Darren Titmus

The dawn of a new year sees many people setting new year’s resolutions such as losing some weight or giving up smoking. Similarly, the beginning of a new year is the ideal time for setting financial goals. Here are four practical ways you can kick your year off to a great start. Decide what you want to achieve. January is perfect for taking stock of where you’re at financially, particularly as those post-December bills start rolling in. So perhaps you’d like…

Just as the Grinch stole Christmas, excess spending can rob us all of yuletide happiness. Seasonal credit card splurges can create ballooning long term debt, while unnecessary consumption inevitably leads to a blow-out in rubbish bin waste. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia estimates $11 billion is spent on presents each year, including some 20 million unwanted gifts. At the same time, seasonal celebrations boost landfill rubbish by a massive 30 per cent. So, if you want to max out the…

As we approach Christmas, the season most celebrated with food and beverages, it’s a good time to take stock of just how much we spend, and subsequently waste, on food throughout the year. Saving now and budgeting for Christmas party catering is the perfect place to start creating better shopping habits allowing us to enjoy culinary treats without skimping on portions or breaking the bank. Astonishingly, Australians waste around 20% of all food they purchase. In other words, for every…

Work-life balance. It’s something everyone seeks, but achieving it can seem an impossible task. Not only does the ideal balance vary from person to person, it can change frequently throughout life. If your wheel of life has developed a wobble, it might be time to do some repairs to regain stability for the journey ahead. What’s the problem? The source of your imbalance may be clear. Too many hours in the office; too long spent commuting; or maybe you need…

Whatever your financial goal, reaching age 30 is a turning point for many of us. Whilst it may mean life is getting more serious, by the time we’re in our 30s we’re keen to retain our individuality and remain determined to have fun. With a little planning you can make this age even more enjoyable. The following stories may inspire you to start now to build a stronger financial future. Protecting what you’ve got Josh was doing well in his…

A financial advisor and planner, like me, are paid to worry. We are professional worriers not just your average amateur worriers. We have taken worrying to a new level and made it almost an art form. The amateur worrier spends too much time worrying about things that are likely to happen. The true professional worries about the unlikely events that can be really disruptive to our plans. It is the unexpected that can cause the most harm. The professional For…

We work hard to earn our income and even harder to save it to achieve our dreams. Even a few dollars saved on different types of bills over the years can compound to something meaningful. Let’s go through some of the ways that can help achieve these savings with these 8 tips on how to save money on your bills. 1. Track your expenses Why should you track your expenses? To understand where you spend money so you can stop…

With over 4.4 million Australians living with a disability, most families either have a family member with a disability or know of a family supporting a disabled loved one. Financial planning for a family member with a disability is a real challenge. In 2018, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found 4.5 per cent, or approximately 211,200 children, aged between 0 to 14 years, have a profound or severe disability, placing enormous stress on parents as they care for, and also financially…

Today we’re going to talk about managing your money. There’s a quote that says, “Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it”. True if you’ve got that sort of money. For the rest of us, our spending is usually clothing, gadgets and cars – the kinds of things that make us happy. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data suggests that consumer spending is influenced by job security and…

Becoming a parent is an exciting time of adjustment and upheaval; how could such a little person create so many changes – and sleepless nights? But lack of sleep shouldn’t be caused by financial worries and reduced household income. With a little financial planning for parenthood, you will feel at peace in your new circumstances. Impact on finances When Judy a florist, and Gary an IT manager, decided to start a family, like everyone, they worried about the impact on their finances.  They…