What is Compound Interest?

Most of us have heard of interest. That's what you have to pay when you get a loan. That's what makes it so hard to pay back the loan when the interest rates keep on rising! Ah yes, and that's the measly little bit of extra money the bank gives - grudgingly, it appears - when we have a few bucks saved up. But wait! It's not as bad as it seems.

Those two magic words "compound interest" that Einstein referred to as the world's greatest discovery are put to work for us when we have a savings account. But those of us who have just a few hundred dollars don't seem to notice it all that much. That's because it shows up better on larger amounts - and if you don't keep withdrawing. These days most high interest savings accounts work on compound interest.

The interest that you earn on your $100 may not seem much, but it is added to the balance, and then in the second year interest is paid on that total, rather than just on your original $100. So you are basically getting interest paid on your interest or if you have a managed fund then it is the dividend reinvested. When this keeps on every year - as it does, so long as your keep your savings account going, then that total really begins to add up.

All About Managed Investment Schemes

A managed investment scheme is when you pool your money with other investors with the intention of getting back a good return. By using a managed investment scheme, you can access a great many more investment opportunities than if you did it by yourself, but is more complicated than putting your money in a saving accounts. Some investments may require a minimum amount before shares can be purchased. When you pool your resources with others, you can access these types of investments that may otherwise be out of your reach. This means that you can start investing with a smaller amount of money.

You don't need to know a lot about investments when you use a managed investment scheme. Professionals trained in the art of investing do all the hard work. While this means you don't have control of your finances on a day-to-day basis, you can have peace of mind in knowing that they are relatively safe.

Before choosing a managed investment scheme, be sure to check it out on the Australian Securities and Investment website. Each scheme must be registered with the Commission. If it is not, suspect a shady deal and avoid it. You can't afford to risk losing your money in something illegal, there is no harm putting your money in a term deposit while you think it over. Different types of schemes include property or cash management trusts, equity trusts (shares), or agricultural trusts such as horse breeding or aquaculture.

Managing Mid-Year Finance

Aren't you glad that the end of the financial year doesn't come at Christmas time? Instead, June rolls around and we have to be prepared for all the extra work necessary to sort out our finances, find details of those managed funds investments and get receipts in order. But why not be a wise owl and get in ahead of time? You can save yourself a bit of stress by being prepared. Get all your receipts to hand and do that bookwork right now. And to start with, how about trying to save money? If you inspect all those phone plans and electricity or gas and insurance bills you may find that switching to another provider can save you heaps. Of course, you know to always read the fine print so you don't sign up for something unpleasant.

You can often save in the home, too by donning warmer clothes before turning on the heater or working with the weather to dry clothes instead of using that convenient but costly clothes dryer. Looking at your saving accounts is another way you may be able to save money and make more interest. Electronic accounts are often fee-free and give wonderful rates of interest compared to ordinary savings accounts.

If you've been putting off buying that new monitor or printer for your business, remember that it is tax deductible. But there have been recent changes to what you can claim, so check that out too.