Time is a funny thing. It can move so fast, or so slow. I remember in my younger days a new year seemed to mean so much more than being a somewhat arbitrary calendar date. As I get older the years seem to roll into each other and January 1st becomes just a date.

But this year feels like it might be different? After 2 years of uncertainty and virus-imposed disruption, perhaps a return to some stability: Life in a ‘new normal’. It has been difficult to set plans. Holidays booked... then cancelled (along with going to dinner, the football, the theatre, and any number of simple pleasures, normally taken for granted). Of course, we all saw the side benefit: Less money spent is more money saved. This has certainly assisted those wanting to buy property.

Read more in our February newsletter here

Merry Christmas and be happy • Got to keep laughing • Some perspective about the market • What makes us happy?

This month’s festive season newsletter can be read here

Michael Jordan, the first billionaire basketball player, failed to make his high school varsity basketball team in his sophomore year and was sent down to his junior varsity team instead.

J.K. Rowling failed 12 times to get her book Harry Potter published.

Looking for ways to pay off your mortgage in record time? Whether you’re a seasoned investor or buying your first home, an offset loan can help you reduce interest payments, save on tax and pay your mortgage off years ahead of schedule.

Not all heroes wear capes • Everyone needs to have a laugh • An easier way to pay off your mortgage fast • Jordan, Rowling and Sanders all have something in common

We would like to wish a very happy retirement to Felicity who has been part of our team for the past ten years.

We also let you know about new government housing grants in the August edition of the Integrity Finance Newsletter.

From 1st July 2021, 30,000 new places were made available under the Australian Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, the New Home Guarantee, and the Family Home Guarantee.

Increased life expectancy is a cause for celebration, however with those extra years of life (and an increasing pension eligibility age) come increased financial pressures.

Find out whether a reverse mortgage could be a good option for your situation.

Integrity Finance celebrates 15 years in business!

To catch up with this and more news from Integrity Finance Australia, take a look here

Everyday our brain makes multiple decisions. These decisions compound to make us who we are, determining our fitness level, our health and our wealth.

We all know that one day of good decision-making in diet and fitness will not affect our overall health and well-being. It takes time, and commitment. The compound effect of good decisions made day after day is undeniable.

So it is with your financial decisions, which will determine your long term wealth.

Buying property? Make sure you consider theses 7 checkpoints.

Housing affordability is becoming an increasing concern for first home buyers and policy makers amid recent, rapid price increases in housing values. But the double-edged sword of reducing housing values to make them more affordable, is that housing also makes up the majority of Australian household wealth; make housing more affordable for one Australian, and we risk reducing the wealth for another.

Continuing to be a major story - Property owners are happy! House prices are booming. So much for ‘expert’ predictions of a 40% collapse!

Interest rates at 2% are a major driver. Despite low wages growth, housing interest payments have dropped from over 10% of income, to now only being 5% of income, the lowest since 2002. Affordability of repayments is no longer such a problem.

Catch up with the news from the IFA team in the April edition of our newsletter.

Ready to buy your next property? Make sure you consider these 7 checkpoints when buying! Buying a home is a long-term commitment and investment, keep these tips in mind to help get it right!