I’ve never been one for flowers, however. I do think they’re pretty…but I don’t see the sense in spending all that money on something that will be brown and wilted in a few days. Case in point – the two bunches of artificial flowers on my desk! (with photo) They look great, they don’t make a mess, and they’ll stay fresh forever.

But in thinking about Valentine’s Day, we’ve come up with a few suggestions to offer our readers that won’t break the bank, but will keep your loved ones quite happy.

1. Find an alternative to flowers.

For the ladies, why not purchase a lovely bouquet of artificial flowers to adorn her working space or living space? If she asks why they’re artificial, there’s always the line ‘I wanted them to last as long as our love!’

For the gentlemen, flowers aren’t such a traditional gift – but have you heard of edible flowers? Candy Stems is a local business that produces delicious arrangements…and they do say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

2. Give them a break.

If your other half is usually responsible for the washing/cooking/cleaning in your household, try giving them a break for the day (or even the week!). Take on a few extra responsibilities and see how far that gets you – just the simple act of cooking dinner for your partner is inexpensive, heartfelt and will be appreciated. Offer to let them just relax with a cold beverage, or wait on them hand and foot. That’s service you probably won’t get at a 5-star restaurant!

3. Make something with your hands.

Valentine’s Day gifts don’t have to be expensive, sparkly and presented in small boxes. Often the best gift is something thoughtful and handmade, because it was made with love. Get your craft on, or even just write a sincere, handwritten letter – sentimental people will adore these things because they have meaning, if not monetary value.

The true secret to having the perfect Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank is to simply be considerate – think what the special person in your life needs the most, and try to give it to them. If you haven’t planned ahead for the day or don’t have a special someone, why not take advantage of the opportunity to randomly be kind to a stranger? It’s not too late to make it a Valentine’s Day to remember.

Also in this month’s Wealth By Design:

Interest Rates Rise – do you love your bank?

The Battle of the Bulge – overweight Australians fight back

TV shows like this would have you believe that by working out (hard!), you will lose weight and find the love of your life. According to a report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics released in May 2011, reality TV producers are targeting a big audience:

“In no less than 13 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 50% or more of the adult population is now classified as being either overweight or obese, with Australia’s obesity rate the fifth highest, behind only the United States, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.”

Over 50% of adults overweight?! This is hardly an encouraging report card for the Australian population…but this should be compared to a recent IBIS report which commented that:

“Revenue in health and fitness centres and gymnasia over the past five years is expected to have grown at an average annual rate of over 13%, with an estimated 1.8 million Australians now members of gyms and health clubs”

Cynics could suggest this proves there is no relationship between gym membership and obesity prevention, but accurate research says otherwise.

Clearly there is a large body (excuse the pun) of Australians who are focused on maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle and an even larger body (excuse the larger pun!) who for whatever reason are not.

I know from personal experience that some overweight Australians are members of gyms – and I applaud their decision to improve their fitness and lifestyle. At least they’re out there!

Of course, attending a gym is not the only way to stay fit and healthy. ’Pounding the pavement’ as you walk or run around your neighbourhood can also be effective and participating in sports or physical activities like dancing work well too. I’ve heard of groups who do early morning laps of the shopping centre – it’s air-conditioned!

The important point is that a balanced lifestyle is supported by reasonable levels of fitness – we don’t need to be elite athletes to lead a healthy lifestyle.  You just need to find an activity that suits you and your lifestyle.

There are many advantages of exercise.  Here are my top 10 (plus a bonus) -

1. Improves the heart and circulatory system
2. Improves the respiratory system
3. Improves the digestive system
4. Increases muscle tone
5. Increases your bone density
6. Improves the condition of your skin
7. Helps to avoid depression
8. Can be a great social activity
9. Will help you sleep soundly
10. Helps burn toxic substances
11. Gives you an excuse to buy some great exercise gear!

Make sure that if you are starting exercise after a lengthy period of inactivity that you seek appropriate medical advice before commencing and don’t over-do it initially. The possibilities of injury when you are unfit are significantly higher so ease into it! And of course don’t give up when your muscles hurt – that’s part of the reshaping process!

So if you are not already into exercising, join the millions of Australians who are actively winning the battle of the bulge and add some balance to your life!

Don’t miss out – also in Wealth By Design this month:

Valentine’s Day – how to show you care without blowing the budget

Interest Rates Rise – do you love your bank?

The global financial situation does appear to be somewhat shaky, and that uncertainty increases the risk premium that lenders expect for the use of their funds (a bit like betting on a horse race!). The focus of the RBA is on the Australian economy, and dealing with the various sectors of our economy is an interesting balancing act at the moment. While international factors do affect the Australian economy, these are just part of the RBA’s decision-making process.

On the other hand, the banks must deal in the international market, which is significantly more affected by the global uncertainty. This makes it not unreasonable for the banks to have a slightly different view of economics to the RBA. Keep in mind that we are talking about a 0.1 of a percent rise – which is hardly a massive difference of opinion.

At the same time, politicians are keen to remind us that they (single-handedly) have done away with exit fees, making it easier for borrowers to move from their current lender to find a better deal.

As usual with politicians, I wonder whether they really are in the real world. Assuming you have the time and knowledge to accurately compare a range of financial products and decide which one best suits your specific needs, the hassle of actually applying for the new loan, finding all the supporting documentation required, and doing all this within bank opening hours…it is nowhere near as easy as the politicians would have you imagine.

Added to that, the differences are quite often tiny, and the costs of loans at any point in time can change. The wonderful loan you negotiate today may be a less-than-ideal product in six months time.

So how do we avoid excessive bank charges? The simplest way is to pay your loan off as quickly as possible! (I said it was simple, not easy.) You are far better off investing the time you would spend analysing and shifting your current debt in formulating a comprehensive plan for your life (if that’s too big, then just your finances!).

We now offer a LifePlan process which helps you to identify your priorities and make a realistic plan for confidently moving forward to achieve the life you want. This is much better than doing nothing and taking whatever the banks (or anyone else) have planned for your life. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the possibilities with you, so Contact Us via our website or just call on 4928 9244.

Also in this month’s Wealth By Design:

The Battle of the Bulge – how overweight Australians are fighting back

Valentine’s Day – how to show you care without blowing the budget

Welcome to February’s Wealth By Design.

In this edition…

Interest Rates Rise – do you love your bank?

The Battle of the Bulge – overweight Australians fight back

Valentine’s Day – show you care without blowing the budget

Click on the links above to browse the articles.

We hope you enjoy this edition…for more financial, accounting and tax insights, why not follow us on Twitter@JandTaccounting?

This started me thinking (bigger) – how would you spend an unexpected $1,000 if it magically appeared in your life today? We’ve put our heads together and come up with a few ways you could use a spare $1,000 this year to boost your financial position:

1. Get financial advice.
Obviously, we have to say this, but make sure you seek advice from a real expert. Yesterday, I spoke with a client who sought legal advice on a helpline. The legal advice was hopelessly inaccurate and caused my client considerable stress! Lesson learned: make sure you can trust your advisors.

2. Pay it into your home loan.
We’ve worked out that $1000 thrown directly into your home loan principal will save you almost double that in interest over the life of a 25-year home loan. Not a bad return on investment! If you are one of the many Australians who do not pay off the balance of their credit card(s) each month, $1000 paid off that high-interest balance will save you even more.

3. Invest in yourself.
This is where you will get the best return on investment – investing in the expansion of your knowledge is rarely wasted, and allows you to build a lifetime of skills and experience…who knows where that could take you? Also, if there’s $1000 in a business wardrobe calling you that would enhance your professional image, that wouldn’t hurt either…

4. No leave, no life.
With local tourism operators suffering at the moment, you could use that $1000 for a staycation in the local area. Admittedly, it would be a fairly short break, but that’s possibly longer than some people have had for a while! The $1000 spending is worth it when you consider the flow-on effect for the local economy – and the fun memories you keep afterwards.

5. Put it under the mattress.
NO! If you even considered that for a second, go back to the start of this article and get some financial advice. While having $1000 sitting under your mattress might make you feel good about yourself, it’s much better invested in a high-interest online savings account, where it can make you money (which makes you feel even better about yourself!).

I know these aren’t the most exciting ways to spend $1000, but do you have a better idea? Let me know (via the comments below, email, or Twitter @JandTaccounting) – how would you spend $1,000? The most creative solution will win an honourable mention in our next column…