Okay, so you have kids or are planning on starting a family and want to give them the best education possible. Great. I’m the same. When my wife and I have children, we want to give our kids the best start in life we can, so I know where you’re coming from. As a financial adviser, two of the most common questions I get asked is “can...
Private schools aren’t cheap. Far from it. Last year, Australians forked out around $10 billion dollars for private school tuition, with 49 percent covering the annual cost of out of their disposable income. With that 49 percent in mind, if you are thinking of sending your kids private, there’s a lot to consider. You need a gameplan. The earlier you have one, the better. The last thing...
Budgeting sucks. I get it. Unless you’re someone who takes great pride in creating intricate Excel spreadsheets that break down every aspect of your weekly spending in forensic detail, budgeting can be a pain in the you know where. If you can’t be bothered, like to keep your head in the sand with your finances while fearing the worst, or shy away from getting ‘bogged down...
How good are you with managing your money? And don’t worry – it’s not a trick question. The reason I ask is you’d be surprised at how many people make it well into adulthood without learning the basics of good money management. In Australia, we’re talking almost half the adult population, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Meaning, around 45 percent of Australians...
I have a serious case of the guilts at the moment. Christmas was a big one – I reckon I ate three times my own body weight. So I’m on an exercise-filled mission at the moment. I’m desperate to get some fitness back. Before I beat myself up too much, though, I’m not alone. There’s a reason why gym memberships spike in the first couple...
Life gets busy, right? So much so, good diet and healthy eating habits often quickly go out the window. Throw two kids, a busy family life and business into the equation and it gets even harder. Consistently eating well’s a precarious balancing act. I’ll be the first to put my hand up to say that I overdid it over Christmas. Too many rich foods, the...
There are three books I read last year that left a lasting impression, particularly around the way I work and organise my life around it. Now, I've never been an avid reader. In truth, I always struggle to find the time. Last year, I switched to audiobooks and it made a big difference – I listen in the car, when going for a run, gardening, you name it....
Energy supply has been front-page news over recent months. And rightly so – the cost of utilities is starting to hit the point of being ludicrous. In fact, it’s an upwards trajectory that seems to have been running rampant for the past 10 years or so. Here in Victoria, electricity alone is tipped to increase by a startling $300 over the next 12 months, off the back of...
Ah, yes, technology. Where would we be without it? I can’t see it ever truly replacing real-life ‘human’ financial advice, but, in saying that, staying on top of your finances has never been easier. In fact, apps and the like are a great way of weeding out unnecessary spending and bad financial habits. For me, technology has a time and a place. While I try to ensure I’m not fixated...
It’s such a clichéd thing to say, I know, but I can’t believe Christmas is less than three weeks away. Three. Crazy, right?! Suffice to say it’s a busy time of year, albeit an expensive one. Here’s something to consider: Did you know Australians spend in excess of $19 billion each Christmas? It's insane when you think about it. And that’s not just on presents – we’re talking entertaining, parties, celebrations, travel...
