
IFC Articles

Why many of us need a super savings nudge
Making extra contributions into super can go a long way.

Surviving the silly season
Ah, Christmas! - the time of year when your bank account shrinks, your social calendar explodes, and your family dynamics resemble a poorly scripted soap opera. As we navigate this festive minefield of shopping, social gatherings, and feasting, it’s common to feel a little frazzled.

Adding bonds to your investment mix
Bonds can play an important role in investment portfolios, but what exactly are they, what are their benefits, and how do you invest in them?

How do retirement income options compare?
Retirement is filled with opportunities and choices. There’s the time to travel more, work on long-delayed personal projects or volunteer your help to worthwhile causes.

Keeping records of shares and units
When you sell your shares in companies or units in managed funds, most of the records you need will be given to you by the company, the fund manager or your stockbroker.

Are you an impulsive spender?
A ‘money mindset’ is a way of thinking about personal finance. Your money mindset can change over time, and it may help explain your spending and savings habits. Understanding this can help you build habits and strategies to better manage your money.

Super contributions
If you're employed, your employer should be paying a percentage of your earnings into your super account.
It's worth checking to make sure you're being paid the right amount.
If you can afford it, making extra contributions is a great way to boost your retirement savings. And it can reduce your tax. If you're on a low income, you may be eligible for extra contributions from the government.

Five useful budgeting tips for a growing family
It can be surprising just how much you need to spend before your baby even arrives.

Transition to retirement: Access your super while you keep working
A 'transition to retirement' (TTR) strategy lets you access some of your super and keep working.

Five ingredients of a great super fund
If you stay with the default super fund provided by your employer there’s a chance you’ll miss out on thousands in super.

To sell or not to sell is the question for moving into aged care
Moving into residential aged care can trigger a range of emotions, particularly if it involves the sale of the family home.

Investing cycles - Lessons from the Magnificent 7
When it comes to investing in shares, it’s often said that time is your friend.

Outright home ownership is the great retirement dream
Retiring without a mortgage has a large positive impact on retirement confidence.

Getting on top of debt
While the Federal Government’s recent announcement about providing some relief for those with student debt is anticipated to help those with student loans, debt can hold you back financially, so let’s look at some ways to free yourself if debt is becoming a burden.

Disposing of shares
How to dispose of shares

Spending your kids’ inheritance
Many Australians expect an inheritance, but their parents may have a different view.

Selling your home? Here are the first steps to take
There's more to selling your home than putting up a ‘For Sale’ sign on your front lawn.

The value of one-click gearing
Gearing as part of a strategy to accelerate wealth accumulation is universally understood. It's only ever suitable for investors with an appetite for risk because it magnifies both your profits and losses. But the inner workings of an internally geared share fund or ETF are not as widely acknowledged, much less understood.

The advantages of investing early
You may have heard it said, "No risk, no reward." But did you know that time can actually decrease your risk while increasing your reward?

What you need to know about construction loans
If you are building or undertaking major renovations to your home, you may be looking for a construction loan. Unlike a standard loan, a construction loan allows you to pay for each stage of the build without having to come up with all the funds upfront.