Welcome to our very first First Financial Services Newsletter

The Federal Treasurer, Mr Joe Hockey, handed down his first budget at 7:30 pm (AEST) on 13 May 2014. In a budget intended to reduce the deficit from its current $49.9b to $29.8b next year, he said that he was “delivering balanced and credible budget repair”. The budget contained few tax and superannuation measures but included a range of austerity measures, especially in relation to social security and health.

Here are the tax, superannuation, social security and health highlights.

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We all hope that bad things won’t happen to us, but what if they did? These people held the same belief until...

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His words might have been recorded over 200 years ago, but Benjamin Franklin’s famous uttering “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes” remains as true today as it was in 1788. The one thing that has constantly changed is tax law, and although death is impossible to avoid, with the many options available to us, taxation doesn’t need to inflict too much pain.

Here is a list of tips to help you minimise the amount of tax you pay.

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Your income is the foundation upon which your family’s financial plans are built and in most people’s lives there won’t be a larger asset to protect than their cumulative income. Consider this...

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These days 50 and over is not regarded as "old". In fact, many Baby Boomers are actually looking forward to this decade of their lives. For some it's a time they've been dreaming of when the kids are off their hands allowing Mum and Dad to finally enjoy that extended holiday across Australia or around the world; or just simply doing what they want to do! They're remembering the freedom they had in their youth and yearn for an easier lifestyle.

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A flavoursome curry dish that is simple to make and easy to enjoy.

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