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How to give back
Australia is a giving country, but we often give in kind rather than financially. Whenever there is a disaster here or overseas, Australians rush to donate their time, household goods and cash. However, we still lag New Zealand, the US, Canada and the United Kingdom when it comes to giving money. According to Philanthropy Australia,…
Read MoreThe gift of giving this Christmas
Christmas is a time when we come together to celebrate with our family and friends. And, for those who haven’t been able to see friends and family due to border closures, it will be an even more joyous occasion this year. Gift-giving is typically a big part of celebrating Christmas and provides a great opportunity…
Read MoreMaintaining your mental health through the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our day-to-day lives in a dramatic way. One of the biggest changes to come from this period for many people was a transition to working from home. On top of this adjustment, parents had the additional challenge of monitoring remote schooling for their children. Social interactions were severely reduced and…
Read MoreHow COVID-19 changes tax time
As this financial year draws to a close, it will be viewed as a year like no other. COVID-19 (coronavirus) has impacted everybody’s life, albeit in different ways for different people. For some, staying at home has meant greater savings. For others, the virus has meant lower wages or even the prospect of unemployment for…
Read MoreOur retirement system: Great, but room for improvement
You could be forgiven for thinking Australia’s superannuation system is a mess. Depending who you talk to, fees are too high, super funds lack transparency and governments of all political persuasions should stop tinkering. Yet according to the latest global assessment, Australia’s overall retirement system is not just super, it’s top class. According to the…
Read MoreThe festive season brings together families and important decisions
As we approach the end of another year, many people will be looking forward to the festive season and the chance to slow down and catch up with family, particularly older parents. Busy lives and distant homes can make it easy to feel out of touch. But this may be a time when adult children…
Read MoreSteering through choppy seas
Like it or not, we live in interesting times. More than a decade after the Global Financial Crisis, the global economy is facing fresh headwinds creating uncertainty for policy makers and investors alike. This time around it’s not a debt crisis (although debt levels are extremely high) but geopolitical instability. The ongoing US-China trade war…
Read MoreTrent and Brad at the Ekka
The westerly winds have been and gone and with that came the annual Royal Queensland Show (or, “the Ekka”, as everyone knows it). Both Trent and Brad took their families to the Ekka. This was Trent’s first time with his family but it’s a long tradition for Brad. Brad’s eldest daughter, Emily, is 16 years…
Read MoreBrad’s damper recipe
The last month of autumn is nearly finished and the winter season will be nipping at our noses very soon. This is one of my favourite seasons to go out west and camp in the cold. Disclaimer: I’m using the word camping very loosely. Most clients would call it ‘glamping’. It’s also a time when…
Read MoreHealthy ageing through diet and exercise
The Australian Government’s Health Direct website recommends a balanced diet for seniors. This includes the normal advice about fruit and vegetables (five portions of vegetables and two portions of fruit a day), wholegrain varieties of bread, pasta and rice, some milk and dairy foods, as well as protein from lean meats, fish (two portions of…
Read MoreWomen and cancer, what you need to know
Being faced with cancer can have a devastating impact on women and their families. That’s why it’s so important to reduce your health risks – and also know how to avoid the financial shock that a cancer diagnosis can bring. October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with fundraising activities held across Australia to raise money…
Read MoreAged Care in Hobart
While the adviser team were attending a Professional Advice Conference we took the opportunity to visit St Ann’s Home Davey Street aged care facility. St Ann’s Homes Inc has been providing accommodation, care and services since 1922. RAD’s range from $250,000 – $550,000. They have many activities for the residents and external tours. This is…
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