by Jodie | Nov 25, 2013 | Advisers, Business, Finances, General, Social Media
November 25, 2013 – The Financial Standard Power 50 was announced last week at an event hosted by Financial Standard and principle sponsor Zurich at the Gowings Bar & Grill in Sydney.
The #FS Power 50 is a list of the fifty most impressive social media activists in the Financial Services sector. The list is a combination of individuals who have distinguished themselves as shining lights in the digital world. They are the innovators, influencers and communicators who combine clout and class to take centrestage in the Financial Services discussion in Australia.
The list was adjudicated by a panel led by Financial Standard Head of Media and Publisher Michelle Baltazar, “We were looking for digital activists that cut through the discussions and added value to their audiences. Our thinking was that the Power 50 needed to be both the effective vectors of content and interesting conversationalists.”
Commenting on the list’s launch, Financial Services Council senior policy manager and Power 50 member Cecilia Storniolo said, “Congratulations to Financial Standard on the publication of #FSPower50 which celebrates the power and benefits of leveraging social media to connect the connected within the world of financial services. I’m honoured to be named amongst them.”
The Power 50 are showcased in a print guide with a complimentary online version available at www.financialstandard.com.au/fspower50.
For the full press release, please click here.
Amanda Cassar of Wealth Planning Partners was pleased to be announced in the Financial Standard Digital Dozen, the FS Power 50 and to walk away with The Conversationalist Award (jointly with Karin Hanna of Financially Fabulous) on the night!
by Jodie | Apr 30, 2013 | General
Do you like to have a punt?
I once declined placing a bet on the Melbourne Cup and was told I was absolutely, positively UnAustralian! I’ve never even played Two-Up on ANZAC Day… Just saying!
But then, gambling on anything has never been my thing. I feel I work way too hard to give it away. And I’m not sure I’m ever going to be the luckiest chick on the planet when the roll of a dice, randomly chosen numbers or the athletic ability of an animal I’ve chosen based on the pretty colour of jockey’s silk is the deciding factor.
Plenty I know tho, do like to have a punt on the races – whether the gee-gees or the dish lickers and regularly allocate part of their salary to this pastime. And most non-gamblers will even purchase a ticket or two when Lotto run their massive $20million+ draws!
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) state that gambling activity grew enormously during the nineties. ABS data revealed that expenditure on legalised gambling exceeded $11 billion back in 1998 and by 2010 this was over $17 billion!
So, it turns out, we all have ‘a thing,’ something that’s important to us, that we choose to ‘waste the ready’ on. I may be guilty of a shoe fetish or spending on a spot of jewellery, and although gambling is not ‘my thing,’ you may choose to allocate part of your earnings to looking forward to the big win and retiring in style – proving all the doomsayers wrong!
Like anything, it’s about keeping it all in perspective, staying on top of debt and never spending more than we earn. I have a quick chat about the issue on a recent trip to Las Vegas.
Find out more on my YouTube blog here: Does Gambling form part of your Financial Plan?
by Jodie | Apr 29, 2013 | Economy, Finances, General, US Economy
As most of us are aware, Michigan was severely hit by the Global Financial Crisis and that particular state of the US certainly was one of the hardest hit in the nation due to their strong reliance on the car industry.
We heard about the issues facing the automotive industry, which in turn led to an employment crisis in the area. Since the year 2000, employment declined by nearly half a million jobs or 10.5% with a 36.9% loss of manufacturing jobs, and a 50% loss of employment in vehicle manufacturing.
These stats, combined with personal credit debt, rising foreclosures by the banks and dropping consumer confidence impacted the broader community and things were incredibly grim.
Policy responses of temporary cash infusions, increased rebates and interest rate cuts have either helped relieve financial markets over time; or worsen and deepen the crisis, depending on your particular point of view.
However, on my recent visit in March 2013, I found although it was happening slowly, there was a cautious feeling of optimism emerging.
Some plants had reopened, or put to different uses, and staff had been rehired. Things appear on the surface at least, to be on the mend.
Here’s our Video Blog on YouTube: Financial update from Michigan, USA
by Jodie | Apr 29, 2013 | Advisers, Debt Management, Finances, General, Investments
We’ve all heard the stories: Lotto winners broke within a couple of years, professional athletes running out of money and filing for bankruptcy, and those with a windfall or inheritance wondering where it all went.
It’s stories like these that inspired Amanda Cassar to do a short video blog when recently staying at the Bellagio in Las Vegas to discuss the importance of a financial plan and having a professional help with managing your money.
See more here on our YouTube clip: Managing a Financial Windfall
![New Year’s Resolutions already forgotten?]()
by Jodie | Jan 18, 2013 | Finances, General
So it’s already half way through January are most of us are wondering where those few weeks of R&R went. So how are you going with those Resolutions you made? Still hanging in there or already over?
I thought I’d have a look at the Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions made and see how they tally with yours. According to the website squidoo.com, these are the Top 10 on the Resolution List are:
1. Stop Smoking
2. Get into a Habit of being Fit
3. Lose Weight – the Battle of the Bulge
4. Enjoy Life More.
5. Quit Drinking
6. Organise Yourself – this is one of the keys to reaching your goals
7. Learn Something New
8. Get out of Debt
9. Spend More Time With Family
10. Help People.
The way I see it, over half of these involve either saving or spending money to achieve.
I’d suggest perhaps just hitting your top two or three and seeing how you go with achieving these before moving on. Some motivation might come from setting a basic budget – i.e. seeing how much you’ll save on quitting smoking and reducing grog.
All this talk of new year resolutions can be a bit overwhelming. Goal setting is great, but when it comes to strict diets and gruelling work targets, studies show that if we’re too hard on ourselves we’re actually more likely to binge, burnout and end up going further backwards than forwards.
When it comes to making long term changes, the old adage of “slow and steady wins the race” is often best. We like that idea much better! Perhaps buddy up with a pal with similar plans and kill two or more birds with one stone – you may Get into a habit of Being Fit, Lose Weight, and Enjoy Life More… all at the same time! Then again Quitting Smoking and Reducing the Grog may also help with Getting out of Debt!
And always – if you need the help of friends, family or an expert – never be afraid to ask.
Hope 2013 is a cracker of a year for you!
