Direct investing versus managed funds
Compare control, diversification, administration, cost, tax and the time required to manage investments directly or through a fund.
Financial planning insights
Understand your options. Plan your next step.
Practical guides to the retirement, superannuation and money decisions that matter to you.
41 articles found
Diversification in an investment portfolio
Diversification spreads risk across asset classes, markets, sectors and securities—but it cannot eliminate investment losses.
What are the basic types of return on an investment?
Understand income, capital growth and total return—and why fees, tax, inflation and investment risk affect the result you keep.
Understanding the key asset classes
Cash, fixed interest, property and shares perform different roles and carry different risks within a portfolio.
What are investment bonds?
How investment bonds work and the tax, investment, fee, withdrawal and contribution rules to examine before investing.
How are granny flat rights assessed by Centrelink and DVA?
Granny flat interests can affect homeownership, gifting and pension means tests. Understand the assessment and legal issues before transferring assets.
Gifting and Centrelink: what to consider
Giving money or assets away can continue to affect Centrelink assessments when amounts exceed allowable gifting limits.
Understanding debt and repayment priorities
Interest rate, tax treatment, security, repayment flexibility and risk all influence which debts should be addressed first.
What is a transition-to-retirement pension?
A TTR pension can provide income from super before full retirement, but contribution, tax, cash-flow and preservation rules matter.
How to set financial goals
Turn broad financial aspirations into clear priorities, measurable targets and practical actions that can be reviewed as life changes.
Carry-forward concessional contributions explained
Eligible people may use unused concessional cap amounts from earlier years, subject to current balance, timing and contribution rules.
A practical approach to household budgeting
A useful budget should support day-to-day life, irregular expenses, debt reduction and future goals without relying on unrealistic restraint.