by Bottrell WealthMany of us would like to think that ‘older’ means ‘wiser’, but when it comes to money that isn’t always the case. The complexity of Australia’s superannuation and pension systems doesn’t help. The upshot is that there are a number of common mistakes that retiring and retired Australians make. What are those mistakes and how […]
by Bottrell WealthMany people eagerly anticipate retirement. Others view its approach with trepidation, worried over how they’ll fill their days. Bob retired from work in his early sixties and, deciding he was way too young to retire from life, downsized his suburban home for a country lakeside retreat. He bought a little boat, adopted a shelter-dog and […]
by Bottrell WealthMany grandparents want to give their grandchildren a head start in life, and a common way to do so is to help by paying some (or all) of their school fees. This can, of course, simply be done by making a contribution at the time the fees are payable. However, it’s not unusual for grandparents […]
by Bottrell WealthAre you taking care of elderly parents? Do you still have adult children living at home? Do the words ‘meat’ and ‘sandwich’ strike any chords with you? You could be a member of the “Sandwich Generation” without realising it! Sandwich Generation refers to people who are ‘sandwiched’ between caring for elderly parents and adult children […]
by Bottrell WealthIt’s not really a sacrifice If you are earning more than you need to live comfortably, salary sacrificing may be an attractive option to reduce your tax, boost your superannuation and prepare for a more comfortable retirement later on. Salary sacrificing simply involves having part of your salary paid into a superannuation fund by your […]
by Bottrell WealthWith Australians marrying later in life and staying married for longer, the median age of divorce has risen over the last 20 years. It now stands at 45.5 years for males and 42.9 years for females. Couples who remain together into their 50s experience a lower divorce rate than younger age groups, but even so […]
by Bottrell WealthYes, that sounds incredible but the Australian Tax Office announced in November 2018 that there is an unclaimed (lost) superannuation account holding approximately $220,000! That’s enough to make you find out if it could be yours – or a family member’s? Anyone who has changed their name, address or job (that accounts for a few […]
by Bottrell WealthEver wanted to be a writer? Retired and thinking of new popular retirement careers to earn money? Published author, Karen Turner, shares her experiences, navigating the unpredictable but satisfying world of professional writing. They say everyone has a story to tell – but can you make a living from writing? Truth is, it’s very difficult […]
by Bottrell WealthOver 65? Thinking of selling your home? Since 1st July 2018 you may be eligible to contribute up to $300,000 ($600,000 for a couple) from the proceeds of the sale of your home to your superannuation fund. This incentive, known as the ‘downsizer contribution’, is part of a federal government program to improve housing affordability. […]
by Bottrell WealthMany self-employed people view the sale of their business as their retirement fund – their superannuation. So just like ensuring that superannuation investments are being well managed, business owners need to plan ahead to ensure their business can continue to provide a reliable income after they retire. One of our new clients, Dale,* is a […]