For the month of May there are a few things I want to discuss. Before we get into the headline question on this blog, we are heading into tax season soon so let me answer one popular question first. DO I NEED TO LODGE A TAX RETURN? I often get asked this and it is … Read more
Life is pretty frantic, and it is common to feel like it’s a struggle to keep up the pace. In fact, feeling exhausted is so common that it has its own acronym, TATT, which stands for “tired all the time”. While it’s somewhat comforting to know you’re not alone, it’s certainly not a nice feeling, … Read more
A surplus for now but stormy seas ahead Treasurer Jim Chalmers bills his 2023 Federal Budget as an economic strategy to help ease cost-of-living pressures. To that end, he has delivered a modest but welcome package of cuts to healthcare, housing and energy costs as well as boosts to welfare payments for single parents and … Read more
Having a career means so much more than just having a job and a regular income. Having a successful career can provide you with great satisfaction but it does require work to get to where you want to be and then sustained effort to continue to grow in your chosen field. It’s worth it though. … Read more
When life tosses up an unexpected event – such as retrenchment, a medical emergency or even just a big bill to fix the car – it can be nerve-wracking worrying about how to deal with the crisis. And, if funds are short, that just adds to the stress. But imagine that you have a secret … Read more
It’s no secret that scammers are getting more sophisticated. As this is an ever-evolving space, scammers are constantly developing new ways to part you with your hard-earned cash – and they cast their net wide. While it’s easy to think “it will never happen to me”, people who never expected to be victims of scams … Read more
Superannuation has dominated recent headlines, with proposed changes announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. While the details of these changes still need to be released, it’s worthwhile turning our focus to superannuation balances as we approach the end of financial year. There are lots of different ways to top up your super, but if you want … Read more
Stay up to date with what’s happened in the Australian economy and markets over the past month. March was marked by banking failures in the US that sent ripples through global sharemarkets. However, the first quarter of 2023 ended on a note of optimism in Australia due to better-than-expected inflation figures and expectations of a … Read more
Interest rates are an important financial lever for world economies. They affect the cost of borrowing and the return on savings, and it makes them an integral part of the return on many investments. It can also affect the value of the currency, which has a further trickle-down effect on other investments. So, when rates … Read more
With the cost of living continuing to rise, it can feel increasingly hard to make ends meet in terms of your personal finances, and it can also be challenging running a business in an inflationary environment. One way of combatting inflation is to reduce the escalating cost of borrowing by reviewing your current arrangements. A … Read more
Property investors say that succeeding in real estate is all about timing. Buying at the bottom and selling at the top is easier said than done as there is no easy way to predict exactly when the market is at its peak or trough. Many real estate experts agree that “time” is everything and it’s … Read more
Moving into aged care can be a challenging time, both for those making the move and families supporting their loved ones. It’s understandable that everyone wants to find the most suitable accommodation and the appropriate standard of care, however, it can be confusing to make that choice. A new star rating system for aged care … Read more
