Find out if it's really a good idea to reduce your mortgage as fast as possible. We've said it before, 'no one wants a loan, right?' It's true. But so is the fact that (almost) everyone wants to own a home. And, in most cases, you need a mortgage to do it. After all, home ownership is a reasonable aspiration given the security and long term economic benefits,  not to mention the sense of belonging that comes with owning a home. And, Australian Bureau of Sta...

Preparing for retirement? We ask superannuation expert Ben Hall for his top 5 proposed super updates that will affect you. Now that the election is finally behind us, and the Liberal party has edged into government with a narrow majority, it's time to decipher what the federal budget really means for pre-retirees. After all, the proposed superannuation changes are wide ranging and generally aimed at helping lower income earners, while cutting back some of the more generous conc...

Find out if controlling your own superannuation investments is right for you. First things first, what is a self-managed super fund (SMSF)? Put simply, it's a superannuation fund that gives you control over making all of the investment decisions. That may mean more financial freedom, however it also makes you responsible for complying with the super and tax laws. So, you must know your stuff! The Australian Taxation Office outlines: "An SMSF must be run for the sole pu...

Looking to invest? Weigh up your options with this at-a-glance guide for investing in shares versus purchasing property. If you're interested in building your wealth, it's only a matter of time before you'll start weighing into the shares vs property debate. In fact, you've probably already noticed that everyone's finance path is different. And while buying property might be right for you, investing in shares could be a smart money move for the next person. ...