17.4.2 Being a shareholder When you turn 18, you can buy shares in a company, making you a shareholder. This means you own a small or large part of the business. As a shareholder, you can beneýt from the company’s growth. Some people buy and sell shares to earn money. If a company grows and makes more proýt, its share price may go up. This means if you sell your shares later, you can make a proýt. Shareholders may also receive dividends, which are parts of the company’s proýt paid to them. However, dividends aren’t guaranteed. If a company loses money, it won’t pay dividends. The company’s board decides if and how much to pay. A person who invests in stocks or other things to make money is calleda speculator . 17.4.3 Providing a rental service Another way to make money is by renting out a house or apartment to people for a monthly fee. Some people rent out their holiday homes to earn extra cash. Others buy properties to rent for years and sell them when the price goes up.
FIGURE4 Both residential and commercial properties can be leased out.
17.4.4
Receiving a social security beneýt
Most people in Australia can get help from social security payments at some point in their lives. These payments support people in need by helping them pay for healthcare, housing, food and education. Another payment, Medicare, gives money back for some healthcare expenses.
FIGURE5 Social security beneýts include rebates from Medicare.
602 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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