Retirement Spending Articles

Learning to spend what you can afford

Learning to spend what you can afford

Keeping Retirement Simple – Part 4 In his book Straight Talk on Investing, a friend of mine, Jack Brennan, former CEO of The Vanguard Group, gives his views on the most important piece of advice.  “Live below your means….simply put, you must not spend...

Your retirement horizon and your spending level

Your retirement horizon and your spending level

Keeping Retirement Simple – Part 2 In Australia, we’re responsible for our retirement. The government helps with the Age Pension and Aged Care. But the rest we supply ourselves through our super and other savings and perhaps some work...

Loans in retirement: Time for a rethink?

Loans in retirement: Time for a rethink?

One of the best things about writing articles and explainers for Retirement Essentials is the quality of the comments we receive in return. A recent article on the ‘classic dilemma’ of paying off debt or retaining a mortgage (but earning more in other ways)...

When cash is trashed …

When cash is trashed …

What are your options? The other day I needed a $100 note for a gift for someone. I didn’t have my purse with debit card on me, but I did have my phone which has my debit account App installed. So I popped into the bank and expected to be able to wave my...

Aged care costs explainer: Who pays and when?

Aged care costs explainer: Who pays and when?

The funding of aged care can seem complex and that’s because there are different contributions for different aspects of care. Deeming also plays a part. Many people will delay discussions about, aged care, or underplay the need for a reasonable understanding...

Heading to Italy on an Age Pension

Heading to Italy on an Age Pension

How Don afforded his dream trip Are you also dreaming of a big trip in 2024? So many of us are and Christmas is often when we have the time to check out airfares, accommodation and take the plunge. But how do you know if you can afford a big trip? How do you...