Ah, the holiday season! A time for joy, cheer, and, let’s be honest, a whole lot of stress if you leave your shopping until the last minute. If you’ve ever found yourself racing through crowded stores in the week before Christmas, frantically searching for the “perfect” gift, you know exactly what I mean. But what if I told you there’s a much easier way to navigate the holiday madness?

You don’t have to start super early or even be ruthlessly organised, but a little bit of pre-planning and a head start on the Christmas chaos can make for a much saner, happier experience. You can make choices that are kinder on your wallet, more appropriate for the gift recipients and maybe even a little more sustainable and ethical than a snatch and grab from the nearest department store.

Let’s dive into why getting ahead of the holiday curve is a win-win for everyone!

Stress levels: breathe easy!

Let’s face it, much of the anxiety at Christmas comes from the pressure to buy gifts. The closer you get to the big day, the more chaotic it becomes. Long lines, over-crowded stores, constantly checking for delivery updates, and a ticking clock can turn even the most festive spirit into a grumpy Grinch.

Shopping early gives you the luxury of time. You can browse online without the pressure of deadlines looming over you, knowing you have adequate time for shipping. You can support local businesses and might even discover unique gifts you wouldn’t have spotted in the chaotic rush of late December.

Budget-friendly giving

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: your budget. We all know that holiday spending can spiral out of control. And while the allure of “Buy Now, Pay Later” schemes might seem tempting, they can quickly turn into a financial trap. Sure, it sounds great to spread payments over several months, but that can lead to overspending and ultimately add stress when those bills start rolling in.

By shopping early, you can take control of your spending. You have the chance to set a budget, compare prices, and avoid those impulse buys that happen when you’re in a rush. This way, you can stick to your budget and still find thoughtful gifts without breaking the bank.

Sustainable choices

Let’s not forget about our dear planet. The holiday season is notorious for generating a mountain of waste, from excess packaging to the carbon footprint of rushed shipping. By planning your shopping in advance, you can make eco-friendly choices that benefit both your wallet and the world we live in.

When you plan ahead, you can seek out local artisans, make homemade treats for friends and family, choose gifts that are sustainably made, or even go for experiences instead of material items. Think cooking classes, concert tickets, or a membership to a local zoo—gifts that create memories instead of clutter. Plus, with a little forethought, you can minimise waste by opting for eco-friendly wrapping or repurposing materials you already have at home.

Enjoying the season

Let’s not overlook the fact that shopping early allows you to really soak in the holiday season. Instead of being stressed out and overwhelmed, you can take your time to enjoy the festive spirit—all while knowing you’ve got your shopping sorted.

Pro tips for early shopping success

1. Make a list and check it twice: Start with a list of everyone you want to buy for, along with ideas for gifts. This keeps you organised and focused.
2. Set a budget: Determine how much you want to spend in total and allocate specific amounts for each person to avoid overspending.
3. Shop sales: Keep an eye out for a bargain. Shopping around and comparing prices can save you a packet!
4. Get creative: Consider gifts that are experiences rather than items. These often create lasting memories and can be more meaningful than something you’ve snatched up in a store.

So, there you have it! Get organised and set yourself up for a holiday season that’s less stressful, more budget-friendly, and kinder to our planet. So why not turn on your favourite holiday tunes, and start making that list now? Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you for it. Happy early shopping!

Stay up to date with what’s happened in the Australian economy and markets over the past month.

Interest rate speculation is rife after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept rates on hold at 4.35% last month.

RBA Governor Michelle Bullock believes it may be “some time” before inflation is “sustainably in the target range”, with concerns about inflation, excess demand, low productivity, and a still tight labour market.

The S&P/ASX 200 reached a new record high, up 2.2% for the month and 7.89% for the year, reflecting global optimism on the macro-economic front.

Click here for our October update video.

Please get in touch on 03 9723 0522 if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

Telephone : 03 9723 0522

Integrity One Facebook

This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser, finance specialist, broker, and/or accountant before making decisions using this information.

At its latest meeting, the Reserve Bank Board announced it was leaving the cash rate at 4.35%.

Please click here to view the Statement by Michele Bullock, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision.

With the official rate on hold, we’re watching closely what the banks do with their rates, as some of Australia’s biggest lenders may change their rates.

You will be notified directly by your bank if and when they change their interest rate.

Please get in touch 03 9723 0522 if you would like to discuss recent rate movements or if you would like to review your finance options.

Protecting income from unexpected illness and injury is particularly important to anyone with a mortgage to service, small business owners and self-employed people with no sick leave available.

With income protection insurance, you can be paid some 70% of your income for a specified period to help when you cannot work.

The most common claims are for illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, anxiety and depression.Payments generally last from two to five years although you can take a policy up to a certain age, such as 65, and the amount is generally based on 70% of your income in the 12 months prior to the injury or illness.

For some, income protection insurance may be part and parcel of your superannuation although more commonly this is limited to life insurance, and total and permanent disability cover. But, if you do have income protection insurance in your super, check the extent of the automatic cover as it can be modest.

Alternatively, you could take out a policy outside super where you will enjoy tax deductibility on the premiums. Income protection insurance is the only insurance that is tax deductible. Other life insurance products outside super such as trauma insurance are not tax deductible.

Work out a budget

There are many considerations when looking at income protection insurance and the best place to start is to work out your budget, thinking about how much would you need to maintain your family’s lifestyle if you are unable to work. Then you are able to decide on the appropriate level of income protection insurance as well as other factors that affect premiums such as how quickly you might need the payments to start and how long these payments will last.

Many people think income protection insurance is expensive, but you can fine tune policies to suit your budget by changing the percentage payment amount, the length of time for which you would receive the payment and how soon you start getting a payment once you cannot work. Reducing these parameters can reduce your premiums.

Check the policy details

It is important to be mindful of a number of factors that might affect the success of any claim you might make. So, make sure you read the product disclosure statement.

Every insurer has a different definition as to what will trigger a payment, so you need to understand the difference between “own occupation” and “any occupation” for cover. For example, if you are a surgeon and lose capacity in one of your hands, you will receive a payout from your insurer if you have specified “own” occupation because you can no longer work as a surgeon. But if you opt for “any” occupation, then the insurer could argue that you could still work as a doctor just not as a surgeon and the claim may not be paid.

It is also wise to understand that if your policy does not seek your medical history, it is likely there could be limitations to what illnesses are covered.

Another consideration is whether you have stepped or level premiums. Stepped premiums start low and usually increase as you age. Level premiums begin at a higher rate but typically don’t increase until you reach 65. In the long run, level may work out cheaper for some. You must work at least 20 hours a week to take out income protection insurance and you can usually only buy a policy up to the age of 60. Also, if you receive a payout, you need to declare that income on your tax return.

New world order: Surprise cities climbing the residential ranks

There’s been yet another changing of the guard in Australian property along with the arrival of spring.

Rarely seen in close to four decades of real estate record keeping, Melbourne values have dipped below those of Adelaide and Perth, signalling a shake up for capital city property prices.

In June, Brisbane’s median dwelling value had already surpassed the Victorian capital and Canberra to take out second place on the CoreLogic totem pole, and now just two months later, it has fallen to fifth on the list.

Cost of living pressures and a continued plateau in the official cash rate by the RBA has resulted in a quieter than average winter in real estate. CoreLogic’s September Home Value Index revealed that national home values rose only 0.5% during August, representing 19 months of consecutive increases.

Smaller city standouts

For much of the past two years, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane have led the pack in terms of growth rates among Australia’s capital cities. Perth, in particular, has seen extraordinary growth with values up 23.24% annually, followed by Adelaide at 15.12% and Brisbane at 13.95%.

This rapid rise has propelled both Perth and Adelaide prices past Melbourne. The South Australian capital’s median dwelling value is now at $790,800 while Perth’s is $785,250, compared to $776,044 for Melbourne – now the third lowest median among the capital city markets. Only Darwin and Hobart are now cheaper.

Melbourne’s market explained

It’s the first time Perth’s median dwelling value has been higher than Melbourne’s since February 2015, when the city was coming off an iron-ore boom. Adelaide has never recorded a median value higher than Melbourne in CoreLogic’s 40-year dwelling value series.

Melbourne’s real estate landscape has been on a downward trend for six consecutive months, which is attributed to a range of factors, from affordability constraints and elevated interest rates, to changes in investor sentiment and Victorian tax levies.

What’s also worth noting is that Melbourne is a unit-heavy market, where apartments account for approximately a third of the city’s housing stock—compared to just 16 per cent in Perth and Adelaide. This skew toward unit prices drags down the overall median dwelling value and, in reality, median house and unit values across Perth and Adelaide are still lower than in Melbourne.

Dwelling values over the quarter

Melbourne

Currently with a dwelling median sitting at $776,044, after a quarterly fall of -1.2%, Melbourne is  now one of Australia’s more affordable cities according to CoreLogic data. Since the onset of Covid in March 2020, the Victorian capital’s median has increased by 10.1 per cent, representing an average $71,196 move in home prices. Currently, the gross rental yield is 3.7%, however investors are collectively reevaluating their property portfolios since the introduction of a new Victorian land tax on non-primary residences.

Sydney

The median value of homes in Sydney is $1.18 million after a modest three-month movement of 0.8%. At the beginning of the pandemic, Sydney’s median was $263,838 less but has since risen 28.8%. The gross rental yield for investment properties in the Harbour City is currently 3.1 per cent.

Brisbane

Still holding its spot as Australia’s second priciest city for residential real estate, Brisbane’s median dwelling value is $875,040 after a quarterly increase of 2.9 per cent. Back at the start of Covid, the Queensland capital’s median was $344,896 less but has subsequently soared by 65.1%. Today the gross rental yield for the city is 3.7%.

Canberra

The national capital was knocked out of second place back in June and recorded a slight -0.2% decrease in the median dwelling value for the quarter to $845,875. Home values have risen an average of $201,558, or 31.3 per cent, since the start of the pandemic. The gross rental yield in Canberra is 4.1%.

Perth

On an incredible trajectory since March 2020, Perth’s median home value has skyrocketed 72.5% to $785,250. Over the last three months it was also home to the country’s largest capital city quarterly increase of 5.7%. Perth’s gross rental yield is sitting at 4.3%.

Note: all figures in the city snapshots are sourced from: CoreLogic’s national Home Value Index (September 2024) 

If you have any questions or need any information please give us a call on 039723 0522.

Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month.

Global stock markets – including the ASX – largely stabilised by the end of August after a turbulent month.

It was a rocky start when markets everywhere fell after news of high unemployment figures in the US and an interest rate move by Japan’s central bank.

Click here for our September update video.

Please get in touch on 03 9723 0522 if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

Telephone : 03 9723 0522

Integrity One Facebook

This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser, finance specialist, broker, and/or accountant before making decisions using this information.