- Kids on the Coast
Transcription
- Kids on the Coast
- on the coast - in the city JULY 2015 Published by Mother Goose Media www.mothergoosemedia.com.au Have you heard about our Frequent Buyers Bonus System? - on the coast - in the city Our Family Finances guide is all about being money savvy. You’ll find plenty of valuable tips to help get your family’s budget on track, from saving on groceries and utility bills to meal planning and having fun on a budget. Follow our step-by-step guide to create a functional budget that will work for your family and teach your kids to be financially aware and in control of spending and saving with our useful insights. Buy 6 pairs of shoes and GET YOUR 7 pair free* CHOOSE FROM THE BEST RANGE OF TH AND MORE! *CONDITIONS: FREE PAIR IS BASED ON THE AVERAGE VALUE OF THE CARDS REDEEMED. CARDS MUST BE REDEEMED WITHIN 2 YEARS OF DATE OF ISSUE. 2 SHOP WITH US AT: WESTFIELD CARINDALE WESTFIELD CHERMSIDE INDOOROOPILLY SHOPPING CENTRE WWW.SHOESANDSOX.COM.AU www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au What are your top tips for keeping your family finances in order? We’d love you to share your ideas with us via our website or email. KIDS on the Coast/in the City SUNSHINE COAST issuu.com/kidsonthecoastmagazine GOLD COAST BRISBANE Kids on the Coast Magazine Kids on the Coast Magazine Kids in the City Magazine kidsonthecoastmagazine kidsonthecoastmagazine kidsinthecitymagazine DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this guide is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. It is not specific to any particular financial situation, objectives or needs. Mother Goose Media recommends that you seek independent financial advice. Financial information can change without notice. While all information contained in this guide is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, Mother Goose Media does not guarantee the accuracy of information, including information provided by third parties, at any time. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 3 mother mother kids on the coast | in the city MEDIA PUBLISHED BY Mother Goose Media PTY LTD PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 1300 430 320 FAX: 07 5442 7253 ABN: 86 473 357 391 WEB: www.mothergoosemedia.com.au MEDIA Exclusive importer and distributor of LITTLE BLOOMING WONDER, Australia’s first eco-friendly and everlasting flower. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au GETTING STARTED FINDING YOUR WAY IS EASY. JUST TAP BELOW TO JUMP STRAIGHT TO THE PAGE. 6 the family budget 24 raising money savvy kids 28 saving on utilities 34 saving on food 44 having fun on a budget TAP TO JUMP TO YOUR FAVOURITE SECTION blooms for up to EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston EDITOR: Natasha Higgins GROUP EDITOR - DIGITAL: Eva Lewis 10 YEARS with only one weekly watering SOCIAL MEDIA: Eva Lewis EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Kerry White PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT: Phoebe Browning production@mothergoosemedia.com.au STARTING AT JUST $5 for the smaller designs. www.olliandash.com.au I @olliandash f olliandash DESIGN: Michelle Craik & Phoebe Browning COVER DESIGN: Alarna Zimm * We publish information based on what is supplied to us - to the best of our knowledge all details are correct at the time of printing, however we do recommend you check event details with the organisers DISTRIBUTION Online: Downloadable from our website www.kidsonthecoast.com.au or from www.ISSUU.com EDM: To our online subscribers ADVERTISING Call 1300 430 320 or email your Business Development Manager. SUNSHINE COAST Tanya advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au Do you need quality childcare? VACANCIES NOW IN Bli Bli, Cooroibah, Meridan Plains, Mooloolaba, Mountain Creek, Pacific Paradise, Pelican Waters, Sunrise Beach, Tewantin. GOLD COAST Joanne gc@kidsonthecoast.com.au BRISBANE Kerri advertising@kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au - on the coast By offering a myriad of experiences, where children will learn to make choices, mistakes and celebrate their individual and group achievements, we educate children. Stimulating Learning Experiences We respect and value each child’s personality and recognise their family and culture and how that will influence their learning. Mixed Age Groups Flexible Care Arrangements 7 Days a Week Call now to discuss your care needs 07 5449 1959 www.louerafdcs.com.au - in the city www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 5 THE FAMILY BUDGET THE FAMILY BUDGET by Sandra Smith WHATEVER OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION, THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO SET UP A BUDGET AND CUT BACK ON HOUSEHOLD SPENDING. THIS WILL PREPARE US FOR ANY CHANGES THAT MAY LIE AHEAD ON A NATIONAL OR A PERSONAL LEVEL. SETTING UP A FAMILY BUDGET Creating a budget for the first time and realising just how much money is needed to cover even the basic bills can be a shock. Is our spending greater than our income? If it is, then we’re headed for a financial crisis. Uniting Care Community financial counsellor Mark Bates says the more realistic the budget, the better. While the family budget doesn’t have to be carved in stone, Mark advises that even if it’s basic, it gets us thinking about our spending and our priorities. Maintain a spending diary to keep track of expenditure. Be honest and write down every expense, including the small purchases. Those cappuccinos and takeaway meals could be costing more than you think. “Spending diaries are good because they make your budget accurate and they also give you time to reflect on what you’re actually buying,” Mark says. The Raising Children Network website provides links to budget planners and money guides. SPENDING PRIORITIES Mark says the most important priority for families is always housing, followed by medication and keeping the electricity and telephone connected. He says food is way down the line, because there are charities that can help with that. 6 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au “Once you’ve paid those four things, what you choose to spend your money on is your choice, but you’ve got to cover those four,” he says. “The first one, a roof over your head, is the single most important thing. Go without food if you have to, but pay your rent.” People are much more savvy than they were three or four years ago, says Mark. They have already switched off the extra fridge or turned the air conditioning down a notch, but the cost of living is still rising. “If you look at the national figure, electricity usage is declining; people are using less. Consumption is down and prices are still up, and that’s what people are finding frustrating,” Mark says. “Whatever they do doesn’t make any difference; the bills are going up and up.” Mark advises that the old-fashioned values that we were brought up with actually still work, and he says that family and friends are more important than the latest iPhone. “Focus on the things that you need,” he says. If we take a look at where our money is going and make a few simple adjustments, we can spend less and still live well. By changing our spending habits, we’re able to get the bills paid on time and have the benefit of extra cash, less stress and stronger family relationships. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 7 THE FAMILY BUDGET THE FAMILY BUDGET 1. C HANGES TO CHILDCARE 5 SUBSIDIES From July 1, 2017, a new Jobs for Families childcare package is expected to replace the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate with a single child care subsidy. This subsidy will be paid directly to child care providers, reducing upfront fees. THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2015 FEDERAL BUDGET AND ITS IMPACT ON YOUR FAMILY by Shelley Marsh THE 2015 BUDGET WAS A REAL MIXED BAG FOR FAMILIES. HERE ARE THE FIVE MAIN AREAS OF THE BUDGET YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT – IF ALL OF THESE PROPOSED MEASURES PASS THE SENATE, SOME FAMILIES WILL BE BETTER OFF BUT OTHERS WON’T BE AS LUCKY. The government estimates that the changes will save working families $30 per week on average. Families with an income of under $65,000 per year are guaranteed a minimum of 12 hours subsidised child care per week with 85% of their child care costs covered, up to an hourly fee cap. The subsidy gradually tapers to 50% for families earning around $170,000 or more. There will be no annual cap on the total amount of assistance provided per child per year for families earning less than around $185,000. Families earning around $185,000 or more will have a $10,000 annual cap. This is $2,500 more than the current Child Care Rebate annual cap per child. However, the amount of subsidy that each family receives is going to be subject to an activity test that is tied to the amount of paid work, study or volunteering that the primary carer does. The primary carer must work or study for a minimum of eight hours per fortnight to receive any child care support. The more hours worked, the higher the subsidy will be. Given the above activity test the big losers from this reform are families with a stay at home parent. If their family income is between $65,000 and $170,000 per year they will lose the Child Care Benefit that they are currently entitled to, with no compensation under the new system. These families will have to pay the full cost of child care without any government subsidy. 2. U SE OF SUBSIDIES ON IN-HOME NANNIES If you have a combined income of less than $250,000 and find it difficult to access mainstream childcare services – because you do shift work, live in a rural or remote area or have a child with special needs, for example – you will be eligible to use your childcare subsidies on in-home nannies. Payments will be paid directly to the childcare provider. This is a pilot scheme, commencing on January 1, 2016, and running until the end of 2017, when it will be evaluated. 3. CHANGES TO FAMILY TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS As of July 1, families where one parent earns more than $100,000 will no longer be eligible for Family Tax Benefit B. To fund the new childcare measures, the government is looking to make some other changes including: •Restricting Family Tax Benefit B to families with children under six years. To help single-parent families who receive Family Tax Benefit A and are no longer eligible for Family Tax Benefit B, there will be an additional annual payment of $750 for each child aged between 6 and 12 years. •Freezing the indexation on both Family Tax Benefit A and B for two years (meaning the benefits won’t increase with inflation). •Abolishing the large family supplement which is paid to those with four or more children. 4. PAID PARENTAL LEAVE If you receive paid parental leave through your employer you will no longer be eligible to receive payment through the government funded scheme which is worth a maximum of $11,538.90. 5. S MALL BUSINESS ASSET WRITE-OFF The government has announced an increase to $20,000 (up from just $1,000) to the limit for immediate asset writeoffs for small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $2 million. This became effective on budget night (May 12, 2015) and will run to June 30, 2017. This measure came into immediate effect as Labor had already said it would wave it though the senate without opposition. However, it is expected that most of the other measures will have a much tougher ride through the senate. As we now know, many things that were announced in last year’s budget did not make it through at all or certainly not in the same form as initially announced. So, only time will tell what the budget actually means for families. A big thank you to Shelley Marsh from Money Mummy for permission to republish her post of May 21, 2015. Shelley is a mother of one and ex-stockbroker, now helping families to make sense of their money with easy, practical, everyday money tips. You can visit her blog at www.moneymummy.com.au 8 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 9 THE FAMILY BUDGET THE FAMILY BUDGET TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY by Sandra Smith Australian families spend up to $1,900 per week on general living expenses, according to the MoneySmart website (www.moneysmart.gov.au) of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The biggest household expense for Australians is housing, followed by transport and recreation. Some of our costs are fixed, but we can look at saving money on variable household expenses. LOWER ENERGY COSTS - Reduce power bills by turning appliances off at the wall when not in use, switching off lights when you leave the room and using the clothes dryer sparingly. Invest in insulation to minimise cooling and heating costs for your home. Install a water-efficient shower head, have two-minute showers and wash clothes with cold water. REVIEW LEISURE COSTS - Precious resources can trickle away unnoticed on poor choices. You don’t have to quit all the fun stuff, just reduce spending on extras like alcohol, takeaway coffee and magazines. Plan a picnic in the park, invite friends and family to play cricket on the beach or sit down with the kids for a game of Monopoly. LIMIT SPENDING ON GIFTS - Set an affordable limit for Christmas and birthday gifts and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in a credit card spending frenzy; the extra debt often takes months to pay off. CUT GROCERY BILLS - Plan ahead and take a shopping list to the supermarket to avoid impulse buys. Buy generic brands and shop fortnightly to pick up bulk-buy bargains. Support local growers by buying fresh produce at a farmers’ market. 10 COOK MEALS AT HOME - Take your lunch to work and send the kids to school with packed lunches. Look for recipes that use cheaper ingredients like beans, vegetables and pasta, and try baking your own biscuits and cakes if you have time. As well as being economical, home-cooked meals are more nourishing and tasty. USE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT - Cars are costly, with insurance, registration and petrol on top of financing costs. Combine shopping and business errands into one trip or leave the car at home. Try car pooling, walking, riding a bicycle or using public transport instead. GENERATE INCOME FROM YOUR HOME - Think outside the square and look creatively for ways to save some money at home. Plant vegetables in your backyard, rent out that spare room, turn a home-based hobby into a small business or start a weekend market stall. RECYCLE - Declutter your home with a garage sale and turn unwanted items into cash. Look for good quality second-hand goods and make big savings. Have a ‘fashion swap party’ with friends, where clothes, shoes and jewellery can be exchanged and shared with friends. CHOOSE THE RIGHT MORTGAGE - Review your mortgage every three to five years to capitalise on the best rates. REVIEW SERVICE PROVIDERS - Revisit your energy, mobile phone and internet plans regularly to ensure you get the best deal. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au TOP TIPS TO SAVE MONEY › Turn appliances off at the wall › Switch off lights when not in use › Install a water-efficient shower head › Wash clothes with cold water › Plan your errands and save on petrol › W here possible leave the car at home: walk or ride a bike › Cut down on alcohol and coffee › Have a garage sale › Rent out a spare room › Cook meals at home › Take a packed lunch to work and school › Buy generic brand groceries › Go grocery shopping once a fortnight › Support your local farmers’ market › Limit spending on Christmas and birthday gifts › Review your mortgage every 3-5 years › Revisit your mobile, internet and energy plans www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 11 MORTGAGE MONEY SAVERS Looking to save a few dollars or a few hundred each month? A good place to start is usually with the typical family’s biggest expense – the mortgage. CHECK OUT THESE TIPS: Tip #1 – Improve your loan structure This is probably more powerful than getting a lower rate. Depositing wages directly into the mortgage or an offset account can massively reduce the amount of interest paid over the life of the loan. Using a 55 day interest-free credit card properly (ie. the way the bank does NOT want it to be used) can compound those savings even further. Big warning – this needs to be done with a high level of care. Getting this wrong can set someone back years. Tip #2 – Consolidate all debts into one Car loans, personal loans and credit cards usually have higher rates than the mortgage, so consolidating them all into the home loan can save hundreds of dollars in interest every month. Keep up the old payment amount so the debts are cleared as soon as possible. Beware: Consolidating debts into the home loan and then making the minimum repayments turns a 5-year car loan into a 25-year car loan. Tip #3 – Get a better rate Jumping ship or negotiating a lower rate with the current bank can make a massive difference over a long loan term. Tip #4 – Review your Good Debt vs. Bad Debt position Negative gearing is a very generous perk available to investors, and buying an investment property can sometimes help an investor pay off their owner-occupied home even faster. It seems counter-intuitive that going into more debt could allow someone to be debt free sooner, so knowing the ins and outs and making sure the accountant is on-board is an absolute must. Tip #5 – Hate budgeting? Try accounting Instead of projecting how much is going to be spent on different items in the coming month, a better way of doing things may be to track what was purchased in the previous month to see where the money actually went. Many banks now have free automatic expense tracking software that makes this a breeze. Sorry…no more excuses! Tip #6 – Get advice that benefits you No one goes to a burger joint for dieting advice, but for some reason plenty of people go to banks for financial advice. A good mortgage broker will help you set up your finances in YOUR favour, not the bank’s. Dave Hirst is a mortgage broker with a passion for education and debt reduction. Contact Dave and his team on 07 5448 3880 for help with your finances. www.pandanusfinance.com.au 12 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au What can Pandanus Finance do for you? For starters, we make finance a breeze. EDUCATE • How does an offset account work? • How can a credit card work for you? • How quickly can I be debt free? • How can I build a property portfolio? • Good debt vs. bad debt • Grants and concessions COMPARE • Hundreds of loans • Over 30 different lenders • Best deal with your current lender MANAGE • Application process from beginning to end • Budgets • Construction project management • Debt Reduction • Property reports • Property investment analysis reports No fees. Seriously, no hidden fees. No sales tactics, no obligation, just great advice that could save you thousands of dollars. Dave Hirst Finance Specialist | P: 07 5448 3880 | E: dave@pandanusfinance.com.au www.pandanusfinance.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au Credit Licence: 391237 Representative Number: 400237 13 HOW TO CREATE A FUNCTIONAL FAMILY BUDGET by Lara Cain Gray NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE IN THE BANK, JUGGLING THE MANY COMPETING DEMANDS OF A FAMILY BUDGET CAN MAKE YOUR HEAD SPIN. THE MORTGAGE OR RENT AND FOOD BILLS ARE JUST THE START! YOU’VE GOT HEALTH, EDUCATION AND RECREATION TO CONSIDER, NOT TO MENTION PUTTING A BIT AWAY FOR THAT PROVERBIAL ‘RAINY DAY’. Luckily there are plenty of tips, tricks and online resources available to help you finetune your finances and take better control of your family budget. With a few basic tools in place and some good financial habits, you’ll be well on your way to understanding exactly where your money is going – and where you’d really like it to go in future. WHY PREPARE A FAMILY BUDGET? Preparing and sticking to a budget benefits your family in several ways. A good family budget provides an annual, monthly or weekly snapshot of exactly where your money goes. It can be as simple or as detailed as you like, but the more effort you put in at the beginning, the easier it will be to stay on track as your family grows and changes over time. If you’ve never created a formal family budget, now’s the time! If you have, be sure to revise it regularly as interest rate changes, annual insurance premium increases and even your family’s changing lifestyle will all impact your budget. •It ensures you have enough money put aside to pay your bills on time. This means you’ll avoid any late fees or service interruptions and pay less interest on credit cards. STEP 1: TAKE STOCK •It helps prevent accidental overspending. When you have a clear idea of how much you require each month for essential bills, you know how much you have left over for little luxuries. Include the following: •It enables you to plan for emergencies. Consider what would happen in the case of sudden illness or unemployment? A good budget can help build a savings ‘buffer’ for unexpected changes. •It helps you work towards your big dreams. House deposits, new cars and overseas holidays don’t just happen! Use your budget to create a savings plan. •It puts you in control. There is nothing more stressful than feeling like money is just trickling through your fingers and you have no power to stop it. 14 STEP–BY-STEP BUDGETING Think of managing your household in the same way as managing a business. Any successful enterprise will do a regular stocktake of income and expenditure. • How much money is coming in? • How much money is going out on essentials? • How much is left over for added extras? • What savings goals would you like to put in place? To get your personal ‘stocktake’ started, just grab a pen and paper and start brainstorming. Make a list of all the things you ever spend money on, from the big-ticket items, like your mortgage, down to incidentals like birthday presents or takeaway meals. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au THE FAMILY BUDGET STEP 2: DO YOUR RESEARCH Once you have your quick list on paper, it’s time to back it up with research. We all have a figure in mind of how much we earn annually, but when it comes to budgeting, it pays to know exactly how much after-tax income actually hits your bank account each month. Check your payslips, group certificates or last year’s tax return for specific figures. Similarly, go back through your essential bills and note the exact amounts required. Consider your mortgage or rent, utilities, transport, phone and internet plan, insurances, school fees and any other payment that must be made regularly. Next, estimate how much you spend on groceries. Check your bank account to get an idea of recent purchases. Finally, make a list of those added extras that may not be ‘essential’, but which you’re not willing to go without. Gym membership? A weekly meal out? Kids’ swimming lessons? New shoes? If it’s a regular expenditure that matters to you, it should be listed in your budget. STEP 3: GET TO GRIPS WITH TIME FRAMES One of the most confusing aspects of creating a family budget is working with time frames. Some of your bills may be paid annually, whilst groceries may be a weekly expense. Many people find it works well to base your budget on your pay cycle. For example, if you get paid fortnightly, plan your family budget on a fortnightly basis. To do this, you may need to: •break down monthly or annual bills into their fortnightly amounts to get an accurate picture of your overall expenditure WITH A FEW BASIC TOOLS IN PLACE AND SOME GOOD FINANCIAL HABITS, YOU’LL BE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO UNDERSTANDING EXACTLY WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING – AND WHERE YOU’D REALLY LIKE IT TO GO IN FUTURE. •set fortnightly spending limits on groceries and incidentals to avoid over-spending •decide on an amount that you can comfortably transfer fortnightly into a savings account to work towards your long-term plans. Luckily there are some great tools available to simplify the maths! www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 15 THE FAMILY BUDGET STEP 4: CHOOSE YOUR TOOLS Now that you have accurate data at your disposal, it’s time to map your family budget. There are several ways that you can create the actual working document you’ll be using to assess and maintain your financial plan. Paper plans An old-fashioned exercise or ledger book might be all you need. If you’re happy to record your budget manually and do the maths yourself, a paper-based record system is a great place to start. Be sure to keep all your work books carefully dated and securely stored. An Excel spreadsheet Many people already use Excel for work, and it’s usually a free inclusion in the Microsoft Office package for home computers. It allows you to create tables of data that can be sorted by date, by labels or alphabetically. Importantly, it can be set to automatically handle calculations. There are plenty of free online ‘how to’ tutorials available for Excel if you’re new to it. See support.office.com Online planners The Australian government offers an interactive budgeting tool via the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) called MoneySmart. It lets you enter expenditure details by category – food, health, transport, etc – and calculates how much of your income is left after bills. It can be sorted according to a time frame that suits you – for example, annually, monthly or fortnightly. See www.moneysmart.gov.au Several of the leading banks and building societies also provide online budget planning tools. NAB: www.nab.com.au Colonial First State: www3.colonialfirststate.com.au Commonwealth Bank: www.commbank.com.au TAP 16 Making it mobile Like every other avenue of our lives now – there’s an app for this! Budgeting apps have the advantage of being with you wherever your phone goes, which means you can enter that coffee you bought on the way to work or the exact amount of petrol you put in the car straight into your budget tool for tracking. TrackMySPEND is the award-winning, Australian government authorised, personal budgeting app. This handy tool includes a range of ways to create spending limits and savings plans, and sends reminder text messages to ensure you pay bills on time. www.moneysmart.gov.au Going pro If you want to take your household budgeting to the next level, there are sophisticated software packages available that offer more comprehensive tools for financial management. Small business software like MYOB can work for home budgeting. Quicken Personal, Microsoft Money and You Need a Budget (YNAB) are other popular choices. Some banks allow you to download your monthly transactions in a format compatible with these software packages. Ask your bank if they have a preferred program so you can take advantage of any shortcuts. STEP 5: SCHEDULE REGULAR REVIEWS If there’s one sure thing about life in a family, it’s that nothing stays the same for long! As your children grow, your career develops and unexpected expenses arise, be sure to keep your budget up to date. Make a note in your diary or use alert tools to schedule regular reviews of your budget. It may seem like hard work at first, but maintaining a family budget buys you more than just groceries! It actually buys you the freedom to pay bills on time, save towards long-term goals and avoid debt stress, which can only mean a brighter future for your family. TO VISIT WEBLINKS www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 17 THE FAMILY BUDGET THE FAMILY BUDGET FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR FAMILIES Contributed by Infocus Sunshine Coast DO YOU NEED HELP IN SORTING OUT YOUR FAMILY’S FINANCES? HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED EXACTLY HOW A FINANCIAL ADVISER CAN HELP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? WHY WOULD YOU TALK TO A FINANCIAL ADVISER? Your financial adviser should focus on your goals, what’s important to you, and the services and strategies they can offer you to meet your requirements and keep you on track, rather than the products they can sell you. The first appointment is usually at no cost and involves you and the adviser working out if and how you can work together. You may choose to get one-off advice for a particular transaction or ongoing access to advice, which may include regular information, implementation of the advice, management and changes, regular review and access to your adviser’s knowledge and expertise. A financial adviser is required by law to issue you with a Statement of Financial Advice (SOA). Consider reviewing this document once a year to make sure it is still relevant and your circumstances have not changed. It’s important to stay actively involved with your plan and make adjustments regularly to keep it working and relevant for you. 18 If you need financial advice because you’re having trouble paying your bills or need to sort out your debts, a cash flow plan can help. Financial counsellors and tools are also available on the ASIC website www.moneysmart.gov.au WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO START A RELATIONSHIP WITH A FINANCIAL ADVISER? When you are ready to take an active interest in your financial wellbeing and willing to value the advice of a professional to help you make changes is the perfect time to consult a financial adviser. A financial adviser can make a real difference in how you handle your financial situation during any time of change, whether it is a new baby, new job, new house, parents retiring, making a will, new relationship, new business, new partnership, pay increase, redundancy, child starting school or child leaving home. It’s also a good idea to consult an adviser before or soon after completing your tax return so you are prepared for the year ahead. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au SOME OF THE THINGS YOU MIGHT DISCUSS WITH A FINANCIAL ADVISER INCLUDE: › h ow to structure your personal super within your current fund, in order to meet your retirement or pension needs › h ow to protect your family income in case you get an illness, have an accident or can’t work › a ssisting with Centrelink, solicitors, accountants and preparation of wills › b udgeting and investing options to grow wealth › k eeping you accountable to yourself about your money choices › a ssistance with self-managed superannuation › p reparation for family changes like parents transitioning to aged care or retirement › b usiness insurance for partnerships and individuals › s avings plans for children’s education and future needs. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 19 THE FAMILY BUDGET The lump sum paid to Ashlee’s family from a trauma policy covered part of the overall financial plan, paid bills, covered mortgage repayments and provided cash flow to hire a contractor to work in the business while her dad had treatment, securing the family’s income to concentrate on treatment and returning to work. The impact of injury or illness, and how that can disrupt our family’s lives and our entire future, is not a conversation topic we usually identify with. With so many families without adequate cover, unexpected financial pressures on top of a serious health event can cause significant strain at a very difficult time. You may not want to think about what may happen to you or your loved ones if you could no longer work, but you should. You don’t want your family to suffer financially, but by having the right protection in place you can prevent your family from finding themselves in this predicament. PROTECTING YOUR MOST PRECIOUS ASSETS It’s second nature to any parent to protect their family at any cost. Despite our best efforts, we are all vulnerable to illness or injury. It’s not an easy question to ask yourself, but what would happen if your child suffered a serious illness or accident? What impact would this have on the family? Who would care for your child? What about work? What about the bills? What about caring for your other children? Ashlee’s story highlights the valuable assistance a financial adviser provides for families. (Note: Names and circumstances have been changed to protect the privacy of the family.) Hi, my name is Ashlee. I’m 11 and I have a brother William, 5, and a little sister, Natalie, 3. My Dad’s 42 and I don’t really know how old my Mum is because she has been the same age for a long time. Dad taught me how to ride a bike, how to swim, how to do my times tables and read books. I love to read and I love to listen to my Dad’s stories. I think he’s smart because he runs his own business which means Mum can take us to school and do other things, and Dad can pick us up. I love going to my Dad’s business because everyone there is so friendly. The lady at the front desk always 20 smiles at me and sneaks me lollies, which I have to share with my brother and sister. Dad said his business was doing well so he bought a house and saved money for us to go to school and on holidays. To take the first steps to having a plan in place to protect your family talk to a financial adviser – the benefits will provide peace of mind. The things that Steve did mean that we don’t have to move out of our house and Mum doesn’t have to go back to work while Dad is sick. Dad’s business is still there too so we still get lollies. He had special insurance and Steve looked after all the things to get us money while we are with Dad in hospital. Mum said it is just one part of Dad’s plan and there are lots of other things in there too. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au What’s important to you is important to us. Infocus Sunshine Coast have been providing financial advice to families and clients since 2001. The friendly team take the time to listen and understand people’s needs, goals and dreams, and they will tailor a plan to protect your family and look at options available to achieve your goals. They will talk to you about where you are now, where you wish to be, and agree on a plan to help you get there. If you are ready to take that next important step in achieving your financial goals and protecting your family’s future, contact Infocus Sunshine Coast on 07 5443 4311 or email sunshinecoast@infocus.com.au Infocus Sunshine Coast. Level 2, Cnr Maroochydore Road & Evans Street, Maroochydore QLD 4558. Telephone: 07 5443 4311. Email: sunshinecoast@infocus.com.au. Web: www.infocus.com.au This information is of general nature only and neither represents nor intended to be specific advice on any particular matter. Infocus securities Australia Pty Ltd strongly suggests that no person should act specifically on the basis of the information contained herein but should seek appropriate professional advice based upon their own personal circumstances. Sunshine Coast Financial planning ABN 34 133 955 is a corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd ABN 47 097 797 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523 trading as Infocus Money Management. Your personal invitation to talk about you My grandma made Dad go see her financial adviser Steve when I was very little. My grandma tells me now that Steve is a guy who helps people and families how to plan stuff. Steve told me a few years ago that he helped people to save money, make money and protect money. I didn’t really understand it at the time, but he said that I would get it one day. Now I do. My dad got cancer this year. It happened really quickly and we spend a lot of time at the hospital now. It was really sad, and we all cried lots and we still do. My dad was so fit and never smoked or anything. Grandma says that these things happen sometimes, but we are lucky because we had Steve to help us with the money we needed. MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING A REGISTER OF LICENSED FINANCIAL ADVISERS AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE AT www.moneysmart.gov.au We understand how important it is for you to protect your family’s future. We would love to offer you a no obligation initial appointment to discuss your current strategy, position, aspirations and any opportunities that might be available to you! Call 5443 4311 today. www.infocus.com.au /sunshine-coast www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au Sunshine Coast Financial planning ABN 34 133 955 is a corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd ABN 47 097 797 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523 trading as Infocus Money Management. THE FAMILY BUDGET 21 THE FAMILY BUDGET THE FAMILY BUDGET SUPERANNUATION FOR MUMS by Eva Lewis Did you know that the average woman’s super retirement payout is 43% less than that for men? The reasons are pretty obvious – women earn approximately 17.5% less due to pay inequality, women stop work to start a family, some women work part time and women live almost five years longer than men and therefore have less money to look forward to. So superannuation looks pretty dismal for mums, doesn’t it?1 The good thing is there are things mums can do to make it hurt less and give their super balance a bit of a boost. MAKE SMALL CONTRIBUTIONS after-tax contributions to your super fund and in doing this, may be eligible to claim a tax offset on their tax return.2 Note: A spouse can be married or a de facto partner of the same or opposite sex. It does not include people living away from each other permanently. SUPER CO-CONTRIBUTIONS As a low- to middle-income earner, mums could be eligible for the government co-contribution scheme. If you are eligible, the government will match your super contributions up to a maximum amount. To be eligible, you must meet the eligibility criteria.3 It’s all about going back to the drawing board, revising the family budget and finding some extra dollars that you can contribute to your superannuation. It’s a long term thing, but small, regular contributions will go a long way. In fact, CareSuper has a new calculator which shows how making small changes today can make a big difference to your retirement income. Alternatively, MoneySmart also has a retirement calculator which helps you determine the actions you can take to boost your super and retirement income. REASSESS YOUR SUPER SPOUSE CONTRIBUTIONS Mums definitely make sacrifices to raise children, one of them being retirement savings, but the best thing you can do is continue to be smart about your finances and come out on top. Happy budgeting! According to the Australian Taxation Office, if you earn less than your spouse (an assessable income of between $0 and $13,800), your spouse can make How is your super fund looking? Where is the money invested? Can you afford a more aggressive approach or would you be better off selecting more conservative investments while you are contributing less? CONSOLIDATE YOUR FUNDS It’s likely that you have more than one super fund. If that’s the case, it means you’re paying multiple fees and could be losing money. Consolidate your super funds into one and channel the money into investments instead of fees. This article was published first on The Multitasking Mummy and was sponsored by Care Super. Eva is not only the digital editor at Kids in the City and Kids on the Coast magazines; she also writes a successful lifestyle and parenting blog – The Multitasking Mummy. It’s here she writes about her busy world and motherhood, shares what she’s learned and what she’s still learning. It’s a place of honesty and being real where she admits to being no super mum – just Eva. The information provided is available from CareSuper and the Australian Taxation Office. [1] Australian Taxation Office [2] Australian Taxation Office [3] Australian Taxation Office 22 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 23 RAISING MONEY SAVVY KIDS RAISING MONEY SAVVY KIDS RAISING A FINANCIALLY SAVVY CHILD by Jessica Jane Sammut ADULTHOOD COMES WITH MANY CHALLENGES, WITH FISCAL ONES RIGHT THERE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. SO HOW DO WE ENSURE OUR KIDS ARE FINANCIALLY SAVVY AND READY FOR THE BIG WIDE WORLD? Parents of young children hear it all the time. ‘Can I have this?’ It’s the catchcry of many a young child, and one that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t depending on the suitability of the item in question, energy level of hit-up parent and COST of the chosen toy/food/ random implement. There it is. The dreaded ‘C’ word. And, whereas in the innocent world of our little cherished bambinos, the word does not exist (or if it does, does not have meaning), it totally does in the big wide scary grownup world. In fact, it not only exists, it pretty much goes to the heart of every household decision made, and while we all know that money doesn’t make you happy, a lack of it can certainly make you hapless. So, when is the moment that we pull our kids aside to lecture them on the value of material things and how to save/spend/invest wisely? And why is it so crucial to our kids’ chances of adult success that we do? WHY FINANCIAL SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT “Financial literacy is the foundation to a successful and prosperous life,” explains Darren Eising, senior financial planner at Elemental Wealth Management (elementalwealth.com.au). “Just as with reading and writing, kids need to acquire a solid understanding of the fundamentals of finance, economics and investment in order to do well in life.” “From earning money, to spending money, to borrowing to investing, and even to leaving a legacy, financial understanding is crucial,” adds ‘Australia’s Money 24 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au Guru’, Michelle House. “It is important kids understand the difference between NEEDS and WANTS, and the consequences of poor money management.” WHY LEARNING YOUNG IS BENEFICIAL “Children that learn about sound money management when they’re young have the opportunity to build habits – like saving and investing – that will stand them in good stead throughout their lives,” explains Lacey Filipich, founder and director of Money School, a financial education program for families (moneyschool.org.au). “These habits, if learned early, become second nature. As children move into adulthood, they then don’t stress about money as much because they are comfortable with it and have a solid plan about how to manage it.” “Financial awareness teaches kids about concepts such as delayed gratification, fair exchange (the opposite of ‘entitlement’, a common complaint of today’s parents), value of hard work, and planning ahead,” concurs Dr Ash Nayate, clinical paediatric neuropsychologist. “The earlier a child can learn such concepts, the better. Ultimately, they become automatic.” WHAT CHILDREN CAN UNDERSTAND So, what can kids cerebrally understand about the fiscal opportunities of their world? Should we be talking NASDAQ to them, or simply keeping the chat restricted to pocket money terms and conditions? www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 25 RAISING MONEY SAVVY KIDS “From about the ages of three to five, kids start to develop an understanding of the transactional nature of money (that money is exchanged for goods and services),” reveals Dr Ash. “The understanding of the actual value of money however, starts to develop at around the age of seven or so, when kids begin to appreciate abstract concepts (and money is a very abstract concept!). It is then that children can work out the difference in money magnitude, e.g. what can be purchased for $1 versus $2 versus $10. From the age of seven onwards, kids are then able to grasp such notions as delayed gratification and fair exchange, and so have a better appreciation for things like earning money through chores, or putting money in the bank where it can gain interest (i.e. spend now versus save and spend more later).” THE MAIN FINANCIAL CONCEPTS CHILDREN SHOULD KNOW Okay, we get it! Financial acumen is somewhat of a BIG deal for our growing babies. But, what are the main areas that children should be encouraged to grasp in order to get ahead? Lacey reveals her top five Money School concepts: RAISING MONEY SAVVY KIDS 3. Active Earning What it is: Trading time and effort for income, whether it’s a wage, a commission or dividends from an enterprise. Why it’s important: This teaches delayed gratification and the difference between wants and needs. What age: From mid to late primary school. How to teach it: Start with pocket money as an illustrative example. Encourage your child to undertake chores and activities for money. Set a good example by actively earning yourself. 4. Investing (for passive earning) What it is: Buying assets – things that increase in value and provide extra income. Why it’s important: Assets generate wealth. This passive income supplements active income and is a valuable revenue stream. Savings becomes worth less every year (due to inflation) without investment, and the 1. Saving What it is: Putting aside a part of a sum of money earned/received, and not spending it. Why it’s important: Savings are the seed of the metaphorical money tree. Without savings, investment cannot occur, and if a setback is experienced (e.g. an accident, loss of job), there is no buffer. What age: All ages. This can be done with any gifts your child receives, even as an infant. Show them what you do to save, then encourage them to do the same with their pocket money and any income they receive. How to teach it: Use a bank account or a piggy bank to demonstrate how to save in real terms. 2. Planning What it is: Mapping out income and spending. Essentially, this is about understanding cash flow. sooner kids understand the quicker they can start to develop a wealth mindset. What age: From late primary school. How to teach it: The best way to teach this is by doing it and including children in the process. Paper trading for shares and playing Monopoly are great ways to demonstrate such skills with low risk. Earning interest on savings is the bare minimum, so get your child to monitor their interest-bearing savings account at the very least. 5. Borrowing What it is: Leveraging other people’s money (usually the bank’s) to buy bigger assets. Why it’s important: Debt can be risky, and too many people get their first introduction to debt via a credit card, which they then use to buy consumer goods (this is bad debt). Applied wisely however, debt can be used to generate more growth and passive income than can be achieved with savings alone. How to teach it: Include your child in setting and monitoring the family budget. 26 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au How to teach it: Give children a loan from the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’. Ask them to present their case for their loan (as they would have for a bank), charge them interest, and repossess items if payments aren’t made. Once the concepts have been grasped, the next step is implementing practical approaches on a regular basis that will help create a financially savvy child in the long run. CHECK OUT OUR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER EDITION OF KIDS ON THE COAST AND KIDS IN THE CITY MAGAZINES FOR AN EXTENDED LOOK AT THIS TOPIC, INCLUDING PLENTY OF PRACTICAL APPROACHES YOU CAN IMPLEMENT WITH YOUR KIDS. Introducing the Piggy Bank for the 21st Century! The MONEY SAVVY PIG is a multi award winning money box, with four separate chambers that has won a Parents’ Choice Gold Award. This interactive tool teaches children the different choices they have with money - SAVE, SPEND, DONATE and INVEST building money management techniques to last a lifetime. family finances special $19.95 PINK MONEY SAVVY PIGS Why it’s important: To have control over one’s finances is an essential skill in life. What age: From early primary school. What age: From late primary school. Also available in Red Green and Blue. education new bike movies & snacks charity Prices as marked. Promotion ends 31st August 2015. www.moneysavvykids.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 27 SAVING ON UTILITIES SAVING ON UTILITIES 12 TRIED & TESTED ENERGY SAVING TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL by Eva Lewis THE UTILITY BILL THAT CAN OFTEN CAUSE THE MOST PAIN (AND SURPRISE) WOULD HAVE TO BE THE ELECTRICITY BILL. IT’S SO EASY FOR THE ELECTRICITY BILL TO SKYROCKET WHEN ENERGY SAVING PRACTICES LAG IN THE HOME. The good news is that your electricity bill doesn’t always have to be huge. You just have to follow some (or all) of these tips and you are guaranteed to see a difference. 1. Where possible, swap your light bulbs over to LED energy saving bulbs. 2. Always turn the lights off when you’re not in a room. 3. Use low wattage lamps in lounge rooms and bedrooms instead of higher wattage ceiling lights. 4.Turn everything off at the wall such as televisions, DVD players, radios and lamps. Avoid leaving anything on standby. 5.Open up your house and let the breeze flow through during the warmer months instead of turning on the air-conditioning system. 6. Use ceiling or pedestal fans instead of air-conditioning. 7.When you do use the air-conditioning system, make sure curtains and blinds are drawn and every door and window is closed including doors to bedrooms and bathrooms. Closing up ensures the cool air stays in the main areas and the air-conditioner doesn’t have to work twice as hard to cool more space. 8. Limit the use of the clothes dryer and use your washing line or clothes racks. 9. Use your dishwasher during non-peak periods. Check with your electricity provider to find out when this is. 10. Sign up to the One Big Switch where you can potentially find a provider offering you a better deal. 11. Check the tariff on things like your pool pump or hot water system and ensure they are off peak tariffs. 12. Reconsider the second bar fridge – they can chew up a lot of electricity. Eva is not only the digital editor at Kids in the City and Kids on the Coast magazines; she also writes a successful lifestyle and parenting blog – The Multitasking Mummy. It’s here she writes about her busy world and motherhood, shares what she’s learned and what she’s still learning. It’s a place of honesty and being real where she admits to being no super mum – just Eva. 28 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 29 SAVING ON UTILITIES SAVING ON UTILITIES SAVING WATER REDUCING YOUR WATER CONSUMPTION IS GREAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS FOR YOUR WALLET. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SAVE A LITTLE WATER AROUND THE HOME – SOME QUICK AND EASY, OTHERS REQUIRING MORE EXPENSE AND EFFORT. START WITH THE SIMPLE ONES AND GO FROM THERE! IN THE BATHROOM IN THE KITCHEN •Use water efficient products including water efficient showerheads and dual-flush toilets. •Scrape off dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, rather than rinsing them with water. •Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth or shaving. •If you like to rinse dishes after they’ve been washed to remove any suds, then fill a second sink with water to rinse them rather than rinsing under a running tap. •Use a shower timer to keep to four minutes or less. If you love long showers and this seems too extreme, start with five minutes and work your way down from there. •Keep a bucket in the bottom of the shower to catch water and use it on your plants. Try to avoid catching too much soapy water. •And in the toilet… “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down!” IN THE LAUNDRY •Use a water efficient washing machine. This can make a huge difference to the quantity of water used for just one cycle. •Use cold wash programs on your washing machine as much as possible. •Run the washing machine only when you have a full load. •Collect grey water from the washing machine to use on the lawn. There are different professional and DIY systems available so do some research to see what suits you best. Whatever system you use, make sure you only use biodegradable laundry detergent suitable for grey water use and ensure the grey water is contained on your own property. •Use a water efficient dishwasher and only run it when it is full. IN THE GARDEN •Install a rainwater tank. There are many affordable options available in a range of sizes, even to suit the tiniest of yards. •Divert run off spots in the yard into garden beds. This works a treat capturing water that would usually end up in your neighbour’s yard. • Plant plants that require little watering. •Only water plants when you need to, using laundry grey water, tank water or water you’ve caught in the shower. •Wash the car less often and use a quality pressure washer when you do. AROUND THE HOME •Fix any drips or leaks straight away. Call a plumber if you need help. •One of our favourites… Having kids usually means lots of half-empty water bottles. Create a new rule at home to empty out water bottles onto indoor or outdoor plants rather than down the plughole! Do you have other water saving tips that you’d like to share with other families? We’d love to hear from you via our website or email at editorial@kidsonthecoast.com.au 30 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 31 IS IS YOUR YOUR FAMILY’S FAMILY’S POWER POWER BILL BILL TOO TOO HIGH? HIGH? WANT WANT TO TO KNOW KNOW WHAT’S WHAT’S WASTING WASTING YOUR YOUR WATTS? WATTS? Looking to save a few dollars or a few hundred each month? A good place to start is usually Electricity prices Looking a few dollars ormaking a few hundred each month? bills A good placefor to families. start is usually Electricity seem to to besave continuously rising, increasing electricity an issue The rising cost ofprices living can seem to be continuously increasing bills an utilities issue forand families. The to rising living can be even more challengingrising, whenmaking juggling rent, childelectricity care expenses, other day day cost livingofcosts. be even more challenging when juggling rent, child care expenses, utilities and other day to day living costs. We can all be guilty of having a million gadgets on all at once, but what’s really using all your juice and running We can all be guilty of having up your family’s power bills? a million gadgets on all at once, but what’s really using all your juice and running up your family’s power bills? To help reduce the sting of energy bills for low income households in Brisbane, the Reduce Your Juice To help reduce theits sting energy bills for low 2015. income households in Brisbane, the Reduce Your Juice program launches finalofround in September program launches its final round in September 2015. What is Reduce Your Juice? What is by Reduce Your Juice? Funded the Australian Government, Reduce Your Juice is an exciting pilot program designed to help low Funded by the Australian Government, Reduce Juiceenergy is an exciting income families use less power and save moneyYour on their bills. pilot program designed to help low income families use less power and save money on their energy bills. The fun, eight week digital program involves playing three juice-busting mini games, using ‘Powerhacks’ to The eight week digital program involves playing juice-busting mini games, using ‘Powerhacks’ to savefun, electricity and completing surveys to earn greatthree rewards. save electricity and completing surveys to earn great rewards. Upon successfully completing the program, participants will randomly receive either a new barbeque or a Upon successfully program, participants will randomly receive either a new barbeque or a replacement fridgecompleting or washingthe machine. replacement fridge or washing machine. It’s a great opportunity to get the whole family involved in saving energy and earning big rewards while you It’s a great to get the whole familykids involved in saving energy and and earning rewards while you reduce theopportunity burden of your energy bills. (The will love the mobile games evenbig learn a thing or two!) reduce the burden of your energy bills. (The kids will love the mobile games and even learn a thing or two!) Testimonials from previous participants Testimonials previous participants I am incrediblyfrom grateful and thankful and want to let you know what a great difference the wonderful rewards Ihave am incredibly grateful and thankful and want to let where you know whatbefore. a greatThank difference the wonderful rewards made in my life, helping me to save electricity I hadn't you! SP have made in my life, helping me to save electricity where I hadn't before. Thank you! SP You have made my day, week, month and year! Thank you so much to all involved in such a great initiative. JM You have made my day, week, month and year! Thank you so much to all involved in such a great initiative. JM Loving this and excited with the awesome rewards! Great work Reduce Your Juice. KN Loving this and excited with the awesome rewards! Great work Reduce Your Juice. KN Who is eligible for Reduce Your Juice? Who eligibletofor Reduce Juice? To beiseligible take part in Your Reduce Your Juice, participants need to: To be eligible to take part in Reduce Your Juice, participants need to: • be 18 to 35 years old •• be 35 yearsLogan, old Moreton Bay or Redland council areas rent18intoBrisbane, •• rent Brisbane, Logan,per Moreton Bay or Redland earninless than $41,500 year personal income council areas •• earn than $41,500 per year personal income have less a smartphone or tablet device. • have a smartphone or tablet device. When does the program start? When does theofprogram The final round Reduce start? Your Juice kicks off at the end of September. Participation is limited with 650 places The final round of Reduce Your kicks off at the ofquick September. Participation is limited with 650 places available. Registrations close 21Juice September 2015, so end get in to secure your place. available. Registrations close 21 September 2015, so get in quick to secure your place. How do I register? How do Imore register? Find out and register now at www.reduceyourjuice.com.au Find out more and register now at www.reduceyourjuice.com.au Registrations close 21 September 2015. Places are limited, so sign up now to avoid missing out! Registrations close 21 September 2015. Places are limited, so sign up now to avoid missing out! 32 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 33 SAVING ON FOOD SAVING ON FOOD 14 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON GROCERIES by Eva Lewis 1.Make a meal plan. You’ll know exactly what you need from the store before you go and there will be less wastage. MAKE A MEAL PLAN. YOU’LL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED FROM THE STORE BEFORE YOU GO AND THERE WILL BE LESS WASTAGE. 2. Watch for specials in store brochures, and plan your meals around them. 3. Make a list and stick to it. If it’s not on the list, don’t buy it. 4.Don’t shop when you’re hungry. That way you won’t be tempted to buy things that you don’t need (like chocolate, ice cream…you know the things). 5. 6.Only buy things you know you’ll use. For example, if your family doesn’t like broccoli, don’t buy broccoli in the hope that they’ll eat healthier this week. 7. >> PRINT OUT OUR MEAL PLANNER. SEE PAGE 43. Shop alone. Count on your bill being higher when you bring your spouse or children. Keep your eyes on the items on the bottom shelf where the prices are lower. 8.Buy store brands when the quality is the same. Most of the time, it actually is the same product in a different package. 9.Shop online! When you get to the checkout, you can review how much you’ve spent and delete any items you think you can do without. You can’t do that at the checkout in store! 10.If you see a product on special but there are none left on the shelf, go to the service desk and ask for a raincheck so the next time they get the product in you can purchase it at the same sale price. 11. Get your bake on! Instead of buying special treats like cake or biscuits, bake them yourself. 12.Instead of buying expensive yoghurt pouches for your kids, buy large tubs of yoghurt and put them into reusable pouches. 13. Make your own baby food purees instead of buying pre-packed ones. 14. Buy meat and even particular fruit and vegetables when they’re on special and freeze them. IT’S PRETTY EASY TO BE FRUGAL ONCE YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH MONEY YOU’RE ACTUALLY SAVING WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS. KEEP A LOG OF YOUR GROCERY BILLS, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE YOU ARE MAKING. 34 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 35 SAVING ON FOOD FORM A SAVING ON FOOD COOKING CLUB TO SAVE MONEY (AND YOUR SANITY) by Eva Lewis WHEN A NEW LITTLE BABY ENTERS THE HOME OR WHEN LIFE SIMPLY GETS BUSY, THE SHEER WEIGHT OF DOMESTIC WORK CAN BECOME QUITE HEAVY. IT’S ESPECIALLY HARD WHEN THERE ARE NO FAMILY OR CLOSE FRIENDS TO CALL ON FOR A BIT OF HELP. But even if we do have family or friends close by, it’s never easy to ask for help. From the outside looking in, it’s easy to assume that a family is coping and doing fine when in actual fact, they’re just hanging on by tenterhooks keeping everything running in the household. The best way to overcome this? Put together a group of mothers, perhaps your friends from school or playgroup, to form a cooking club with the main goal being to help each other ease the domestic load. HERE IS HOW A COOKING CLUB CAN WORK: 1.Get together in one mum’s home and cook one big batch meal. 2.At the end of the cook, each meal is shared out between each mum. 3.The result is each mum goes home with a range of freshly made dinners for the week ahead. WHAT TO BRING: • All ingredients to cook your meal • All kitchen utensils needed to cook your meal • Takeaway containers for your booty! GENERAL TIPS: •Don’t overthink how much the meals will cost because it all works out fine in the end. If you are concerned, come up with a list of possible meals that all cost about the same each week which each of you can cook for that session. •Talk about food values right at the outset, eg. vegetarian, mainly organic, on a budget. •You need only one other mum in the cooking club to feel the full benefits of the concept. •Keep the size of the group relatively small – four is a great number. •Don’t worry if you have small kids – everyone pitches in to look after each other’s children. •Only have a small kitchen? Simply organise for some mums to bring their big batch meal already prepared and cooked. Also, some mums might not need the stovetop at the exact same time so alternate. One might use the oven while one uses the stovetop. Maybe you don’t need the stove top at all – consider meals that don’t need cooking such as Vietnamese spring rolls. •Working outside of the home? Invite a couple of mums over in the evening with a big batch meal each already prepped and cooked. Have a glass of wine and divide the batches later in the evening. WHY COOKING CLUB WORKS: • Mums get some time off making dinner every single night to do other things – at a time of day when she is absolutely cream-crackered! • Mums form a tight-knit community and deep, meaningful friendships through cooking together. The groups can often morph into other forms of working bees, eg. when a family is moving house. There is nothing that breaks the ice more than rolling up your sleeves together and getting up to your neck in flour and eggs! • Children get to try out other people’s cooking and see the power of community in action. They become involved in food preparation and learn new skills. This idea was originally shared by MamaBake.com on The Multitasking Mummy 36 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 37 SAVING ON FOOD QUESTION POSED BY KIDS ON THE COAST & KIDS IN THE CITY HOW DO YOU GET YOUR GROCERY BILL UNDER CONTROL? OUR READERS HAVE THEIR SAY ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE… KIDS ON THE COAST/KIDS IN THE CITY: I’d have to say that cutting down the cost of my grocery spend is one of my toughest challenges. For two adults plus a child and dog, each shop is a lot more than it should be...probably around $350 a fortnight including meat, fruit & veg, toiletries, etc. CHRISTINE: As a family with six kids, we only buy generic brands for everything!! Saves us a lot of money!! ROSE: Learn to cook from scratch and practise good knife skills to limit waste. Make sure everything in your trolley has a nutritious value...cut down on junk to cut down on bills! Buy bulk, batch cook and freeze in individual portions then once every couple of weeks have a freezer potluck where kids can pick any of those meals for their dinner. 38 NICHOLE: We have to shop monthly so this saves as a lot. We also do a fortnightly shop to markets for fruit and veg. KELLY: We do a menu for the week (lunches and dinners) and make a shopping list of what we need before we shop and then only buy what’s on the list. We also try to buy any of the items we need in the brands that are on special. We spend about $200 (average) per week for two adults, two young kids and one dog. This shop also includes things like wash detergents, toiletries and sometimes treats. We do all our shop at Coles (except nappies, which we buy from Aldi). I have set out a full monthly budget for our household (up to six months budget in advance) that covers every bill and expense we have from the small ones like Myki and fuel through to the big ones like electricity, rent and even rego. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au NANCY: MEAL PLANNING!!! And roll-over meals. It really isn’t that hard, you just need to put a little time into the planning phase. A roll-over meal is, for example, a roast chicken on a Sunday, that then becomes fresh stock that night, then the leftover chicken meat is rolled over to risotto the next night. I make a two-week rotating menu. No waste either, so if the week’s menu has a cauliflower, I make sure across the seven meals it is all used. I keep a spreadsheet of all the menus, which then forms my shopping lists. I buy EXACTLY what I need. I don’t get sucked into buying other things in the shop just because they want you to. It does take a little time to sit and plan out, but once you have it sussed its easy. Also make sure your busy evenings are easy meals. So I might use a slow cooker meal for a night I am busy. That meal is prepped (meat browned, onions reduced) the night before or that morning so it can all be slow cooked ready for when we get home. LUCY: My husband does body building so just his food bill a week is on average $400!! Then there is food for our two children and myself + formula + nappies + wet wipes + everything else so if this can help to save some $$, I’M IN!!!! HAVE YOUR SAY. VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. CHRISTINE: I don’t even try … it all just seems too hard! TANYA: Cooking meals from scratch and not using packets is the way to go and it also tastes better. My trolley each week looks very different to many trolleys at the checkout as mine is filled with fruit, vegies, meat, and the basics like eggs, cheese, milk, butter, flour, etc. not preprepared and processed packaged foods – if you make the change you won’t look back. MARTHA: Our bill is about $420 a fortnight with the same number of people. I buy only healthy food and can’t seem to get the bill down no matter how hard I try. I do my shop at Coles so am going to try a mix of Aldi and Coles to see if it brings the price down. CHRISTY: I was told once to “shop around the edges” of the supermarket. That’s where the meat, vegies, dairy sections are. All the packaged stuff is in the centre. Obviously you do need to venture into the centre but try to stick to the outside. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au MISCHA: Online shopping. I spend about $50 a week less because I am not browsing the aisles! 39 SAVING ON FOOD MEAL PLANNING FOR FAMILIES by Nancy Cotton WHY MEAL PLAN? HOW TO MEAL PLAN It saves time. Shopping just once a week prevents the quick stops to grab dinner on the way home. Knowing exactly what to cook every night also saves time in the kitchen. Like most great things in life, meal plans need a little work. First and foremost is the desire to do it and belief that it will work. Get the family involved, and explain that things are going to be a little more structured in the kitchen and shopping department from now on. It saves money. Shopping with a list and buying exactly what is needed prevents the unnecessary visits for one or two items, which usually result in half the weekly shop. It gets the family involved. While planning the meals, other members of the family can pick out favourites to add to the planner. It helps keeps a balanced diet. Planned correctly, having an overview of the week mapped out can help ensure there is good balance and nutritious meals. It helps with family organisation. On evenings that are notoriously busy due to family commitments, meal planning allows for ‘quick & easy’ meals on those nights. THE PLANNING PHASE BUILDING THE MEAL PLANNER •Write the days of the week across the top of the meal planner, starting with the shopping day. This is day one of the meal plan. •The meal ideas should be starting to take good form now. •Add any family commitments under the days, allowing for ‘quick & easy’ meals if needed on evenings when rushing from children’s activities adds extra pressure. •Start with a one-week plan. As confidence builds add new and different menus each week. •For families where partners work away, there might be a completely different meal plan for the weeks where the family are together. This is the beauty of meal planning – being able to pick a menu that suits that week. CREATING THE MEALS •On a spare piece of paper begin to jot down family favourites that must go on the menu. •Look out for where ingredients can be used with other meals, leaving no waste. For example, the cauliflower from Sunday’s roast could be made into a cauliflower cheese with another meal. •Once the meals are established, write them all under the days of the week. •Be mindful of buying produce such as fish, as it might need to be eaten soon after purchase, so factor such details into the meal plan. •The ‘quick & easy’ meals or meals that involve the slow cooker are best placed on the nights where family commitments play a part. BUILDING THE SHOPPING LIST First time meal planners might need about an hour to write a comprehensive meal plan and shopping list. However, like anything, with a bit of practice it will be much quicker (about 20 minutes) to write them down the track, plus you’ll be creating a great collection of meal plans for any given week in the future. •It’s a great opportunity to get extra input from older children now. •Check over all the ingredients needed for the meals, and start to list them on a shopping list next to the meal planner. •Start to identify where one meal can become two, such as buying a large tray of mince for bolognese, which can then be split and used for beef patties, meatballs or a mince and vegetable pie. •Prevent under-buying or over-buying by carefully working out ingredients that fall across multiple meals. If three onions are required for various meals, write onions x 3. If creating recipes comes easy, then great. If not, then there are plenty of recipe books and websites out there to help. •As a meal is decided, start to write down EVERY ingredient needed under it. To get started it’s a case of grabbing some cookbooks or websites, a couple of sheets of paper and a pen. •Identify ‘roll-over’ meals – a fancy term for ‘leftovers’. For example, if Sunday’s dinner is a roast chicken, buy a chicken and pumpkin large enough to roll-over. Roast it all, then save any leftover meat and some pumpkin. Boil up the chicken carcass for stock, and now Monday’s dinner can be a beautiful chicken and pumpkin risotto with homemade stock. Two meals from one! •Part of the shopping list will build pantry staples such as herbs, seasonings, etc. These keep and will not be required each week. It builds skills in the kitchen. There may be a need to start getting creative and think of more than one way to cook an item, so coming up with new recipes builds a cooking repertoire. 40 SHOPPING JUST ONCE A WEEK PREVENTS THE QUICK STOPS TO GRAB DINNER ON THE WAY HOME. KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT TO COOK EVERY NIGHT ALSO SAVES TIME IN THE KITCHEN. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au •After the items needed for the meals are listed, start to add the other items normally purchased such as nappies, milk and bread. •The idea is this one piece of paper is the complete ‘Meal Planner’ and ‘Shopping List’ and can be kept on the fridge, ready for shopping day. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 41 42 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au DAIRY ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ MEAT ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ GENERAL ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ DOMESTIC ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ KIDS / ANIMALS ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR GROCERY BILL Nancy Cotton lives on the Sunshine Coast and like so many of us has a busy life. Nancy works four days a week as an office manager for a Sunshine Coast mortgage broker and in her ‘other job’ she is a mother of two to 4 year old Joseph and 2.5 year old Annecy. She spends her spare time studying and is currently working towards a communications degree. Her newfound loves are her chickens and the vegie patch. Often she is flying solo as her husband is a FIFO worker, so meal planning is without a doubt her saviour. TIP Buy online – Most supermarkets charge a delivery fee – roughly $11. However if the cost of petrol getting there and back, or saving your sanity by not taking the children to the supermarket offsets this cost then it’s worth it. MEALS Buy in bulk – It doesn’t need to be on the scale of planning for a zombie apocalypse, but if there is a special on an item which is a regular purchase, then buy the extra item to get the discount. If it is meat, separate it and freeze it. If it’s non-perishable, then just store it. Shop late – Often supermarkets sell items at a reduced price that need to be sold that day, usually it’s a ‘fill a bag of veg for $3’ scenario. Find out what time the local supermarkets do this (usually around 4pm), and take advantage of it if possible. (e.g. swimming, soccer) Online search engines – If recipe inspiration is an issue, the internet is an excellent place to work out how to use excessive random tins in the pantry. If you have a tin of chickpeas, type in ‘recipe ideas using chick peas’ for some great ideas. Home grown – If space isn’t an issue then growing fruit and vegetables is a great way to reduce food bills. If space is a problem, then growing a few herbs in patio pots is an alternative. Fresh herbs add great flavour and a small packet can cost a lot in the shops, so work out the regular ‘go to’ herbs and try growing them. COMMITMENTS Bananas – Kids can be so fussy when it comes to bananas: too green – no good, too many spots – no good. So peel them, bag them and freeze them. They are excellent for baking with once defrosted. Eat seasonal – If it isn’t brussels sprout season, then don’t have them on the menu. Eat only what is in season. Adjust meal plans accordingly to deal with out of season price hikes. WEDNESDAY Bread – Again, buy extra and freeze it. Sometimes frozen bread isn’t as nice for the sandwiches for school, so think of alternatives for when the bread has run out. Wraps last longer in the fridge and pantry and can add great variety. Slow cookers – These are brilliant for busy families. However often a little bit of work is needed to prep the meal. So make the effort, brown off the meat, reduce the vegetables and throw all the ingredients in. The prep may take five or so minutes, which can be done the night before or that morning, but is well worth it. TUESDAY Milk – Probably the one thing that has people popping to the shops, which results in extra purchases. The answer is to buy extra and freeze it. The 2- & 3-litre containers freeze nicely and can be taken out the day before to defrost. MONDAY OTHER HELPFUL HINTS FOR SAVING MONEY IN THE KITCHEN Shop around – If shopping around isn’t a problem then there are deals to be had. Using the local farmers market for fruit and vegetables is a great way to shop and the quality speaks for itself, so set routines and shopping around this if possible. WEEK DAYS •Where there is a special on an item that could be used the following week, such as a ‘buy one, get one half price’ offer, it may be more economical to purchase extra and freeze or store until needed. MEAL PLANNER •Buy what is on the list and ONLY on the list (except where the point below is valid). - in the city • The number one rule – TAKE THE LIST. Do the maths – Often there are specials that may look like a special but aren’t, such as one packet of 24 toilet rolls on special for $12 compared to three packets of eight rolls for $11. Sometimes you have to work out the best deal; it may only be a dollar, but it’s a saving. - on the coast TIME TO SHOP FILL OUT AND TAKE THIS LIST! SHOPPING LIST SAVING ON FOOD HAVING FUN ON A BUDGET FUN ON A FREE ENTRY BUDGET by Christine Humphreys Sticking to a budget doesn’t mean that all the fun has to stop. By looking for deals and taking the time to do some research you will find activities for the whole family to enjoy. You’ll find your local area offers plenty of things to do for free or at a low cost, and the major attractions usually offer generous value for money deals. Creating a great low-cost day out is rewarding in itself. Here are some ideas to get you started. CHEAP AND CHEERFUL! We live in such a beautiful part of the world that we are spoilt for choice when it comes to natural attractions such as our beaches, rivers and bushland. Here are a few other local activities that will get you out exploring and having fun in no time: •Get onto your council website and investigate the resources and events at your local library, botanical garden, museum or gallery. Each of these places will offer free or low cost workshops and sessions for children and families. •Charity stores are a treasure trove of wonders for parents and kids! Set a budget – $2 should cover it – or create a treasure hunt list of items to spot. •Go fishing. Many seaside towns offer a hire service for all the gear you will need or borrow the basics from a friend. • Wander through your local farmers markets. •Go strawberry picking. With no admission fees, you can choose to buy a punnet or pick your own. •Find out where the local wildlife spends their time. Feeding dolphins at Tin Can Bay or spotting kangaroos at the University of the Sunshine Coast are activities kids will love. 44 •Take a scenic drive, pack a picnic and spend the day exploring. •Visit a working farm like Maleny Dairies, and if the budget stretches take in a tour. •Go on a modern day treasure hunt and try your hand at geocaching. You can download an App or create an account online at www.geocaching.com. •Bunnings offer free Kids D.I.Y workshops each weekend. There is a different theme each week from garden and woodworking to paint, mosaics and recycled wall art. DO THE LOT! $20 ONLY SAVE $5PP PP on presentation of this voucher • Two 18 Hole Courses • Indoor Rock Wall • Extreme Trampoline • Cannonball Blaster • NEW Video Arcade • Fast Food Cafe • Blaster Boats KOTC6 FUN BIRTHDAY PARTIES FROM ONLY $14 PP OPEN: Sun-Thur 9am - 5:30pm | Fri-Sat 9am - 9pm | Every day of Qld School Holidays 9am - 9pm 2 Allora Drive (Cnr Maroochydore Road) Maroochydore Ph: 5452 7007 | www.topshotsfunpark.com.au •Find out where your local BMX track is for an off-road adventure the whole family can enjoy. •For the aviation enthusiast find a safe spot to park at your local airport and spend a few hours plane spotting. If you are taking photos remember to turn off the flash! •Go to your council’s website and look for your local community garden. You can spend some quiet time with the kids investigating the plants, and you may even find yourself a new hobby. •Jump aboard a train, bus or ferry for a short trip to a new town and wander its streets. •Type Brisbane Public Harvest into your search engine. This map provides a list and the location of fruit trees on public land. Then go foraging with the kids in search of edible treasure! •Make a list of playgrounds in your area and go ‘park hopping’. There are some hidden gems within new housing developments. MORE ON NEXT PAGE www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au B R E A K FA S T LUNCH D I N N E R & T A K E AWAY KIDS EAT FREE! Every Sunday* from 3pm – 7pm *1 Free kids meal per 1 paid adult meal SANDBAR CAFE AND KIOSK 26 THE ESPLANADE, BULCOCK BEACH, CALOUNDRA, QLD 4551 T: (07) 5491 0800 F: (07) 5437 0722 INFO@SANDBARCAFEKIOSK.COM.AU WWW.SANDBARCAFEKIOSK.COM.AU Bookings 5491 0800 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 45 HAVING FUN ON A BUDGET VALUE FOR MONEY Theme parks and zoos have some great value offers on their yearlong memberships plus specials for midweek visits. Be sure to check the minimum age required to buy a ticket as some places offer free entry for children under a certain age. 8TH AUG 1 0 . 0 0 A M - 5 . 0 0 P M AT IMMANUEL LUTHERAN COLLEGE 1 2 6 - 1 4 2 WIS E S R OA D, BU D E R IM MAIN STAGE LIVE AUCTION • SILENT AUCTION “CIRQUE DU SOLEIL” THEMED FASHION PARADE INTERNATIONAL FOOD STALLS • CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOPS SILK AERIAL DISPLAYS • MARKET STALLS SIDE SHOW ALLEY • RIDES AND MUCH MORE!!! PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE OR ON THE DAY. WWW.FRUEHLINGSFEST.COM.AU SUNSHINE COAST The Ginger Factory With free admission you are onto a winner already. The VIP pass is just $35 and covers unlimited rides on Overboard and the Ginger Train and other exclusive offers. The Ginger Factory also offers free kids entertainment each school holiday. Aussie World Check out Tiny Tots Tuesday which runs during the school term weekdays from 9am to 12pm. Adults and children under 5 years will pay just $10 each with a free coffee included for adults. Australia Zoo If you visit the zoo just twice in twelve months you will save money with their annual pass. Pack a picnic if the budget is tight. Enjoy the ultimate wildlife adventure all year round, with adult membership for $99 and child membership for $59. 46 Sea Life Mooloolaba Become an annual pass holder to receive unlimited entry to Sea Life Mooloolaba. This pass is on sale for $49.50 for the kids and $72 for adults. Another great offer is their weekday special for $20 which covers one adult entry, one child entry for 3 years and under, and one hot drink from their café. Queensland Zoo Wander through the rainforest parks, discover Australian native animals and enjoy the complimentary BBQ facilities. Queensland Zoo offers a family annual pass for $239 or individual adult pass for $79 and child pass for $49. MORE ON NEXT PAGE www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au • Create Success at Home for yourself and your family • Be there for the moments that matter – never miss a sports day again! • Work the hours that suit you – where it suits you – with your laptop and phone • Personal Development Industry – Global Opportunity • Build Financial Independence for now and the future • Not MLM – No Products to Stock – No Meetings to host • Full Support and Training Enquire today at: Be Your O wn Boss - Portable Flexible and Business Opportu nity www.success-at-home.biz www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 47 HAVING FUN ON A BUDGET BRISBANE - SUNSHINE COAST - GOLD COAST kidsinthecity magazine.com.au www.kidsinthecity GOLD COAST BRISBANE Dreamworld Dreamworld’s Unlimited World Pass includes entry to Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and Skypoint observation deck. Adults are $109.99 and kids $89.99. Sea World, Movie World and Wet‘n’Wild With three great membership options to choose from, each featuring different levels of access, you’ll find the perfect membership to meet your family’s needs. Purchase a membership with low monthly instalments starting at just $9 a month or prepay to get one month free! Paradise Country Life on the farm is great fun for kids of all ages, and just two visits will more than cover the cost of your annual pass at $49.99 for adults and $29.99 for children. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is voted one of Queensland’s most popular tourist destinations, allowing amazing up close and personal interactions with native Australian wildlife. They offer both 6-month and 12-month passes from $69 for adults and $53 for children. Lone Pine Sanctuary Cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos and encounter a large variety of Aussie wildlife. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offers an annual adult pass for $56 and a child pass for $36 which also includes some great discount offers. Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium The planetarium offers free entry and multi-ticket discounts with their three show pass, costing $35 for adults and $21 for children. Sciencentre Become a MyMuseum member and enjoy a year of fantastic benefits to help you create your very own museum experience. At $120 per family, $39 per adult or $30 per child, the membership includes unlimited entry to the Sciencentre, 10% discount on food and purchases plus 10% discount on entry to other museums in the Queensland Museum Network. The Workshops Rail Museum This annual pass offers museum entry for 12 months including all events and exhibitions, 10% discount at the shop and café plus 10% discount on entry to other museums in the Queensland Museum Network. Choose a family pass for $126 or individual passes at $42 for adults and $24 for kids. Images courtesy: Tourism and Events Queensland 48 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au E pril 2015 BRISBAN ISSUE 10 March/A TAKING A STAND r Battle of the bystande Reclaiming the lost years of girlhood GOLD COAST ISSUE 57 July/August 2015 m.au www.kidsonthecoast.co www.kidsontheco ast.com.au » take me home FREE ISSUE 68 May/Jun e 2015 SUNSHINE COAST Tackling teen truancy Raising an entrepre neur Talking about the news Inspiring creativit y Creative classroo ms How to grow a A spark for science When mind & body don't match Trusting your teen green kid Entertaining and informative, packed full of thought provoking articles, local news and things to do for kids Combined readership over 200,000* Available at your daycare centre, school, library, as well as hundreds of other family friendly hotspots Engage with our expanding online community Never miss an event with our What’s on weekly enewsletter Free! PICK UP A * Combined monthly readership from our printed publications, website, emarketing and social media channels COPY TODAY www.kidsonthecoast.com.au | www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 49 - on the coast - in the city www.kidsonthecoast.com.au www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au Published by Mother Goose Media - www.mothergoosemedia.com.au