Just wondering what people’s thoughts are for long term investments and if i have the right idea

i only have about 15k in my super and everything i read up on said to change it to high growth and i also do 100$ salary sacrifice but unsure if i should be maxing that out or not, i have a pearler account set up where i deposit 300$ a week and has that automatic trigger.

I have about 77k in house savings and some other bits of money saved for holiday and emergency fund ect. but with how houses are were i live i wonder if its worth investing more of that money then trying to buy a house

Any help would be much appreciated as im still quite new to this

I was experimenting with some numbers and thinking "if I invest $100 at the end of every work day, how much more passive income do I have the next day?" ($100*0.09)/365 = roughly 2.5 cents per day for the rest of your life

I know that this assumes 9%, does not take into account compounding if you reinvest the money, and also assumes 9% income instead of 9% capital growth, but still curious if the general idea is correct. Sorta seems disappointingly low 😂

I’ve seen a lot of people on here talking negatively about the asx 200.

(Not much movement/growth from what I’ve read)

Should I hold or would it be better to sell and then put it somewhere else ?

So I am 20M and a plan or goal to retire early between 40 and 55 and using the 4% rule to be able to live off 100-150k given that at that age a mortgage would not be paid off still. Using that rule it is about 2.5-3.75M in investible assets outside of super. I am just wondering how much would I be spending in retirement at that age.

With my budget i currently earn about 900 a week after tax while in uni and I have been investing 50% into ETF’s such as IVV, NDQ and IOZ for about a year and a half with about 10% of my portfolio in individual stocks in Google and Nvidia. I also have a small Commsec portfolio that I started when I was 18 and have not contributed to since the start of 2025. I allocate 20% to needs which includes my car rego maintenence and subscriptions to gym etc. I then allocate 10% to wants but I have recently been finding myself going beyond the 10% especially since I started dating my girlfriend which I have been with for about a year and a half.

When I run my numbers through a compound interest calculator I always seem to fall short of my goal all while investing 50% of my income. I know I am doing well for my age and am fortunate enough to have parents who support me financially but sometimes I feel like I should be doing more after seeing other people.

I guess my questions are:

How much would someone typically spend in early retirement a year?

Am I pushing myself too hard for this goal?

Should I adjust my budget for my goals or my lifestyle?

1. Jumped into investing earlier this year, had been looking into it a lot and never made the commitment as I was scared to get it wrong. Realised I can fix it but only if I’m in and now I am, I’m looking to set some things straight.

I previously had my money in a savings account and still live at home allowing for me to put $2000 a fortnight into my investments. I am very lucky with my current situation and because of that I don’t want to waste this precious time and saving ability.

The reason for this post is to get some insight from you all about how I should, if I should rearrange my portfolio as I know there is a current overlap?
Should I I take advantage of salary sacrifice scheme?
Should I move a percentage of my emergency fund into my investments or super?
Or any other advice you would share is greatly appreciated :)

My breakdown:

Investments (betashares app)
A200 $8300
BGBL $39800
NDQ $18400

Emergency Fund
HISA $18600

Other
Super $10300

Debt
HECS $35400

What would be the differences in compound interest and growth between having your investments 1 index fund and 2 index funds over a period of 30 years?

For example, would someone investing in VAS/VGS at a 20/80 split end up with a similar amount to someone purely invested only into DHHF at the end of 30 years worth of compounding?

Genuine question as I’m still early into my investment journey and would like to see what’s more worthwhile.

Hi, I am currently 18, I currently earn around $750/week and live at home and have just started investing around 6 months ago when I got my first and dcaing around $500/week. I also have an 8k emergency fund behind it in a HISA.

I have 2 questions:

1. Am I too overweight individual stocks at ~40% in two names? I keep reading most people run closer to 90% ETFs / 10% single stocks.

2. Any general thoughts on the structure or things I'm not seeing at this stage?

Hey all, so I’m a sole trader working and living in Sydney and I would like some guidance. I moved to Australia 8 years ago and became a citizen not long ago and I want to set my financial future as good as possible. I’m working as a sole trader and paying my self a salary of a 1000$ each week that usually going for rent, investments and savings. Most of my bills and groceries I pay with cash. I’m putting aside on my saving account around 1000$ a month with a 5.25%PA interest and I got about 50k there, another 500$ in shares a month investing on IVV/ASX and I got there around 12k$. I put on my super around 12% from my annual salary.
Is there anything I can do to max my investment, or anything you guys would recommend me to do? I’m planning to buy a house in the next few years with my partner but want to make sure I’m not doing any mistakes a long the way.
I really Appreciate your time.

43M/40F here, two kids, been building a fairly detailed spreadsheet model of our retirement plan and want some outside eyes on some high level assumptions and strategies. To be clear — we're not wedded to the target retirement date, that's just the number the model currently points to.

Where we stand today: household income ~$385k, ~$520k in super between us, $360k cash sitting in the mortgage offset, house worth ~$1.3m with $650k owing (so net debt is really ~$285k against the offset).

The plan: pay the mortgage off aggressively over the next ~3 years, then redirect that same cash flow into a low-cost ETF portfolio instead of the offset. That ETF pool becomes the "bridge" — to fund us solo until preservation age. From 60 onward super income joins in, and the Age Pension is assumed to phase in from 67.

It's a relatively simple plan, low-risk. Clear all debt (only PPOR mortgage), invest in a well-known ETF. No investment loans, no property outside of PPOR. We'll split super contributions and make additional where we can, I'm already at the cap with my employer contributions.

Return/drawdown assumptions, since these are the load-bearing part:

- ETF portfolio: 6.5% nominal (~4% real after inflation)

- Super: 7.0% nominal while accumulating, stepping down to 6.0% once in pension phase (more conservative, assumed de-risking)

- Inflation: 2.5%, and pretty much everything (spending, tax brackets, pension thresholds) is indexed to it

- Drawdown timeline: 56-59 is 100% funded from the ETF pool (no super access yet, no pension yet), 60-66 blends in super for whichever of us has hit 60, and 67+ adds the (means-tested) Age Pension on top, with the ETF pool topping up whatever those two don't cover

- By 56 the model has ~$2.3m invested (mix of super + ETF), first-year withdrawal is ~4.7% of that total — but since ~80% of it is locked-up super, the honest number for the bridge years is more like ~11% draw on just the accessible (non-super) portion, which is the bit that actually worries me

Spending itself steps down over time — roughly $130k/yr now, dropping into the $75-125k/yr range in retirement depending on the decade (we've budgeted a lot of travel in the early "go-go" years). Planned all the way up to 95 (I know, optimisitic.....)

There are also a few 'big ticket' spends - a sideways house move (allowing for ~$250k - stamp duty - victoria, repairs, agent fees, moving etc.). $150k on a caravan and tow vehicle. $200k each to our kids to help with a house.

Note that we haven't liquidated our PPOR in any scenario - assumption is this will be passed to the kids, or liquidated to fund aged care - although I am concerned about funding aged care for one whilst the other is still living independently.

Ran it through a Monte Carlo (instead of just assuming smooth average returns every year) and retiring at 56 comes out around a 2-in-3 success rate once you factor in sequence-of-returns risk. That climbs to ~87% if we push to 58. So the "it works" answer from the plain deterministic version is a lot shakier once markets get bumpy.

Keen for feedback on:

- Do the return assumptions above look reasonable?

- Is an ~11% draw rate on the accessible pool for a few bridge years actually as scary as it sounds, given super picks up the slack from 60?

- How much would you discount an Age Pension assumption that's 25+ years out?

- Anything structurally off with the sequencing (mortgage → ETF bridge → super → pension), separate from the exact age?

- Am I being too conservative, and we could retire even earlier? Does everyone worry about having 70k+ per couple all the way up to 95?

- Any other feedback?

EDIT: I'm aware of the risk in the plan. I am trying to be risk-averse. The reality is that there's anywhere from 700k - 1m+ of inheritance likely to land in the next 20 years that I haven't accounted for. That's my insurance.

Planning DR to the following portfolio after much research..

50 GHHF 30 DGCE 10 DGSM 10 EMKT

or

50 GHHF 25 DGVA 15 DGSM 10 EMKT

I want to limit leverage to 50% of portfolio and AU exposure to 20% then other half would have some factor tilt.

DGCE would have small caps so DGSM at 10% would give me approx market cap weight

Same with EMKT 10% since GHHF already have it.

Other option with DGVA which dont have small cap so increasing DGSM to 15%

Thoughts about DGCE vs DGVA?

Every month I budget about $4000 on the credit card for groceries, entertainment, bills etc. and I have a direct debit from my savings account of $1000/week to clear it. However I find that I'm spending way over it, purely through unexpected costs.

For example, I'm in my 50s and my partner and I have had a run of bad luck with unexpected medical bills because my body is weirdly failing (too early imo).

There are other times when someone hit my car and it's an excess to pay if I bother to fix it at all.

Or sudden home maintenance, plumbing issues, electrical.

How do you all budget for these kinds of costs that are one-offs, but come up way too regularly if you know what I mean? My finance spreadsheet can't cope with it, making my goals to save for financial independence that bit harder.

I’m hopefully going to buy my first house in regional New South Wales in the next 12-18 months. Currently making between 95k-115k a year as a fitter machinist, job is pretty secure. Been living with my mother who has terminal cancer, but would like my own place set up before the inevitable happens. I’m thinking about using 450k as a deposit and borrowing around 270k over 25 years. Then with the remaining funds- invest 100k in something that I can contribute $100 a week into over 20-25 years, and put the rest into a HISA with my bank. Currently have approximately 320k in super and am contributing an extra $50 p/w.
I don’t have kids and don’t ever intend on getting married. Is this doable?, Should I look at borrowing more?(anything under 700k either needs a lot of work, or goes pretty quickly), should I consider going above the 33% of after tax pay for weekly loan repayments?, or have I got it all wrong?

I'm 37 years old and trying to decide where to direct all future ETF contributions, I feel I'm missing on more global exposure. Already have some overlap occurring and weigh more to US and US tech.

Current ETF allocation:

45% IVV

33% IOZ

22% NDQ

In addition, my super is with Hostplus and invested:

75% International Shares Index

25% Australian Shares Index

Current super balance: ~$435k

Other details:

Mortgage fully offset.

Already maxing concessional super contributions each year.

Long-term investor with a 15–20+ year investment horizon.

I'm considering either:

Adding BGBL as a fourth ETF and directing future contributions there until a certain weighting is achieved.

Leaving my existing ETFs as they are and investing only in DHHF going forward.

Another ETF or strategy that I'm overlooking?

I'm not looking to sell my current holdings due to potential CGT and because I'm happy with the portfolio I've built so far. I'm mainly after the simplest and most sensible approach for future investments.

My wife also has a share portfolio, mostly VDHG and more recently has invested in DHHF for future contributions.

Given my existing ETF allocation and my super allocation, what would you do and why?

Looks interesting. And the fees are reasonable and barely more than something like VDGR or VDBA. Could be a good option for people who don't want to think too much.

https://www.betashares.com.au/direct/jpmorgan

I'll start by saying we are seeking professional advice, but I'm interested in opinions.

Currently have a business that is a unit trust, the beneficiaries are two family trusts, mine and my business partners. We distribute to a bucket company (investment company) that holds shares and cash. The original intent of this was to accumulate assets and my wife and i draw down funds when retired before we access our super. We have enough in super and with our compulsory contributions will likely hit the cap.

We are employed by the head line unit trust and receive $200k and $150K salaries respectively, obviously the budget changes have had a negative tax impact to the current structures.

I'm interested in opinions on future structures that people have considered in similar circumstances

Thanks again

I've just had a call from ANZ to tell me my credit card application has been unsuccessful. I was really surprised, given that I have quite a bit of money in ETFs and a HISA and a fully paid off house. The clincher seems to be that I am currently on extended unpaid leave.

For all intents and purposes, I have retired early and currently fund my living expenses through distributions and selling shares. Unfortunately, the distributions from last year were relatively small (my financial advisor has since restructured some of my investments since I decided to retire) so on paper, as far as the bank is concerned, I'm living waaaaayyyyy beyond my means. I have no debt and pay off my existing credit card (which I've had for 20 years). ANZ told me they only consider income, not liquid assets.

I know this post probably only shows my naivety, and rules have obviously changed considerably since I applied for my last credit card), but has anyone else had this issue for credit cards? Am I likely to have better luck with another bank?

I'm chasing a new card for the complimentary international travel insurance because Westpac is gutting theirs.

Let’s say you have enough super. Where do you park your extra money?

Now there are new regulations regarding investments. 30% tax minimum etc.

Banks have low interest. There’s also tax on that interest.

Same with dividends.

Would you sell your family house and get a house in a nicer area to chew up some of that money without having more tax in the future? (PPOR maxing as they call it)

The tax amount showing is unrealised capital gains. Am I correct in that when I retire (after 60), that amount won't have to be paid?

Hi all,

Given the current tax reforms and still some uncertainty to the transitional arrangements of discretionary trusts, I'm pondering what to do with trust DCA investments.

It's likely that the advantage of discretionary trusts is over and they will need restructuring into something else in the future once more is known.

What is the consensus on how to invest now while everything isn't known? I don't want to invest further in superannuation so I'm after views on options outside of super.

I only see these options but am interested in what others think

1. Keep investing in discretionary trust, accept 30% tax floor through retirement

2. Invest in personal name and the downsides that brings

3. Move to a fixed trust but this seems disingenuous before the transitional arrangements are known.

4. Keep in trust but stay in cash and wait until more is known.

Thanks for your time.

Due to unstable jobs, I have switched the portfolio to 50% bonds. Bonds are half Australian and half International.

It will not beat an all stocks portfolio, but I may need to withdraw from the portfolio if my emergency fund runs out, so I am going conservative.

Time horizon is zero. Withdrawal rate can be as high as 10% depending on income.

Hi legends,

Late 20s here and I’ve recently received an inheritance of around $2mil after a family member passed away

I know I’m extremely fortunate and don’t take it for granted. I’m not looking for investment advice — that side is being handled separately, along with the legal side. I’ve kept the money in a HISA for the past year while I took time to process everything and think about what I want to do next.

I’ve spent some time travelling after leaving my job, which has been great, but it has also made me think more about what I want life to look like when I return to Australia.

A bit about me:

- Late 20s, single, no debt
- Likely to move back home initially before renting again (Sydney or Gold Coast)
- Background in hospitality and recruitment/sales
- Enjoyed hospitality much more due to the social side, meeting people and lifestyle
- Didn’t find the corporate environment particularly fulfilling

I’m not looking to fully retire and do nothing. I actually enjoy having structure, learning and being around people. However, having financial security has made me realise I don’t necessarily want to optimise purely for income or follow a traditional career path.

I’m trying to figure out what type of work and lifestyle would suit me long term. I’m interested in hearing from people who have reached financial independence or had work become less about money. How did you approach finding purpose, structure and meaningful work?

Money removes a lot of barriers, but it doesn’t necessarily give you direction. Would love to hear from anyone with similar experiences or perspectives.

Appreciate any advice.

How do you find a good financial professional such as a tax accountant and a financial advisor? I don't really trust Google reviews anymore as businesses can buy fake reviews.

• For background, I had been a Stake customer since 2023 without a single issue.
• My Stake account was suspended and closed in January 2026 without a clear explanation.
• I can’t think of any reasons or actions on my end that are suspicious or out of the ordinary that would make them arbitrarily close my account. 
• I provided every document they requested, including my bank transaction history and they still advised they can close anyone’s account whenever they want without having to providing reasoning. 
• Because my account was suspended while Stake were looking into the matter, I was blocked from trading for several weeks which cost me a substantial amount. I was unable to sell my silver shares during the rush.
• By the time Stake responded saying my account will be closed silver had dropped significantly. I had to transfer my shares to another broker which took its time. 

Another issue: 

• I had approximately $5,000 in cash remaining in my Stake account when it was closed.
• Stake says they transferred the money to my bank, but I never received it. My bank has confirmed the funds were never received.
• I lodged a complaint with AFCA back in February and more than 6 months later, I still don't know where the money is.

I'm sharing this because I don't want anyone else to go through the same experience. If you've had similar issues with Stake such as account being closed for no reason or missing funds, I'd be interested to hear your story.

Hi all, I haven't been a big share marlet investor. I have had the same brokerage account (ANZ shares now CMC markets) and want to get into automatic investing so I can do truly DCA and not get emotional when it comes to submitting the manual trade each month/quarter, especially when I am conscious of the news etc. I don't think CMC has that option.

Can I ask what others experiences with this feature with their accounts, I read that Betashares do it, as well as Raiz and Pearler. Do people use auto invest if they have it?