It’s a well known concept that effort equals reward…

To achieve in your chosen sport you must make an effort to train, prepare and compete…

To succeed in your chosen field of study or career you must make an effort to learn, apply yourself and accomplish…

To succeed in your chosen business you must make an effort to lead, engage and organise…and that includes organising your finances too!

In recent times, business owners have been inundated with information about accounting software packages, particularly those based in “the cloud” – and they all claim to save you time and money!

Guess what?  They can…if you put the required effort into them!

I have had many conversations over the years with clients where we have discussed that the information you get out of your accounting package is only as good as the information you put into it – essentially meaning that you must have good processing systems in place, record accurate data and record the data correctly…if you want the reports you prepare to actually mean something!

I encourage each of you to have a think about the way your financial and accounting systems function, and ask yourself:

• Can you interpret your reports?
• Do you feel like you are continually handling mountains of paperwork?
• Does your accountant ask for lots of extra information and explanations at the end of each quarter or the end of the year?
• Do you have your information at your fingertips?

If you answered “no” to any of the questions above, contact The Tax Chic to arrange a consultation, you’d be surprised how a few tweaks to your processes can make them more effective.

Regards

I am a firm believer that planning, in all aspects of life, is important!

My friends and family can testify to my ongoing need to make lists and check them off!

Whether its a party, shopping, a holiday or a business to-do list…I love lists and I love seeing each line on a list crossed off – why?

As I cross off each line, it is proof that I have achieved something…and on some days that is really important to remind yourself.

Having said all of that, sometimes the wheels fall off my planning bandwagon – take for instance, right now…it is 10.15pm on Tuesday night as I prepare this blog post…probably doesn’t scream “good planning”!!

I figure I have a good excuse, I left home at 6.30am this morning and have been on the road ALL day – lucky for me I had some company, a driver, and a home cooked meal to return to…even so, I’m giving myself permission to cut myself some slack tonight, and I ask you to give yourself permission to do the same.

I guarantee I’ll be back in planning mode after a good night sleep and the first thing I do in the morning will be to write myself a list!

On that note…goodnight xo

Regards

Spring has sprung…yay!

The days are starting to get lighter, the weather a little warmer…but what’s that? “A-choo”…of course, with the fun times of Spring also comes the not so fun…hay fever season…

But Spring and hay fever season are not the only things starting on 1st September this year…MoneySmart Week kicks off from today until 7th September.

MoneySmart Week is a not-for-profit initiative promoting the importance of financial literacy.

Financial literacy is a fancy name for knowing about money!  What is it, how to earn it, how to deal with it,…and MoneySmart week focuses on assisting Australians to take stock of their financial health.

Financial literacy is also the foundation upon which The Tax Chic was established – anyone who has spoken to me about my reasons for setting up The Tax Chic will know that I am passionate about education.

I want everyone, especially women, to take control of their financial situation…knowledge is power…and burying your head in the sand when it comes to money and finances, will get you no-where.

A timely reminder that if there are topics you’d like The Tax Chic to address, please complete the form on the Contact page.

Why don’t you make some time this week to look at your financial health..and read all about MoneySmart Week by clicking here.

Regards

It’s been on television and in newspapers across the world, it’s all over social media…and it’s important!

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been doing the rounds to raise awareness of ALS, or Motor Neurone Disease (MND) as it is known in Australia.

I am fully aware that there are many organisations in Australia and overseas who need funds to support their staff and programs and enhance research, I donate to many of them each year.  I am also aware that you don’t need to pour a bucket of iced water over your head in order to make a donation – but we do love a challenge and if it raises awareness for any terminal disease – then I say “why not?”

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge strikes a chord with me as MND is a cause extremely close to my heart…my Dad was diagnosed with MND in early 1984.

It started with some weakness in his hands as he tinkered away in his workshop, very rapidly we saw a fit and energetic 33 year old deteriorate to having to use a walking cane, a motorised wheelchair (while he could still use the controls) and ultimately saw him confined to a wheelchair and totally reliant on others for his daily care.

Some of my more vivid memories from that time include moving into a house with ramps and wide door ways to accommodate the wheelchair, purchasing a water bed (since it made rolling Dad in the middle of the night a little easier on my Mum and the nursing staff who stayed at our house on many nights), and turning the pages of the newspaper and helping to feed my Dad – since that is pretty much all I could do at ten years of age.

My Dad passed away on 21st November, 1985 just 11 days before my 11th birthday…

For this reason, I am excited that the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has raised the profile of MND.

Every piece of knowledge I gain, every story I hear, sees the compassion I have for those who are living with, or have died with, MND increase…I can only hope that you too feel this way.

If you would like to support MND in Australia (with or without the ice bucket!), follow this link www.mndaust.asn.au , you can also read about the Association and their research.

PS In case you are wondering, no, I haven’t poured a bucket of ice water over my head…I prefer my ice in a bucket like the photograph attached to this post…but I have donated some cash, and I encourage you all to do the same if you can!

Regards