http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/rss/recentRecent blogsen-au2012-05-18476http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/paul-clitheroe-switching-is-getting-easier-and-can-be-worthwhilehttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/paul-clitheroe-switching-is-getting-easier-and-can-be-worthwhileAustralia is lucky to have a well regulated financial system with a wide range of institutions to choose from including the big banks, smaller customer owned banks, credit unions, building societies and non banks. Yet despite all this choice, we tend to stick with the same institution, even when we’re not happy with it.14 May 2012475http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/Victoria-s-retirement-villages-supported-by-new-gov-t-publicationshttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/Victoria-s-retirement-villages-supported-by-new-gov-t-publicationsVictoria's minister for consumer affairs launched two important publications regarding rights of retirement village residents and codes of best practice for operators.11 May 2012474http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/working-without-chainshttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/working-without-chainsThere is a common dream that continues to be shared by so many Australians in relation to their working lives. Across the country, so many Australians desire to work for themselves, to be self-employed. It is about not being beholden to an employer or company and being masters of their time and solely rewarded for the efforts and initiatives.11 May 2012473http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/market-watch-review-of-April-2012http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/market-watch-review-of-April-2012Market Watch is a monthly publication on the investment themes that influence returns from well diversified portfolios like at ipac's. Our latest edition 'review of April 2012' is available now.11 May 2012472http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/ipac-federal-budget-2012-13-snapshothttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/ipac-federal-budget-2012-13-snapshotOn 8 May 2012, the Federal Government unveiled a $1.5 billion Federal Budget surplus. If you missed out on catching our exclusive coverage earlier in the week here’s our snapshot, highlighting the points most relevant to financial planning.11 May 2012471http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/invest-wisely-with-financial-advicehttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/invest-wisely-with-financial-adviceknowing which investments will provide a reliable return and which may negatively affect your savings is not always easy, but a financial planner can help.10 May 2012470http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/Budget-2012-Superannuation-reformshttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/Budget-2012-Superannuation-reforms the federal government Budget announcement yesterday (May 8) has made allowances for further reforms to the superannuation system.09 May 2012466http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/retirement-relationships-and-how-one-can-influence-the-otherhttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/retirement-relationships-and-how-one-can-influence-the-otherrelationships with friends, family and spouses can be affected by retirement - ensure that you plan for how your lifestyle may influence your socialisation in your post-work years.08 May 2012465http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/paul-clitheroe-low-rates-may-cause-a-rethink-on-cashhttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/paul-clitheroe-low-rates-may-cause-a-rethink-on-cashThe recent 0.5% cut to the official cash rate by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is good news if you have a home loan. But if you are an investor with cash on deposit, chances are that the rate your money earns will also head south.07 May 2012462http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/the-kids-have-moved-out-what-nowhttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/the-kids-have-moved-out-what-nowSome parents breathe a sigh of relief when their last chick leaves the nest – others find it one of the hardest times of their lives. If you're part of the latter group and finding it difficult to cope, you’re not alone. When the children start moving out of home permanently, it can be a very challenging time—so much so that "empty nest syndrome" is becoming recognised as a medical condition.04 May 2012461http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/windex-magpies-loved-by-everyonehttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/windex-magpies-loved-by-everyoneAdvertisers are often focussed on creating ads for specific age groups and life stages. Makes sense considering that attitudes and priorities change with age. It’s also possible, however, to speak to everyone simultaneously. And to do so in a universally entertaining manner while clearly demonstrating the product involved. That’s precisely what the most popular ad across all generations has been doing for the last couple of years.04 May 2012464http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/plan-your-retirement-investments-wiselyhttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/plan-your-retirement-investments-wiselyinvesting in your future could save a lot of stress in your retirement years, but making the right choices for the investment of your nest egg can be a challenge.03 May 2012459http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/the-relationship-between-retirement-savings-and-cost-of-livinghttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/the-relationship-between-retirement-savings-and-cost-of-livingthe plan you make for your retirement savings should take into account social trends like cost of living and how it might change over time.02 May 2012458http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/the-various-sources-of-retirement-incomehttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/the-various-sources-of-retirement-incomeorganising your funds and planning for your post-work years can help maximise your return from the many sources of retirement income.01 May 2012457http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/control-your-spending-and-boost-your-retirement-incomehttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/control-your-spending-and-boost-your-retirement-incomehaving a solid spending strategy in place as you move into the transition to retirement can help maximise your financial capability for the post-work years.30 April 2012456http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/the-joys-of-winter-exercisehttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/the-joys-of-winter-exerciseAlthough Australia doesn’t have the extreme cold of other places around the world, it’s tempting to curl up under a blanket with a hot chocolate on those cold and windy days. On the other hand, it would be a shame to lose the benefits of all the hard work you’ve put in during those summer months of exercise. Here are a few tips that will help you to exercise safely and effectively during the chilly days of winter.30 April 2012455http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/what-lessons-can-we-learn-from-a-recessionhttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/what-lessons-can-we-learn-from-a-recessionOn a daily basis we hear the economic doom and gloom and the possibility of recession. But is it all bad? Generations before us have learned frugal money tips during past recessions and depressions.Paul Clitheroe discusses the key issues on breakfast radio in Tasmania.30 April 2012454http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/recognising-tax-avoidance-schemes-webcasthttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/recognising-tax-avoidance-schemes-webcastIt's fast approaching tax time and the ATO has launched their annual consumer awareness campaign to inform the Australian public of some handy hints and tips when handling a tax return. In this webcast, co-founder and Executive Director of ipac, Paul Clitheroe speaks on tax avoidance schemes and the pitfalls of entering into an agreement that may almost certainly land you with a tax bill and may even be illegal!30 April 2012453http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/paul-clitheroe-shop-around-for-financial-productshttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/paul-clitheroe-shop-around-for-financial-productsRecent research by ING DIRECT found Australians are cashing in their personal possessions in a bid to boost income. One in ten of us sold some household items over the last year, with more planning to do so in the future.30 April 2012451http://www.ipac.com.au/blog/retirement-planning-and-aged-care-advice-go-hand-in-handhttp://www.ipac.com.au/blog/retirement-planning-and-aged-care-advice-go-hand-in-handwhen it comes to aged care, emotions may get in the way of the creation of a solid plan.26 April 2012