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Age pension, Budgeting, Government benefits, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Financial Planning for couples – greater than the sum of two parts

Do you have a partner in life? Are they on the same page as you financially? Do you like having a separate bank account just for you, or does everything go into a big melting pot? Great financial planning should consider the nuance of how money works within different relationships. Many couples have separate finances but still want to plan for a successful financial future together.

Age pension, Government benefits, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Dealing with market volatility

Whilst there is often no single cause for market volatility, there are some conditions that can lead to it. In recent times, we have seen concerns about when interest rates and inflation, the perception of a housing market bubble, and instability in global affairs affect the ability of investors to obtain a reliable picture of the future. While these kinds of stories are not new and may not have triggered the recent stock market fall, they are some of the forces at play in the current market turmoil.

Age pension, Aged care, Budgeting, Government benefits, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Centrelink Concession Card eligibility

The type of concession card you may be eligible for is based on your age and circumstances. A Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) is issued to pensioners, a Low Income Health Care Card (LIHCC), is issued to someone on lower income, regardless of their age, and a Commonwealth Seniors health Card (CSHC), is available to someone who is above age pension age and doesn’t qualify for any social security payment.

Budgeting, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Challenging times..

The last 3 years in markets have been a challenging time, first came COVID and then the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Household consumption is the primary force behind economic growth and it’s been experiencing a difficult combination of soaring mortgage rates, increased living expenses and persistent inflation. Together, these things are causing a decrease in disposable income. These strains are likely to persist for a while yet and are causing the short-term fluctuations you might be seeing in your portfolios, depending on your level of share exposure.

Budgeting, Government benefits, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Has the Reserve Bank of Australia finished the rate increases yet?

At its October meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the cash rate on hold for the fourth meeting in a row at 4.1%. The pause in interest rates over the last four months comes after the biggest interest rate increase cycle (400 basis points over 14 months) since the late 1980s. The rate increases since April last year mean that a variable rate borrower with a $600,000 mortgage will have seen around $1,300 a month added to their mortgage payments. That’s $15,600 a year!

Age pension, Budgeting, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

It’s good news week

It feels like the investment world has been listening to the Hedgehoppers Anonymous 1965 song lately; where good news is bad and vice versa. One can be forgiven for having to ponder why investment markets have moved in unexpected directions this year. I’ve seen equities rise on news that we’re going into a recession and defensive investments being sold off because a recession isn’t happening quickly enough. Isn’t a recession bad? Don’t shares fall and bonds rise on bad news? Well, maybe, but it’s only part of the picture…

Budgeting, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

5 Financial Planning tips for 30-somethings!

In my opinion, you can never start planning your finances too early! But for me, as you enter your 30’s it is time to start getting serious about it. Here are 5 simple tips that you can use to start your ‘serious’ financial, and future, planning..

Budgeting, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees

Avoiding Excess Superannuation Contributions

With the new financial year well and truly underway, it’s important to understand what you can contribute to super, and how you can avoid breaching the contribution limits. Here are five tips to consider:

Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees

What is Division 293 tax .. and who pays it?

Division 293 tax is an additional tax on super contributions for higher-income earners. For first-time recipients of a Div. 293 notice from the ATO, it can come as a surprise. Super contributions such as employer contributions and salary sacrifice are taxed within your super fund at 15%. Introduced in July 2012, Div. 293 tax is an additional 15% tax for individuals with income greater than $250,000 a year. The tax is payable in addition to the standard 15% contributions tax and rather than being paid automatically by your super fund, most people learn of their Div 293 tax liability after receiving a bill from the ATO.

Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Cold Therapy

Following the COVID-19 dramas over the previous two and a half years I have found myself joking about ice baths with clients and thought I might elaborate on my experience of getting cold.

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Latest insights

24 October 2025

Retirement Living: Choosing the right path for your Lifestyle and Finances

Craig Kirkwood

Retirement is a time to enjoy your well-earned freedom and comfort, but choosing where to live can be one of the most financially complex decisions you’ll make. While retirement villages are a well-known option, they’re just one of several choices available to Australians, each with their unique lifestyle and financial implications.

19 September 2025

How One Tiny Human Changed Everything

Momir Vuksa

I’ve spent years helping people plan for their futures strategizing, forecasting and fine tuning the numbers. But nothing recalibrates your sense of “the future” quite like becoming a dad.

2 September 2025

Increase to Deeming Rates

Matthew Kelly

From 20 September this year, deeming rates will increase for the first time since the Covid-era freeze. This change may affect people whose payments and benefits are determined by the income test. The announcement confirms that rates will gradually return to ‘pre-pandemic settings’ with staged increases to take effect in the future. Increases will be realigned from 1 July to the same time that payments are indexed (expected to be 20 March and 20 September).