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At this time of year, everyone is talking about, or thinking about tax. So I thought I’d write about it. But, before you roll your eyes … this is not an article about your obligations to the Australian Tax Office – it’s an innovative savings strategy.

There are certainly some positive signs of recovery, but with the virus still active and life far from being back to any sense of normality, (some borders are still closed, masks are mandatory in Melbourne, many businesses remain very cautious about the future) … it could be some months yet.

There’s a great news story doing the media rounds this week, about Jim, a father of four and painting contractor in the US, who has been collecting coins for years, just by throwing the left over ‘shrapnel’ from his pockets into a jar at the end of every day.

The Federal Government will extend the emergency payments for another six months – but anyone currently receiving it, needs to check the fine-print.

The ATO has announced it will be checking on all Covid-19 superannuation drawdowns to make sure that no one has cheated the system, and hefty fines are in place.

There’s no doubt about it, 2020 has shaken us all up. On the back of bushfires and droughts and then the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of Australians are on reduced incomes, or out of work and doing it pretty tough…