With stagnant wages growth, rising housing and health costs, and utility prices going through the roof, we seem to be spending more on essential household items and less on discretionary goods. Savings continue to be under pressure and the fact is that many Australians will be under prepared in the event of an emergency. So how can you possibly get ahead in such circumstances?
Do a budget
In my last book, The One-Page Financial Plan, I made some suggestions that may help you. The most important is the simple process of awareness through a budget. By creating a budget, as mind-numbing as that can appear, it can change your life because you become more aware of where you and your partner are spending your money. You can download my budget spreadsheet at hendersonmaxwell.com.au/free stuff.
Get on the same page
It’s very difficult to maintain your budget if you have a partner, potentially a non Money magazine reader, who isn’t on the same page as you. I’ve seen figures indicating that around 60% of couples argue over money, so expressing yourself in a constructive and respectful manner can literally pay dividends. We spend so much time finding partners who share our values, and financial values are just as important when it comes to maintaining a comfortable and stress-free lifestyle.
Ask for a pay rise
Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Money Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Money Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
An outrageous, beautiful monopoly
Telstra's mobile business is a cash machine with few competitors, giving it the highest returns in the world.
Drop the anchor to judge value
Buying and selling decisions should be based on where a stock price is going, not where it has been.
Powering the AI boom
Beyond the software and chipmakers, where will the energy come from?
Get into life
Tucked inside super are products that can protect you from life's inevitable uncertainties.
Paths to home ownership
Taking the road less travelled can sometimes deliver unexpected benefits.
Sold! Quick ways to add value
Small, strategic changes can have a big impact on the look and feel of your home. And get you a better price on auction day.
Money lessons the kids need to know
Your children can learn a lot from your past money mishaps. Here are eight financial conversations I have had with mine.
Property-investing rules: are they likely to change?
The pressure for the government to curb the tax benefits of tax concessions, such as negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, is unrelenting. Most recently, independent senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie proposed five options for paring back investment property tax concessions, with savings to the Federal budget of up to $60 billion over the next decade.
What's love got to do with it?
A rollercoaster of emotions could be driving poor crypto behaviour.
Are we ready to be cash-free?
Saying goodbye to our piggy banks too soon could leave small businesses in the dark when problems arise.
