Christmas Newsletter

Welcome to our Christmas edition of the MaKe Financial Decisions newsletter. As the year winds down, we encourage you to reminisce on the year just past and to start thinking about the year ahead for yourself and your loved ones. We hope you enjoy the variety in this collection of articles in this edition.

Brian Parker a Senior Investment Consultant at MLC Investment Management, reviews how the Australian and International Investment markets have performed in 2013.

Christmas is considered a family time of the year, and although money is not on the forefront of everyone's minds it might be a good time to have certain conversations with your loved ones. Take the time to revisit your goals with your spouse or start talking about the importance of saving to your children. You may have wrapped up the latest iPhone or iPad and it's already sitting under the Christmas tree but maybe take the opportunity in the next few weeks to help your kids understand that technology always needs to be upgraded over time and that it can be expensive but one day they will have to buy the latest products themselves. Money Talks discusses how to approach these discussions with your loved ones. 

With New Years just around the corner, you might want to consider how your finances are structured for the year ahead. Smarter strategies offers some ways to consider managing your debts so that you can tackle 2014 without financial concerns.

Also included is a small article on Government changes to the Baby Bonus set to take place in March 2014. If you or anyone you know are expecting or already receiving the baby bonus, you might want to look at whether this will affect you.

To finish off, we have included a simple Christmas recipe that anyone can attempt. Rum balls always add more cheer to that special occasion with family and friends, so be sure to have a bowl ready to take to gatherings or even for when guests drop by.

If you would like to talk about these issues or any other topic, please give us a call. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy reading this newsletter.

The team at MaKe Financial Decisions wish you a Merry Christmas and

a happy, safe and prosperous New Year

 Our office will be closed this Christmas Season from 2pm Friday December 20^th and will reopen on Monday 6^th January, 2014.

Warm regards,

Mary Kelly

Financial Planner

MaKe Financial Decisions Pty Ltd

Corporate Authorised Representatives of

MLC Financial Planning

ABN 96 002 071 749

Australian Financial Services Licensee