The headlines coming out of the current Banking Royal Commission are a tragic and timely reminder that bad advice can have enormous consequences.

This week's money in life series focuses on a topic that may bring up thoughts and feelings that we don't like discussing on a day to day basis.

Most of the information we are given about retirement is about our finances – will we have enough? What's the best investment strategy?

A lot has changed since the baby boomers and older Gen X'ers were their children's age. Generally, back in their "younger years", they would not have found themselves living at home with Mum and Dad into their late 20s and possibly their early 30s.

The kids leaving home can either give you a great sense of freedom or leave you struggling to find other activities to fill in your time.

Planning for kids with particular focus on those expensive school years is the first practical thing you can do to ease the burden of your children's education. So for all of you, "Gen Yers" starting to have kids, this week is for you!

Well, we've arrived at our discussion for this week – the money side of things when you decide to get married. This milestone is a huge move in anyone's life, as it's a time filled with excitement around planning and moving onto a new phase.

Well, there it is. The correction that we've been told has been coming every month since January 2017, finally arrived. Over? Probably not, but it was needed.

Starting a family, whether planned or unexpected is a time of great joy and for most some fear, panic and overwhelm.

"A budget is telling your money where to go,
instead of wondering where it went..."
John C. Maxwell

Buying a house has become somewhat of a dilemma for our Gen Y's and even potentially some Gen X's due to the increased price of housing, particularly in our Eastern capital cities.

When was the last time you sat down and thought about your estate and how it might be distributed (help those you love) when the time comes?

Firstly, we would like to wish all our clients and friends at Schuh Group a very happy and prosperous year ahead.

This week, the share market has edged higher as the property sector was boosted by the $33 billion takeover of Westfield, and the consumer staples sector also rose.

At its final board meeting for 2017, the Reserve Bank Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent. 

The year's winding down, so in the financial world that can only mean one thing – forecasts for next year.

Gains by the major banks, miners and energy companies have pushed the share market's benchmark index past 6,000 points for second time this month.