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Personal Finance

Yesterday

More than 1 million people are missing out on thousands of dollars a year in benefits from the Commonwealth Seniors Heath Card because they may not know they are eligible.

1 million retirees are missing out on this $60,000 perk

Changes in eligibility rules mean that more than 1 million people are entitled to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card but do not claim it.

  • Andrew Hobbs

How to build a portfolio using just three ETFs

It is possible to create a simple yet powerful portfolio with a handful of low-cost, exchange-traded funds.

  • Shani Jayamanne

This Month

Gold has reached a record high of AU$4630.

Why you should consider gold over faddish private credit

Over the past five years, the precious metal has significantly outperformed government bonds, establishing itself as a compelling option for defensive investors seeking strong long-term returns.

  • Chris Brycki
Increases at high-end private schools ranging from 5 per cent to as high at 9.8 per cent.

Six ways to get ahead of private school fee inflation

The kids are back at school and your bank account has just taken another hit. Here are some tips for getting in front of next year’s rises.

  • Michelle Bowes
Think a will is unfair to you? You’re part of a growing number of people.

The reason so many adult children are challenging wills 

Soaring property prices have increased the size of the prize in inheritance disputes. And the bigger the estate, the better your chances. 

  • Lucy Dean and Joanna Mather
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What the ATO wants to know about your family’s succession plan

The founders of some of the nation’s most successful family business will soon turn 70, and the ATO wants to know what comes next.

  • Michelle Bowes
Elizabeth McArthur would rather pay the ‘singles tax’ than end up with the wrong guy.

The ‘singles tax’ stings, but can you put a price on happiness?

Studies suggest the price of choosing to live alone could be anywhere between 3 per cent and 15 per cent.

  • Lucy Dean

Avoiding tax traps of succession planning

The ATO has telegraphed an interest in the intergenerational wealth transfer, which means taxpayers are probably getting something wrong.

  • Mark Molesworth

January

Accountants working for higher net worth individuals are already fielding calls for   advice.

ATO to crack down on Baby Boomer wealth transfer ‘risks’

The Australian Taxation Office says it will zero in on Baby Boomers restructuring private companies to pass billions onto their heirs.

  • Michelle Bowes

Six easy steps to retirement readiness (and one hard one)

There are no courses on how to plan for retirement, so we have done some of the work for you.

  • Andrew Hobbs
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What interest rate cuts will mean for your money

February is firming as the month that the Reserve Bank will cut the cash rate, which will have flow-on effects for shares, property and term deposits.

  • Michelle Bowes
Simone Boer at home in Lara, which is 18 km north-east of the Geelong. She says property investing affords her a more relaxed lifestyle.

‘How I plan to make $300,000 in passive income by 50’

Even with an $8 million property portfolio, Simone Boer and her partner, Paul Kudilczak, can’t quit their day jobs – yet.

  • Alexandra Cain and Lucy Dean
His and hers: Donald Trump and first lady Melania have both issued meme coins.

Trump meme coins are a disaster in waiting

Whatever one’s view of the value of cryptocurrencies, something about this moment feels like a story that won’t end well.

  • Lionel Laurent
Market watchers on edge as for when the next big stimulus will materialise.

Money managers are eyeing these 3 bright spots in Chinese stocks

Firms that might benefit from higher US tariffs and discount retailers are among the pockets of value.

  • John Cheng, Winnie Hsu and Abhishek Vishnoi
November 7, 2024, was our largest share trading day by value ever.

Why Millennials are going all-in on US stocks and ETFs

Nearly 70 per cent of total trading volume on our platform this month to date was in American equities, which is double the same period last year.

  • Demetria Chelepy
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There are strong tailwinds pushing crypto towards mainstream credibility.

Baby Boomers are buying crypto. Should you?

Cryptocurrencies are hurtling towards mainstream acceptance despite their volatility, proximity to criminal activity and susceptibility to speculative bubbles.

  • Michelle Bowes
Rosie Wilson, a young investor.

How this Millennial plans to get wealthy even as a ‘forever renter’

What if the great Australian dream could be rewritten to exclude home ownership? Young people like Rosie Wilson are giving it a red hot go.

  • Lucy Dean
Shani Jayamanne, director and investment specialist at Morningstar, is a self-confessed “lazy investor”.

How to become a lazy investor (and yes, it’s a good thing)

Set-and-forget investing can get good results over long periods, but you’ll need to overcome the temptation to trade.

  • Michelle Bowes
You should really pay yourself first, say advisers. Here’s how to do it.

Wealthy people tend to have mastered this simple savings strategy

Automating your savings so that on payday money is immediately funnelled into accounts to meet your long-term goals is one of the simplest ways to get ahead.

  • Lucy Dean
Kerrie Claffey, pictured inside her glider at Temora Airport, is ready for take-off.

I have no spouse or kids. This is what my will looks like

Kerrie Claffey has mapped out plans to leave money to charities close to her heart.

  • Lucy Dean
The application process is lengthy but you’ll be able to relax knowing prescriptions will be cheaper.

Why the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is so sought-after

The card extends lower-cost health and medical services enjoyed by government age pensioners to self-funded retirees.

  • John Wasiliev
Eric Siegloff with Christine Collins, whose face we have deliberately blurred at her request.

What it’s like to fall for a crypto scam

Christine Collins, 79, was unknowingly in the thrall of cryptocurrency scammers who had hacked her computer.

  • Nina Hendy
Aidan Saarman, Tony Saarman, Pauline Saarman and Taryn Saarman outside their home.

They own 8 properties but this couple still had FOMO for their kids

In a panic over property prices some parents are rushing to gift or lend their kids money for a home deposit. But certain strategies are better than others.

  • Lucy Dean
Scambaiters do a very important job, investigator Ken Gamble says.

‘Scambaiters’ turn the tables – and police – on internet fraudsters

Vigilantes are devising elaborate ways to waste fraudsters time or trick them into revealing information about their operations that can be shared with authorities.

  • Alice Kantor and Robin Fall
Vivian Tu has mastered a candy-coated version of financial advice,

This ‘Wall Street Girly’ wants to make wealth more accessible

Vivian Tu is the latest in a long tradition of women talking to women about economics, business and personal finance – and with TikTok she can reach millions.

  • Jeanna Smialek

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/wealth/personal-finance