Last year, Australian shoppers poured $11.8 billion into the holidays.

As a result, millions of them walked into January significantly poorer and/or burdened with holiday debt.

This debt reached a staggering total of $2.7 billion nationwide.  

Making matters even worse, 43% of those debt holders anticipated it would take up to five months to clear their balance, and 15% expected it would take a year or more to pay it off. 

No Fox & Hare member should be falling into this trap. This isn’t just “silly season” spending; it would be money and time diverted away from your future goals – the ones you’re working so hard for!  

So, this year, we are challenging you to max out the celebrations while still banking your wins – with 4 proactive tips from the Fox & Hare advisers that are designed to guarantee financial victory this festive season. 

Let’s go!

 

In short:

The Problem 💰
Last year, Australians racked up a total $2.7 billion in holiday debt. No Fox & Hare member should be walking into the new year with debt from the festive season, especially not at the expense of longstanding goals such as homeownership or passive income.

The Solution 🛡️:
The F&H team – from marketing to financial advice – have laid out a list of proactive strategies you can implement to avoid the most common financial traps this holiday season.

The Outcome ✅:
Choose and implement the strategies that apply to you personally, from the list below, to guarantee you walk into the new year feeling powerful, in control, and on track.

 

Your Next Step:
Read through the four tips below, pick those are most relevant to you and lock with the ‘first actionable step’ provided.  

 

1. Lock Down Your Goals: Treat Your Savings and Investments as a Non-Negotiable Fixed Expense 

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is viewing your long-term wealth building – whether it’s auto-investing, Super contributions, or mortgage top-ups – as a flexible or optional cost that can be paused for the holiday season.  

Your goals must remain your top priority.  

F&H Financial Adviser, Christine Dang, is firm on this non-negotiable approach: “Keep the savings and investment strategies going. Think of them like fixed expenses as opposed to optional costs.” She says.

This sentiment is echoed by Courtenay Walker, Head of Advice at Fox & Hare, who stresses “Christmas is temporary, longer-term goals are forever, and we need to mindful of that fact over the festive season.” 

To treat your savings like rent or a utility bill is to enforce the self-discipline needed for your long-term progress toward your goals. If you reduce the amount that you are saving or investing, it must be the result of a conscious, deliberate choice – not accidental, unplanned or frivolous spending.  

 

Your Actionable First Step: 

If you feel like you’re at risk of overspending at the expense of your goals, you can transfer your investment or saving funds early – before the festive season and its associated spending kick in.  

You can also review your most recent Statement of Advice (SOA), for a refresher on your goal timelines, and make a mental note of how far any missteps might push them out.  

 

 

2. Set a Hard Budget: Cover Every Festive Cost (Not Just Gifts) 

Even the best laid, most stringently observed plans can fail over the festive season.

One of the main causes we see for this situation is that people only account for the main event – the gifts – when planning their festive spending. 

When you don’t view the financial weight of the season as a whole, your funds are likely to be hoovered by the multitude of unplanned extras – decorations, events, new outfits, food and the list goes on.  

F&H Financial Adviser, Julie Bullen, explains that this tunnel vision is where many budgets fail: “Set a budget for the entire Christmas period – and I mean everything. Gifts, food, drinks, travel, events, outfits… it all adds up.”  She says. “Being realistic upfront can help you enjoy the season without a financial hangover that costs you months of progress toward your goals.” 

Winning at the Christmas budget means calculating the total amount you are willing to spend, including the little things and unexpected costs like transport, secret santas or hosting expenses.

To reinforce this message, F&H Head of Advice, Courtenay Walker insists on one non-negotiable: “Identify a budget AND STICK TO IT! DON’T USE CREDIT CARDS!!!!!!!!! ” Plain and simple.

Your Actionable First Step:

Decide on a fixed ‘Festive Season Spend’ budget and, if you feel you might need a little extra help sticking to it, open a dedicated, transfer the funds in and commit to treating this balance as your entire budget for the season, with no top-ups allowed. 

 

3. Implement “Buy-Stop” Friction: Physically Block Impulse Purchases 

Impulse buying is one of the most effective ways to compromise your festive budget and slow your progress toward the big, life-changing goals you came to Fox & Hare to achieve.  

To keep yourself on track, you need to create deliberate friction between the urge to spend and the ability to swipe, scan or click “buy now” 

F&H’s advisers have two tips to actively opt-out of temptation:

Digital Detox:
This strategy is about consciously stepping out of the sales cycle and Julie suggests going straight to the source: “Unsubscribe from all those marketing emails landing in your inbox… The less time you spend being sold to, the more likely you are to stay on track and stress less later” she says. It’s also worth unfollowing any influencers or brands that consistently post paid partnerships or other advertising materials” says Fox & Hare Community & Marketing Lead, Liam Hartley. You are more likely to make a purchase when it comes from a ‘trusted’ source and retailers are cashing in big from influencer marketing.

Grab and Go:
Once you’ve covered the digitial marketing, you need to plan for the physical retailers, too. Father of four and F&H Adviser Callum Newell is giving peak Dad advice: “plan your gifts ahead and free up a single, set time period to go to the shops and buy them! Having a set plan of attack reduces the likelihood you’ll get sucked into buying something extra at the shops or scrolling through Amazon,” he says. 

Introduce these barriers, and any others you can think of, and you’ll minimise your exposure to temptation, making it easier to stick to your pre-approved budget! 

 

Your Actionable First Step:

Spend five to thirty minutes right now and unsubscribe from / unfollow all the marketing emails and influencers you can find. Then, attempt to write an exhaustive list of every gift you need to buy and commit to a single, restricted window (e.g., 3 hours) next week for all necessary holiday shopping.

 

 

4. Master Social Spending: Proactively Manage Gifts and Events 

The festive season is a blast, and you should absolutely have fun! However, the sheer number of invitations and hosting requirements, if not properly managed, could end up being stressful, expensive, and leave you feeling terrible come January.

Nobody wants to walk into the new year broke AND feeling rough. So, why do we? 

Fox & Hare Co-founder and financial adviser, Glen Hare, considers himself somewhat of a social butterfly, but actively applies two core rules to protect his festive budget and energy:

 

Rule #1: Practice JOMO (Joy of Missing Out):
Glen sets clear boundaries on his time and social obligations. “I have started saying ‘no’ much more frequently over the past couple of years. There is so much going on over the Christmas period that if you say yes to everything it won’t only cost an arm and a leg, but it’ll leave you feeling like garbage by the New Year. Limit yourself to what’s truly important and give 100% of your energy to that!”
 

Rule #2: BYO!
Glen controls the per-person cost of catch-ups by choosing intimate, casual and low cost gatherings. His advice for reducing the default expense is simple: “Bring back the BYO bevies and a BBQ. They’re cheap, much more personal than a random restaurant, and who doesn’t love a summer BBQ?”. 

Go out, enjoy yourself, and fill your cup – in every way you can!  

You deserve the fun and connection, but don’t forget to put yourself and your commitment to your goals first. It is more than possible to enjoy yourself without sacrificing your hard-earned money, health, and progress. 

 

Your Actionable First Step:

Decide on your ‘Magic Number’ of parties and events you will attend or host for the season (e.g., maximum five). Set the date range for what you consider the “festive season” and discern away! Say yes to only the most fulfilling events and bring a little peace back to your holidays.

 

 

🥳 Win the Festive Season: Protect Your Progress! 

This year, you are going to beat the holiday crunch and protect your momentum. 

Remember the goal: to have the best time without wasting the time, money and progress you’ve worked so hard for in 2025. 

The cost of a mismanaged festive season is real—it could be a potential delay to your home deposit, hundreds lost to interest on credit card bills, or MONTHS added to the timeline on your next financial goal.  

F&H Co-founder Glen Hare says the trade-offs are measurable and real: “You need to understand how much the overspending will push back your goal i.e. if you spend an extra $1,000 the you might delay that property purchase by one month, $2,000, two months etc…”.

Remember: Planning is power, not punishment. 

You deserve to enjoy the festive season, and committing to a plan guarantees you peace of mind, zero financial regret and the space to enjoy yourself. 

Pick the actionable steps from our four points that are most relevant to you and implement them right now.  

Execute them today and walk into the new year on track and in control! 

 

About Fox & Hare:

Fox & Hare are the Millennial and Gen Z advisers, 100% focused on helping Australia’s 20-45 year olds buy property, get invested and achieve financial freedom. 

When it comes to managing your money, it’s normal to feel uncertain or scared of making the wrong decision; it’s normal to feel so overwhelmed that, despite knowing you need to do something, the first step seems impossible; and it’s also incredibly normal to be earning great coin, but still feeling like you’re behind. 

At Fox & Hare we create bespoke, long term financial plans that eliminate these uncertainties and put you in control of your financial future. No more option paralysis. No more fear of missing out. No more uncertainty about how to manage your money effectively.

If you:  

• Want to achieve financial freedom. 

• Want the flexibility to live your life on your terms, not tied to a job or working 24/7. 

• Want your money to be working for you – not the other way around. 

 But the idea of learning how and where to start is more than a little daunting, let Fox & Hare do the legwork for you. 

Can the Home Guarantee Scheme Help you Bypass the 20% Deposit?

For many Australians, the dream of homeownership quickly turns into a scramble to solve one huge problem: how exactly do you save the full 20% deposit when houses are SO expensive!?

The Albanese government think they have come up with the solution: updates to the Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS), that allow eligible buyers to enter the market with as a deposit as low as 5%.

We wanted to know more!

So, we partnered with mortgage broker, first home expert, and host of the First Home Unlocked podcast, Jack Elliott, to break down the policy and help you work out if it’s right for you, our amazing Fox & Hare members.

This guide delivers the comprehensive overview you need to assess your eligibility for the program, understand the policy’s pros and cons and determine the next step on your journey to homeownership.

 

In short:

Lower deposits! 💸:
The Home Guarantee Scheme allows you to buy a home with as little as a 5% deposit while avoiding costly Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

But only for some ✅:
There are strict rules governing the program, including a property price cap, and you must live in the home (no converting to an investment property while on the scheme).

And best used with caution 💡:
Jack says the HGS should be used as a strategic tool for your long-term goals and vision. Don’t rush into a purchase that might cost you more later.

Watch the video or read the article below!

 

Your Next Step:
Read on, watch the webinar recording and, if you believe you’d like to access the scheme, reach out to your financial adviser through the personal finance portal. If you’d like to speak with Jack, you can reach him here. 

 

 

Crushing the 20% Deposit Barrier: The Home Guarantee Scheme Explained 🏡

For decades, if you couldn’t scrape together a 20% deposit, the bank would charge you a significant fee for a product called Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

LMI is a mandatory insurance policy, paid for by you, that covers the bank, in case you default on your loan. Again, this fee is added to your loan balance – meaning you pay extra interest on the insurance as well as the property – immediately making your home tens of thousands of dollars more expensive.

The Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS) is designed to solve this problem by having the federal government act as your guarantor for up to 15% of the property’s value.

Jack explains:

“If you’re successful in accessing the program and you go to the lender with a 5% deposit, they will now treat you as if you had a 20% deposit. So again, you avoid paying that lender’s mortgage insurance and you get access to competitive interest rates.”

 

The HGS is NOT a cash grant.

You need to to understand that the HGS is not a cash grant or a lump sum payment from the government towards your deposit. The government is simply stepping in as a guarantor.

This means the government has no ownership or shared ownership in your home. Instead, they are offering their  assurances to the bank that the portion of your loan above 80% (up to 95%) is protected, minimising their risk when helping you get into that first home.

 

The Benefit for You

The benefit for you is twofold:

 💰 You avoid paying LMI because the government’s guarantee removes the need for the bank’s own insurance policy.

📈 You get access to competitive interest rates, a benefit typically reserved for those with a full 20% deposit, because the bank is treating your loan as if you met that 20% threshold.

For eligible applicants, this guarantee provides the leverage to enter the market years earlier than otherwise possible, accelerating the start of their property journey.

 

 

Eligibility Checklist & Rules ✅

The Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS) has been actively helping first home buyers since 2020, with recent updates removing barriers and increasing its reach from the 1st October 2025.

Understanding these criteria is the first step toward accessing the program.

 

You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the HGS:

• Residency:
  You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident and over 18 years old.
• Deposit Size:
  You must have a minimum 5% deposit (up to 20%) saved.
• First Home Buyer Status:
  You must be a genuine first home buyer. A key new addition is that you may also be eligible if you haven’t owned a property in the last 10 years.
• Income:
  They have removed the income caps, meaning your current salary level no longer disqualifies you.
• Application Type:
  You can apply solo or with one other person (partner, friend, or family member), but both applicants must meet all eligibility criteria.
• Property Caps:
  The property price must be within the set price caps for your region (these vary by state and territory).

 

Property Rules: The ‘Live-In’ Restriction

The most crucial restriction to understand is that the scheme is designed to help you secure a home to live in.

Jack explains:

“You can’t just convert it into investment property in a year’s time. The programs targeted specifically at first-time buyers who are looking to move in and live in their property.”

If your financial goals involve buying your first property and immediately renting it out (rentvesting), you won’t be able to do so while the HGS guarantee is in place.

You must live in the property as your Principal Place of Residence until your loan-to-value ratio (LVR) drops to 80% or below.

 

How to Get Started: Accessing the Program

The process for accessing the HGS is relatively straightforward:
You can only apply through a participating lender or a mortgage broker.

Jack emphasises the difference between going directly to a single bank versus using a broker:

• Expert Matching:
  A good broker compares all available lenders and loan options under the scheme, matching your specific financial profile (e.g., PAYG versus self-employed) to the bank most likely to approve you.
• Streamlined Process:
  They handle all the eligibility checks, saving you time and preventing emotional attachment to properties that might not meet both the scheme’s and the lender’s individual rules.
• No Cost to You:
  Working with a broker is often free to the customer, as they are paid by the lender.

When navigating a complex program like the HGS, working with an experienced broker gives you 1-1, professional support and a competitive edge on the path to homeownership.

 

Layer Your Government Support

You don’t have to choose just one tool—the HGS can be combined with other government support for maximum impact.

• First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS): You can contribute extra funds into your superannuation to save for your deposit and withdraw it later, benefiting from the concessional tax rate. Crucially, FHSSS funds are counted as genuine savings for the HGS.
• State Concessions: You can also typically use your Stamp Duty Concessions and Exemptions alongside the HGS and FHSSS.

 

 

Avoid the Traps: Strategy, Not Shortcuts💡

The Home Guarantee Scheme can help you buy sooner, but it’s not a decision to rush.

Jack cautions that if you’re not grounded in some sort of goal or value, you risk making a “very costly mistake”. Your job is to make sure you’re using the HGS as a strategic tool, not simply a quick fix. “You just want to make sure you’re 100% clear on why you are purchasing that first home, and focusing on your long-term vision is key” he says.

 

Plan Your Financial Runway (The 5–10 Year Vision)

The biggest financial blunder first-time buyers make is choosing a property that only suits them for a short time. This is why Jack encourages clients to define their ‘financial runway’:

“The longer the runway, the more value or the more growth in equity that you can have… we tend to get our clients to aim for a property that will suit them for the next 5 to 10 years at least.” he says.

 

What should you consider when thinking about your runway?

Jack describes the runway the period the property is functionally and emotionally right for you. It’s the period that the property will suit your life before you intend or need to sell. Things to consider include, but are not limited to:

💸 Costly Consequences:
If you buy a shotgun property, then need to sell it on after a short period of time, the combined costs of buying, selling, and then buying again can wipe out any initial equity gains you made.

👩‍❤️‍👨 The Family Factor: Do you anticipate starting or growing a family in the next 5-10 years, and can this property comfortably accommodate that growth without forcing a premature move?

💼 Career Flexibility: How close is the property to public transport or your place of work? If your career requires a future commute change, will the location still work for you?

🏝️ Lifestyle Non-Negotiables: Will this location still allow you to access the lifestyle you value, whether it’s proximity to restaurants, beaches or being quiet at night?

 

 

Don’t Forget the Hidden Costs 💰

Don’t fall into the trap of assuming a 5% deposit will be the final number you need to buy a home. Jack stresses you must budget for all the other unavoidable upfront costs that need to be covered by settlement. Ignoring these expenses is a common reason initial purchase attempts fall through, as the lender won’t approve the final loan until they are covered.

You need to be thinking about:

• Stamp Duty:
  This is a major, state-dependent cost. If you’re working with a mortgage broker they can assist you to check for local concessions or exemptions.
• Settlement Fees:
  Factor in essential costs like lender fees, conveyancing, and inspections.
• Cash Buffer is Essential:
  Because the HGS maximises your loan-to-value ratio (up to 95%), you have a higher debt and less equity buffer to start with. Jack advises always setting aside a cash buffer for emergencies, as refinancing off the scheme is challenging until your LVR drops to 80%.

This kind of upfront strategic thinking provides a necessary level of clarity, preparedness and helps to minimise risk. Ensuring you are not caught off guard in the event that something pops up or goes wrong.

 

What’s Next? 

You can start by watching the full webinar recording above. If you’re interested in accessing the scheme, you have options: reach out to your preferred lender, contact a participating mortgage broker, or connect directly with our expert, Jack Elliott, for specialised advice. For continued learning, you can also listen to Jack’s First Home Unlocked podcast.

 

About Fox & Hare:

Fox & Hare are the Millennial and Gen Z advisers, 100% focused on helping Australia’s 20-45 year olds buy property, get invested and achieve financial freedom. 

When it comes to managing your money, it’s normal to feel uncertain or scared of making the wrong decision; it’s normal to feel so overwhelmed that, despite knowing you need to do something, the first step seems impossible; and it’s also incredibly normal to be earning great coin, but still feeling like you’re behind. 

At Fox & Hare we create bespoke, long term financial plans that eliminate these uncertainties and put you in control of your financial future. No more option paralysis. No more fear of missing out. No more uncertainty about how to manage your money effectively.

If you:  

• Want to achieve financial freedom. 

• Want the flexibility to live your life on your terms, not tied to a job or working 24/7. 

• Want your money to be working for you – not the other way around. 

 But the idea of learning how and where to start is more than a little daunting, let Fox & Hare do the legwork for you. 

After years of rate hikes, 2025 has seen 3 interest rate cuts. 

Plus one confirmed hold and another projected. For most homeowners, that will translate into lower minimum mortgage repayments and more cash in the bank.   

But with these extra dollars comes a critical question: What should you do with the extra cash?

This article will break down your three main options for turning mortgage relief into future wealth.

In short:

🐨 Australian interest rate cuts may have lowered your minimum mortgage repayments.  

🌱 Read this article to ensure you convert any savings into progress towards your long-term goals. 

🏆 What matters most isn’t that you’re paying less, but what you do with it.

Your Next Step:
Confirm your new minimum repayment, if you have one! Then, choose your champion – the lowest-risk payoff, or the highest potential return. Read on to find out how.

 

The RBA & Interest Rates: Your 30 Second Refresher 

You can skip this section if you’re an interest rate and Reserve Bank of Australia buff. For everyone else, here’s the quick download. 

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is Australia’s central bank – the bank for the other banks. Its core job is to keep the economy healthy, primarily by managing inflation (keeping it between 2-3%) and ensuring strong employment. 

It does this by setting the cash rate, which is the official interest rate at which banks borrow money from each other. Think of the cash rate as the main lever for the whole financial system: 

• When the RBA cuts the cash rate:
  It costs banks less to borrow, so they typically pass these savings on by lowering rates on things like mortgages. This encourages people to spend and invest. 

• When the RBA raises the cash rate:
  It costs banks more to lend, so they raise rates for customers. This encourages saving over spending and helps ‘cool down’ the economy. 

The interest you pay on your mortgage is simply the fee for borrowing money, and the RBA has a significant, though not absolute, influence over that number. 

 

Start Here: Know Your Numbers 

The first and most critical action you need to take is an easy one: confirm your current mortgage repayments. 

While many major lenders pass on RBA rate cuts, some may only pass on a portion, and others might pass on no savings at all. If you’re going to optimise every dollar at your disposal, you need to know exactly how much you are paying every month. 

Grab your phone and calculator, follow the steps below and work out how much of a windfall you are working with.  

 

🏦 Step 1: Confirm Your Rate (and Your Lender’s) 

Your first job is to establish your current lowest minimum repayment. Why? Because before you can redirect any savings into one of the strategies ahead, you need to confirm exactly how much “free” cash you actually have. 

What to Look For and Where:
Check your email, banking app, or postal mail for official communication. Look closely at your updated statement to see if your interest rate has decreased, or if your lender has changed your monthly minimum. 

If you haven’t seen an update, call your mortgage provider directly. You are confirming their decision on your loan to find your number. This is the precise figure we’ll use to lock in your next move. 

 

💡 Step 2: Work Out Your Windfall 

If your minimum repayment has fallen, congratulations – you have unlocked a monthly windfall! 

Your provider will probably provide you with an overview of your change in payment, however, if they don’t/haven’t, you can work our your windfall by using this easy calculator we prepared with our friends over at Alcove Mortgage Brokers.  

To use it, you’ll need to know:

• Your loan amount
• Loan term
• Current interest rate &
• The interest rate reduction you’re working with

This calculated figure is the newly liberated cash that is now available to put to work. 

 

 

Your Options 

Option 1: Pay down the mortgage 

The safe bet. This is the most direct and lowest-risk approach: simply maintain your old, higher repayment rate. By continuing to pay your mortgage as if the rate cut never happened, you pay down your debt faster, accelerating your journey to being mortgage-free.

Pros ✅ 

• Guaranteed, Risk-Free Return:
  Every dollar you put toward your principal is a dollar you don’t pay in interest. This saving is a guaranteed, non-taxable “return” equivalent to your mortgage rate—a certainty that’s hard to beat in a volatile market. 

• Massive Interest Savings:
  By increasing your repayments, you can shave years off your loan term and save tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan. For example, maintaining your old repayment amount on a large loan can save nearly $100,000 in interest and help you become mortgage-free years earlier. 

• Peace of Mind:
  For many, the emotional benefit of owning your home sooner is huge. A smaller mortgage means less financial stress and a feeling of greater security and control. 

Cons ❌ 

• Less Liquidity: Money tied up in your home’s principal is difficult to access quickly, as you can’t sell a spare room 

• Lower Potential Return: You cap your ‘return’ at the interest rate of your mortgage, potentially missing out on higher, long-term market returns.  

 

Option 2: Grow your portfolio 

A calculated bet! Instead of putting extra money into your home, you could redirect it into building other assets. This path is often chosen by those comfortable taking on more risk in pursuit of potentially higher long-term returns. 

Pros ✅ 

• The Opportunity for Higher Returns:
  A diversified investment portfolio (shares, ETFs, superannuation) could, over the long term, potentially generate a higher average return than your mortgage interest rate. 

• Diversification and Liquidity:
  By investing outside of your home, you diversify your wealth and spread your risk, ensuring not all your eggs are in one illiquid basket (you can’t sell a spare bedroom, but you can sell shares). You can also often access these funds more quickly in an emergency. 

• Tax Advantage:
  Directing funds into investments like superannuation offers significant tax advantages and can reduce your taxable income. 

Cons ❌ 

• Market Risk:
  Investment returns are not guaranteed and the value of your assets can fluctuate in the short term.  

• Timeframe to access funds:
  To manage short term fluctuations, you should ideally not intend to access any invested funds for at least 5-7 years.

 

Option 3: Spent it, girl! YESSSSS 💅🏼

The path of least resistance! Simply allow the cash windfall to disappear into your daily consumption. This is the default path many unconsciously follow. 

Pros ✅ 

• Instant Gratification:
  immediate increase in your disposable means more dining out, shopping, or travel. 

• Zero Effort:
  Requires no conscious financial decision, saving you the mental work of putting the money to work (in the short term) 

Cons ❌ 

• Most Costly Long-Term:
  You forgo the power of compounding interest and permanently sacrifice years of potential growth. 

• Erodes Financial Control:
  This passive spending increases your baseline consumption, making it harder to pull back later. 

• Zero Impact on goals:
  The money is spent and disappears with zero impact on your long-term goals.  

 

Seize the Momentum: Your Next Move 

A reduced minimum payment is an opportunity. The key is to capture that cash as early as possible and consciously direct it, rather than letting it leak into your everyday spending and disappear. 

The worst possible outcome in this scenario is to let the extra income just disappear. 

When money arrives unexpectedly – whether it’s an inheritance, a tax refund, or a cut to your mortgage repayment – it is often perceived as “less valuable” than earned income, making it easier to spend mindlessly on splurges and unplanned purchases. 

The good news is…  

You’re not alone! As a Fox & Hare member, you already have a distinct advantage: you have a comprehensive plan in place and a team on hand to help you adjust it. You don’t need to start from scratch. 

Once you’ve worked out whether you do have extra cash to play with, and you have considered the options presented above, just reach out to your Associate via the PFP and let them know what you’re thinking. 

You’ve set goals with your advice team for a reason.  

They know your situation personally and have the technical knowledge to map out the optimal next step, whether that’s increasing your mortgage payments or directing the funds somewhere else.  

We are here to ensure every dollar you earn and save is working tirelessly to bring you closer to your ideal life.  

Don’t let a valuable opportunity pass you by! 

About Fox & Hare:

Fox & Hare are the Millennial and Gen Z advisers, 100% focused on helping Australia’s 20-45 year olds buy property, get invested and achieve financial freedom. 

When it comes to managing your money, it’s normal to feel uncertain or scared of making the wrong decision; it’s normal to feel so overwhelmed that, despite knowing you need to do something, the first step seems impossible; and it’s also incredibly normal to be earning great coin, but still feeling like you’re behind. 

At Fox & Hare we create bespoke, long term financial plans that eliminate these uncertainties and put you in control of your financial future. No more option paralysis. No more fear of missing out. No more uncertainty about how to manage your money effectively.

If you:  

• Want to achieve financial freedom. 

• Want the flexibility to live your life on your terms, not tied to a job or working 24/7. 

• Want your money to be working for you – not the other way around. 

 But the idea of learning how and where to start is more than a little daunting, let Fox & Hare do the legwork for you. 

Maximise deductions, minimise stress this tax season.  

Sure, tax time is not famed for being exciting, or even particularly enjoyable –  but your return is a great opportunity to get smarter with your money and potentially even claim some of your hard-earned income back.  

To help you make the most of it, we partnered with Scott Lynch, director at Beanstalk Accounting, to break down the rules and give you the confidence to file your return like a pro. 

In short:

This webinar breaks down:

💸: Employee Deductions
We’ll walk you through common deductions for employees, from car expenses to working from home, so you know exactly what you’re entitled to claim.

📈 Property & Shares: 
We’ll demystify the tax implications of your investments, helping you understand tax statements for managed funds, capital gains for crypto, and key deductions for investment properties. 

🤓 Pro Tips & Pitfalls: 
We’ll give you the strategies you need to avoid common mistakes, save time, and ensure you’re making the smartest decisions for your financial future. 

Watch the video or read the article below!

Your Next Step:
Read on, watch the webinar recording and download our handy Tax Time Checklist to get the most out of your return in 2025.  

 

 

Employee Income & Basic Deductions 

An income is an unavoidable part of our lives, and so are the taxes that come with it. But a deduction is a choice. This section will walk you through the fundamentals of reporting your income and, more importantly, claiming the common deductions you’re entitled to as an employee. 

1. Don’t forget to check the accuracy of your income.

Scott points out that the process for declaring your employee income has become significantly easier for most people over the years, as salaries and wages are now automatically pre-filled by the ATO in MyGov accounts. “This is a great time-saver” he says “but it’s still crucial to double-check that the information is correct. Don’t be afraid to question anything that looks off—it’s your money, and accuracy is key”. 

2. What are the most common deductions?

“As a general rule, you can claim a deduction for any expense that was incurred as a direct result of earning your income” says Scott. “The rule of thumb is to simply ask ‘was the expense paid by me to generate an income?’ 

 

 

Car Expenses:

If you are driving for work you have a couple of options. For up to 5,000 kilometres, you can use the per-kilometre method, which lets you claim a flat rate of $0.78 per kilometre.  

“You’ll need to justify your claim by providing the reasons for the travel” says Scott “and it’s worth remembering that you cannot claim the commute to and from work unless you are transporting tools or heavy work related equipment in your vehicle.’ 

For travel beyond 5,000, the logbook method is the way to go. This requires you to keep a logbook to determine the business-use percentage of your vehicle, which can then be used as the basis for your claim.  

 

Work-Related Clothing:

Deductible work clothing is subject to very specific conditions, primarily that any items claimed cannot be worn outside of your working life.  

As Scott explains, you can’t claim a deduction for a standard suit, shirt, or blouse, even if your employer requires you to wear it. Why? Even though the items are required by your employer they can still be worn outside of the workplace e.g. your suit can be worn to a wedding or event.   

What you can claim is clothing that is compulsory and not able to worn outside of the workplace, like a branded uniform, or protective wear, such as a “high-vis jacket, steel-capped boots… or other safety gear”. 

 

Working from Home:

If you’re one of the many Australians working remotely, you may be able to claim a portion of your home office expenses.  

The easiest method for working out your deductible expenses is the fixed-rate method, which allows you to claim $0.67 for every hour you work from home. This covers your electricity, phone, and internet usage.  

If you want to claim the actual costs, be prepared to keep meticulous records and have a dedicated workspace at workspace at home – if your office doubles as a second bedroom and/or you have an office available within a reasonable distance, you are not eligible to claim.  

 

 

Navigating Shares, Property and Crypto. 

Once you start building your investment portfolio, whether it’s through shares, ETFs, or property, your tax situation becomes more complex. This section covers Scott’s top tips and considerations that come with a growing portfolio. 

 

📈 Shares 

A very common point of confusion for investors is navigating the annual tax statements for their managed funds and ETFs. As Scott explains, the fund manager will send you an annual tax statement, usually by mid-August, and his top tip is simple: you cannot lodge your tax return until you have received this document. He notes that if you use a tax agent, you can get an extension to lodge until May 15th of the following year. 

🏠 Property

Property is one of the most popular ways our members build wealth, but the tax implications can be a little tricky. As Scott explains, a common mistake for property owners is differentiating between repairs and capital improvements.

Scott’s top tip is to be aware of the distinction, as it can significantly affect your deductions. In a nutshell, a repair, such as fixing a leaking roof, is immediately tax-deductible. A capital improvement, like building a brand-new pergola, must be depreciated over a number of years.

 

🤑 Crypto

A common misconception is that you only pay tax on your cryptocurrency when you convert it back to cash. Scott’s top tip is to understand that a capital gains event occurs whenever you “dispose of an asset,” which includes trading one cryptocurrency for another, like Bitcoin for a stablecoin. He adds that if you have held the asset for more than 12 months, a 50% discount applies.

 

Complex Scenarios: What Are Employee Share Schemes? 

Employee Share Schemes (ESPPs) are one of the fastest-growing ways that young professionals are building wealth. Scott explains that they are also one of the most complex areas of tax law. He says there are two potential taxing points: the discount you receive on the shares (taxed as income) and a potential capital gain when you eventually sell the shares. Because of this complexity, he is very clear: “It is an area you will probably need professional advice.” 

 

What’s Next? 

Scott’s final piece of advice is to be patient and avoid rushing your tax return. It can be tempting to file as soon as July 1 hits, but it’s crucial to wait for all your pre-filled information and tax statements from investments to become available. If you’re working with a tax agent, you will have even more time, with the option to lodge as late as May of the following year. 

To help you get organised, you can download our Tax Time Checklist. And if you have any questions, you can reach out to your Fox & Hare associate for support, or if you need professional advice, contact Scott Lynch at  

[email protected]

About Fox & Hare:

Fox & Hare are the Millennial and Gen Z advisers, 100% focused on helping Australia’s 20-45 year olds buy property, get invested and achieve financial freedom. 

When it comes to managing your money, it’s normal to feel uncertain or scared of making the wrong decision; it’s normal to feel so overwhelmed that, despite knowing you need to do something, the first step seems impossible; and it’s also incredibly normal to be earning great coin, but still feeling like you’re behind. 

At Fox & Hare we create bespoke, long term financial plans that eliminate these uncertainties and put you in control of your financial future. No more option paralysis. No more fear of missing out. No more uncertainty about how to manage your money effectively.

If you:  

• Want to achieve financial freedom. 

• Want the flexibility to live your life on your terms, not tied to a job or working 24/7. 

• Want your money to be working for you – not the other way around. 

 But the idea of learning how and where to start is more than a little daunting, let Fox & Hare do the legwork for you. 

Ask for a raise, get paid what you’re worth in 2025!

In short:

This webinar breaks down the essential steps to prepare your case, approach your employer and secure the raise you deserve in 2025.

🔎👤💰Understand Your Value: 
Learn how to effectively evaluate your contributions, quantify your achievements, and benchmark your salary.

🧩➡️✅ Prepare Your Case: 
Gain insights into researching salary ranges, documenting your accomplishments, and identifying the optimal time to ask for a raise.

🗣️🤝👂Have the Conversation: 
Develop the skills to approach your manager, clearly articulate your reasons, handle objections, and negotiate effectively.

Watch the video below. Full blog post coming soon!

 

 

About Fox & Hare:

Fox & Hare are the Millennial and Gen Z advisers, 100% focused on helping Australia’s 20-45 year olds buy property, get invested and achieve financial freedom. 

When it comes to managing your money, it’s normal to feel uncertain or scared of making the wrong decision; it’s normal to feel so overwhelmed that, despite knowing you need to do something, the first step seems impossible; and it’s also incredibly normal to be earning great coin, but still feeling like you’re behind. 

At Fox & Hare we create bespoke, long term financial plans that eliminate these uncertainties and put you in control of your financial future. No more option paralysis. No more fear of missing out. No more uncertainty about how to manage your money effectively.

If you:  

• Want to achieve financial freedom. 

• Want the flexibility to live your life on your terms, not tied to a job or working 24/7. 

• Want your money to be working for you – not the other way around. 

 But the idea of learning how and where to start is more than a little daunting, let Fox & Hare do the legwork for you. 

 Will Albo’s changes to super affect you?

We’ve broken down the Government’s superannuation changes so you can understand what’s actually happening, what isn’t, and most importantly, how (or if!) it affects your financial future.

In short:

❓ What’s changing? A reduction on tax breaks for super earnings over $3 million.

🤷‍♀️ Who’s affected? Less than 0.5% of super account holders, on earnings above $3 million only.

🗓️ When? From July 1, 2025, applying to future earnings.

➡️ Your next step? All Fox & Hare members are currently unaffected, but your adviser is available for guidance if needed.

 

So, what’s changing?

The government is reducing the tax breaks available for those with more than $3,000,000 in their superannuation account. Right now, earnings in super are taxed at a low 15%.

After the 1st July, balances over $3,000,000 will attract a rate of 30%. This reduced tax benefit will only apply to the earnings over $3 million, not your entire balance.

The change is projected to apply to around 80,000 people across Australia – less than 0.5% of all Australians with a superannuation account.

The new rules will only kick in from July 1, 2025.

This policy is not retrospective; it applies only to future earnings. Your existing super balance and past growth will not be re-taxed under the new rules.

The Treasurer’s current intention is not to index the proposed threshold. However, Fox & Hare Co-founder and financial adviser Glen Hare offers his perspective:

“I definitely do not have a crystal ball, I cannot see the future, but looking at government policies and behaviours to date, I would be incredibly surprised if this policy was not adjusted up in future. In 1985 the highest marginal tax rate in Australia was $35,000 today that number is $190,000 – I would be very surprised if future governments did not continue with a similar trend”

 

 

What the Changes Are NOT

There’s been a lot of discussion (and also quite a bit of hysteria) around the changes and we’ve heard a few very genuine concerns. These are the ones we’ve heard and know to be untrue or misleading:

👥 Concern #1: “The change impacts most everyday Australians.”

Reality: The reform affects a very small fraction of Australians – specifically, the 0.5% with super balances above $3 million. For the vast majority (99.5%), your super tax benefits remain exactly as they are.

To put it in perspective, the average superannuation balance in Australia is around $150,000 and while some argue that many young people will eventually end up with a balance north of $3,000,000 it’s hard to imagine the policy not being adjusted for inflation in the future.

 

⏳ Concern 2: “Younger generations will be disproportionately affected by the changes over time.”

Reality: While the $3 million threshold isn’t currently indexed, analyses suggest that even by 2055, only a small percentage (around 5%) of young people working today will reach this threshold – it is likely that a few Fox & Hare members may fall into this category.

Proponents of the bill argue that young people, even those affected, stand to benefit the most as the change aims to improve budget sustainability, potentially reducing future financial burdens on them.

 

⏪ Concern 3: “It’s a retrospective tax on your existing super balance.”

Reality: The benefit reduction will apply only to earnings generated on balances above $3 million from July 1, 2025, onwards. It does not re-tax any earnings or growth that occurred before this date.

 

🚫 Concern 4: “The government is putting a cap on how much super you can have.”

Reality: There’s no limit on the total size of your superannuation account balance in the accumulation phase. This change is about adjusting the tax concessions that are available for very large balances, not restricting how much you can save for retirement.

 

📈 Concern 5: “This will cause people to pull money out of super and inflate the housing market.”

Reality: While individuals will make their own financial decisions, superannuation will still offer a tax-concessional rate on earnings (30% above $3m, 15% below) compared to potentially higher marginal tax rates outside of super.

This means keeping money in super could still be a tax-effective option, even with the change.

 

 

Will YOU Be Affected by These Changes?

The simple answer: if your superannuation balance is, or is projected to remain, below $3 million, the changes will not affect you.

This change is aimed at the very top tier of superannuation holders with multi-million dollar balances.

For the vast majority of Fox & Hare members, your financial plans and strategies will continue as normal.

Fox & Hare members consistently earn above the average in every state and territory, many earn many multitudes of the average salaries in their state or country of residence (a significant number earn over 10x!) yet not a single member holds a super balance over $3,000,000.

As young professionals on the path to substantial wealth accumulation, understanding how superannuation, tax and other rules might evolve is a smart move. However, you can trust that your adviser is constantly assessing these changes.

If there are proposed changes that are poised to impact your financial future, you can be certain we’ll be actively identifying strategies to ensure you remain in the best possible position.

Please reach out to your adviser via the Personal Finance Portal if you have any further questions.

About Fox & Hare:

Fox & Hare are the Millennial, Gen Z and Alpha advisers. We help Australia’s 20-45 year olds buy property, get invested and achieve financial freedom. 

When it comes to managing your money, it’s normal to feel uncertain or scared of making the wrong decision. It’s normal to feel so overwhelmed that, despite knowing you need to do something, the first step seems impossible. And it’s also incredibly normal to be earning great coin, but still feeling like you’re behind. 

At Fox & Hare we create bespoke, long term financial plans that eliminate these uncertainties. We put you in control of your financial future.

No more option paralysis, fear of missing out or uncertainty about how to manage your money effectively.

If you:  

• Want to achieve financial freedom. 

• Want the flexibility to live your life on your terms, not tied to a job or working 24/7. 

• Want your money to be working for you – not the other way around. 

 But the idea of learning how and where to start is more than a little daunting, let Fox & Hare do the legwork for you. 

Upgrade Your Career and Earn More Money in 2025!

In short:

This guide breaks down the essential steps to get hired and boost your income in 2025.

🧑‍💻Learn how to craft a resume that stands out

🥇 Make a great impression in interviews &

🏆 Confidently negotiate your salary and benefits to ensure you’re paid what you’re worth.

Watch the video or read the full breakdown below.

 

 

Get Hired and Grow Your Salary

As the end of the financial year approaches, it’s a natural time to reflect on your financial position – and that absolutely should include your income.  

In today’s economic climate, with the cost of living continuing to rise, there’s a critical truth we need to face: if your salary hasn’t grown at least in line with inflation, you’ve effectively gone backwards. You’re earning the same (or close to it), but your money simply doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. 

Closing this gap in your income is vital for building financial security and achieving your goals. So, what are your options?

You could aim for a raise in your current role, explore ways to boost your income through a side hustle, or find a new position that offers a higher salary.

If you’re considering that third option – landing a new role that pays more – then this blog post is for you. 

To help you put your best foot forward in navigating the competitive job market and securing a higher income, Fox and Hare’s Head of Advice, Courtenay Walker sat down with HR queen, SEEK’s 2021 recruitment leader of the year and founder of Lotus People, Australia’s top recruitment agency for candidate experience five years in a row, Sinead Connolly. 

With her extensive experience seeing thousands of resumes every week and guiding countless individuals through the hiring process, Sinead offers invaluable insights to share on how to get hired! 

And we’ve distilled the key takeaways from their conversation into this guide, covering the three crucial stages of your job search:  

1. Crafting a standout resume that makes a powerful first impression,
2. Making a great and lasting impression in interviews to showcase your value, and
3. Confidently negotiating your salary and other benefits to ensure you’re fairly compensated.

 

 

Crafting a Standout Resume

In a competitive job market, your resume is your initial handshake with a potential employer.

With hiring managers and recruiters sifting through potentially hundreds of applications for a single role, getting yours to stand out from the digital pile is essential.

This section will equip you with the knowledge to create a resume that not only gets read but makes a memorable, positive impression, addressing the common frustration of applications disappearing into a black hole.

Sinead, who sees thousands of resumes weekly, shared her top tips for creating a document that catches a hiring manager’s eye.

Key Principles for a Resume That Gets Noticed:

• Keep it Simple and Readable:
  Forget overly complicated designs and graphics. Recruiters are often sifting through hundreds of applications, and a clean, simple format is easiest to scan. Stick to standard, professional fonts like Calibri 11. Courtenay noted, while creative resumes might look lovely in isolation, simplicity is key when reviewing in volume.
• Provide Detail in Your Bullet Points:
  Don’t just list duties. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements in enough detail to paint a clear picture of your experience and impact. Short, brief points aren’t enough to convey a lot.
• Use Strong Action Verbs:
  Start your bullet points with action words that demonstrate your capabilities, such as “led,” “managed,” “developed,” or “responsible for”.
• Tailor Your Resume for Each Role:
  Customise your resume to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific job description. This shows you’ve taken the time to understand what they’re looking for and makes it easy for the hiring manager to see your relevance.

 

 

Navigating Technology and AI in the Application Process:

It’s no secret that technology plays a significant role in recruitment today, with many organisations using AI to vet applications.

• Understand AI Screening:
  AI tools often scan for keywords and achievements mentioned in the job description. Ensure your resume includes relevant terms and clearly highlights your accomplishments to avoid getting lost in the system.
• Leverage AI Tools Smartly:
  Tools like ChatGPT can be incredibly helpful for refining your bullet points, tailoring your resume content to specific roles, or drafting cover letters. As Sinead shared from helping her cousin, you can use it in chunks to maintain your style or ask it to pull out key experience related to a job description. However, Sinead emphasizes that it’s crucial to add your personal touch and ensure the language sounds like you. Don’t just copy and paste – make it your own!

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid:

Sinead shared some common errors that can hinder your application:

• Including Information Prone to Bias:
  Avoid including personal information like your date of birth or including a photo on your resume. This can unintentionally introduce bias into the selection process, and you don’t know who will be reading it.
• Unprofessional Email Addresses:
  Make sure the email address you use is professional. As Courtenay lightheartedly put it, avoid anything like [email protected] – it happens more often than you’d think! Create a new, professional Gmail account if needed.
• Obsessing Over Length:
  Don’t sacrifice readability and detail just to fit everything onto one or two pages. Aim for around three to four pages, especially if you have a longer career history, to adequately include details and achievements. Avoid going much over four pages, but don’t condense so much that your experience isn’t clear.
• Using Difficult-to-Parse Formats:
  While creative resumes (like those made in Canva) are great for roles where design is relevant (e.g., marketing, graphic design), for most non-creative positions, a standard document format (like Word) is preferred as it’s more easily processed by recruitment software and applicant tracking systems. While not all systems exclude PDFs, a simple, easily accessible format is generally preferred for non-creative roles.
• Submitting Generic Cover Letters:
  Your cover letter is an opportunity to express genuine excitement for the specific role and clearly articulate why you are a strong fit. Avoid simply restating your resume content. While addressing key requirements from the job ad in your cover letter can be helpful, you don’t need to go into excessive detail on every single point – make it easy for the reader to see your relevance quickly.
• Not Including LinkedIn (and keeping it updated):
  Your LinkedIn profile is a valuable extension of your resume. Include a link to your profile and ensure it’s complete and professional. Hiring managers may look at your LinkedIn to get a broader sense of your professional presence, interests, and how you engage online. Being active and engaging on the platform can also be beneficial, particularly in fields where personal branding is valued.

 

 

Making a Memorable Impression in Interviews

Congratulations, your standout resume worked, and you’ve landed an interview!

This is your chance to move beyond the written word and personally connect with the hiring team, showcasing your personality and fit for the role and company culture.

Many people find interviews daunting, but with the right preparation, you can walk in with confidence and leave a lasting positive impression.

This section will provide you with the tools and insights to feel prepared, communicate your value effectively, and navigate the interview process successfully.

Securing an interview means you’ve got your foot in the door – now it’s time to make a lasting impression. Sinead and Courtenay shared their advice on how to shine during this crucial stage.

Thorough Preparation is Your Best Friend: 

Both experts emphasised that preparation is the most important factor in a successful interview.    

• Research the Company Deeply:
  Go beyond their website’s “About Us” page. Understand their values, culture, recent projects, and what seems to be important to them. Sinead suggests looking at their employer brand and how they present themselves.    

• Understand the Role Inside and Out:
  Be clear on the responsibilities and challenges of the position. 

• Research Your Interviewer(s):
  If you know who you’ll be meeting with, look them up on LinkedIn. Understanding their background and career trajectory can help you connect with them and tailor your responses. Don’t hesitate to ask the recruiter or HR contact for the names of the interviewers if you don’t have them – Courtenay advises, it’s fine to ask!    

• Prepare Insightful Questions:
  Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest and engagement. Prepare questions that go beyond the basics, perhaps asking about the team culture, challenges in the role, or what success looks like in the first six months. Frame your questions around solving their problems.    

 

During the Conversation: 

• Show Genuine Eagerness:
  Let your enthusiasm for the role and the company shine through. This is particularly impactful when interviewing with smaller businesses where passion for the company’s mission is highly valued.    

• Be Responsive and Accessible:
  Prompt communication before and after the interview process is key. Sinead notes that simply being accessible and responsive can make you stand out positively, as it’s surprisingly not always the norm. Avoid being late or difficult to reach – these can be considered “red flags”. Aim to accumulate “green flags” throughout the process by being responsive, easy to reach and pleasant to deal with.

• Weave in Your Achievements:
  Be ready to share specific examples of your accomplishments and the impact you’ve made in previous roles. Sinead shared an example of a candidate who easily wove her wins into the conversation, which made a great impression. Reflect on your past experiences and achievements to have these examples ready.   
• Balance “I” and “We”:
  When discussing your contributions, use a mix of “I” and “we” to show both your individual drive and your ability to work effectively in a team.    

Always follow up

It’s a simple step but always follow up with your contact at the organisation! Send a thank-you note or email after the interview. This is a chance to reiterate your interest and briefly mention something specific you discussed, leaving a lasting positive impression.   

 

Strategically Negotiating Your Salary and Benefits 

You’ve aced the interview and received a job offer – congratulations!

This is a significant achievement, and now comes the part that many people find intimidating: negotiation. However, this is a critical step to ensure your compensation package reflects your skills, experience, and market value.

This section will empower you with strategies to confidently approach salary and benefit discussions, overcoming the fear of asking for what you’re worth and maximising your overall remuneration.    

Preparation is Crucial for Negotiation: 

• Research Your Market Value:
  Before you even start applying, research the typical salary range for similar roles in your location and industry using resources like SEEK and LinkedIn. This understanding is fundamental to knowing your worth.    

• Determine Your Desired Range:
  Be clear on your salary expectations from the first conversation and communicate a range. Avoid significantly increasing your ask later in the process, which can waste time and seem less transparent.    

• Be Confident in Your Worth:
  Based on your research and experience, be prepared to confidently ask for a salary within or at the higher end of your desired range. Sinead noted that confidence plays a significant role, and research suggests men are more likely to ask for and receive higher salaries. Asking the question is the first step!    

• Leverage Other Offers Strategically:
  If you have other job offers that are higher, you can use this information as leverage in your negotiation for your preferred role. Clearly communicate that this is your preferred opportunity while mentioning other offers as a reason for seeking a higher salary.    

• Understand Company Constraints:
  Be aware that companies may have internal salary bands or budget limitations that could impact their ability to meet your initial salary request. It’s worth asking, but understand there might be restrictions.    

• Propose Alternatives if Salary is Fixed:
  If the company cannot meet your salary expectation right away, propose a salary review in six months tied to achieving specific performance goals. This shows your commitment and provides a path for future growth.    

• Highlight Your Value:
  Clearly articulate the value you will bring to the organisation and how your skills and experience justify your salary request.    

• Changing Jobs as an Opportunity:
  Sinead pointed out that moving to a new company is often the most opportune time to secure a significant increase in salary compared to waiting for internal reviews.    
• Companies Want to Hire You:
  Remember that by the offer stage, the company has likely invested significant time and resources in the hiring process and would generally prefer to reach an agreement with their preferred candidate rather than starting over. This gives you leverage in the negotiation.    

 

 

Negotiating Beyond Salary: Additional Benefits 

Compensation isn’t just about the base salary. Many other benefits can significantly enhance your overall package and contribute to your work-life balance and personal growth.    

• Identify Your Priorities:
  Think about what non-salary benefits are most important to you and your lifestyle. This could include:  

• Flexibility:
  Remote work, hybrid work arrangements, or flexible hours to accommodate personal needs like school pickups.    

• Professional Development:
  Allocation for training courses, conferences, or a strong internal training program.    

• Wellness:
  Gym memberships, access to counselling or EAP programs.    

• Other Allowances:
  Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Companies may be willing to tailor benefit packages if you communicate your needs. Courtenay shared a great real-life example of providing a “rice allowance” for employees in the Philippines who valued it highly.    

 By being prepared, confident, and clear on your priorities, you can effectively negotiate both your salary and other benefits to create a compensation package that truly works for you.    

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career? 

Navigating the job market in 2025 requires preparation, confidence, and a clear understanding of your value. By implementing the strategies discussed in this guide – from crafting a standout resume and acing your interviews to confidently negotiating your salary and benefits – you can increase your chances of landing your dream job. 

You can find Sinead on LinkedIn and Lotus People through their website https://www.lotuspeople.com.au/. There you will find a whole host of resources from job vacancies to FAQs and trends in the job market.

If  you’re interested in working with Fox & Hare specifically, your best bet is to connect with Courtenay directly via LinkedIn or email ([email protected]) and tell her why you’re a perfect fit.

 

About Fox & Hare:

Fox & Hare are the Millennial and Gen Z advisers, 100% focused on helping Australia’s 20-45 year olds buy property, get invested and achieve financial freedom. 

When it comes to managing your money, it’s normal to feel uncertain or scared of making the wrong decision; it’s normal to feel so overwhelmed that, despite knowing you need to do something, the first step seems impossible; and it’s also incredibly normal to be earning great coin, but still feeling like you’re behind. 

At Fox & Hare we create bespoke, long term financial plans that eliminate these uncertainties and put you in control of your financial future. No more option paralysis. No more fear of missing out. No more uncertainty about how to manage your money effectively.

If you:  

• Want to achieve financial freedom. 

• Want the flexibility to live your life on your terms, not tied to a job or working 24/7. 

• Want your money to be working for you – not the other way around. 

 But the idea of learning how and where to start is more than a little daunting, let Fox & Hare do the legwork for you.