) rose by 3.8%. This means real wages (wages after accounting…
For many investors, financial planning starts with a clear goal in mind: growth. Property, shares, and long-term returns often dominate the conversation, especially in a market where building assets feels like the most direct path forward. Yet long-term planning involves more than what you grow. As investors think more broadly about resilience and continuity, topics…
Immigration has become a hot-button issue in Australia, particularly amid specious claims it is responsible for the housing crisis and straining the economy. Recent anti-immigration rallies across the country have brought it further into the public spotlight. With the next federal election less than three years away and the Coalition set to release its migration…
If you invest in property, you’ve probably noticed how often Bitcoin now comes up in conversations that used to be all about interest rates and auction clearance numbers. When the BTC AUD price moves sharply, it tends to grab attention in a way few other assets do. That alone raises an uncomfortable question. Is Bitcoin starting to…
There has been a spate of articles and commentary in recent days calling on the Australian government to reduce spending. Those calling for government cuts – mostly long-time advocates of smaller government – claim this would lower inflation, and as a consequence reduce interest rates. In fact, claims that government spending is now a very…
When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously to lift the cash rate to 3.85% on Tuesday, the decision was driven by one overriding concern. It wants to stop the rising cost of living from becoming entrenched. For some, like self-funded retirees, the rate rise was good news. Higher interest means their savings…
Renovations have historically been the ultimate test of patience. Anyone who has survived a home remodel knows the specific kind of fatigue that sets in around week three. You are drowning in fabric swatches, your contractor is asking questions you don’t understand, and the budget has already developed a mind of its own. For decades,…
As parents prepare for another school year, there’s one subject that often gets overlooked: money. Financial literacy isn’t just about numbers. It’s about building skills that will shape your child’s future decisions, from buying their first car to planning for retirement. The good news? You don’t need to be a finance expert to teach these…
The cul-de-sac is a suburban trap. It’s virtually useless as a road, doesn’t support public transport, cycling or walking, and doesn’t work well as a play or gathering place. Its literal translation from French is “bottom of a sack” – which sounds a lot less glamorous, you’ll agree. And yet we persist with them. The…
With residential break-ins and vehicle theft on the rise, Australian homeowners, tenants, and investors are reassessing their security needs. A 2024 survey found that 41% of households had taken additional precautions in the past year, and one in five had installed security cameras specifically to deter property crime. While figures vary across the country, and…
