One of our clients has recently been published with a book titled ‘The Great Life Redesign’, with some content provided by Summerhill Financial Services. Continue reading for more information about this new book.
Life on today’s treadmill is fed by a daily infusion of bad news media stories and society’s expectations, yet the popularity and plethora of lifestyle programs and self-help books show we’re all wanting something more. Conditioned to struggle, we aren’t taught how to find contentment or appreciate what we have.
We’re more time poor and discontented than ever, working longer hours, taking fewer holidays and being reachable 24/7. Productivity is lower and absenteeism is higher than ever, we spend more time and money on commuting than ever before and our health and relationships are suffering.
In The Great Life Redesign, Caroline Cameron not only helps you identify how 21st-century living is impacting you, but what you can do to change your life for the better. Whether you need to make some minor changes to make instant improvements or undertake a major life renovation to realise your dreams, Caroline’s wealth of experience will help you get clear about what it is you want, how to plan for it, how to afford it and how to make it happen. It really is quite simple to achieve and The Great Life Redesign will help you reshape the life you have into one you’ll love.
With practical, easy-to-apply techniques, exercises, tools and tips – including your own life redesign blueprint & a Thrival Kit – plus more than 30 inspirational case studies, you’ll soon be well on your way to a great life. Featuring expert advice from Summerhill Financial Services very own Caroline Bell, you’ll also learn how to crunch the numbers, plan and afford your redesigned life.
Don’t settle for ‘good enough’ – you only have one life, so vow to make the most out of it.
To find out more, subscribe to the blog and get your own personally signed copy, go to www.greatliferedesign.com.au.
An article in the Herald Sun on 28 December 2011 (click here) is a reminder of the benefit of documenting family loans. Although your wealth may not be as significant as the Lew family, the situation may still be relevant to many families as children’s marriages break down.
“The hardest arithmetic for human beings to master,” wrote the great American working man’s philosopher Eric Hoffer, “is that which enables us to count our blessings.”
It’s a piece of wisdom worth recalling after another year that has tested the nerve of many investors and prompted questions about what current generations have done to deserve to live in such a tempestuous stage of history.
As the year winds down (if that’s the word for it!), financial markets are gripped by uncertainty over developments in the Eurozone crisis. Each day brings fresh headlines that send investors scrambling from virtual despair to tentative optimism.
While not seeking to downplay the very real anxiety generated by these events, particularly in relation to their effects on investment portfolios, it’s worth reflecting critically on our often second-hand memories of the “good old days”. (more…)
Students who cannot afford to pay the university fees each year can accumulate the debt under the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP). Repayments are payable once their income exceeds a specified amount. The outstanding debt is indexed on 1 June each year.
Voluntary HELP payments can earn a discount to help reduce the debt. Parents looking for a Christmas gift for their children may wish to consider helping with the repayments.
Voluntary payments of $500 or more received by the ATO before 31 December 2011 will qualify for a 10% bonus. This reduces the debt by a further 10% of the voluntary repayment amount.
Changes across tax, super and Centrelink were announced today as part of the Government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO). With a need to find cost savings, some concessions have been cut and others deferred for another year.
A summary of new announcements is outlined below. These measures are proposals and legislation still needs to be introduced. (more…)
Aged care costs are largely government subsidised, but the current levels aren’t sustainable long term. The Productivity Commission’s final report, “Caring for Older Australians” (released on 8 August 2011), recommends an integrated reform package. If implemented, these would impact advice in structuring a care recipient’s finances. We still need to wait to see what reforms the government will implement — and when — but in the meantime, here is a run down. (more…)
Summerhill subscribes to multiple sources independent investment research, and the main theme for one of the subscriptions for this quarter is the long term outlook for residential property.
Given the interest in this topic generally, attached is the executive summary of the subscription which you may find of interest.
If you would like a copy of the full article, let us know and we will email a copy to you on request.
How much income level a person needs in retirement is one of the most important questions to consider when planning for retirement, but it can be difficult to accurately project. Most people don’t have a good idea of what expenses they will incur in retirement until they actually get there, so using a standardised measurement, such as the ASFA Retirement Standard, as a guide can help plan properly. (more…)
If you live a comfortable life now, will you still live a comfortable life in retirement? Or will yours be a ‘modest’ lifestyle? And what is a ‘comfortable’ life anyway? And how much does it cost?
Whether you live a “comfortable” or “modest” lifestyle in retirement depends entirely on how much money you have. (more…)
