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Early moveCommentsWestpac brings forward home loan rate lift-off to August

Westpac chief economist Bill Evans expects Australia’s central bank will begin its interest rate tightening cycle in August with a 15 basis point hike as strong jobs growth drives faster inflation.

Swati Pandey

Optimism waiversPremiumConsumer sentiment slips in January on Omicron surge

Australian household sentiment dropped this month in response to a surge of coronavirus cases that exacerbated existing supply chain problems and prompted shoppers to turn more cautious.

Swati Pandey

Nest egg CommentsSuper sting costs WA mums $168m over a decade

Over 150,000 WA mums missed out on more than $168 million in lost super over a decade, according to new Industry Super Australia analysis. 

Danielle Le Messurier

ASIC alertCommentsPremiumWatchdog warns DIY super target of crypto scammers

The corporate watchdog fears floggers pushing a switch to self-managed superannuation funds so people can punt retirement savings on high-risk cryptocurrency plays.

Neale Prior

Trouble aheadCommentsPremiumGrowing $3.4tr pension pot heading into a stormy 2022

Juggling some $3.4 trillion of assets in one of the most inflationary markets ever endured by many of Australia’s pension fund managers just adds to the growing list of their worries for 2022.

Matthew Burgess

Getting busyCommentsPremiumHomeowners get lucky twice in our red hot property market

Australia’s red-hot housing market is discouraging people who rent their homes from having children, while having the opposite effect on those who own their property.

Swati Pandey

Getaway savingsCommentsPremiumSave for holidays now, skip regret later

Lacking a strategy for holiday spending can leave you vulnerable to debt and overspending that delays financial goals. But it’s not too late to come up with a last-minute plan to save money for the holidays.

Melissa Lambarena

Colour me happyCommentsPremiumKeep an eye on debt using visual aids

The internet is full of debt-tracking templates that can help you log milestones toward your debt-free goals. From colouring pages to spreadsheets, here’s how you can use visual aids to demolish debt.

Melissa Lambarena

Scathing reportCommentsPremiumRevealed: Sub-par Aussie super funds named and shamed

Almost half of Australia’s most common superannuation products have not met benchmarks for member performance, putting retirement balances in jeopardy.

Adrian Lowe

Tapping savings'Price explosion' warning if super raided for homes

Property economists have warned of a 'price explosion', and hardship in retirement, if young Australians are given access to their superannuation to buy a home.

Marion Rae

Better dealTreasurer trims interest rate for Pension Loan Scheme

The federal government is cutting the interest rate pensioners pay should they tap the equity in their home to boost their retirement income.

Colin Brinsden

Nest eggsLabor pledges to put faith back into super

If elected, Labor says it would make the prudential regulator take into account religious faith before shutting down superannuation funds for poor performance.

Marion Rae

Fingers crossedCommentsPremiumWest Aussies spend big on plans for a COVID getaway

West Australians may be facing yet another Christmas stuck at home but that hasn’t stopped them splurging on travel, Bankwest’s Spend Trends report finds.

Daniel Newell

Changing landscapeCommentsPremiumFinancial advice in a post-royal commission world

With the huge number of former Commonwealth Bank clients now seeking advice in a non-institutionalised world from a diminishing pool of advisers, what can they expect to find?

Raymond Pecotic

opinion
opinion
‘Not a leader’CommentsPremium
opinion
Reserve Bank unmoved as it falls further behind the ball

The RBA is a follower not a leader. Movements in the domestic cash rate will be determined by what the US Fed does, not whether inflation lies within the target range.

Peter Warnes

Plan aheadCommentsPremium5 things to ask and do before tapping into your SMSF

Planning for retirement and transitioning your self-managed super fund into retirement phase can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.

Tracey Scotchbrook

Our expert says ...CommentsPremiumNick Bruining answers your burning questions

Will capital gains apply if a property is subdivided, can super be combined post-retirement and why alarm bells should ring if your partner wants to invest your home deposit in crypto.

Nick Bruining

Buyer tacticsCommentsPremiumUse these FBI negotiator tactics to land your dream home

Here’s how you can apply skills used by some of the world’s best negotiators, the FBI, to help you get the best deal in the current property market.

Julia Ewert 

Risk rewardsCommentsPremiumWere you among 2021’s big investment winners?

It was definitely a better year than the previous. COVID’s dark cloud continues to cast its shadow. But, financially, this year was a whole lot less scary. If you missed the boat, here’s where to look in 2022.

Bruce Brammall

Financial snapshotIncome inequality steady over two decades

Ongoing income inequality, stagnant growth in disposable earnings and a harder pathway to home ownership have been highlighted in the new HILDA survey.

Dominic Giannini

Alarming statsCommentsPremiumShock figures reveal spread of financial abuse in WA

Shock new figures have laid bare the widespread but silent scourge of financial abuse in WA, with almost a third of people admitting being a victim.

Daniel Newell

opinion
opinion
Saver protectionsCommentsPremium
opinion
Where’s the safest place to stash your cash?

The return of your money is more important than the return on your money.

Nick Bruining

Investors bewareCommentsPremiumMind fine print when chasing higher savings returns

The Federal Court’s finding that LaTrobe Financial engaged in misleading marketing serves as a timely reminder to check the fine print before investing your money in supposedly low-risk investments.

Nick Bruining

‘Greater choice’CommentsPremiumDebt tweaks for Pension Loan Scheme

Legislation designed to enhance the attractiveness of loans for seniors was introduced to Federal Parliament late last week.

Nick Bruining