How to get financially fit

Just like physical fitness relies on eating well and exercise, your financial fitness depends on making positive steps in the right direction. The experts at industry super fund−owned bank, ME have put forward several tips to get you started on your financial fitness journey.  

Tip 1: Weigh up your situation

To begin with, track your income and what you spend your money on. Your bank statements are often a good place to start. You can then categorise your expenses into mandatory and discretionary spending − this will allow you to make informed decisions on your budget and identify your savings potential.

Tip 2: Set goals

Next, work out what your priorities are. Write down your goals, being specific and realistic about what you want to achieve. Know exactly how much you want to save and by when.

Read on for more tips

This article is brought to you by ME. For more information, please visit mebank.com.au

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Multiple super accounts eating into retirement savings

According to the Australian Tax Office, four in ten Australians have more than one superannuation account. And there were a total of over 6.3 million lost and ATO-held accounts with a total value of just under $18 billion..

The Productivity Commission estimates that holding just one additional super account over their working life can cost the holder as much as $51,000 by retirement age.

It doesn’t have to be this way according to Industry Fund Services, which operates a service to consolidate superannuation accounts and save members on unnecessary fees and charges, using its Eligible Rollover Fund AUSfund.  

According to IFS CEO Cath Bowtell, “Most people know they should do something about their inactive super accounts, but are often not sure where to start.”  

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Save 5% off groceries and fuel with Australian Union Member Benefits

Through Australian Unions Member Benefits, you could save hundreds on yearly groceries and fuel.

Access discounted pre-purchased gift cards, which gives you the full buying power of the e-gift card, without paying full price.

For example, order a $300 Woolworths e-gift card with 5% off for $285, then use your e-gift card at the supermarket to purchase up to $300 worth of your weekly groceries.

To order your e-gift cards today, visit Australian Unions Member Benefits (choosing ‘ACTU – Australian Unions‘ from the drop down box) or call 1300 853 352 for more information.

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Alcoa workers vote for new deal

After six picket lines over 53 days on five sites involving 1500 people, workers at Alcoa have voted to approve a new agreement which locks in job security by preventing the creep of contracting, labour-hire and casualisation in the workplace.

This has been a difficult dispute but the workers at Alcoa have shown what is possible when workers stand together and demand fair treatment.

Workers faced the possibility of having their wages cut back to the award after the employer moved to terminate their agreement at the Fair Work Commission. 

ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus said “Congratulations to all the workers who stood up and demanded secure jobs, this is a great example of the power of working people.”

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‘Madiba the Musical’ union member discount on tickets

The producers of the stage show ‘Madiba the Musical‘ want to thank Australian union members for their support of Nelson Mandela and the solidarity shown by our union movement with our anti-apartheid stance dating back to the 1950s.  In recognition of this solidarity the producers are able to offer a special deal exclusive to union members.  Get $10 off per ticket by entering a special code word when you check out on the Ticketek and Ticketmaster websites.

‘Madiba the Musical’ opens in Melbourne tonight, Thursday 4 October, and will also run in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide plus some smaller regional theatres over the coming months.

To obtain the special union member discount code simply email [email protected] with your name, union name and membership number and we will email the code to you.  If you have any difficulty entering the code online you can always call the theatre directly and quote the code that we will send you.

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Jobs with unions

Would you like to work for a progressive movement, committed to changing the rules?

The ACTU Job Vacancies web page has a variety of positions vacant, from Industrial Officer, Organiser,  Communications, Admin and everything in between.

So if you’re in the market for a great union job check out what’s on offer today.

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WIN one of 5 copies of ‘Hawke’ DVD this month

Enter the draw to win one of 5 DVD copies of ‘Hawke The Larrikin and The Leader‘ that we are giving away to 5 lucky union members this month! 

A riveting two-part examination of the life and Prime Ministership of Labor legend Bob Hawke.

Australians have never been so wary of politicians. But there was a time when things were different. From the moment he arrived on the national scene as a fiery trade unionist, Bob Hawke was the rock god of Australian politics. But how did this flawed man become a leader we’d never forget? And what does his story tell us about politics and leadership today?

To enter the competition simply email [email protected] with your name, address, union name and membership number before close of business Friday 26th October 2018.

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Get your activist gear from our online shop

Comrades, we have a great online shop where all your Australian made, activist gear can be purchased at terrific prices. 

On offer we have these wonderful ‘Union Women Change The Rules’ t-shirts for $20, First Nations Workers’ Alliance t-shirts for $35 plus a variety of other merchandise including Change the Rules bin stickers, activist kits and badges. 

Wear your union pride to help Change the Rules.

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