Despite Australia’s incredibly strong superannuation savings system, just one in six Australians feel confident they’re on track to retire comfortably. Even more concerning, around 40 per cent of working Australians have never received any financial advice to help them prepare for retirement. How prepared are you for retirement? And how much will you need?

While retirement might seem years into the future when you’re in your 20s and 30s, it’s an important time for setting a plan place to save for your future. The earlier you start planning and preparing for retirement, the more likely you’ll have sufficient savings to comfortably retire. Working on a few fundamental principles can help build a solid base for managing your income and ultimately your wealth. To help you start planning for retirement, here are some things to consider.

 As interest rates continue to drop, many Australians are getting savvy when it comes to managing their mortgage finance. The mortgage refinance market is expected to grow 30% in 2016 compared to the year before, as demand for a better deal outweighs consumer loyalty. But refinancing your home can be tricky; just because you see a better rate, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll save money by switching. To help you make an informed decision about refinancing your mortgage, here are some of the important things you need to think about.

If your perfect retirement plan involves some travelling, time spent with family, or indulging in a lifelong hobby, it may be a good time to take a closer look at how much you’ve set aside for your retirement. And forget Sydney’s overheated property market; get a foot onto the property ladder with this entire Queensland town, up for sale for just $750,000! Read on to find out more in this month’s finance article.