Posted in Financial Planning

Why Energy Prices Matter More Than You Think When we hear about rising fuel prices or conflict in the Middle East, it can feel distant from our day-to-day lives. But in reality, changes in energy prices can have a much bigger impact on your finances than you might expect. Let’s break it down in simple terms. Energy Is in Almost Everything You Buy Most people think of energy as just petrol or electricity bills. But energy is actually built into almost everything we consume. For exa...

Why Financial Planning Matters: Turning Goals into Reality Most people have financial goals. Paying off the home loan. Educating the kids. Buying an investment property. Retiring comfortably. But having goals — and achieving them — are two very different things. The missing link is often not motivation or discipline… it’s clarity. That’s where financial planning plays a critical role. The Reality Check Most People Need Without a structured plan, go...

The federal 2024 budget confirmed superannuation will be paid on government-funded Paid Parental Leave (PPL) payments: The contribution will be 12% of the payment The contribution will be paid on payments after 1 July 2025 From 1 July 2026, the maximum PPL will be 130 days (26 weeks) Recipients must satisfy eligibility criteria If you need help with understanding the PPL, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us and arrange your free initial consultation ...

A “comfortable retirement” has a different meaning depending on your lifestyle but as a guide the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (“ASFA”) provides some benchmarks which may be helpful. Each Financial Year Quarter ASFA produce a report including expenses likely to be incurred in retirement The March 2024 Quarter costs for a “comfortable retirement” increased 0.70% to $72,663 for couples and $51,630 for singles The ASFA website has some...