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We love hearing about people who are living life to the fullest. It doesn’t matter whether they’re on a golf course in the Kangaroo Valley, carving up the slopes in the Rockies or hitting the gym for regular yoga and Pilates classes (and indulging in champagne). There’s a reason these kinds of stories fascinate us; humans have an innate desire to live as long as possible. Pushing the boundaries of our lifespans with science It’s this unquenchable thirst for (quality) longevit

Everyone has goals they want to reach, whether they relate to work, family, lifestyle, or sport, but it seems like only a few people achieve what they set out to do. For the rest of us, success seems to be just out of reach. Feeling stuck in terms of progress can be frustrating and demoralising. On the flip side, finding a way around something you thought was impossible can feel spectacular. Here are some of the most common obstacles to success, and how you can tackle them. F

Amid the major reforms to superannuation that took effect on 1 July, some significant changes to the tax treatment of your Transition to Retirement Pension (TTR) may have flown under the radar. Some individuals will be affected more than others, so if you have a TTR or are thinking about starting one, now is the time to review your strategy. The Government’s super reforms were designed to improve the sustainability, flexibility and integrity of the system. According to the T

It’s often been mentioned that $1 million or more in superannuation savings is needed to live a comfortable retirement. This is a daunting figure for most of us and, unsurprisingly, has many Australians concerned about the kind of retirement lifestyle they have to look forward to. In reality, most Australian workers have nothing like this in super, and yet pleasingly, still report being satisfied and fulfilled in retirement. In December 2015, the Association of Superannuatio

Trauma insurance is the middle child of the personal insurance family. It’s overshadowed by its better known siblings but it’s a quiet achiever that will do the heavy lifting when the circumstances require it. What trauma insurance is and isn’t Trauma insurance – sometimes known as critical illness insurance – provides a lump sum payment in the event of a major illness or injury, such as a cancer diagnosis, heart attack or stroke. The full list of conditions covered will be s

In many ways, applying for a loan has never been easier. Interest rates are comparatively low and competition among lenders for new business is intense. So it can come as a shock when a loan application is turned down. The reason is often a bad personal credit score, but few people understand what that is, let alone how to improve it. Having a good credit score can help you secure the best financial deals, but first you need to understand what your credit score is and what s

When loved ones become frail and elderly, families may feel that moving them into a retirement home is their only option. But that’s no longer the case. Recent changes to home care provision funding now give older people more choice and control over the type of assistance they can receive if they want to keep living at home. As of 28 February, you can now stipulate the type of service you want and choose a care provider who is sympathetic and culturally appropriate for your

Life insurance is one of the most important investments you can make to protect your family’s future well-being. And like any investment, it needs careful consideration. Taking out too little or too much insurance can be costly. Failing to disclose all relevant information to an insurer could result in a claim being denied – possibly after years of paying premiums – just when you need help most. Negotiating in good faith Heartbreaking stories about insurance companies failin

Planning your retirement isn’t just about what you are going to do once you stop work. It’s also about planning the actual process to make the most of your accumulated wealth. This includes tax planning. After all, the less tax you pay, the more you can spend on the things that matter most to you in retirement. To begin with, you might want to consider the month in which you retire. If it’s a retirement brought on by redundancy, there could be a healthy lump sum with accumul

With interest rates on the rise, now is the time to look at ways to fast track your mortgage. After all, the sooner you pay off your mortgage, the less you will pay in interest. That’s probably why nine out of ten Australian mortgage holders told a recent finder.com.au survey that they try to pay back their mortgage ahead of time.i So what are the ways you can fast track your mortgage and minimise your interest payments? Increase your repayments The most popular strategy is

Spending more time with your family. Picking up a brand new hobby. Exploring exotic destinations for longer than your scant weeks of annual leave would allow. However you paint it, retirement is a beautiful goal to work towards. And starting early means you’ve got more time and energy to enjoy it. Early retirement has become a popular financial goal for Aussies from a wide variety of different backgrounds and circumstances. A 2016 global survey found that out of 17 countries

A quality education is a lifelong resource and a powerful launching pad for young Australians. But with education costs rising at more than twice the rate of inflation, it’s more important than ever to plan ahead for the investment you’re making in your child. i Grandparents may also like to help their family by investing money for the future school and university costs of their grandchildren. This is becoming increasingly common with 29% of grandparents wanting to draw dow

Australians’ long-lasting love affair with property is a major factor in our increased wealth but there are growing concerns that heavy dependence on a single investment strategy may not be healthy. Like every asset class, property moves in cycles and the cracks could be starting to appear in a market that has made Australians the richest people in the world. According to the latest global wealth report from investment bank Credit Suisse, Australia has the third highest lev

Decisions around aged care are always difficult and emotional. From the start of next year they are likely to get even more complex, with both the Age Pension and aged care sectors set for another shake-up. Currently, many people entering aged care choose to keep their former home and rent it out to help with their accommodation payments. This strategy can be attractive, as your former home and any rental income are exempt from assessment for the Age Pension. But this could

Super tips in your 50s If you plan to retire in the next 10 to 15 years, you may need to focus more on your super. Consider making extra contributions and reviewing your investment strategy. Be aware that if you make contributions greater than the super contributions caps you will have to pay extra tax. Super tips in your 60s From age 65, most people have unrestricted access to their super. However, your investment options remain very important to ensure you have enough money

Superannuation should never be a ‘set and forget’ strategy. The start of a new year is a good time to review your circumstances, and perhaps set some new goals to help boost retirement savings. With a few changes to superannuation that applied from 1 July 2014, it is important to understand how they may apply to you. The following are some considerations. Making extra contributions The general concessional contributions cap is $30,000 for 2014-2015 (up from $25,000 for 2013

Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) are the fastest growing segment of the super industry. But this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best choice for everyone. As at June 2015, there were 556,998 SMSFs in Australia, with a total of $571,802 million worth of assets. There are many compelling reasons why SMSFs are so popular — and equally persuasive reasons as to why they don’t suit everyone. The pros If you’re a keen, experienced investor, with at least $200,000 to i