The Rich Life Vol 55
March 2, 2022
It’s March already which marks the beginning of Autumn. While this is traditionally the season when things cool down, the economic and political scene is gearing up with the Federal Budget later this month and a federal election expected by May. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February increased volatility on global financial markets and…

Give your finances an autumn shake-out
March 2, 2021
Like trees losing their leaves in autumn, why not take a leaf out of their book and choose this time of year to shed some of your own financial baggage. In the style of Marie Kondo, the Japanese organising whizz who has inspired millions to clean out their cupboards, decluttering your finances can bring many…

Mind the insurance gap
February 4, 2021
At a time when many people have been focused on their family’s health and livelihood, having adequate life insurance has never been more important. Yet the gap between what we need and what we have, has been growing. Life insurance is all about ensuring your family can maintain their lifestyle if you were to die…
Extending that holiday feeling

Extending that holiday feeling
February 4, 2021
Does the summer break already feel like so long ago? If that holiday glow and relaxation didn’t last as long as you wanted, you’re not alone. New research indicates that the mental health benefits of a holiday unfortunately fade quicker than a tan. The study found that it takes us just three days to get…
Turning redundancy into opportunity

Turning redundancy into opportunity
February 4, 2021
As the economy starts to recover from COVID-19 shutdowns, some sectors may take longer than others to return to their normal operating capacity and some companies may never fully recover. That means there is still the chance that some employees could be made redundant. If you are offered redundancy, how can you turn a potentially…
Lessons from 2020 to secure a bright future

Lessons from 2020 to secure a bright future
January 11, 2021
It was a year most of us would like to forget. And yet, some of the toughest lessons of 2020 had a silver lining. We weathered bushfires, floods, a pandemic that’s not over yet and a recession that is. Through it all, we emerged a stronger community. Many of us also learned some useful financial…
Goal setting is one thing – achieving your goals is something else entirely. So what makes the difference between a goal that is achieved and one that falls by the wayside? Research has shown that people who achieve their goals are more likely to do so because they create a vision of their future and are emotionally connected to their goals.i Goal setting for the new year This time of the year is often when we come up with goals, but despite positive intentions, we can easily lose sight of them. There are different approaches to goal setting. SMART goals are often recommended as they’re more considered and measurable, as you follow specific steps in establishing your goal. However, they’re not fail-safe though – a leadership study found that people who set SMART goals are less likely to love their jobs, and only 14% of respondents believed their goals would help them achieve “great things.”ii The study found that many of us don’t strive for difficult goals, which is where HARD goals can help. H.A.R.D goals HARD goals connect your vision to your emotions and values, which then really push and challenge you to achieve great things. They comprise of four elements: Heartfelt, Animated, Required and Difficult. Heartfelt There’s no use setting a goal you have no connection with. For example, climbing the corporate ladder or buying a home, common goals for many of us, don’t resonate with everyone – if they don’t, you’re unlikely to strive to achieve them. Instead, hone in on what truly matters to you and how you want to feel. If you have visions of a relaxed retirement, financial freedom at the end of your working life will motivate you. Or perhaps that entrepreneurial spirit wants to be set Complimentary to start your own venture. Whatever it is, ensure your goals align with your vision and focus on the outcome. Animated Whether you’re naturally a visual thinker or not, by animating your goal you are picturing exactly what it will look like. By visualising your goal, you’re making it real and building a deeper emotional connection to it. If you want to grow your business, visualise customers walking in the door or travelling to a new destination to set up a new office. If you want to change careers, see yourself in that field, talking to your new co-workers and learning the skills you will need. This image will provide ongoing motivation and will drive to achieve your outcome. Required This element reduces the risk of procrastination, as you’ll be clearer as to why you need to meet this goal. For instance, you might set a goal around doing further training, setting specific courses to complete in the year, in order to progress your career. You can explore what is required to achieve your goal by considering if it would happen should you not meet it. For example, if you plan on running a marathon, clearly a running schedule and fitness regime is necessary in order to meet your ultimate goal. Difficult Just as the name suggests, HARD goals aren’t meant to be easy – and you’ll get greater satisfaction meeting difficult goals. Identify what it is you want to do but are hesitant about in case you fail, or perhaps even if you succeed! While you don’t want to create goals so difficult they’ll be impossible to reach, you want them to be a challenge and of great importance to you. Perhaps it will be learning a new language, when you’re not much of a linguist, in order to apply for that job overseas, or to work your way to the top position in your company by taking on more responsibilities. At the basis of all goals is a desire for change. Picture the future you want and then work steadily towards it. As many goals are financial, get in touch if you need support with your finances or for advice on how to make these goals possible. i https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232822271 ii https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/35353793-are-smart-goals-dumb

Goal setting made easy with the H.A.R.D approach
January 11, 2021
Goal setting is one thing – achieving your goals is something else entirely. So what makes the difference between a goal that is achieved and one that falls by the wayside? Research has shown that people who achieve their goals are more likely to do so because they create a vision of their future and…
2020 Year in Review

2020 Year in Review
January 11, 2021
Just as we were recovering from the long drought and the worst bushfires on record, the global coronavirus pandemic took hold and changed everything. Suddenly, simple things we took for granted, like going to the office or celebrating special occasions, were put on hold. While life is still not back to normal, Australia is in…

Tax-effective ways to boost your super
December 10, 2020
After a year when the average superannuation balance fell slightly or, at best, moved sideways, the summer holidays could be a good opportunity to think about ways to rebuild your savings while being mindful of tax. With the Reserve Bank reducing interest rates to record lows and not anticipating a rise until 2024, it’s more…
Five tips for a better retirement

Five tips for a better retirement
November 10, 2020
Retirement is an exciting time. It’s the long-awaited reward for a lifetime of work and, if you’ve planned it correctly, it heralds a life stage synonymous with relaxation and enjoyment. However, to make sure your retirement is everything you’d hoped for, it’s crucial to make smart decisions to help you stick to your financial plan,…

Taking control of your finances after a separation or divorce
November 10, 2020
Going through a separation or divorce can be a stressful and emotionally-charged time, particularly when it comes to conversations around shared finances and the division of assets. Having a clear plan for how you approach these discussions can help provide direction and ensure you reach a fair solution that everyone is happy with. Set yourself…
Managing investment risk in uncertain times

Managing investment risk in uncertain times
October 13, 2020
This year has exposed investors to the end of a bull market and the start of a global recession, all caused by a totally unexpected global pandemic. The outlook for the global economy and investment markets remains uncertain until an effective vaccine is available. While there is cause for optimism that one of the many…

Getting retirement plans back on track
September 15, 2020
After a year when even the best laid plans have been put on hold due to COVID-19, people who were planning to retire soon may be having second thoughts. You may be concerned about a drop in your super balance, insecure work, or an uncertain investment outlook. Whatever your circumstances, a financial tune-up may be…

How to spend and invest at the same time
September 15, 2020
https://centaurfinancial.com.au/investing/how-to-spend-and-invest-at-the-same-time/

SMSFs on the defensive: Is it time to revisit your strategy?
September 15, 2020
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have had a challenging year, with COVID-19 linked market uncertainty affecting income and returns. But SMSF trustees haven’t been sitting on their hands. One of the main reasons people give for wanting to establish an SMSF is to have greater control of their investments and taking control of a difficult situation…

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