Retirement planning often starts with a mix of fear and determination—the worry of getting it wrong and the drive to work things out. Many people reach out with similar concerns, unsure of their options or whether they’re making costly mistakes. The good...
If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to put a smile on Jeremy Duffield’s face, it’s time with his grandkids. But getting together is tricky, as half are based in far-off Scandinavia. Which makes family holidays all the more precious. What’s that got to do...
If so, could these solutions help? A recent report claims Australian retirees are stressed and that a government product would solve this problem. That’s a big statement, so today we are digging a bit deeper to see what the claimed problem is – and whether...
Geopolitical events, such as wars or global pandemics, can disrupt and cause significant volatility in markets. While these events are beyond our control, understanding their impact on your investments —and how to manage risk effectively—can protect your...
Steve and Jenny had recently retired, but had a nagging feeling that they could have organised their super better. Their balance was substantial, but they wanted a second opinion on whether they had missed anything that mattered when it came to accessing...
Your questions on gifting answered When we wrote about the basics of gifting in late December, we thought Amanda Hardy Lai’s article, Gifting gone wrong, had covered most of the detail. But the thing the team at Retirement Essentials loves most about our...
I remember presenting to an investors’ association and talking about long-term investing. It was a fun group, mostly retirees. One guy quipped: “What’s long term? We’re so old we don’t even buy green bananas any more.” Well, that certainly...
Do you need to reconsider your financial approach based on changes? Some life events make it obvious that it’s time to revisit your finances - being made redundant, receiving an inheritance, or a major health event. But smaller, less noticeable changes...
We can all get a dopamine hit from choosing the perfect gift, knowing the happiness it can spark. But in the realm of financial planning, not every act of generosity comes without strings. Without careful thought, well-meaning gifts can backfire,...