Lifestyle

I’m a Generation Y gal who has always loved to shop. Back when I was in school and university, I didn’t have the same sort of disposable income I’m fortunate enough to have now. That meant my shopping money was made up from my wages from my part time job along with my weekly pocket money. In other words, I didn’t have cash much to play with.

When I found an expensive item I couldn’t live without but also couldn’t afford straight away, I would turn to layby.

With layby I could put a deposit down on a big-ticket item and pay it off in installments when it suited me.  When I was finally able to take my goods home after paying off the balance, I not only had a hot new item, I also had the satisfaction of knowing that I had worked hard towards obtaining it. Yes, I had to wait – but the waiting made me motivated to make repayments quickly and kept me disciplined.

How the times have changed.

Nowadays there are new options such as Afterpay and Zip Pay to assist shoppers purchase goods through a credit facility.

When you subscribe to a payment method such as these, you receive your purchase straight away – unlike traditional layby. After you pay an initial deposit, interest free installments are automatically deducted from your debit or credit account for a specified time frame until the balance is paid off.

It sounds very appealing to receive your purchase straight away and not even have to think about the rest of it. But beware … it’s not without its potential risks.

For example, if you miss an Afterpay payment you’ll be charged a late fee of $10 followed by another $7 charge if your installment remains unpaid for more than 7 days. A similar late fee structure applies for Zip Pay. If you’re paying off these charges with a credit card, you could also be adding to this cycle of debt.

What’s frightening about these services is how easy it is to get caught up in the “I want it now” lifestyle. If you’re not careful, you can easily fall into the trap of spending beyond your means. Before you know it you have a couple of hundred dollars coming out of your account for purchases you don’t even remember.

The thing that troubles me most about these modern payment options is that it’s not teaching people that reward comes after the hard work. It’s much too easy to over commit to payment plans you can’t afford, when all you are thinking about is your shiny new thing.

Layby taught me how to save for something special and that’s something today’s generation just won’t get.

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Disclaimer: This blog is general in nature and has been supplied for information purposes only. It contains opinion and readers should satisfy themselves through independent means that any decisions based on this material are appropriate. We recommend that you consult with your adviser who will be able to make a recommendation based on your specific circumstances.

Are the cries of “I’m too busy” and “I don’t have time for that” holding you back from achieving your goals? Check out these top tips for cutting through the noise and becoming more productive.

We’re all guilty of it; of saying “I don’t have time for that” or “I’m too busy”.  But isn’t it amazing that when there is something we really want to do we will always make time for it? If only there was a way we could make more time for all the other things we should be doing even if we don’t necessarily want to straight away.

Thankfully, there are ways you can fit more into your life without completely breaking down – all it takes is a little time management and organisation. So without further ado – here are my top tips for a more productive life!

1. Know yourself

Spend some time getting to know yourself and your emotional reactions/responses to tasks, situations, and outcomes. Personally, I’m motivated by the feeling of achievement – that feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment I get when I have successfully ticked something off the to do list and stepping closer to achieving my goals.

When I have a big project ahead of me I like to tick off a small task or two before I get started on it.  This fuels my sense of accomplishment and gives me the drive to get stuck in to the big job ahead of me.

I also find that I am my most productive in the afternoon, so I work with that quirk and tackle small tasks in the morning like checking my emails and move to the more complex tasks later in the day when I’m feeling more motivated.

2. Focus on one thing at a time

I’m not saying you can never multi-task – it’s just important to know the balance and be flexible. Multitasking sounds great in theory, but it’s rarely efficient or productive in practice. We are more likely to make mistakes when our attention is divided. Instead, try focusing on one thing at a time and see it through to completion – it saves time by avoiding potentially doubling up on work or the need to refamiliarise yourself with a task because you’ve forgotten where you’re up to.

3. Be open and receptive

It’s important to be open and receptive to feedback from colleagues, friends and family. Remember that most people want to help you succeed, so when they provide constructive feedback try to take it on board and see how you can apply it to your situation. Your colleagues may have tips on how to complete a request in a more time effective manner – why not try out their suggestions and see if they can work to your benefit?

4. Keep a tidy environment

A tidy space makes for a tidy mind. The cleanliness of my home, my desk and my computer desktop all play roles in how clear my head is and how organised and productive I feel. Check out Tidying Up with Marie Kondo for some great tips on how to declutter your life.

5. Use a schedule

Mapping out your time on a calendar or planner is a great way to see what you’ve got on and what you need to work around – but remember to keep things flexible. Plans can often change and if you aren’t prepared for this, it can really catch you off guard.

When planning out my day I tend to opt for a simple to do list, itemising the specific things I need to complete for the day but also including something that I would like to have completed if time allows. I also like to loosely plan out my week, making sure I’ve included the things I must do and would like to do, with some time allocated to specific projects I am working on.

6. Make use of technology

Find a task tracking system or app that works for you. There are so many out there with different pros and cons – all it takes is simple a search online to find a solution that suits your needs.

7. Keep yourself accountable

Finally, it is important that you hold yourself accountable to your goals. At work, it’s often easier to keep yourself accountable for what you need to do because others may rely on you to be able to fulfil their requirements or meet their KPIs. However it’s also important to keep yourself to the same standards outside of work – you’re the only thing standing in the way of achieving your own goals, so why would you hold yourself back?

How can you use work your behaviours and motivations to your own advantage? From finally sorting out your budget to remembering to lodge your taxes on time – there are a lot of things that can be made easier with a little advice and a helping hand to take some things off your plate. Why not speak to The Hopkins Group to learn more about how we can help? Tick off your financial to dos and put yourself on the path to achieving your goals with The Hopkins Group today.

So you’ve caught the love bug and you’ve gotten engaged – congratulations! Now comes the exciting part; choosing the venue, guest lists, deciding on the dress… the list goes on. Getting into the finer details of wedding planning can be lots of fun, but there’s one part no-one looks forward to – working out how much it all costs. However as daunting as it is think about, making sure you have enough money to afford your dream day is one of the first steps to successful wedding planning. Here are my top three tips to get you started!

1. Prioritise what is most important to you

Real talk – unless you’re blessed with a bottomless bank account, chances are that you won’t be able to afford to have everything on your special day exactly how you’d want it. That’s not to say all your plans go out the window – it just means you need to set expectations and decide what really matters.

Think about it carefully. What are the things that you definitely don’t want to sacrifice and what are some of the things that you don’t care about as much?

In my case, my husband is a car fanatic so there would have been no chance of talking him out of having the bridal party arrive in vintage Rolls-Royce’s on the day. On the other hand, he really couldn’t care less about the suits he and the groomsmen wore, as long as they fit and looked good – this allowed us to save some serious dollars. For me, it was all about securing a beautiful venue along with great photographers and videographers to capture the big day, so we knew exactly where to focus the majority of our budget.

Working out these priorities meant we knew what mattered most. In the end we decided that the wedding event was our focus, and decided to not throw an engagement party, opting for one big celebration at our wedding instead. Alternatively, some people choose to have a giant engagement party and then end up eloping! It’s all about give and take – what are you willing to pay for and what are you willing to give up?

2. Figure out your budget and stick to it!

Once you work out your must haves, you need to work out your spending cap.

A survey of 515 brides conducted by Wedded Wonderland, found that the average cost of an Australian wedding in 2018 was $51,245. Ouch! Here’s their breakdown:

Source: Wedded Wonderland

However, an average isn’t necessarily an indication of what you should be spending. While our wedding is often one of the most important days in our lives, is it really worth going into debt over and spending the next five years paying it off? It’s really important to sit down and discuss not only what you’re willing to spend, but also how much you can afford. If you want to budget about $50,000 for a wedding in two years’ time, you would need to be able to put aside about $480 a week between the both of you, on top of your living costs. That’s a substantial hit to your bank balance – money that you might be putting aside for a home deposit, or existing credit card bills!

3. Enlist your helpers

If you’re looking for a way to cut costs, there are many ways you can save money on your wedding and still have that beautiful day you always dreamed of. It’s time to cash in some favours!

You probably have friends and family around you who would be more than happy to help you on your big day. Do you have a makeup artist cousin who would be happy to do your makeup for a discount or even as a wedding gift? How about that friend who is great at photography? Or an aunty that loves arts and crafts who could help with the invitations and place cards? You’d be surprised at how much you’ll be able to cut down on costs simply by asking your loved ones for some help. For my own wedding, my wonderful bridesmaids helped me put together all the invitations which would have taken me hours to do on my own.

Bonus tip: Enjoy yourself

Weddings can be expensive, but at the end of the day only you can decide how you’d like that money to be spent. Above all else, make sure that whatever you spend your hard earned cash on will be enjoyed – don’t forget take the time to take a step back and cherish the special moments you spent so long planning. The day is over in the blink of an eye, but the memories will hopefully last a lifetime. Make it count.

A wedding is only one part of your life story. What about the bigger picture? To discuss your short, medium and long term goals and get a sense of how you can live the life you choose both now and in the exciting future you and your partner have planned, speak to a financial adviser today!

How do you go with gift shopping? Are you good at anticipating all of the social occasions that will need a gift purchase throughout the year or do you find yourself in a mad rush just before the big event? Are you smart with your spending or do you always end up with blowing your budget on gifts?

With the season of giving well underway, it’s a great time to draw up some guidelines for setting a gift budget for the New Year (and for the holidays if you haven’t started shopping already).

Step 1: Plan out your year

There are three things you should consider when gift giving; your budget, the occasion, and your relationship with the recipient.

A good starting point is planning out the year ahead with your calendar. Go through each month at the beginning of the year and write down all occasions, weddings, showers, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and other special occasions you can think of.  This will act as the base for you to plan your budget.

Step 2: Set your budget

Once you complete your list of events, it’s time to allocate your budget for each event type. This process will enable you to determine how much you will spend on gifts throughout the year. Then add a buffer to cover the unexpected gifts that may come up throughout the year.

There are no real set rules around how much you should allocate to each event, but whatever you decide should probably take into consideration how much you can afford relative to your overall day-to-day budget, the occasion and your relationship to whomever you’re giving the gift to.

For example, you’ll probably spend more on a wedding gift for a couple than for a retirement gift. Further, you’re probably going to spend more at your sibling’s wedding than the wedding of a work colleague. As a guide, here are some common events I have come up against and the amount I allocate for each in my own gift budget:

• Birthdays: $50 each
• Baby Showers: $80 each
• Weddings: $200 each
• Mother’s/Father’s Day: $50 each
• Our Anniversary: $200 each
• Our Kids’ Birthdays: $100 each
• Our Birthdays: $100 each
• Our Parents’ Birthday: $100 each
• Christmas: $1000 total

It fair to say that your own gift budget will vary depending on your own circumstances, based on your income, the size of your extended family, the number of occasions you anticipate to attend, and the person you are giving presents to. You may feel more comfortable with choosing a higher-priced item for your significant other, family members and close friends. Doing the math will help you get firm limits on how much to spend on different people across your gift list. Once you have the budgeted allocations, try to keep under the cap or as close to it as possible.

Step 3: Be savvy with your purchases

Being generous with your gift giving doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend big. In fact, there are a few ways you can keep costs down and stretch your budget further including:

• going in on a more expensive gift with one or more other people,
• shopping big sales like the EOFY sales, or purchasing gifts in the off season,
• making DIY presents for a more personal touch, and
• bulk buying the same present for multiple people.

Determining your gift budget for the year is just one simple way to get smarter with spending and manage your cashflow effectively. If you’re looking other ways to get your personal budget under control, why not check out our Money Master program or speak with an adviser at The Hopkins Group today?

Have you ever ended up buying your lunch at work because you didn’t prepare yourself to bring it in?

Let’s face it – buying a take-out  lunch every day can be quite the money pit. So I’m here with a money saving tip that’ll take you back to primary school.

It’s time to start packing your lunch.

But packed lunches are boring…

If your packed lunch is boring – you’re probably doing it wrong.

Don’t fall into that trap. Don’t you want to be different? Don’t you deserve better? Of course you do!

Make yourself something that you will look forward to eating; sometimes I look forward to my lunch so much that I struggle to wait until lunch time to eat it!

But what if I get hungry later in the day because in all my excitement I ate my lunch early?

Pro tip: add a soft boiled egg to your meal!

I boil my egg at home the night before – six minutes and 40 seconds in boiling water then I take out and run it under cool water to stop the cooking process. Once it’s cooled, I’ll pop it in the fridge overnight. The next day I’ll place the whole egg (shell and all) into a cup of hot water to warm up, after a few minutes, peel it, and you’ve got yourself a delicious, warm soft boiled egg!

Packing a snack like a soft boiled egg will ensure you are getting the nutrients you need to sate your hunger, that’ll stop you from ducking out for an afternoon pick-me-up.

How do you get inspiration for your packed lunches? I don’t want to get stuck in a rut.

First of all, learn to love your leftovers. Cooking dinner tonight? Make double so you can have some at work tomorrow. I’ll occasionally whip up a bone broth on a Sunday – it’ll last you most of the week, serve as a great base for lots of meals and it can be satisfying snack alternative to cure that 3:30’itis. 

Other than leftovers, Pinterest is my main go to for meal ideas. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the time to research meal ideas that are going to be healthy, nutritious and delicious – but a quick search on Pinterest will generate endless results with just a click of a button!

The best thing about using Pinterest for your ideas is that other people have already done the hard work for you; just try typing “meal prep” or “interesting work lunches” in the search bar.

Do you have any other go to recipes?

I make ramen noodle soup around once a week, it’s quick to whip up, it’s cheap and it’s delicious!

Image source: Fork Knife Swoon

Mason jar salads are so easy to prepare the night before. The tip is to make your salad upside down. Dressing first and layer your ingredients from the bottom up, putting the veggies most vulnerable to wilting and bruising at the top. When you’re ready to tuck in, give the jar a shake and enjoy!

Image source: Comfortably Domestic

Zucchini noodles (zoodles) are a great alternative to pasta as you won’t feel so full and sleepy after eating them. Pair your zoodles with Bolognese and it’ll keep you full and give you the energy your body and brain need to get you through a busy work day.

Image source: Eat Yourself Skinny

Let’s count the pennies – how much am I actually saving by making my own lunch?

When you add it all up, the cost of going out for lunch is astounding. Say you spend $15 per working day buying your lunch, that’s $75 per week. Across the year that will cost you a whopping  $3,900.

Packing your lunch on the other hand? That’s an average of $3 per day, $15 per working week and $780 across an entire year. That’s a saving of $3,120!

All of a sudden you’re a whole lot closer to achieving your savings goals!

Whether you’re trying to save for a home deposit, your children’s education, or that designer bag you’ve had your eye on – every little bit of savings count.

These goals are what keep you motivated, so make sure you’re always keeping them front of mind. Keeping your goals in focus will make your packed lunches all that more delicious.

Looking for more inspiration or need help keeping your financial goals in focus? Need a budgeting and cash flow coach? Contact The Hopkins Group today.

 

The struggle is real for Miss Six who is too tired to wake up this morning, despite not being tired enough to go to bed when asked last night.

Apparently her legs are too tired to get her out of bed.

What does that even mean? It’s too early for me to even deal with this level of ridiculousness.

After some coaxing, darling daughter’s legs awaken to walk her to my next challenge; the dreaded breakfast scene.

After five attempts to ask the Netflix or iPad transfixed zombie (don’t judge) what she wants for breakfast, I finally hear “Weet-Bix”.

Yesssss! We finally have an answer.

But don’t get too excited and pop the champagne for a celebratory Mimosa; oh no, the battle wages on.

As I take a champion’s breakfast to her highness, she declares she wanted peanut butter on toast.

Because didn’t you know, dear reader, that “peanut butter and toast” and “Weet-Bix” sound identical and obviously I’m a fool for not noticing this earlier?

A dilemma.

Do I let my fury roar and scream “you eat what you’ve got or you don’t eat” or do I keep the peace and enjoy the quiet submission affords?

Peace and quiet wins for the mother who needs to get ready for work.

As I get ready, I check on the child to see if she’s eating.

The dog has made off with her toast as she sits unaware that breakfast was even put in front of her.

Quiet does not prevail in this moment. I’m not ashamed to admit I shouted.

“Why haven’t you eaten your breakfast and why does the dog have a peanut butter grin on his face?”

Daughter looks to me as if I’ve lost my mind, before requesting  a milkshake and an update on the status of her Weet-Bix.

I dump the bowl of cereal in front of the self-styled queen.

As I continue my transformation from mum in PJs to career girl about to go to work, I shout out for her majesty to start brushing her own hair.

The curse of tired limbs returns to rear its ugly head.

“No, Mum! I want you to do it. My arms are too tired”

“You’re a big girl now, help me out!” I beg.

I repeat the cry without reply only to discover the tired leg royal is out jumping on the trampoline.

You’ve got to be kidding me!

I get her back in the house and get her uniform ready for her to put on while I start getting her lunch ready.

After this morning’s breakfast fiasco, she has no choice in her lunchbox filling.

I hear laughter gaining volume in the hall.

I look over to see my child running around in her birthday suit; the dog has seized this moment as playtime and grabbed her school uniform in his mouth.

I take a breath and ask as calmly as I can . . .

“Please come and get your clothes on. We have to leave in ten minutes, and so help me, if you’re not ready I will take you as you are!”

This is the moment I realise – I have turned in to my mother.

The uniform flies on and the hair is done (many tantrums, tears and removed knots later).

At last I think we’re ready to go, but oh no – something’s been forgotten.

A toy is needed.

Honestly, I give up!

We spend the next five minutes searching for the best toy she can take, and then I buckle her in the car before she can change her mind.

I’m not sure I know what normal feels like anymore, but what I do know for sure is that this morning’s drama is not unique to my household; it’s one that I’m sure is repeated in the homes of young families the world over.

It’s pretty much a fact of life that parents are time poor. Working parents most of all.

As I wave goodbye to my dear child, I find myself wondering if there is a way to get some control back in my life and let someone else do some of my thinking for me.

What if someone could keep track of and pay bills to be paid for my investment property, help me set up and monitor a financial strategy, or help me keep track of where my money goes? What if someone could help me pay off my house sooner, or get more out of my tax return?

The Hopkins Group can.

You can ask them how here.

Every year, about a week or two into January, I will get a note from my car insurer letting me know my policy is up for renewal. Without fail, this reminder usually comes with a rate hike.

This isn’t a shock – it’s a yearly occurrence after all – and bills and price rises are a pretty standard part of life as you become a “grown up”.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t challenge the status quo every once in a while.

So each year I take up arms and contact my insurer to challenge the price rise they give me. And every year so far, it’s a battle I’ve won.

It isn’t difficult to do – all you have to do is ask. So this year, I challenge you to do the same – it’s time to channel your inner negotiator and save some money!

How do you ask for a better rate?

“Hi there! I’ve just received a letter about my car insurance renewal and I’ve noticed that the price is going up quite a bit. Just wondering if that’s the best rate that I’m entitled to?”

That has been my opening line with my car insurance company for the last few years and I’ve saved up to $9 a month with it.

Surely there’s more to it than that – what else should I know?

Okay, I concede – there is a little more that goes on before I make contact.

The first thing you’ll want to do is work out what you’re willing to pay (acknowledging that whatever you end up paying going forward, after the discount you negotiate, may still be more than what you were paying before the price rise). Once you have this figure in mind, be prepared to negotiate below that figure – you want room to move.

To help you better understand what you’re negotiating, shop around online and see what other providers are offering. If you see a better rate, you have two options; switch providers (but be sure to consider of any terms and conditions of your existing relationship/contract in case there are fees associated with an early termination), or use the better rate as a bargaining chip with your current supplier.

Don’t forget to check out your current supplier’s website as well – you may notice a deal they’re offering new customers or a new package that wasn’t available when you first signed up. I find the line “I see you’re offering x deal to new customers. Can I get in on that as a longstanding, loyal customer?” works well in this context.

Once you have your research done and bargaining chips in hand, it really comes down to making contact and asking for what you want.

Do I have to pick up the phone to get what I want?

Not always.

I’m a classic millennial. If I can avoid talking on the phone with someone, I will. I’m an online chat kind of girl. For me, it isn’t necessarily a time thing – really, it takes just as long to pick up a phone to type a conversation with someone – it’s a small talk thing.

I don’t feel as weird avoiding small talk and getting to the point in a typed conversation. I can be cold, calculating and direct without worrying about how I sound. It’s the perfect place to be the tough negotiator, particularly if you’re not used to those kinds of conversations. You don’t need to get agitated by what someone’s voice sounds like or the tone they use or listen to monotonous hold music. If you need to repeat yourself, you can copy and paste or the next agent can instantly look up what was said in the conversation with the previous one; it ensures you’ll have a written record of what was discussed to draw on when you need it.

That said, online chat facilities aren’t always available, sometimes aren’t run by the department that can help you (sales vs support) or, as is often the case, they’re run by chat bots that may not be able to escalate your request appropriately. That’s when picking up the phone is a necessity (and it’s what I do with my insurance company each year).

At the crux, it’s about what you’re comfortable with. Maybe small talk and building rapport over voice is important in your negotiation tool kit – in that case, a phone call is your best friend. If you’re not confident on the phone, and your voice betrays that, perhaps an online chat facility is for you.

But whatever you do, try to play nice. Remember you’re dealing with people and kindness goes a long way. If you’re not getting your way, ask to speak to someone else before tensions flare and you lose your cool.

What are some of the things you can negotiate your value on?

The sky’s the limit.

So far I’ve successfully negotiated:

• A reduction in my car insurance
• A waiver on the monthly account keeping fee charged by my bank (and received a refund for previous fees charged)
• More data for the same price on my phone plan
• A 40% reduction in a monthly software subscription that I’ve had for years
• A lower interest rate on my car loan

If you’re being charged for something, it’s in your best interest to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. And if you do win the battle of fees with your provider why not consider contributing the money you’ve saved into your savings account? If you weren’t going to miss the money paying someone else, you won’t miss not spending it.

What fees are you being charged that can be challenged? Is there a service that you can get more out of, for the same price?

If you need help in reviewing your finances, or perhaps finding a better interest rate on your loan, please contact one of our advisers today!

We’re a month into the New Year and now that Australia Day has passed, it’s officially time to settle back into the daily grind.

On average, 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. We’re here to tell you that we believe in you! Keep on keeping on! And while it’s good that January 1st signifies a new beginning, it’s better to remember every day is a fresh start. New Year’s resolutions are quite simply just personal goals, and setting those goals certainly doesn’t need to be an annual thing.

So rather than focusing on ‘New Year’s resolutions’ per se, we’ve asked around The Hopkins Group office to find out any goals and tips our staff members have on surviving the coming 11 months.

Bobbie Adams, Senior Accountant

• Save more money by shopping less and selling unneeded clothes on eBay.
• Go to the gym four days a week.

Myra Talha, Corporate Accountant

• Create a vision board and try my best to stick to it.

Chani Unger, Marketing Coordinator

• Unsubscribe from more emails – hopefully saving me the time I spend deleting the 100 or so emails I get across my accounts each day!
• Spend less on food… Money should be feeding my passions and helping me achieve my goals, not my stomach.

Joe Bonifazio, Senior Financial Adviser

• It’s more of a long term goal, but I’m aiming to get another investment property.
• Renovate my home – redo my laundry and bathroom and add a garage.
• Grow taller.

Alison Nguyen, Accounts Administrator

• To spend more on what I actually need and less on what I want.
• Go to the gym more.

Letishia Newcombe, Property and Contracts Coordinator

• To be more positive!

Lauren Wilden-Ross, Property Portfolio Manager

• To save up for a house!
• My tip is to bring your lunch to work, lunch break spending eats away at your wallet.

Stacey Wraight, Paraplanner

• Go on more adventures around Victoria – just get out into nature more.
• To step up in my role at work and focus on building my knowledge on investments.
• Get serious about saving for a house! (That means paying off the debt on my car).
• To focus on my health and fitness – along with my mum, we’ve started a challenge together!
• Become more involved with charities.

Stephanie Moore, Executive Assistant

• Exercise more, without spending money on a gym membership!

Kate Elliott, Marketing Manager

• Make good use of the coffee machine at work. I was shocked by how much I was spending on takeaway coffees at work last year (thanks to the Xero budgeting app!). This year, I’m counting my pennies and redirecting that $4 per coffee into my savings account every time I would normally hit up a café during the working week – weekends are for splurging!

Cassandra Mann, Operations Manager

• Eat healthier and save money by cooking at home more often.
• To work out five times a week and run twice a week on top of that.

Linda Vong, Accountant

• To be more kind and less passive aggressive towards my loved ones (specifically my husband!)

Meg McKenna, Content Producer

• Stick to my budget and save as much as I can.
• To go on loads of adventures, (I want to visit a country I haven’t been to before!)
• Do things that’ll push me out of my comfort zone – both professionally and personally.

Sarah Holdsworth, Leasing Consultant and Property Portfolio Manager

• Save, save, save. I’ve got a house to buy and a mortgage to pay!
• Quit smoking.

Shane Light, Head of Advice

• I’m not one to set resolutions, but my tip is don’t set resolutions you can’t keep!

Whitney Lian, Paraplanner

• To work out 2-3 times a week.
• Cut down on going out for lunch (it’s not going well so far…)

Ivy Guo, Graduate Accountant

• To drink more water. That’s it!

Perhaps our team member’s goals and tips for the coming year have inspired you to keep to your own, or maybe plan out what you want your 2018 to look like.

Either way, there’s no better time than now to write down what you want to achieve for your future, and when it comes to your financial future . . . we’re here to help. Speak to a financial adviser on 1300 726 082 to help crystalise your goals and objectives and map out a plan to achieve them.