8 January 2019
Personal Finance made easy
It’s a brand-new year so what better time to start or review your personal spending plan
Spending Plans 101 – Working out your income & expenditure
Working out a realistic spending plan is a great way to take control of your finances. Although it may seem like a chore, it’s the crux of sound – and sustainable – financial management. In this article we look at how to ‘do the numbers’.
Spending Plans 102 – Sticking to your spending plan
Even the best budget can unravel if the right tools are not in place. Here we talk about how to stick to your spending plan.
But when we finally get around to working out a decent, detailed spending plan the job’s not done. Now the hard work begins. Here are five tips to help you stick to your plan.
First home buyers
Are you thinking of buying your first home in 2019?. Here are a couple of articles to get you going.
Home Loan Pre-approval – Explained
For those getting ready to stride into the world of home ownership, the uncertainties of pre-approval can cast a shadow of doubt over an otherwise exciting time. When is it necessary? How long does it last? And what exactly does it involve?. Click here to find out.
The Home Loan Process
Following the lodgement of a home loan application, hopeful borrowers are often keen to know what will happen next and how long it will take for them to receive the verdict. The bad news is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The good news, however, is that a solid application is the key to keeping the approval time short. Click here to learn more.
Small Business Matters
Have you been keeping up with the articles in the Small Business Portal on our website?.
Three financial mistakes made by many businesses
Many of our clients tell us that they got into business to make more money, achieve a better lifestyle, or simply because they felt they could do a better job than their old boss. Although many do possess business skills, financial acumen is rarely high among them. In this article, we list three common financial mistakes that we observe frequently.
Changes to Victorian Long Service Leave Provisions
Late last year some key changes were made to the long service leave (LSL) legislation in Victoria. Click here for more information.
Award Modernisation
Over the last few weeks there have been a number of changes made to many modern awards as part of the Award Modernisation process. Here are a couple which we think would be of particular interest to Small Business owners.
Aged Care Tips
As we get older many of us need more help around the house to help us living independently, alternatively we may choose to leave the family home and move to a retirement village with other like minded people.
Choosing a home care provider for your home care package. What are the key considerations?
Are you at an age where you find it difficult to complete certain tasks around the home but want to stay living in your home? Or do you need help to support someone else who lives in your home with a disability, dementia or other care needs?
This article should help to demystify the key issues for choosing a home care provider to help you receive the care services that you need in a way that represents value for money.
Moving to a Retirement Village? What’s the strategy?
In your retirement years, retirement villages may provide you with a lifestyle choice that allows you to reduce the time and effort required to maintain your home.
Even though the decision to move into a retirement village may largely be driven by lifestyle considerations don’t ignore the commercial aspects. Always read the contract carefully and seek legal advice to ensure it is fully understood.
Click here for a Checklist of issues that you may wish to consider before deciding to move into a retirement village
Centrelink
There have been many stories in the media over the last few months regarding a range of issues involving Centrelink. The most obvious is the raising of debts against individuals where Centrelink believes an overpayment has been made.
If you find yourself in this situation there are options for you to consider and we can help you with these.
Equally if you are not in this situation the best way to avoid it is to keep Centrelink informed if your situation changes. This means changes to your work status, income, living situation, investments, lump-sum payments, grants, scholarships, leave payments, inheritances, assets – cars, boats, caravans etc.
The easiest and best way to inform Centrelink is via your online Centrelink account thought your myGov account. This will allow you to update details in relation to your finances and ensure that Centrelink will base any payments you are entitled to on the most current information and reduce the likelihood of incurring a debt.
If you don’t have myGov account you can create one from their website.
In cases where you provide information to Centrelink either in person or over the phone make sure you get a get a receipt number or written confirmation of the interaction.
If you do not wish to deal directly with Centrelink it is possible to authorise a nominee to act on your behalf. It is a simple matter of completing a form and submitting it to Centrelink. Integrity One can act as your nominee should you wish. Give us a call for more information about how this works
Integrity One Accounting & Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd
Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd
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Croydon VIC 3136
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Email: integrity@iplan.com.au
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This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. These articles are not owned by Integrity One Planning Services. Please consult your adviser before making decisions using this information.