My Goals For 2015…

To Run the New York City Marathon in November AND raise $10,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.

In my last blog I shared with you my big achievement for 2014, the writing and publishing of my first book ‘Retiring In Comfort; How to Build Your Wealth for the Future’.

As I promised in my last blog, this week I am going to share with you my main goal for 2015; I am very excited to share that I will be running the New York City Marathon this year on behalf of the Leukaemia Foundation. I will be raising $10,000 to be used by the Leukaemia Foundation to support individuals with Leukaemia and their families.

When I am planning my goals I use three main motivators to inspire me; Is it something I love? Will it have an impact on the world? Will it help me create connections?

‘Retiring in Comfort: How To Build Your Wealth for the Future’ My big achievement in 2014.

My last few blogs have focused on reviewing the last year and making plans for 2015 so I thought I would share with you one of my main goals for 2014, it was to write my first book. I am not an author and I have no writing experience, but I wanted to share my expertise and find a way to pass on the financial life lessons I have learned. What better way than a book?

I am very excited to announce I achieved my goal for 2014! I wrote and published my first book ‘Retiring In Comfort: How to Build Your Wealth for the Future’. It was no small feat to publish my first book and I would like to share with you the key steps to my success in this project.

What Is Your Definition For Success?

“Success is about creating benefit for all and enjoying the process.  If you focus on this and adopt this definition, success is yours” Kelly Kim.

Forget about how much you earn, whether it’s as low as a dollar an hour or if you are lucky enough to earn $1,000 dollars an hour. It doesn’t really matter; it’s about how much you can save that’s really important. Are you getting up each and every day and going to work because you have to pay the bills or is it just what you need to do – then stop. You need to change your attitude right now.  You need to have the mentality that you can create something special. Ask yourself are you trying to set yourself up so that one-day you have a choice of retirement options? Do you want the choice of doing the things you love, rather than the things you must do. If you tell yourself that you can’t run a marathon, then odds are, you probably won’t.  Instead, ask yourself what you need to put in place to give you every chance of successfully completing a marathon, and then just do it!

What is your definition for success?

What Is The Best Way To Save Money On Your Home Loan?

At the moment interest rates are at an all time low, so now is a great opportunity to set your self up for financial freedom through property investment, not only for today but for your retirement years!

There are a few proven strategies you can use to pay less interest on your home loan and pay it off sooner.

Will A Million Dollars In Superannuation Be Enough?

How much will you and your family need in retirement?

Although the projected growth in the pool of superannuation savings is certainly heading in the right direction, the harsh reality facing those not far off retirement is that they will have no where near enough to retire on!

Increasing life spans, the effect of the GFC, and the fact that superannuation savings are not important to many out there (until they are near “retirement” age) is leaving many short, especially the older workers.

It is simple; most people retiring in the next 20 years will not have the lifestyle in retirement they are seeking or they certainly deserve!

Two options will arise if they are to afford a comfortable retirement, firstly, they will have to work for longer and secondly, the increased contributions required to fund their super will leave them short of time.

As a result, many will be disappointed with their standard of living in retirement. This has been confirmed by a report from Deloitte’s.

Cashflow – A Constant Problem!

Last month I wrote a blog about the importance of cash flow in business, the blog got a massive response, your emails and comments have inspired me to chat further about this, providing you with more cash flow tips for the home as well as your business.

As an accountant, the biggest thing I am currently seeing, whether it be in small businesses or even with everyday families is cash flow problems.

Remember, as discussed in last months blog, cash is king!

Many people blame the government of the day, the economy, their clients & the list can go on and on. However, on most occasions, they fail to look at themselves in the mirror.

Cash Is King – Improve The Cashflow In Your Business

Cash Is King!

Cash is like the blood in our veins that keeps our heart pumping; cash is what keeps a business pumping!

Cash flow is one of the most critical components of success for any small business.

There are many reasons why a business can have cash flow trouble, some of which include;

•  Your customers making late payments to you
• The business expanding too fast and the money runs out
• Plenty of payments are due at the same time

Revisit Your New Years Resolutions This EOFY….

Being the middle of June, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to discuss the need for preparation and it’s importance before the next Financial Year. Have you got everything sorted and ready to go for the close of the 2012/13 Financial Year?

Have you followed through on your financial new year’s resolutions? Or have you found 6 months later you haven’t started?

Did you make the resolution to build your savings, but haven’t started? Do you know that you are paying too much on your mortgage with interest, but you just couldn’t be bothered going through the paperwork or hassle of sorting things out?

Have You Got Sustained Motivation?

At the moment, I am lucky enough to be in beautiful Queenstown, New Zealand.  I had the privilege of meeting Natalie Cook – a 5 time Olympian in Beach Volleyball (she is the only woman to have ever achieved this).  In her Olympic career she has won both a bronze medal in 1996 and a gold medal in 2000 – an unbelievable accomplishment.   In meeting Natalie and listening to her speak, I was inspired as she made her road to success sound so simple, she explained how she was able to sustain her motivation for over 20 years to be the best.

International Women’s Day & Business…

There is the saying “behind every successful man, is a great woman”, and while there is nothing truer in my home, it is important on International Women’s Day to also acknowledge the achievements of women as their own individuals. Women are leading the way in small business around the country with twice the numbers of females starting new businesses compared with the male population (ABN, 2012).