Well, if you are lucky enough to have two of life’s most precious commodities - money and time, then some of the retirement living property reviews below can help you choose your ideal lifestyle.

Life by the beach – Broadbeach Inverloch, Victoria

Cnr Williams and Hopetoun St
Inverloch 3996
Victoria.
Phone: 03 5674 6290 or 03 1800 607 470

Secure your place in the eagerly anticipated, brand new Broadbeach Inverloch Retirement Village. Drop into the new display & information centre to get a feel of what is to come. At present there are onsite display units & some residential units ready to go as of December. Wrapped up in tranquil wetlands & less than 50 metres to the sandy beach at Anderson Inlet with landscaping, all roads & vegetation set to be finished early in the New Year. Retreat to your own little slice of paradise by the beach at Broadbeach Inverloch.

Life in the country – Heritage Villas, Victoria

Land Sales and Information Office
1 Heritage Blvd,
Pakenham 3810
Victoria
t: 03 5941 6222
www.heritagesprings.com.au

Benefits that you would find in the city, partnered with that irreplaceable, genuine country charm. When you think of life in the country what springs to mind - space, peace & quiet, walking tracks, parklands? At Heritage Villas you will find all of this & more! 45 minutes out of Melbourne, this homely & modern village is designed with comfort in mind. Unique features of the village include resident title ownership, parking facilities for caravans, boats & trailers, two adventure parks perfect for family visits, & a multi purpose oval with viewing colonnades.

Life on the river – Waterford Estate, Victoria

Waterford Estate
55 Long Island Road
Murray Bridge 5253
Victoria
t: 08 8532 6040
www.waterfordretirement.com.au

Next to the Murray River, roughly 50 minutes from Adelaide is where you will find the lovely Waterford Estate Retirement Village. Providing picturesque wetlands & walking trails, it’s also close to the Murray Bridge offering various shops & outlets. With all your gardens & house maintenance taken care of, what are you going to do with all your new found free time? How about play golf or bowls, enjoy a BBQ with friends, take up a tai chi class, or take a relaxing stroll along the rivers edge. This is what life at Waterford Estate will bring.

Life resort style – Blue Hill Residences, Victoria

Blue Hills Residences Pty Ltd
125 Berwick Cranbourne Rd
Cranbourne, Victoria, 3977
Victoria
t: 03 5990 9000
www.bluehillsresidences.com

Consisting of 202 units & 18 apartments, Blue Hills Residences is situated on 37 acres of peaceful land harnessing breathtaking views of the Dandenong Ranges. This new & welcoming village offers entertainment, sporting activities, crafts & hobbies, convenient amenities & the Blue Hills Country Club. The Country Club provides residents with just about everything you can think of from a hair dressing salon to a hydrotherapy pool with water exercise classes, to a computer room & library, & then of course there is the exquisite restaurant & cocktail bar.

Life in the city – Ardmillan Apartments, Victoria

Derby Place
Moonee Ponds 3039
Victoria
t: 03 9377 2000
www.ardmillan.com

Located in the fabulous Moonee Ponds central to many well known icons of Melbourne! You will be wowed by the areas vibrancy, style & great atmosphere, providing easy access to Flemington Racecourse, Puckle Street & Melbourne CBD. Harnessing a real cosmopolitan feel, Ardmillan is a classic & stylish village which is designed with those little comforts we all love in mind. Village features include a billiard room, business centre, card room, gymnasium, library, restaurant, secure storage & theatre! Everything right at your doorstep!

Life by the beach – Townsend Park, South Australia

Townsend Park Retirement Lifestyle Estate
28 King George Ave
Hove 5048
South Australia
t: 08 8298 0900
f: 08 8377 1933
www.townsendpark.com.au

Situated in the historic grounds of one of South Australia’s most famous stately buildings Townsend House, this unique village is rich in history and culture. Offering 49 established villas and by September 2007 Townsend Park will welcome the addition of 12 mews cottages and a 47 apartment complex. This highly sought after village includes a gym, spa, BBQ area, Cinema, lounge, café, private dining, library, lawn bowls and swimming pool – what more could you ask for?

Life in the country – Gannon Estates Lincoln Grove, South Australia

127 Marine Avenue
Port Lincoln
South Australia 5606
www.retireaustralia.com.au

Reward yourself with maintenance free living and a great social lifestyle to boot! Comprising of serviced apartments and freestanding independent units, this stylish and modern estate provides residents with freedom, space, security and also on site care. With a community centre equipped with a billiard table, library, hairdressing salon, dining/restaurant room and dance floor, Gannon Estate at Lincoln Grove is a fantastic lifestyle choice.

Life by the water - Aevum Murray River Village, Western Australia

Coolibah Avenue
Mandurah
Western Australia
t: 08 9581 3770
www.aevum.com.au

With more than 30 years experience in the operation and development of retirement villages, Aevum prides itself on offering a caring environment with plenty of social interaction! Close to the heart of Mandurah WA is where you will find the Murray River Village. Your independent living unit will take care of itself while you enjoy the club house facilities or take advantage of the nearby sandy beaches and golf course.

Life resort style – Waterbrook Yowie Bay, New South Wales

19 Wyralla Road
Yowie Bay 2228
New South Wales
t: 02 9541 3000
www.waterbrook.com.au

A place to call home that just happens to have a 24 hour concierge, hair and beauty salon, restaurant and lounge! Want more, how about an indoor heated pool, gym, games room, lawn bowling green and woodwork studio. Lavish resort style living with all the comforts of home can be found at Waterbrook Yowie Bay. Your modern, practical and spacious apartment overlooking the landscaped Waterbrook gardens and meandering brook completes this package!

Life in the city – Rylands of Hawthorn, VIC

349 – 367 Riversdale Road
Hawthorn 3122
Victoria
T: 1300 853 550
www.rylands.com.au

Offering a boutique hospitality experience in a convenient location, Rylands of Hawthorn is designed with their residents needs in mind. Rylands provides a comfortable, supportive and safe environment with many activities and events to take advantage of. The village features a la carte dining in the restaurant, coffee lounge, library, indoor heated pool, gymnasium, hairdressing, beauty services and a theatre!

Life Resort Style – Waterbrook Greenwich, New South Wales

6 Ulonga Ave
Greenwich 2065
New South Wales
t: 02 9433 8000
www.waterbrook.com.au

Carrying on the Waterbrook name is the new 5 star luxury resort style village, Waterbrook Greenwich. Located in the heart of the Lower North Shore, 5 kms from the centre of Sydney your new home is surrounded by residential living and retail facilities. Offering an indoor heated swimming pool, gym, bowling green, cinema, restaurant, hair/beauty salon, 24 hr concierge & state of the art security, it’s easy to fill your days and enjoy peace of mind!

Life by the beach – Primelife Martha’s Point, Victoria

165 Osborne Drive,
Mt Martha VIC 3934
t: 1800 550 550
www.primelife.com.au

‘Imagine if your summer holiday lasted forever’ A short stroll to the beach is all it takes to experience what this new chapter of your life has to offer. Located on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, this village, much like all Primelife villages is set to raise the benchmark for retirement living! Offering a wealth of recreational features including a swimming pool, lawn bowls, fully equipped gym, tennis court, library, business centre …. the list goes on. ‘Find your place in the sun’ at Primelife Martha’s Point.

Life in the country – Leura Fairways, New South Wales

19-21 Fitzroy Street
Leura NSW 2780
t: 1800 088 255
www.leurafairways.com.au

‘Elegant Living for over 55’s’ The first question the team at Leura Fairways asked themselves was ‘what makes a place a home” The answer …. It’s you. In their own words, “It’s the manner in which you inhabit the space, use the facilities and enjoy your life. It’s about the comfort you derive and the security you feel. At Leura Fairways, even if you feel like doing absolutely nothing, you couldn’t do it in more luxurious surrounds. You’ll feel right at home”. Sounds good to me!

Life by the water – Upstream Bethania, Queensland

41 Radke Road
Bethania, QLD 4205
t: 1800 8778 7326
www.upstreambethania.com.au

Laid back and easy ambience, space and a real sense of freeness is what came from the thoughtful planning that went into the development of Upstream Bethania. With the Logan River on your doorstep, gazebo style BBQ areas overlooking the lake in development; being close to the water will bring a true sense of calm and peace. Surrounded by seemingly endless pastures, your new lifestyle will feel like your own little retreat, away from all the hustle and bustle.

Life resort style – Southern Cross Lynbrook, Victoria

520 Evans Road
Lynbrook,Vic 3975
t: 1800 672 971
www.scrosslynbrook.com.au

Enjoy all the benefits of living in a six star energy efficient community’ at Southern Cross Lynbrook. This village is truly unique in offering luxury and a well earned break for you and the environment. Located in Melbourne’s South East, with 197 ‘stunning, architecturally designed homes’, you can enjoy being close to shopping centres, public transport, the new Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, golf courses and horse racing!

Reviews provided by Ben Hannemann, Director www.retirementlivingonline.com.au

If you’re close to retirement, you’re probably planning on how much you’ll need for the lifestyle you’re hoping to have. However, there’s one issue that you may not have thought about.

If you have children and/or grand children, what would happen if one of them became ill and unable to earn their usual income? Would the financial burden of helping to support your children and their families then rest on you?

It’s important that you consider this issue as it could make a real difference to your retirement savings and lifestyle.

Case study – how adequate insurance would have protected Max and Martha’s retirement savings

Max and Martha decided to retire about five years ago. In preparation for retirement, they discussed retirement issues with their friends and browsed various financial websites for tips about how they could best set themselves up for retirement. All seemed to go well, until the market downturn last year. Max and Martha took action by living frugally and reducing their discretionary expenditure.

Recently, they decided to see a financial planner because an unexpected problem had arisen – their son, Trevor, was involved in a motor vehicle accident and was likely to be away from work for at least six months.

Trevor is married with two young children. His annual salary of $80,000 was used to fund most of his family’s living expenses. His wife Tina works part-time and earns about $20,000 per year. Trevor has a small amount of life and total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance in his super fund. He does not have much sick leave left. He cannot make a claim under his TPD insurance as he is likely to recover from his injuries and resume work later on. He has little other option than to seek help from his parents. Martha and Max are in a quandary. Should they withdraw money from their superannuation income stream to help Trevor and his family pay the mortgage, household bills, medical expenses etc, which will deplete their investments even faster?

What could Trevor have done to alleviate this happening? One option would have been to take out a salary continuance insurance policy.

Salary continuance insurance – also referred to as income protection insurance – provides a replacement income in the event that the insured (Trevor, in this case) is temporarily unable to work because of illness or injury.

Premiums will be affected by such factors as the waiting period and the benefit payment period chosen; the shorter the waiting period, the higher the premium and the longer the benefit payment period, the higher the premium.

The waiting period is the period of time before your insurer commences your payments. Waiting periods vary, but generally the shortest is 30 days. The maximum percentage of salary that insurers will cover is 75%.

To find out what sort of insurance would help protect you and your family, talk to your Bridges financial planner.

To arrange a complimentary, obligation-free initial consultation with a Bridges financial planner call us on 1800 645 303 to locate a branch near you or visit www.bridges.com.au

Bridges. ASX Participant. AFSL No 240837. This is general advice only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consult a financial planner.

In the most challenging economic times since the Great Depression, the Treasurer announced that this year’s budget aims to ‘stimulate growth and jobs in the short term by spending’ however, in so doing will create the largest deficit in Australian history. The changes proposed in the Budget are the third stage of the Government’s stimulus package. While not as harsh as many experts predicted, it’s important to look carefully to understand the scale of the proposed changes and how they affect you.

In the biggest infrastructure project since the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the Government announced they would ‘invest in building blocks for long term growth and prosperity’ and provided further detail on their plans for the $22 billion infrastructure spend announced in last year’s budget: rail, roads and ports. This spending should support job creation and in turn boost the economy.

The Budget will deliver the tax cuts promised last year and also announced other changes that affect superannuation, pension reform, the First Home Buyers initiative and Private Health Insurance to name a few.

The Government has halved the annual limits for contributions to super. From 1 July 2009, the concessional or pre-tax contribution limit has been halved to $25,000 per person per year. The transitional limit, in place for those aged 50 or over until 30 June 2012, has also been halved to $50,000 per person per year. This has implications particularly if you have a salary sacrifice strategy in place. Salary sacrifice contributions, together with your employer’s SG contributions, count towards your concessional contribution limit. It will be important to monitor the level of contributions you make to ensure you do not exceed the new limit, otherwise you may incur penalty tax. The limit for non-concessional or after-tax contributions remains at $150,000 per person per year.

For those approaching retirement, while there were no changes to the transition to retirement pensions, the reduction in the concessional contribution limit will affect this strategy.

One of the Government’s more popular initiatives, the Super Co-contribution, has also been temporarily reduced; from 1 July 2009, the maximum co-contribution will be reduced from 1.50 to $1.00.

Last chance to boost your super before the limits are slashed

Top up your super before the end of financial year and take advantage of the higher limits that are currently in place. A Bridges financial planner can further explain these changes and help you put the most effective strategy in place.

Pensions reformed

Some of the hardest hit by the global financial crisis have been retirees. In light of this, from 20 September 2009, the Government has announced an increase in Age Pension payments as well as the introduction of a new pension supplement. In an effort to help preserve pension capital, the Government announced earlier this year, a reduction in the maximum amount that must be withdrawn from an account based pension. This relief has been extended for the next financial year, until 30 June 2010.

A new seniors supplement has been introduced for self funded retirees who hold the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Not only that, but income received from superannuation (both pension and/or lump sum) will not be included in determining qualification for the health card.

However, it’s not all give, there is some take. In order to recoup some of the costs associated with increasing Age Pension payments, and to ensure those that need it most continue to receive it, one of the tests that determines the amount of Age Pension paid has been tightened. Under the income test, for each extra dollar of income earned above the threshold, pension payments will reduce; single pensioners will lose 50 cents in every dollar (up from 40 cents) while each member of a couple will lose 25 cents (up from 20). These rules will apply for all new pensions granted from 20 September 2009. Until the new rules offer a higher rate, transitional rules will be in place for existing pensions.

In light of an ageing population, it has also been proposed that the Age Pension eligibility age will gradually increase from 65 in 2017 to 67 in 2023. As the qualifying age for women is gradually being stepped up, this change will apply to men and women alike.

The pension bonus scheme is to be abolished for new entrants as the Government believes that the majority of participants would have continued in the workforce regardless. A new Work Bonus, however, will be introduced which allows for a portion of the income earned to be free from assessment under the income test.

Among some of the other changes announced is a reduction in the private health insurance rebate as well as an increase in the Medicare levy surcharge for those who earn more than $90,001 and do not have private health insurance.

First home owners will continue to benefit, with an extension to the first home owners boost until the end of 2009, albeit with a reduced incentive for the final three months of the year.

The Government plans to introduce a new parental leave scheme. From 1 January 2011 an 18 week payment, equal to the minimum wage and taxable, will be available to new parents. To be eligible, the primary care giver must meet a work test and earn less than $150,000 pa. Those eligible to receive this allowance, will no longer be eligible to receive the Baby Bonus and other family assistance payments.

These are just some of the highlights and changes announced in the Budget. To find out more about how the changes affect you, ask us about a complimentary, obligation-free consultation with a Bridges financial planner.

Build your ideal lifestyle

So where do want to spend life in retirement? Retirement Communities arte becoming more and more popular with the old style retirement villages being replaced by lifestyle resorts, sophisticated and stylish service apartments and modern style retirement villages that cater to your every need. But, before putting the building in place to secure your new lifestyle, you need to work out what lifestyle you are trying to build! Can you see yourself living by the beach, in the country, by the water, resort style or in the city? The choice is yours. That ideal lifestyle may not be as far away as you think!

Retirement Living in Australia – Lifestyle Choices

To commence a search select from one the following lifestyle links:

Retirement Living Lifestyle Alternatives

Retirement Resort Style Living

Retirement Living in the City

Retirement Living By The Beach

Retirement Living In The Country

Retirement Living On The Water

Retirement Villages in Australia

To commence a search select from one of the following state links;

Retirement Villages Australia Wide

Retirement Villages Victoria (VIC)

Retirement Villages New South Wales (NSW)

Retirement Villages Queensland (QLD)

Retirement Villages South Australia (SA)

Retirement Villages Western Australia (WA)

Retirement Villages Tasmania (TAS)

Retirement Villages Northern Territory (NT)

Retirement Living Online is Australia’s most comprehensive online directory of retirement village accommodation. The site is targeted at the growing number of people researching retirement living alternatives available in Australia. Visit www.retirementlivingonline.com.au

Are you worried about the recent market volatility and the effect on your investments? Remember the fundamentals of investing!

The recent fall in the value of shares has been reflected in disappointing returns, not only for any investments you hold, but also from your super fund. However, it’s important not to panic and sell any shares you have in favour of more conservative investments, such as cash, as you may mi ss out on growth opportunities when the market rebounds.

At times like these that it’s important to remember some of the basic rules of investing.

What you choose to invest in will depend on your goals, your risk profile and your time horizon.

Your risk profile is determined by the level of comfort you have with fluctuations in the value of your investments. While higher risk investments, such as shares, have the potential for higher returns, the risk of loss is also greater.

Your time horizon, or the length of time over which you have to invest, will also be a determining factor in the investments you choose. Shares are a longer term investment – the more time you have to invest, the more time you have to ride out the market movements.

Another important point to remember is that although the loss in value is disappointing, you’ve generally only lost money if you’ve had to sell your shares and realised a loss. If you have the capacity to hang onto them, when the market does eventually rebound, generally so will the value of your shares. History has shown us that after most major downturns, the market does recover and generally goes on to achieve new highs.

Diversification is the key. By spreading your investments across a range of asset classes, the risk of loss is minimised, because not all assets perform in line with each other. Poor performance within one asset class can be offset by strong performance in another asset class.

Before you make any decisions, isn’t it worth seeking advice? A Bridges financial planner can review your investments and whether your strategy is appropriate for your circumstances.

To arrange a complimentary, obligation-free initial consultation with a Bridges financial planner call us on 1800 645 303 to locate a branch near you or visit www.bridges.com.au

Bridges Financial Services Pty Limited (Bridges). ASX Participant. AFSL No 240837. This is general advice only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consult a financial planner.

Veteran movie critic DAN THOMAS has been interviewing movie stars and writing film reviews for more than 20 years. For ItsMyTime film fanatics he casts his eager eye over a range of flicks creating a buzz and which will be hitting our big screens over summer.

THE world might be in financial meltdown with stocks falling and superannuation going south, but it’s still hard to beat a couple of hours of big-screen escapism for pure value for money – and this summer there is plenty of quality to choose from at the movies.

From remade classics to classy political dramas, or romantic comedy and children’s fare, there is something for everyone over the next few months.

Two of the potentially biggest movies of the year are already out. Daniel Craig has returned as super-spy 007 in Quantum of Solace and while his second stint as James Bond doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of the brilliant Casino Royale, the movie is much better than the silly title suggests.

Also out is Baz Luhrmann’s long-awaited Australia, one of the most hyped films this country has ever produced and certainly with the finest cast ever assembled here, including Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Jack Thompson, David Wenham and Bryan Brown.

Historical dramas loom large with Frost/Nixon (Boxing Day) and Valkyrie (January 22) tackling two of the most controversial political leaders of the last century. Frost/Nixon is a dramatised version of the famous televised interviews between disgraced former US president Richard Nixon and perceived lightweight British TV host David Frost. Originally a West End and Broadway hit, director Ron Howard’s film version is utterly riveting with acclaimed stage actor Frank Langella a certainty for at least an Oscar nomination as Nixon.

Valkyrie tells the true story of an attempt on the life of Adolf Hitler by some of his own officers in 1944. Tom Cruise plays head conspirator Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, alongside a top-notch cast of mainly British actors including Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy and Terrence Stamp.

Woody Allen continues the late-career revival he began with Match Point, with the sexy drama Vicky Christina Barcelona (Boxing Day), which teams the gorgeous Scarlett Johansson with Spanish actors Penelope Cruz and last year’s Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner Javier Bardem.

Also in the drama stakes, the summer movie with the oddest title, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Boxing Day), might also have the oddest premise. Loosely based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and reuniting Babel co-stars Brad Pitt as the title character and Aussie Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett as his love interest, the movie follows the life of a man who ages in reverse – born in his 80s and regressing towards childhood.

On the topic of reuniting co-stars, one of the great romantic pairings of modern times has been resurrected with Titanic’s Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet headlining Revolutionary Road (January 22). Directed by Winslet’s husband, Sam Mendes, who won a directing Oscar for American Beauty, the emotional drama about a dysfunctional and dispirited married couple is also based on a celebrated book, with both lead actors likely to make it to the final credits this time warmer and a whole lot drier.

After The Pursuit of Happyness in 2007 and I Am Legend last year, it just wouldn’t be January without a Will Smith blockbuster. This time Smith joins co-stars Woody Harrelson and Rosario Dawson in Seven Pounds as a suicidal man haunted by his past and destined to change the lives of seven strangers in what is shaping up as a five-Kleenex weepie.

For pure escapism, it’s hard to go past the big-budget remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still (Boxing Day). The Cold War themes have been updated to embrace the more modern issue of man’s destruction of the environment and Keanu Reeves plays the cold, otherworldly alien Klaatu – a role he may well have been born to play.

It’s not all gloom and doom, however, and there are plenty of options to tickle the funny bone. Rom-com stalwart Reese Witherspoon is joined by Vince Vaughn in Four Christmases (December 4) playing a couple of yuppies forced to spend the festive season with their crazy families – all four of them. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway in a movie about rival weddings can only mean one thing – chick flick – but they are two of the best around in the genre meaning Bride Wars (January 15) could well be worth checking out.

For the young, the young at heart, or those just looking for a place to get the children or grandchildren out of the heat, there is a world of choice. The squeaky-clean, upbeat, family-friendly High School Musical 3 (December 4) is just about the biggest thing around at the moment for the tweens, although a week later its mantle might be tested when Twilight is released. The latter is a romantic fantasy film based on the mega-selling book of the same name in which a teenage girl falls in love with a vampire, and may well do for bloodsuckers what Harry Potter did for wizards.

The little ones need not feel left out either: Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo and Melman the Giraffe are back for more fun in Madgascar 2: Escape 2 Africa (December 18) while on Boxing Day, Adam Sandler puts his over-the-top comedic talents to good use in the sweet Disney film, Bedtime Stories, playing a handyman who finds the outlandish yarns he spins to his niece and nephew mysteriously start coming true. Others for the kids include animated movies Igor (January 8 ) and the Tale of Desperaux (Boxing Day), as well as shaggy dog tales Bolt (January 1) and Hotel for Dogs (January 15).

ITSMYTIME CALL TO ARMS

Tell us which movie has tickled your fancy this summer or start a discussion on anything in the Cinema forum and be in the running to win The Rat Pack Box Set which features the original classics including Ocean’s 11, Robin and the 7 Hoods, and 4 For Texas. We also have movie passes at Village cinemas up for grabs! We’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations

For more great discussions, check out the Cinema Interest Group