Quick Insights – Christmas 2025 edition

9 December

Carmel’s Christmas Plum Pudding   Carmel Adams (Sam's mum)   Serves: 6 🧂 Ingredients 2 kg mixed dried fruit ½ kg glazed cherries 9 cups milk (approx. 2 litres) 3 cups brown sugar 500 g Western Star butter ...[Read More]

Market Update – Tariffs and President Trump’s “Liberation Day”

4 April

Key Messages: President Trump has proposed a 10% tariff on US imports from most countries, with steeper tariffs targeting “bad actors” including China (54%), Thailand (36%) and EU (20%). While these tariffs are expected to take effect,...[Read More]

Top 7 signs you are ready to retire

16 July

Retirement is one of life’s biggest financial and personal transitions. While many people focus on reaching a particular age, being ready to retire involves much more than simply qualifying to access superannuation or receiving the Age Pension. A...[Read More]

Cyber awareness in everyday life: Five ways to avoid being scammed

16 July

Our everyday lives are increasingly managed online. We receive bills by email, banking alerts by text, delivery updates and payment requests through apps and websites. These services are convenient, but they also give scammers more opportunities to...[Read More]

The top 10 things small business owners often forget when getting started

16 July

Starting a small business is exciting. You may have a great idea, industry experience and the motivation to build something of your own. However, enthusiasm alone does not create a sustainable business.   Many new business owners focus heavily on...[Read More]

Top 5 Australian family holidays for the school break

16 July

School holidays offer families a valuable opportunity to step away from everyday routines, explore somewhere new and create memories together. Australia has an extraordinary range of destinations, from tropical reefs and theme parks to...[Read More]

The best and worst ways to live alongside your neighbours

16 July

A good home is about more than the building, the backyard or the location. The people living around you can have a major influence on how comfortable, secure and enjoyable your neighbourhood feels.   When neighbours communicate, show consideration...[Read More]

Perception of wealth: The importance of holistic well-being in defining prosperity

16 July

In today’s society, the notion of wealth extends beyond financial resources. As individuals seek a more balanced and fulfilling life, the concept of wealth has evolved to encompass various factors such as education, healthcare, job satisfaction,...[Read More]

Critical factors to consider before setting up a board of directors for your business

16 July

A great board of directors can make a significant difference in the success of your business. Whether it is a requirement by regulators, a condition set by potential investors, or a strategic decision to seek expert guidance, setting up a board...[Read More]

Trump threatens to shoot down signs of economic rebound

16 July

Just as businesses and consumers were beginning to grow more confident, a return to arms in the Middle East risks sending sentiment back to the doldrums. Business confidence climbed nine points in June, despite warnings the federal budget would...[Read More]

How first-time homebuyers can save $8,500 in taxes

16 July

First-time homebuyers are missing out on thousands of dollars by not using a little-known scheme that helps save them money for the deposit. The First Home Super Saver Scheme lets them take advantage of their superannuation account’s favourable...[Read More]

Tax push renders budget surplus forecasts ‘unrealistic’

16 July

More tax cuts for workers would keep the budget in deficit beyond the next decade, the agency that assesses the nation’s finances warns. The outlook for the federal budget has improved over the past year, despite economic headwinds from the Middle...[Read More]

Energy rollercoaster: Australian bills to fall and rise

16 July

Solar panels, wind farms and cheaper batteries will help to cut Australian electricity bills in the coming years, even as the artificial intelligence boom pushes up the price of gas technology. But energy prices will rise after 2030, a study has...[Read More]

Retrofit rewards to usher in new era of fire-safe homes

16 July

Fire-resistant home upgrades have rocketed to the top of the to-do list for Jem Gay. Summer bushfires that tore through more than 4000 hectares and destroyed 50 buildings in Harcourt in central Victoria were too-close-for-comfort for the residents...[Read More]

How to save money around the home amidst the rising interest rates

9 July

With interest rates rising almost everywhere, including Australia, people have begun tightening their purse strings as best they can.   However, decreasing spending to ensure your expenses match your reduced budget could mean barely any savings or...[Read More]

Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and ‘myGov’ impersonation scams

9 July

With tax time 2026 fast approaching, Scamwatch and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are reminding Australians to be aware of communications claiming to be from the ATO or ‘myGov’.   Scammers make phone calls, send fake emails, texts, or...[Read More]

The new financial year has begun: What are your numbers really telling you?

9 July

Once tax time has passed, many small business owners breathe a sigh of relief and move on. But the start of a new financial year is actually one of the best times to pause, review your numbers, and ask: what did last year really show us?   Your...[Read More]