Centaur Financial Services team discussing EOFY opportunities for PAYG, Solo traders, business owners and retirees

    EOFY 2026 Checklist for employees, sole-traders, business owners and retirees
    May 7, 2026
    A plain-English EOFY 2026 checklist for PAYG employees, sole traders, company/trust owners and retirees.
    Retirees enjoying their freedom on a holiday

    Conquering FORO: The Fear of Running Out in Retirement
    May 6, 2026
    FORO (the fear of running out) is one of the biggest psychological hurdles in retirement. Here’s why it costs more than money, and what to do about it.

    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…

    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….

    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…
    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…
    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….
    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…
    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…
    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…

    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…
    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….

    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…
    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…

    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…

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