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ipac is one of Australia's largest financial advisory firms and has offices based across the country. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the AMP Group, ipac specialises in research and financial advice that helps clients lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
Traditionally, when two people decided to get married, everything that you owned became the property of your spouse. The term what's yours is mine and vice versa is also quite appropriate to describe the way your finances intertwined. However, these days this is not always the case - mainly because not everyone chooses to get hitched. Regardless, you should be aware of the rules around money matters and de facto relationships. So what is … [Read more...]
When it comes to buying a home, it is fair to say that many women get very excited at the prospect of owning a house. However, the key to being able to make the dream into a reality is putting a savings plan in place. This is where a little bit of perseverance is likely to get you a long way. Taking a closer look at your incomings and outgoings can help you to create a budget to save for a house. For some people, figuring out their … [Read more...]
No matter how old you are, everyone needs a financial backup plan and this is why having funds specifically for emergencies is a great choice. Having an emergency fund is also an important aspect to consider when you are trying to assess your money health. Getting into a regular habit of putting money aside for a rainy day is likely to be one of the smartest moves that you can make. One of the advantages of a simple strategy like this is … [Read more...]
Getting engaged can be a very exhilarating feeling indeed. However, often in the aftermath of the big announcement it dawns on you just how expensive weddings can become. Your first thought may be to find a good wedding planner to help create the day of your dreams without breaking the bank. However, another consideration to make your big day the best that it can be is to talk to a financial planning adviser. One of the first steps to … [Read more...]
It is a well-known fact that women tend to live longer than men, making it even more important for women to start saving for retirement as soon as possible. For many of us it is hard to think past the end of the year, never mind to the time when you will be looking to retire. While most businesses and organisations do usually have some sort of superannuation fund available - although bear in mind this may vary across industries - this … [Read more...]
It is a well-known fact that going food shopping when you are hungry can lead to you buying extra food and not necessarily the right type of food. The same is true of shopping for personal items and this may be something to be aware of the next time you are popping out to the shops. The chances are that if you are feeling stressed or just in a rush you could end up spending more on impulsive purchases. Retail therapy is all well and good … [Read more...]
When it comes to the financial fallout from divorce, it seems that splitting up and dividing assets go hand in hand. But having the right financial plan can help steer women through the financial strain that often comes about after a divorce. Research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) shows that divorce can often have a negative impact on the personal finances of both men and women. AIFS director professor Alan Hayes … [Read more...]
Did you know a financial plan may also boost your health? Household budgeting can be challenging, but it could help to safeguard your family's health and wellbeing. Most mums are all too aware of how important a balanced diet is for their family's health and the benefits of eating nutritious foods. And along with helping your kids grow, the choices you make at the grocery store could also help you save money on household costs. According to … [Read more...]
Are you ready to get your finances in shape this financial year? Our team of expert financial planners will give you the tools you need to start saving now. Despite the fact it rolls around every year, the number of people who make new financial year resolutions only seems to grow. And while some people may have difficulty finding areas of their life they would like to change, the vast majority men and women are pretty good at spotting bad … [Read more...]
Financial planning and end of financial year. The financial year ends on June 30 - make sure your finances are in order to maximise tax and other entitlements. Last week we talked about the 2011 Westpac Women's Financial Health Report - the results of which weren't too positive regarding Australian women and their attitudes toward their own future financial security. And while the prevailing trend seems to be toward a limited amount of … [Read more...]
A report by Westpac has found that women are not planning financially for gaps in their career cycle. While saving for retirement is a concern for all Australians, knowing how and when to maximise your wealth can be tricky. This is one of the reasons why utilising the services of a financial planner can be so helpful - an industry specialist will be well-placed to assist you with a long-term strategy for savings. And according to a … [Read more...]
For women in the workforce, the atmosphere of equality is certainly different to that of the last generation. However the fight for a more balanced working environment for women across all industries and sectors continues, as does the removal of other disincentives to female roles in the workforce. The federal government released its Women's Statement 2012 on May 15, detailing a collection of reforms that aim to contribute toward the … [Read more...]
The importance of initiating a robust scheme of savings for retirement is a concern for many Australian women, however for those in the so-called Sandwich Generation the challenges can be much more difficult. As women begin to live longer, the chances of having to look after parents and children simultaneously begin to rise - this is the challenge of the generation 'sandwiched' between them. According to the Australian Bureau Of Statistics … [Read more...]
With many Australian women enjoying a higher level of financial freedom later in life than the generations preceding them, the transition to retirement for many will be approached with a sense of anticipation. The changing face of retirement has seen a tilt toward enjoying our post-work years with vigour - this is perhaps a symptom of our rising life expectancy as well. For those ladies aged 55 years or over who are still in employment and … [Read more...]
Women in their 40s and 50s may feel as if it is too late to start saving for retirement. It can be hard to start saving later in life, but this doesn't mean that it is impossible. There are simple steps individuals can take in order to sure up the odds of living well later in life - it just takes a little elbow grease. Taking the time to go through your finances and calculate how much of your current income things like grocery bills and … [Read more...]
Superannuation is an important issue for men and women right across Australia. But it's women who need to get on top of personal finances and superannuation. It may not have the sex appeal of a trading room floor, but superannuation is a hot button issue in Australia at the moment. With more and more people staying in the workforce longer, as well as an increasing life expectancy, the total cost of retirement is raising a few … [Read more...]
A new study has found that Gen Y is largely 'financially fit', while other sectors of the community struggle to keep on top of money matters. When it comes to making smart financial decisions, it can be hard to know where to begin. This is because people are all different and while there are those that have a knack for counting pennies, others find it difficult to hold onto loose change. But there are often key trends among different … [Read more...]
From the time she starts school or walks into her first job, the number one thing women are constantly learning is how to negotiate. And it is these skills - along with the addition of strong role models - that will help members of the fairer sex excel in the workplace, according to one financial expert. "It's important for women to be in decision-making levels to help reshape the culture of organisations," explained a non-executive … [Read more...]
According to one expert, women would do well to build on their financial knowledge and look to play a greater role in their investment portfolio. When it comes to building wealth there is certainly no shortage of information available to the average person these days. The internet has enabled easy and private information searching that can lead you to a plethora of advice, statistics and options for how to make best use of your income on … [Read more...]
Get your 14-day Free Trial to Weight Watchers Online 2013 – no obligation, cancel at anytime! Sometimes with our busy lives it can be tricky to plan 30 minutes out of your day every week, or you might prefer to self-manage your weight-loss. So as an alternative to attending meetings, Weight Watchers offers you the option to follow the ProPoints Plan and the new Weight Watchers 360° Online. … [Read More...]