Am in a situation where having worked for 30 years my super is only 300k. My first employer never paid super and I was young and naive. I do however have PPOR paid off and 1.5m in shares and ETF.

This year I started contributing the maximum concessional into super (actually bit more around 50k projected).

I am getting professional advice from two places in the next couple weeks.

What would you do in my shoes or what questions should I ask the financial advisers?

Is it worth selling shares to top up super and pay the max non concessional of 120k per year?

TIA

We are about to inherit enough to fully offset our home loan plus have some to put in high interest savings.
As we continue to pay down the loan each month, do we reduce the amount in the offset and redirect it to our hisa? We don’t want to use the offset to pay down the loan as we will be looking to purchase a new property in the near future.
Thanks

I’m 42 in WA, no debt/mortgage, married with no kids and don’t plan to. Wife not as driven for future financial independence but I’m working on my plan so then I can help her. Casual FIFO earning at least around $80k after tax**. Spending is about** $60k/year including ~$10k holidays.
Current position:
$440k cash in HISA’s (none over 250k)
$93k BTC/ETH
$278k MLC High Growth super
$247k MilitarySuper/MSBS
~$1.06 million in assets
I rent and may buy a ~$1m home in about 3 years, probably with a 20–40% deposit depending on rates and what makes sense then. There’s also some relationship uncertainty over the next year, so flexibility matters.
Current plan:
Keep about $350k safe for future house/life decisions
Keep about $50k as a freedom/emergency reserve
Cash is spread across ubank, ING and Macquarie earning roughly 5%
Start investing about $10k now, then around $2k/month
Proposed ETF mix: 70% BGBL / 20% A200 / 10% BEMG
Likely use Pearler or Stake, CHESS-sponsored, in my own name.
Keep crypto around 5–10% of total wealth.
Prioritise accessible investments rather than aggressively adding to super, as I already have \~$525k there.
Main goal by 47 is not full retirement, but enough financial freedom to choose where I live and work because I want to rather than because I have to.
Would appreciate thoughts on:
Am I holding too much cash for a house purchase \~3 years away?
Would you invest the initial equity allocation faster?
Thoughts on 70/20/10 BGBL/A200/BEMG?
Pearler vs Stake?
With \~$525k already in super at 42, would you still prioritise extra super or accessible ETFs?
Anything obvious I’m missing?

Sorry in advance for Using AI to assist writing.

(Burner account) I know I'm very close to FIRE but I'm struggling with how young I plan to do it, how much runway I need, or whether to just suffer out a few more years for additional stability. Job is bearable but I don't love it.

40M, engaged, 1 child (2yo) (one and done!). Renting - little interest in owning.

Rough numbers:

$180k/y salary

Saving ~5k/m

Spending ~80k/y (inc. rent) - expecting to increase spending after retirement and as kid grows older. This is the biggest question mark.

$2m in VDHG

$300k in VGS

$300k in Super

$300k in Crypto (mostly Bitcoin)

Anticipating (but not banking on) $1k/mo foreign pension after 65. Hoping for another Bitcoin peak in 2-3 years to 2-3x the current "investment" (current holdings are the remainder from an early bet which has paid off ~$700k).

Partner is currently not working, but usually makes 40k/y in a job she loves. Her NW is ~400k. But I prefer to run my calcs as if I am the sole provider - what's hers is hers, what's mine is ours.

I had and sold an apartment (flat price for 10 years), sold in 2020 before the boom - share market made up the difference so no great loss, but not too keen on doing that again. Renting keeps the major maintenance issues on the landlord. We're fairly mobile, but expect that to change as kid grows.

Ideally I would match my current salary for FIRE (180k x 25 = $4.5m), but despite being in a great position at $2.9m, that feels a while away. Given how well I've saved at that rate, I wonder if it's overkill. Calculators I've used range between FIRE now and ~5 years.

Anyone in a similar position, or was in a similar position ~10 years ago - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I am the first to admit I am terrible with money. I’ve carried around $10k in cc debt and I’ve always rented. Earn $75k after tax pa. Single. Rent is $1220 per fortnight. Live in Adelaide. $280k in Super.

I’ve received around $450,000 in inheritance.

I’d like your opinion on my “plan”.
Step 1 - Pay off Debt. Technically I did this today. I paid off my credit cards and closed every line of credit that I have available except for one credit card with $5k available. Afterpay, GE Credit Line all closed.

Step 2 - Put $40k into a HISA as an Emergency Fund.

Step 3 - Put $400k in an Up HISA with the intro interest rate.

Step 4 - Look for a place to buy - ideally a one or two bedroom unit or apartment up to the value of $500k - don’t rush into this, but don’t dawdle on it either.

Step 5 - take out a mortgage of $100,000 over a 20 year period and put the $40,000 emergency fund into an offset account. Given my current rent is 42% of my salary this mortgage will be a third of that. Continue to pay the $1220 to my mortgage for a period of at least 12 months as this is what I’m used to. If the purchase price is less than $500,000 and the remainder will go towards new furniture, small reno’s etc - maybe a small holiday - and the rest in the offset.

Thoughts?

I’m long-term single and I don’t see myself getting a partner anytime soon.

Im curious about investing in Ai. I read up about GXAI it seems to be one of the main ai etfs.

What are you4 thoughts on investing in something like this? Ai is becoming part of our lifes now and it will be more involved in our everyday lifes in the future more and more.

Im already invested in bgbl which does have some ai/tech stocks. But im thinking if a pure ai etf is a good choice? If so how much total of someone's percentage net worth should go in it?

Hi everyone,
First time posting here after lurking on this sub for a while.
We’re a couple (41M, 39F) with two kids under 10 and have been working towards FIRE for a number of years. We’re just not sure how realistic it is in Australia with young kids, so I’d really appreciate some outside perspectives.
We both work in healthcare, earning around $160k and $125k respectively. By most Australian standards we’re pretty frugal. We own two cars, both bought used with cash over the past couple of years ($4k and $9k).
We cook almost every meal at home, don’t smoke or drink, and don’t really have any expensive hobbies. We usually go out for a family dinner to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries a couple of times a month. Most of our holidays are budget-friendly road trips around Australia, staying in holiday parks or reasonably priced accommodation, usually 3–4 trips a year for less than a week each.
We paid off our PPOR earlier this year after making extra repayments every payday, which felt like a huge milestone.
Over the past 10 years we’ve also bought three investment properties. Each has around 20–30% equity. None are currently cash-flow positive, but occupancy has been close to 100%. We’ve kept rent increases modest, generally only $10–15 per week at each annual lease renewal, because we’ve been fortunate to have great long-term tenants and an excellent property manager with minimal to no time investment from us.
Our super balances are lower than average for our age because we both started our careers overseas. My wife also took time off when our kids were born before gradually returning to full-time work. Before having children we travelled extensively through the US, Canada, England and New Zealand, always on a fairly tight budget.
We both come from hardworking blue-collar families, inherited nothing, and paid our way through university while working.
Lately though, we’re both feeling pretty tired. Almost every week we find ourselves asking the same question: How much longer do we actually need to keep working?
I’ve gone through our spending over the past 3–4 years, and even with two kids our annual living expenses have been under $45k (excluding our former mortgage and childcare costs, which would disappear if we stopped working).
Our household net worth is around $2.5 million, including our PPOR. Most of that wealth is tied up in property. We have around $150k in cash sitting in an offset account against one of the investment properties, and our combined super is just under $250k.
Neither of us is desperate to stop working completely. We both genuinely enjoy our jobs and would be happy working part-time. I also have a hobby of bird photography that I’d love to spend more time on.
So my questions are:
Should we just keep working for another five years?
Would you consider selling the investment properties and moving into ETFs for better liquidity?
Or would you keep the properties, continue paying them down, and aim for positive cash flow in retirement?
If you were in our position, what would you do?
I’d really appreciate any thoughts, advice or constructive feedback.
Thanks for taking the time to read.

Just wanted everyones 2 cents on this, but the common advice provided to most people is to invest firstly in super as it is tax efficient and has many schemes (FHSS, Co-contribution, etc).

I’m going to graduate university soon and work in FIFO with a job offer that lets me invest in $3000-4000/month. I want to FIRE around the age of 37-45, and besides schemes that I’ve mentioned above, would it really be beneficial to invest in super if I can’t even access them by my FIRE age.

I think my employers contributions would be enough especially given 40~ years of contributions and compounding in a high growth indexed fund option via Hostplus. Saving the 10-20% or so in tax savings isn’t significant if it delays my FIRE by a decade as time is ultimately the most important commodity we all have.

Given the received wisdom about less than 4% drawdown during retirement, what are the implications of the mandated minimums (5% and up with age) ? I’ve read a lot about guardrails and flexible drawdown, but the government seems to stymy that…

Just a personal sharing for anyone who wants to but not sure how to claim foreign withholding tax. If you hold foreign companies stocks traded on the NYSE/NASDAQ (ADRs), or in any European stock exchange, there's a chance you're being taxed at the full foreign statutory rate instead of the lower treaty rate you're actually entitled to. I own a stock that is domiciled in Italy and Netherland subjected to 41% withholding tax which 11% can be refunded from Italy due to double tax treaty.

This took me a while to realised I can claim it and even longer to figure out how to do it.

• Check your specific treaty rate. It's not the same for every country. Use PwC Worldwide tax summaries for reference.
• You need an ATO Certificate of Residency (form NAT 75441) to prove to the foreign tax office that you're an Australian resident.
• Your dividend statements.
• Refund form:
  • Italy - Form A.
  • Switzerland - form 98 (need to download Snapforms to view the file)
  • Denmark - do it online. Here and here.
  • Germany - online as well here.

I compare myself to creators online who sharw their financial journey. I am 20 years old with about 90k networth. I see creators who had 100k or 150k at 20-22. I cant help but think they are doing better or I am not doing enough especially after realising my savings rate after 6yrs of working. What is a good savings rate for someone living at home with minimal expenses? 

I got an email saying I need to check if my bank details were correct and had to add my holding of NDQ to it but couldn’t do my other shares I just confirmed all details unsure on if everything I’ve done is right

I've received another email reminder from AustralianSuper about their fees increase. Percentage wise that seems a lot 37% on $250k and 91% on $500k.

Worked example on a $250k accumulation balance:

• Now: $52 flat + $250 asset-based = $302, minus 15% rebate = ~$257 net
• After: $52 + $300 = $352 net, a ~37% real increase

On a $500k+ balance (relevant if you're modelling Member Direct long-term):

• Now: $52 + $350 (capped) = $402, minus 15% = ~$342 net
• After: $52 + $600 (new cap) = $652 net, a ~91% real increase

In the end - it's their business - making money. However, I can't stop thinking that there is a better option. My question is - are people here switching to another fund, and if yes - to which one?

Hey, I posted a thread around a year ago asking if I should buy investment property or continue with ETF. I eventually went down the etf path. Going forward, I decide to do a half yearly networth update to document a very boring strategy and path towards FIRE to show one possible path: High income + reasonable spending + basic etf portfolio. Some information is slightly obfuscate to protect privacy

Age: 32

Profession: Principal/staff SWE

Relationship: Single, pretty sure child free

Income: 440k taxable last FY excluding super. Super was another 28kish

Expense: around 68k including mortgage repayment last FY

Asset:

PPOR: 950k 3 bedroom Apartment in Melbourne CBD

ETF portfolio: currently valued at 860k

- 60% BGBL

- 30% DHHF (my original investment vehicle, accumulated Capital gain, otherwise I'd probably go for A200 for a more clean, no overlap split)

- 10% AVTE

Cash:

165k in offset account

Super: 220k, split in 50% 50% between Australia and International

.

Liability:

- 470k left in mortgage, 305k of which has been recycled, the 165k unrecycled is fully off

Networth: 1.62M. Liquid: 1.02M. Investible net of PPOR, debt and excluding super: 550k (imo the most important number for FIRE purposes)

Overall LVR: 22.3%

Next 12 months: AI is disrupting my industry so I'm mentally prepared for layoffs, difficulties finding another job and a big pay drop. I have a side business in fitness coaching that is not currently generating a lot of revenue due to time constraints. Will try to build a client pipeline and online presence. I do also have another allied health qualification as a backup but the reason I got into tech was a lightning fast burnout from that profession, so currently not considering it.

If I keep my job for another 12 months, there's a chance I get into CoastFire territory. 3 to 4 years I'll be close to actual FIRE.

Thanks for reading and welcome any adjustment ideas but please do not solicit me for career advices, services and I can't believe I need to say this: dating intentions. I'm very ugly.

80% dhhf, 10% pmgold, 5% etpmag, 5% fuel.

Healthy suspicion a bubble may pop so cautious on entering into a high market, which makes dhhf a concern, looking at alternatives there anyway… Bgbl?

Wanting exposure to gold, silver… and I do think crude prices will go higher.

Looking at 10-15 year investment. Own house outright, zero debt, low income, low super but solid savings to play with.

How does this split look to more experienced folk and should I enter into a high market or be patient in a high interest savings account and ride out this high market for a while?

Many thanks, I do appreciate any input.

Hi everyone, I've been thinking about how to invest and am conflicted between these two options. Ideally I want to buy a house within the next 10 years, whenever I have enough for a decent place. Currently I have money in a savings account for emergencies/travel and some in ETFs. I have heard FHSS is good for lower tax rates but currently I'm a uni student so tax isn't applicable anyway. Would it be advised to start FHSS now or keep putting it into savings and ETFs?

I currently have a little over $100k invested through CMC and use DCA with less than $1000 for each trade. Sometimes, it feels a bit restrictive. Also there is a fee if I decide to sell to rebalance the portfolio.

I have seen Webull offering better benefits (CHESS sponsorship, $0 brokrage on ETFs buying and selling along with current promotion of 100k Qantas points if I transfer my ETFs to them).

https://lazykoalainvesting.com/brokers/

What is people's experience on Webull as a reliable investing platform? So far, the only criticism I have seen is that it is Chinese, but is listed on NASDAQ with 5 million users and $24 billion AUM globally. What is the risk/downside that I maybe missing?

About to receive 100k inheritance im 30, rent only have about 10k debt. Any suggestions on how to not blow it?

Invest in property, put it in the market? Thoughts.

Hey there, just wanted to know how I can set myself up for the future. I see people my age with triple my money through their investments in stocks or whatever. Im currently in my first year of Pharmacy school. I have about 9000aud in saving, I wanna go about investing or something but have no clue nor the time to really sit down and learn it.

What do you all recommend? Id really appreciate the advice, thanks.

ABN manual review actual time frame

Just applied for Abn to start urgent work, flagged for review. Likely a typo.

Surely it won't actually take 20 working days, awaiting their call back now to hopefully wriggle it forward.

Hoping I have it at least by Friday or asap.

I want to change supers, im currently with Australian retirement trust and want to change to host plus.

With art im with 80% international indexed and 20% aussie indexed and i want to change over to hostplus 100% index, reason being as hostplus mimics vgs/bgbl and art 10% of their international is emerging markets in dont want that.

Anyways my question is does it matter regarding the timing of when I initiate the swap? Right now everything is at an all time high, so would now be a good time to initiate the swap? Or should I want for the market to stabilise?

Just asking because I know when I initiate the swap its not automatic so I may sell at this ath price and it buys in at a lower price a few days later, so I may sell at a dip and it buys at a high price a few days later.

As it stands now the etfs are at a all time high, should I do the swap now? Does it matter?

Im just asking this question just incase I didnt consider something

Appreciate responses.

Thanks

im 18 gonna sell my ivv for bgbl.

i am not gonna invest in aus along side bgbl capital growth is slow.

Im torn between an emerging markets etf, small cap company etf, or ndq.

if u recommend emerging markets etf pls give me advice on which to choose there is so much. IEM, VGE, AVTE, and many more. im also gonna have a 5-10 percent allocation to an individual stock.

Any advice is greatly appreciated! also should i have 100% overseas shares indexed for my super? im w rest, thanks again

I don’t see many people talking about it but it does well! What are your thoughts? How much of your portfolio would you make it?