This is the year. 2020 is the year you hit the gym three times a week, let go of resentments, challenge yourself daily, eat healthy, climb Mount Everest and become an astronaut. Whatever goals you’ve set yourself this year, we believe in you and you should believe in yourself. But do you know what will help you reach these new year goals? Solid financial management!
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So, here’s our top five budgeting tips for 2020. 

​Hello Parents! We feel you. It’s been a rollercoaster over the last few years. You’ve slowed down with your career, had kids and one of you has been the primary stay at home parent. We get it, it’s not always easy for couples who have children to adjust from two fulltime incomes to one.
Now, after several years, the time has arrived. Your children have started school and now the stay at home parent is ready to re-enter the workforce. This presents an opportunity to significantly boost your household income. You have grown so used to relying on one income, jumping back to two can be an adjustment in itself. The question is – what to do with this newfound cash?  

​It’s the most wonderful time of the year….. and most expensive! You guessed it, it’s Christmas. The silly season can be costly and extremely stressful, if you’re worried about money.
Don’t break a sweat, lucky for you, we have your back! Before you march on your merry way and start practicing your Christmas Carols, we wanted to share some financial tips to stuff in your stocking. 

The legacy of your loved one. Their last parting gift for you. An inheritance.
 
The confronting question: How do you want to honour your loved one’s final legacy?
 
It is a tremendous honour when a treasured loved one leaves you a gift. However, it is our responsibility to ensure we live up to that honour and to spend this gift wisely.  Firstly, take a deep breath. This is a lot to handle and consider - we know. Knowing what to do with a lump sum of money during an emotional and painful time is scary. We more than appreciate that this poses as somewhat of a dilemma. 

​We know, we know. Retirement seems like it’s soooooo far away. What’s the point in planning and saving for something that won’t happen for like 20, 30 or 40 years? Let’s just back up a bit and put that in other words. That is 20-30- or 40 more years of WORK! If you are in your 20’s you will likely be working for at least another 40 years! Is that what you want? No, I didn’t think so. 

The chickens have flown the coop. You are at a point in your life where you have more room around you than you can handle. The nest is feeling a lot larger than you once remember.
 
Uhuh, that is right - you are ready to downsize.

Kids, they are like having a little broke best friend who thinks you’re rich. They are always getting you to pay for everything, never paying you back, constantly trashing the house and when you say no, they just look at you with either sad puppy eyes or with the hatred and burning intensity of a thousand suns. Either way, you’ll probably cave. You give them life, constant love, pay for all their stuff and just hope they don’t roll you into a nursing home at the first possible chance. No matter what happens though, we always want the best for our kids and hope they succeed in life.
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A tried and tested way to help them succeed is to make sure they get a good education. 

​Ahhh your wedding day. The biggest day of your life. Let us paint the picture, shall we?
You and your partner are standing face to face, gazing into each other’s glistening eyes, hands entwined with your diamond and gold wedding rings catching the summer sunlight.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife”.
You kiss for the first time as a married couple, the orchestra starts playing, a thousand and one white doves are released behind the altar. You turn to face the hundreds upon hundreds of guests. You begin down the red carpet as your adoring guests throw dozens of roses at your feet. Your glamorous Rolls Royce awaits to take you to the fairy tale castle for the reception.
“Wait, Rolls Royce? fairy tale castle?” Yup, that’s right, you’re dreaming!

​Today is the day. It has finally come. You are ready to spread your wings and fly the nest. Firstly – congrats!
You’ll prove to yourself, your parents and your annoying siblings that yes, you can make it on your own and no, you don’t need anyone to do your laundry. It’s time to take #adultlife on the chin and to move out. 

​So, you’re thinking of dipping your toes in the property ocean? Great! Are you excited? We bet you are. 
 
Buying property is likely the biggest financial decision many of us will ever make. It’s exciting and daunting. It could be the first step to some long-term financial security or a stumble, into a mire of debt that’s extremely hard to pull yourself out of.