If you’re the eldest sibling in the family or deemed to be the ‘most responsible’; if you’re seen to be a good friend by someone; or a fine upstanding citizen by others, chances are you will be asked to be an executor of someone’s Will.

After you’ve enjoyed the warm feeling of being wanted, just pause for a moment and take stock of what it really means to assume this most important role.

Australian millennials are facing an unprecedented challenge when it comes to planning for retirement. Many will never fully retire, as they will be unable to accumulate the necessary funds to support themselves for an extended period.

With the cost of living steadily increasing and many millennials grappling with large debts and limited financial resources, it is likely that more of the millennial generation will have to work well into their traditional ‘retirement’ years.

Budgets are overrated.Being in control of your money doesn't mean budgeting.I often come across busy professionals who have hesitated to seek help with their money for years because they dread the idea of pulling out the calculator every night and meticulously tracking their expenses. However, budgets don't work for most people and there are other ways.

More money is not necessarily an accurate measurement of financial success. Money is just one part of financial success. The more critical aspect is what we do with the money we earn.

Real financial success is attained when the accumulation of wealth or achieved income is enough to support your ideal life for the rest of your life.

Some might define it simply as financial freedom.

The recent emphasis on job insecurity may have prompted some to rush out and purchase income protection cover (disability income protection insurance). Many may have mistakenly assumed they were protecting themselves from the risk of future unemployment.

Maria is Greek and was living in Sydney with her Australian husband Peter when her elderly mother became ill. The couple visited Greece to care for Maria’s mum, and Peter was able to continue his Australian job online.

Recent events have caused many to re-evaluate their life priorities and many dream of experiencing another country’s culture while earning a living.

A survey by the University of Melbourne How Australians feel about their finances and financial services providers asked respondents about their biggest financial regrets.

Top of the list was ‘not saving enough’, followed by ‘not investing enough’, ‘not planning enough’, ‘not learning about money’, and ‘spending beyond my means’.

I've been working with a lawyer in her early 30s, and we've been going through our strategy process together.

She has been excelling in her career but was struggling with long working hours and battling the crowds to find a seat on the morning train.

She was feeling like she had no life outside of work, and wanted to "get a life" as she put it.

Let’s look at some recent news headlines and add some logic…

More than $3.5 trillion in inherited funds are expected to change hands within Australia during the next 20 years, with Australians enjoying one of the highest inheritance payout rates anywhere in the world.

Becoming a parent is an exciting time of adjustment and upheaval; how could such a little person create so many changes – and sleepless nights?

But lack of sleep shouldn’t be caused by financial worries and reduced household income.

They say all good things must come to an end… and that includes your home loan fixed interest rate period. 

If your fixed rate expiry is coming up, you might have started to think about what happens next and what action you need to take.

Life gets so busy and the months soon roll into years when suddenly you find that your finances are off track and you’re nowhere near achieving your goals. Instead of thinking it’s all too hard take a few moments to review the following tips.

According to research by the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) (September 2022), 60% of Australians reported having personally been a victim of a scam or knew someone who had, and 57% of Australians reported becoming more concerned about scams over the last 12 months. This is unsurprising given the constant flow of suspicious emails, texts, phone calls, and more that Australians are bombarded with. CBA’s research shows that Australians receive roughly five scam calls, emails, or messages a week, equating to over 250 attempts a year. Not to mention the recent rise in high profile data breaches and cyber-attacks that seem to have become a consistent theme in the media. 

While millennials have for decades been treated like ‘the children of Neverland, who never grew up’, the reality is fast catching up with this generation, who are now young adults between the ages of 24 and 40.

Like generations before them, many are now buying, or at least trying to buy, homes and starting families of their own. And with this, the stark reality is that their retirement is looming just around the corner.

FIRE… Financial Independence, Retire Early. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

It’s easy to see why the FIRE movement is burning hot across the younger generations. The notions of financial independence and early retirement are surely appealing to the majority.

But as with most good things, it comes at a price, and it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons to decide what is right for you.

Many investors want to know that their investments are making a positive impact on our world and its inhabitants.

Socially responsible investment or ethical investing fits this bill with investors asking the hard questions about how profits are being made. Companies that make their millions through environmentally destructive behaviour or are socially irresponsible may find it harder to raise money when going public.

Want to be your own boss but not sure where to start?

Some people’s dream is to nurture a business idea through to success. Calling the shots, working their preferred hours and achieving financial independence fires their dream.

Many people have a great idea but are overwhelmed when they look to turn their idea into a thriving business. Here are 5 tips for translating your dream into reality. 

Your life insurance is flexible and can be adapted to your changing needs.

Make sure you have a cover review with your adviser every 12-18 months to ensure you’re covered for just the right amount, paying the right amount, and getting the best value from your policy.

With all the convenience of credit cards and buy before you pay available today, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of living beyond your income. But what does this convenience really cost you?