YOUR EDITORIAL TEAM
Mieke Buchan
The Advantage – Head of Content and Brand.
A 20 year veteran of Australian and American television and radio (FoxUSA, ESPN, SBS, 2GB, TripleM), each week Mieke and the team will explore the headlines and trends influencing all of our daily lives.
Passionate advocates for personal financial empowerment, at the Advantage, we know that much of our success and happiness in life literally depends on it. We all want to feel in charge of our own lives, and thats especially true when it comes to our finances; In our exclusive Advantage News, you’ll enjoy stories and insights to help you find that sense of greater understanding & control.
Ross Greenwood
Sky News’ Ross is one of the most trusted names in Australian media and finance.
Formerly the trusted face of finance on Channel Nine, he understands the differing and varying pressures Aussies face when they’re looking at optimising their money mix.
Ross has his finger on the pulse – always tapped into the concerns and questions of the everyday person, just trying to get ahead in life.
Each month, Ross breaks down his take on the stories and financial trends impacting you and your money today.. and tomorrow.
*The Advantage is proud to sponsor Ross’ weekend program on Sky News.
Shelly Horton
A familiar figure on Channel Nine, Shelly is known by many as the beloved and hugely successful host of the Married At First Sight “Talking Married” series.
She is also a respected social commentator, regularly appearing on Nine’s the Today Show to discuss issues that effect us all; at all ages and stages of life.
She’s also had a phenomenal female finance journey.
Each month, Shelly will share her personal insights and lessons learned, as she’s navigated the pitfalls and success strategies.. toward monetary security and financial success.
LATEST NEWS
- YOUR TOP 5 – NEWS QUICK BITE
How much do you really have to earn to have it all? Is money stress holding you back? We know that finding our how to get the most out of…read more - YOUR QUICK BITE
SCAM PATROL – “Banks and social media companies to be fined over scams under new Australian laws touted as ‘strongest in world” This one from the Guardian Australia With complaints…read more - Self Employed? Lets talk about money management.
Money habits are everything! Kissing the nine-to-five goodbye and becoming your own boss is a dizzying experience. The dreaming, the refining, the hustling, the self-promoting, the, you know, working! Let…read more - Crafty ways to save cash
Lets start with GIFTS Is there a better feeling than spreading a smile across a loved one’s face? Chocolate, sex, even 90-minute massages have got nothing on helping your favourite…read more - The way it really is
More jobs … more taxes … any speed-bumps ahead? Lets talk about the 2022 Australian budget and what it really means for all of us. This year the Government will…read more - Keeping up with the Joneses is stupid
Who doesnt overspend.. ? Keeping up with the Joneses is stupid. Whatever happened to running your own race? Aussies put so much pressure on themselves to keep up appearances they…read more - Are you going backwards financially?
*If you’re not fighting inflation, you are! Is your wage keeping up with inflation? The simple answer is, very sadly, no. While our incomes have all stayed flat, or even…read more - The Black Swans are in flightA “black swan” event is one that you don’t expect but one that you should account for. In finance, it broadly means something that nobody could have reasonably foreshadowed, but…read more
- Five ways to spend less on your grocery bill
Some of us shudder at Dad jokes. Others get clammy hearing compliments. But what makes me cringe? Tallying up all the money I’ve pretty much thrown away on groceries, that’s…read more - Take the money moral dilemmas out of your relationship!
Money is the cause of so many fights in relationships. Take the emotion out and get it down on paper. So, here are a few money moral dilemmas. I have…read more - Inflation – What you 100% need to understand
The delicate balance between inflation and interest rates A few months back I explained inflation … and that your personal inflation rate might be quite different from the official cost…read more - Let’s celebrate paying off our investment properties!
We often see couples celebrating in front of a house with a big “Sold” sticker. But I think we should be celebrating with “Paid Off” stickers. I am about to…read more - I’m a Stock Market Virgin
Hello, I’m Shelly Horton and I’m a Stock Market virgin. But 2022 will be the year that I pop my cherry and actually invest in the stock market. I’m 48…read more - Where will your investment go when you do?Don’t let the ghosts of your past mess with your afterlife – Get a will! *And you can forget about leaving your dough to Brad Pitt. There’s little doubt that…read more
- How to ask for a pay increase after a pandemic
Asking for a pay increase after a pandemic sounds as palatable as drinking a fish milkshake. Many organisations will be struggling, so asking for a pay rise at a time…read more - The Real Cost of RetirementOne of the things that frustrates me most is people who say: “If only I had enough money, I would retire on the spot. “And do what?” I normally reply.…read more
- Every woman needs a F*ck off fund
Paulette Perhach first popularized the term F*ck-Off Fund when she wrote an essay that went viral a few years ago. She built up hers—and then used it to travel throughout South…read more - The Volatility WaveVolatility is the enemy of the patient person; the friend of the opportunistic. Nope, I’m not quoting anybody … I just made it up on the spot. But then I…read more
- Homeowners nearly four years ahead on their mortgage repayments
Australian homeowners are loading up their offset accounts in record amounts, so much so that the average household is now almost four years ahead on their mortgage payments. Quick question:…read more - How well has your salary kept up with house prices?
You’ve probably noticed that house prices in Australia consistently outstrip growth in wages. But by how much? And what can you do to make sure you’re not forever chasing the…read more - Are you too loyal for your own good? The banks think so
The average Australian homeowner is paying more than $37,000 in extra interest over the life of their home loan due to the loyalty tax, and it’s got three-quarters of borrowers…read more - Its all connected! Property prices and interest rates; Intrinsically linked.Right now, most people who own assets like houses or investment properties should be happy. House prices up; superannuation up; share prices have been at record levels. All good, right?…read more
- My First Investment Property was an Impulse Buy
*And it’s one of the best decisions I ever made! My investment property was an impulse buy. Sounds extravagant huh? Let me explain. It was 2011 and I’d flown home…read more - SPARE CASH IS LIKE WINE, THERE’S RARELY ANY SPARE..1. SPARE CASH IS LIKE WINE, THERE’S RARELY ANY SPARE One of the dilemmas for any person or family is what to do with spare cash (though many would argue…read more
- 5 money tips to know BEFORE your divorce
Its not pretty, but heading to Splitsville will cost you if you don’t follow these top tips It’s not pretty but if you know you are heading to Splitsville here…read more - It’s time to make inflation your friend!*It could be stealthily eating your wealth. Inflation: National Versus Personal In the last few weeks, the official annual inflation rate in Australia jumped to its highest point in 13…read more
- The secret to a happy marriage? Separate Bank Accounts!
They say the secret to a lasting marriage is separate bathrooms. I think it’s separate bank accounts.My husband and I have separate bank accounts. I know that may sound strange…read more - It may be time to get out of cash and into investing, pronto! Your savings could be costing you valuable money.These days, many investors have a philosophy of ABC. But this strategy has nothing to do with the basics of investing … it means Anything But Cash. This approach is…read more
- YOUR TAX TIME BOOT CAMPIt might seem kind of obvious, but the most valuable piece of advice around tax time is this – Declare ALL your income on your tax return. Nobody wants Tax…read more
- Real girlfriends DO talk about money
Is talking about money with your mates taboo? It might be time to pour a wine and rip the band-aid off. Money was a taboo topic when I was growing…read more - 4 in 5 hopeful buyers don’t understand key financial concepts
While most Australians dream of owning their own home, the majority of hopeful homeowners admit they don’t fully understand how home loans or mortgage rates work. That’s why we make…read more - Want to take the worry out of tax time? Get professional help!Tax time comes with a lot of worry. Receipts, accounts, log-books – it all adds up to a headache. Which explains why more than half of Australians use an accountant. …read more
- How is the VIC lockdown affecting the economy.. and you?
- Time to be an adult and do a budget
Now I would love everyone to think that when you’re a journalist, you get the kind of star salary a Karl Stefanovic or Kochie earns, but trust me, when you’re…read more - Post COVID Investing: Risk Management V OpportunityRight now, as an investor, you must watch the economic numbers. Logic tells you that the higher that asset prices go – for shares, property … anything really – then…read more
- Single parents and first home buyers get big budget boost
Single parents saving for a property and first home buyers are the big winners from this year’s federal budget. Today we’ll break down the three schemes that will help them…read more - My Ex-Husband Gave Me an STD
*Sexually Transmitted Debt My ex-husband gave me an STD. No, it’s not what you’re thinking, sexually transmitted DEBT. You see when my first marriage broke up in 2005, not only…read more - Getting ready to travel around Australia again?Ross tells us whats up with the airlines. REX AIRLINE STOUSH SPARKS PRICE WAR For decades, all of us have taken for granted our ability to fly interstate and overseas.…read more
- How well do you know your finance jargon? Take our quiz!
The finance industry has a bunch of acronyms and abbreviations that can make the home buying process a little confusing. But they’re not as difficult to understand as you might…read more - How do you compare: how much of your pay goes to your mortgage?
The property market is going through a boom phase, which means housing affordability is getting tougher. So how much does the average Australian household need to put towards their monthly…read more - Back up for grabs: 1800 first home buyer scheme spots reissued
Great news just in for first home buyers: the Australian government will reissue 1800 First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) spots from the 2019-20 financial year. The 1800 spots are…read more - When would I refinance my mortgage?
Whenever it makes financial sense to do so. Heard about mortgage refinancing? In the past, most people who took out a mortgage doggedly continued with it until they had paid…read more - Finances on your mind?
If you are finding it tough to meet your current financial obligations or you are just interested in reviewing your current home loan, then you are not alone. Advantage Consulting…read more - Top ways to cut your expenses and increase your savings
Is the key to saving a home deposit as simple as giving up smashed avo toast for breakfast? Well not quite, but spending less does make a difference. On top…read more - Consumer confidence surging, cash rate cut expected
Recent evidence shows that although we are in the middle of a global pandemic which has resulted in Australia’s first recession in decades, the consumer confidence has bounced back to…read more - 4 strategies to fix your finances before 2020 ends
The weather warming up in Australia means Christmas time is just around the corner. For many, it’s a time of family, fun and festivities – but it can also be…read more - 5 ways to pay off your home loan faster
Buying a home is a huge thrill. Successfully paying off your home loan is an even bigger achievement. While most lenders will typically give you a period of 25 or…read more - Why property can be a safe investment option
If you’re looking to secure your financial future, knowing the right investment path to pursue can be overwhelming. From stocks and bonds to property and commodities, there are a number…read more - How to make your tax debt work better for youTax season is fast approaching. If you’re worried about your 2020 tax debt, now’s the time to start putting in place a new strategy for your 2021 return. This article…read more
- 5 things to do to when applying for a home loan
If securing a loan for your dream home is one of your financial goals, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Whether the loan is for your first home or…read more - Crunch time: tax debts can now be reported by ATO to credit agencies
Got a large, overdue tax debt with the Australian Tax Office (ATO)? Then best listen up, because certain tax debt information can now be reported to credit reporting bureaus (CRBs).…read more - When is the right time to ask for financial help?
Many of us are accustomed to asking for help in a variety of situations – if we need help moving, when we’re dealing with a personal problem or if we’re…read more - What’s stopping you from reaching your financial goals?
Reaching your financial goals can be challenging, but whether you’re looking to pay off a large debt, save for that dream holiday or buy a property, each is an ambitious…read more - 3 steps to get on top of your finances
When you’re going through financial hardship, it may seem easier to manage it yourself rather than reach out for assistance. But with nearly two-thirds of working Australians in non-mortgage debt,…read more - Negotiation 101: Busting debt and lowering your costs
Debt doesn’t have to be a dirty word. In fact, debt can enable you to do big things in life, such as buying your family home. And it can be…read more - Passing on good money habits to your kids
Money makes the world go around, so teaching your kids to navigate it well is paramount. From the day your child is born, they soak up information from the things…read more - The ins and outs of cash flow management
How you spend your incoming and outgoing money requires diligence and careful management. After all, you want to stay on top of your finances to ensure you aren’t spending more…read more - 5 reasons people stay in debt
Every day, millions of people go deeper into debt. Credit cards, student debts, car loans, Afterpay – the list goes on. If left unchecked, debt can be a slippery slope…read more - Four ways to stick to your financial planWhen it comes to money, how do you make sure that your best laid plans don’t go to waste? We explore four simple ways to make sticking to your financial…read more
- Why you should be setting financial goalsLife is what happens when you’re making plans. But what if you haven’t made any financial plans for the future – what happens then? Whether you want to finally pay…read more
- Australia’s household income and wealth distributionThe distribution of wealth in Australia is shifting. Where will you be?
- In 20 Years The Average House Price In Sydney And Melbourne Could Exceed $6 MillionClearly, the Australian dream of home ownership for the next generation is fading.
- What the financial services royal commission recommends on mortgages and loansWhat the financial services royal commission recommends on mortgages and loans.
- An October update on Australia’s property marketsState by state: An October update on Australia’s property markets.
- Superannuation shake-up could leave Australians $500,000 richer in retirementUnder a Productivity Commission proposal super funds that underachieve over a long term would be booted from the industry.
- Half the respondents of a recent survey believe now is a good time to investHalf the respondents of a recent survey believe now is a good time to invest
The Advantage Presents
The Success Sessions
If you like what you’ve read here and want to know more about how you can take steps to improve your financial situation, you may be interested in our streaming event series – The Advantage Presents – The Success Sessions.
In each Session, learn the tips, tricks, approaches and methods that have helped our special guest speakers find financial, professional and personal success.
Our previous events are available to watch On Demand now. To receive your event pass, just fill in the form here.
Watch On Demand Now
Kate Ceberano AM
Guy Leech
Canna Campbell
Mieke Buchan (host)
Chris-Kohler
Bianca Chatfield