If you haven’t been living in Australia all that long, then some of the nuances of the law and financial culture may still be confusing to you. If you’re reaching middle-age and starting to look ahead to your retirement, then you’ll probably run into all kinds of new regulations and jargon. Don’t worry, help is at hand. Here, we’ll go over some of the most costly mistakes people can make when planning for their retirement.
Image @ Flickr
First of all, failing to shop around for superannuation funds. Since 2014, your employer has been obliged to pay 9.5% of your monthly salary towards your superannuation account, under a regulation known as the “super guarantee”. This may sound pretty generous on paper, but in the long run, super guarantee contributions don’t stack up too nicely. Rely on this guarantee alone, and you’ll have very little to fall back on when it comes to your retirement. Sure, you’ll be able to get certain benefits through services like the Nationwide Super. However, if you want to live comfortably through your retirement, you’ll need to start reaping a little more into your retirement fund. Invest in strong financial assets, such as real estate and stocks. If you have to take out a loan to buy these, the interest you’ll incur is usually tax deductible.
Failing to set yourself a firm budget is another major mistake you have to be careful to avoid. Smart budgeting is the most effective thing you can do to make sure your personal finances are all under control by the time you retire. A set budget will help you keep track of where your money is going, where you can save, and where you can cut back on your expenditure. I know that it’s tough to cut back on your spending when there’s so little to trim as it is. However, taking control of your money early will have massive benefits further down the line, no matter how much you earn. Proper budgeting will also give you a clearer idea of where your salary is going in terms of debt payments and savings. In order to improve your cash flow, you have to know where you stand in the first place.
Image @ Wikimedia
Finally, panicking at the first sign of trouble in your investments. Ask anyone who’s had considerable success in investment, and they’ll tell you it’s full of different obstacles. The best investors out there will take these kinds of failures in their stride, remain calm, and adheres to their investment strategy. If you own a quality investment, such as property or shares, and it suffers a nose-dive, then this is generally the worst possible time to sell. Many people panic here, and sell immediately, thinking that they’re only going to lose more. On the other hand, if you hold onto the investment, or even buy more when the stock is down, you’ll be better off when the asset starts looking healthier.
As you set out plans for your retirement, be sure to avoid these expensive mistakes.
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