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26
BUSINESS CHICKS latte magazine
On-the-go thirties
The age of 30 is a turning point for
many people - life is getting more
serious but you're still committed to
family and friends and having fun.
And now there are three
The arrival of a baby often means two
salaries become one. Head to the Family
Assistance Offi ce and apply for the
Maternity Payment and Family Tax Benefi ts
(up to $7,800 per year) to help soften the
fi nancial impact.
Protect your health
Private health insurance doesn't just cover
you against medical expenses ­ it also saves
you at tax time. Private health insurance
premiums increase by approximately 2.4%
after the age of 30, however you may
qualify for a 30% rebate to reduce the cost.
Lower your tax
The more you earn, the more tax you pay.
Talk to a fi nancial planner about strategies
such as salary packaging, salary sacrifi cing
and investing in shares and property to save
your tax and build on personal wealth.
Fortify your fi nance
Income for most people generally peaks
in their 40s with higher incomes and
equally high debts.
Don't pay the unnecessary
Consider your tax effi ciency and planning.
Consolidating investments and liabilities can
reduce paying unnecessary tax.
Consider the future
Achieve your retirement goals by
planning ahead now. Consider various
superannuation strategies such as salary
sacrifi cing to assist in achieving your
retirement plans.
Estate Planning
Protect your estate in the event of the death
or disablement of your or your partner by
creating a proper will, Power of Attorney,
Health Directive and Testamentary trust.
Fortunate fi fties & beyond
People in their 50s usually experience
a higher disposable income as they
become empty nesters. It's time to
determine what it's going to take to live
comfortably in retirement.
Reduce debt
Higher disposable income means that
reducing your non-deductable debt should
be accelerated during this time, do you have
strategies in place that can help you reduce
your personal debt quicker?
Growth
With a higher disposable income it is an
optimal time to enhance an existing investment
portfolio with tax-effective strategies.
Saving for retirement
You can now make concessional
contributions of up to $100,000 each
fi nancial year until 30th June 2012 into your
superannuation program to help improve
your fi nancial position over the long term.
Peter Sarai is the Group Managing Director of Modoras Financial Performance Group
www.modoras.com
Whether it's planning a family,
refinancing a mortgage or
planning for retirement, it's
important to review your financial
plans to ensure they meet your
needs now and into the future.
Peter Sarai provides some tips to
understanding the opportunities
and financial considerations for
your age group.
DOLLARS & SENSE
Your Money
In Ages and Stages