Term Deposit vs Term Account
When you're looking for a simple, fixed-rate investment for your cash, you might come across two terms that sound almost identical: a Term Deposit and a Term Account. Don’t let the similar names fool you; these are two completely different financial products with vastly different levels of risk.
Setting Up Your Financial Shock Absorber
We often treat our finances as a simple monthly cycle: get paid, pay bills, save what's left. But in reality, money never flows that smoothly. Life is full of 'lumpy' expenses which are costs that aren't monthly but are absolutely predictable and guaranteed to arrive, like quarterly insurance premiums, annual registrations, or unexpected medical fees. These costs are often too big for your regular monthly budget, but too small or predictable to be covered by your massive, long-term emergency fund. This is why you need a dedicated financial buffer fund.
October 2025 Market Updates
In October 2025, the Australian economy presented a mixed picture. While the S&P/ASX 200 saw modest gains, it was significantly outpaced by the robust, tech-driven rally of the US S&P 500. Domestically, the Australian residential property market continued its strong growth, with low listings and high buyer demand pushing prices up across the country, particularly in Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin. However, a higher-than-expected inflation figure for the September quarter has put a halt to expectations of further interest rate cuts by the RBA, with the cash rate now anticipated to remain on hold at 3.6% for the foreseeable future.
Tax Time! Don’t Forget Your Investment Income
With the 31 October deadline approaching, it’s a great time to ensure your tax return is complete, particularly if you have investment earnings. While your salary details usually pre-fill, the responsibility for accurately reporting income from assets like rental properties, shares, and cryptocurrency rests solely with you, and the ATO is actively using its advanced data-matching capabilities to check this information. This article walks you through some of the most common types of investment income that people sometimes forget to include
Is Immediate Relief on your Mortgage Worth the Long-Term Cost?
The path to home ownership in Australia keeps getting tougher, forcing buyers and owners to consider flexible loan structures. These options can ease monthly repayments in the short term but come with an important caveat: you’ll pay substantially more interest over the life of the loan. If you’re weighing up a home loan option that defers part of the debt burden to the future, here’s a straightforward look at commonly used structures offering this temporary affordability.
The Real Cost of a 5% Deposit Mortgage
The government's 5% deposit scheme is a fantastic opportunity for first-home buyers, allowing you to enter the market sooner while avoiding Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can easily save you $20,000-$30,000 upfront. However, it's important to look beyond this initial saving and consider the long-term trade-offs. Because a smaller deposit means a larger loan, the financial relief of skipping LMI can be quickly overshadowed by the strain of higher monthly repayments and the staggering amount of extra interest you'll pay over the life of the loan.
How to Maximise Your Age Pension
Making the most of the Age Pension isn’t about dizzying formulas or dry legal jargon — it’s about everyday choices that genuinely shape comfort and security in retirement. From turning the family home into an even greater asset, to simple steps like updating how much Centrelink thinks your car is worth, these practical strategies are based on real stories and proven tips that can help retirees enjoy a worry-free retirement, stretch every dollar further, and feel confident about their financial future.
September 2025 Market Updates
In September 2025, the Australian ASX 200 lagged while the US S&P 500 hit record highs after a Federal Reserve rate cut and strong tech earnings. Australia’s housing market showed steady growth, supported by low supply and new first-home buyer incentives, as the Reserve Bank of Australia awaits key inflation data before deciding on further rate changes