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 years old and I still consider the stock market gambling. But I’ve now got enough intelligent friends, family and experts telling me that in fact…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 at some time in your life, someone has told you to get a will. As you get older, people tell you all sorts of other…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 when they’re struggling to start up again and keep other employees on could be seen as a douche move. However, some industries boomed during COVID.…read more
The Real Cost of Retirement
One 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. There’s a reason ageing rock-bands like The Rolling Stones, The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac (in all their various incarnations) keep on playing. Some of the…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 America and jumpstarted her dream career. A F*ck Off Fund can be for positive reasons like that or they can be cause you need to…read more
The Volatility Wave
Volatility 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 had to check Google to see if anybody else said it first. Nope .. phew … proceed. Other Google quotes I found are close. “Volatility…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: do you have an offset account (or several) attached to your mortgage? They’ve become quite popular in recent years, especially since the RBA’s official cash…read more
Success Session – On Demand
Previous Events Bianca, Chris and Shelly discuss their success strategies with Mieke Buchan. They include insights, tips and methods you can start applying to your own life, today. Join Mieke Buchan as she talks to our special guests. Enjoy The Advantage Presents – The Success Session streaming event, On Demand. Grab your notebook! You’ll discover…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 great Australian dream? Each generation faces its own unique set of challenges (and opportunities!). And for the current crop, one big challenge can be breaking…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 feeling “ripped off” and “angry”. What’s the loyalty tax? It’s this sneaky lender trick where borrowers with older mortgages are typically charged a higher interest…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? YES (mainly) For the most part, yes! The increase in property prices is directly related to falling interest rates and easy access to debt. And…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 to Queensland for my Mum’s birthday. I had a long chat to my parents about wanting to buy my own investment property. I’d been divorced…read more