2020: Lessons from an exceptional year
The past 12 months have reinforced some basic rules of investing.
If 80 is the new 60, we need to plan for longevity risk
How our perceptions of ageing have changed. Forget 50 being the new 40, it could be that 80 is the new 60 - and this has profound implications for our retirement savings.
Paul's Insights: Are your grown children eroding your wealth?
I suspect there are few times in life when we take more notice of our investments, and the performance of asset markets, than in the years just before and during retirement. While many people in these life stages worry about the potential for market downturns, their wealth can be impacted far more profoundly by something much simpler - providing financial support to their adult children.
Paul's Insights: Is it even worth having a savings account?
The Reserve Bank's decision to cut the official cash rate to a historic low of 0.1% was something of a blow for anyone trying to grow cash savings. But there are still valid reasons to hang onto a savings account.
Paul's Insights: A cash lure can be easy bait
Cashback deals to refinance a home loan are becoming commonplace. But do they offer good value?
Paul's Insights: Credit card debt hits 16-year low
The way we pay for things is changing - and in a major turnaround, Australians have wiped $6.3 billion off the nation's credit card debt during COVID.
Paul's Insights: Over 200,000 Australians launch new business during pandemic
Plenty of Australians have seen their working week - and income - cut short as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. But in true Aussie have-a-go style, around 200,000 of these people have turned the situation around, using it as an opportunity to start their own business.
Paul's Insights: Super savings benefit from Budget reforms
Australia's super savings are now worth more than $3 trillion. That's good news, but there are weak spots in the system including over $20 billion in lost and forgotten accounts, and close to four in ten people still have more than one super account.
Paul's Insights: Pandemic makes us more proactive about money
One of the few upsides of COVID-19 is that Australians are taking a closer look at how they manage their money.
Paul's Insights: How investors are overcoming analysis paralysis
As consumers we love choice. As investors, having too much choice can make us feel uncomfortable. But there is a way to overcome analysis paralysis and still build a diverse portfolio.
Paul's Insights: Women invest to close the gender gap
A growing number of Australia women are investing in shares, and it could close the gender wealth gap.
Paul's Insights: The new trend that can break good money habits
Buying now is easy. Paying for purchases later can be a lot harder, and a new report shows 'buy now, pay later' services (BNPL) are leading some Australians into financial trouble.
Paul's Insights: COVID crisis encourages investors to diversify
The latest ASX Australian Investor Study shows how investors have responded to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the news is surprisingly good.
Paul's Insights: DIY super funds switch to low risk investments
New research from index fund manager - Vanguard, shows that COVID-19 has seen self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) switch out of shares and into low risk investments.
Paul's Insights: Cash in, invest or reinvest?
A key issue for investors is whether to tick the box for a dividend reinvestment plan or take the money as cash.
Paul's Insights: Playing catch-up with your super
We've all had plenty to deal with this year, so it's no surprise that carry-forward super contributions may have passed under the radar of many pre-retirees.
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