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Shifting to self-employment can be a great way to gain choice. But it’s not without its risks and drawbacks. In this post we explore both the positives and the negatives to help you decide whether self-employment might be the way forward for you. Beyond the contents of this post, we have several other tools that … Continued

Recently a very small stock in the US made headlines in the investment community. Gamestop, a bricks and mortar retailer in the US, selling games and accessories for The PlayStation and Xbox. Very similar to EB Games here in Australia. The combination of COVID restricting shopping into stores, combined with the trend of the manufacturers … Continued

In this post we’re going to take a look at Listed Investment Companies, LIC’s. They’ve been around a long time on the stock market, and given the advancements made, especially in the Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) space, it’s worthwhile to question whether LIC’s still have a reason to exist. Should we as investors have them … Continued

If you’re in a relationship that’s been going for a little while, how do you manage your finances as a couple? Do you and your partner’s wages all go into a single joint account that you both then spend out of? Or do you keep your money separate, each paying for your own expenses and … Continued

I’ve interviewed numerous Side Hustlers over the past 3 years, including Side Hustle guru Nick Loper from the Side Hustle Show, and have conducted my own fair share of entrepreneurial experiments. The time has come therefore to provide the definitive guide to starting a Side Hustle in Australia. A Side Hustle could be the way you earn some extra dollars to pay for an overseas trip. Perhaps it accelerates the repayment of your mortgage. Your ambitions might be grander, with the Side Hustle being your entrée into becoming your own boss and pursuing self-employment or a major career change. Side Hustles can certainly provide choice, and of course that’s what we’re all about here at Financial Autonomy. So how can you get started with your Side Hustle here in Australia?

A Side Hustle can be a hugely significant stepping stone in you gaining financial freedom and choice. They’re a fantastic way to develop new skills and broaden your network, both of which help enormously in your income generating resiliency. And of course, they can have a financial payoff as well. But like most things in … Continued

It is estimated that globally there is now $31trillion invested under ESG mandates. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. That means people have entrusted their savings to a fund manager who has specifically undertaken to incorporate ESG factors when building their portfolios. ESG investing is sometimes also called sustainable or ethical investing. The Responsible … Continued

When investing in property, it’s largely a given that you will be borrowing as a core element of the transaction. Indeed often you are borrowing the entire purchase costs. Borrowing to buy shares however, is often approached with trepidation, despite the many advantages shares offer around ease of altering the transaction size, diversification, and speed … Continued

So you have a goal of achieving Financial Independence. Fantastic. Financial Independence provides the potential for enormous freedom in life. But how to get from where you are today, to your chosen nirvana? Of course you need clarity on your goals, and a robust cash flow plan to maximise your savings. But with those two … Continued

Jonathon Hawkins completed the Invest in Shares with Confidence course recently, here he shares his experience.   Tell us about your situation prior to undertaking this course I started a new career about 6 years ago in the automotive industry. My eyes were opened up to earning potentials with commission based income. I had a … Continued

For cautious investors, the safest option has usually been touted to be cash. COVID-19, however, threatens to turn longstanding monetary policy on its head. Even in Australia, there’s been discussion of the possibility of negative rates as shutdowns and social restrictions constrain normal economic activity. For people exploring ways to keep their wealth safe, this … Continued

One of the most popular pathways to achieving Financial Autonomy is through investing in stocks. Stock market investing has a tonne of advantages – ease of diversification, low transaction costs, ease of liquidity, and being highly regulated to guard against investor fraud. Perhaps the number one reason share investment is so popular for those looking … Continued