By Amanda Morrall
1) Cruel to be kind?
I left home at age 9. Less Dickensian than it sounds. I was shipped off to a ballet school where I boarded for five years half way across the country from home. I look back on it now like a Harry Potteresque kind of adventure although I didn't think so at the time.
For the life of me, I can't get why kids today (and they're not kids at 20-30) are hanging onto the apron strings even into their 40s.
Well I do get it. It's cheaper obviously but not for the parents who are forced to eat into their own retirement savings to spare their offspring from having to suffer a lesser lifestyle.
This Sydney Morning Herald articles looks at the increasingly common plague and burden of KIPPERS - "Kids in parents' pockets eroding retirement savings.''
This term is new to me. My generation (X), used to call this lot "slackers" but apparently they're also referred to now as "parasite singles" and SLOPS "singles living off parents.''
The story will undoubtedly resonate with a few Boomers for whom empty nest syndrome is a fantasy. (Eds. Although it is the ultimate revenge for Gen Xers wanting to reclaim some of the wealth transferred to the Boomers during the property boom)
2) Low interest rates
Our low interest rate environment is bad news for savers to be sure.
Looking on the bright side. it represents some great opportunities for householders looking to clear debt.
This article by knsfinancial.coom outlines some of the advantages.
3) Foundations of financial freedom
Who doesn't dream of financial freedom; that is having the ability to spend your time as you see fit without worrying about money and pleasing the boss.
It might seem out of reach for most however the basic stepping stones are pretty straight forward.
Here Wellington financial adviser Liz Koh, explains the first four.
4) Planning for a second career
The expression look before you leap comes to mind when contemplating the shift toward a second career. Here Forbes Money offers some food for thought. It's a slideshow with bite sized pieces of advice.
5) Forex focus on Swiss Franc
If rumours are to be believed, as much as one-third of the world's offshore funds are held in Swiss bank accounts and the Swiss Franc is the sixth-most traded currency on the foreign exchange markets.
Here Investopedia explains in simple terms some of the key drivers.
6) Drug funded frivolity
I couldn't resist throwing this one in as well from Forbes Money, as it reads like an episode from the Sopranos: The wife an alleged drug dealer bargaining with the Feds for the return of 110 designer purses.
I always wondered who shelled out US$2,000 on a handbag.
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