True Wealth Issue 3

true wealth FEBRUARY 2015

Say hello TO THE NEW YOU

7 LIFE GOALS YOU CAN ACTUALLY ACHIEVE

+MANAGING INVESTMENTS

The better alternative to a self-managed super fund

+SCHOOL OUTREACH

How to make a difference with a volunteering program

THERE IS NO WEALTH LIKE PEACE OF MIND. OK, LOTS OF MONEY WOULD BE NICE TOO.

We all know money can buy us freedom. But nothing can free the mind like knowledge.

That’s why we’re dedicated to educating our members. It’s all about empowerment.

By this we don’t mean sending you a yearly letter stuffed with information.

From the start of your career through to retirement, our people are there to guide you along the way.

We have dedicated professionals available to talk over the phone even late into the evening.

Our online education tools and services will also allow you to build your knowledge at a pace that suits you.

We offer seminars and workplace sessions right across the country.

If you wish, we’ll even come and talk about your financial plans in person at your workplace.

True wealth, as our members will tell you, starts with a wealth of knowledge.

For more information visit ngssuper.com.au or call 1300 133 177.

Issued by NGS Super Pty Limited ABN 46 003 491 487 AFSL No 233 154 the Trustee of NGS Super ABN 73 549 180 515

WELCOME NEWS & NOTES

We are now well and truly into the swing of 2015. For many people, the beginning of a new year can bring on periods of reflection and the identification of new goals or aspirations to be considered in the year ahead. Although financial matters or superannuation may not be at the top of the list for many people, it is worth thinking about a few small actions that can make a world of difference to you now and into the future.

Did you know that NGS Super staff can visit your workplace to explain the basics of super? This service is provided at no cost and we can visit you at a time convenient for your workplace. Did you also know that NGS Super has a financial planning service available? If you are looking for advice tailored to your individual situation, objectives and lifestyle, then this option may be right for you.

And, finally, did you know that a quick call to us can put you in touch with an adviser who can help you review your contributions strategy, investment choices and insurance cover? For more information about these services, please visit www.ngssuper.com.au, or call 1300 133 177.

THE ESSENTIALS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Managing your emotional intelligence can improve performance at work and personal relationships.

MENTORING FOR KIDS

The school mentoring programs that are transforming children’s lives across Australia.

HELPING HANDS

How one teacher’s passion and resilient attitude led to a successful volunteering program with a long‑term view.

SELF-MANAGED SUPER FUNDS

Putting yourself in the driver’s seat of your super can be risky if you don't have sufficient skills, time or interest.

READ BETWEEN THE LINES

Explaining serious issues to children can be challenging. These books can help kids deal with complex topics.

YOU 13 NEW RESOLUTIONS

Anthony Rodwell-Ball, CEO, NGS Super

www.truewealth.com.au

A mix of tidbits, from inspirational books to the 2014 NGS Super Scholarship Award winners.

Re-evaluate what’s important to you and set some life goals for the months and years ahead.

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THE TRUE WEALTH TEAM NGS Super

Sophie Horwood Marketing Manager

Published by Hardie Grant Media

Managing Editor Sophie Hull

Designer Hayley Clark

Cover image Getty Images

Lisa Samuels Manager, Marketing and Strategy

Nicole Slarke Marketing Coordinator

General Manager Clare Brundle

Art Director Dan Morley

Illustrations Kev Gahan

Print Offset Alpine Printing

The information in True Wealth is general information only—it does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please assess your own financial situation, read the Member Guide (PDS) for any product you may be thinking of acquiring and consider seeking professional advice before acting on this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

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s “E ac h jo u rn e y sta rt with the first step.” oing A Chinese proverb. For ong as, ide and tes inspirational quo y dsa Lin rick Pat read Be Happy by 3).

201 nt, (Hardie Gra

+ LIVE LONGER, SAVE MORE Australians are living longer than ever before. In 1984, life expectancy at birth was 75.8. Today, it is 82.1 according to McCrindle Research. In 1984 there were 120,862 Australians over age 85 and today there are 455,390, nearly four times as many. While increased longevity is great news, it means that planning for retirement is more important than ever.

According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) Retirement Standard, the minimum amount of superannuation savings required for a comfortable retirement is over $58,000 for couples and over $42,000 for singles each year, for upwards of 20 years. Even in perfect investment conditions, relying on 9 to 12 per cent employer contributions alone just won’t be enough.

“Don’t assume that the superannuation guarantee amount is going to be enough because almost every study says it’s not going to be anywhere near enough for when you retire,” says NGS Super financial adviser Andrew Dunkerley. “You’ll have a much healthier super account come retirement if you make additional contributions throughout your working years.”

Inspirational reads Depression can be confusing, overwhelming and hard to talk about, even though it is so common (in any one year, around 1 million Australian adults have depression).

I Had A Black Dog by Matthew Johnstone ($16.95) explores the illness through illustration, so it feels like a children’s book for adults. Published in 2005 by Pan Macmillan, its themes are still as poignant and relevant today.

NEWS

True Wealth is now online

NGS Super is excited to announce the launch of the new website True Wealth. The website www.truewealth.com.au features a variety of articles on wealth, retirement and lifestyle topics as well as social responsibility and education-based articles.

New articles will be added regularly and you can rate, comment on and share each one.

+ TREES MATTER

Parents consider green school grounds to be just as important as good academic outcomes and reputation at their child’s school, according to research by Planet Ark. Increase the green in your home or school in 2015 with Schools Tree Day on July 24 and National Tree Day July 26.

Visit www.treeday.planetark.org for more information.

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NEWS & NOTES

+ INVEST IN THE BEST

Education Scholarship Awards winners NGS Super supports the non-government education sector by providing professional development scholarships. In 2014 seven scholarships were awarded to the value of $5000 each. Applications were open to teaching, support staff and management at non‑government schools and organisations.

The scholarships allow successful applicants to complete a study tour, professional development course or a project of their choosing. A big congratulations to the 2014 winners.

Image: courtesy of National Tree Day

Charlotte Forwood, Teacher, Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School plans to use the scholarship to investigate the different models of support offered to secondary students with language disorders and their teachers.

Elizabeth Watson, Coordinator, Aspect Macarthur School plans to use the scholarship to attend a training program at the University of North Carolina on the Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communicationshandicapped Children (TEACCH).

Emily Gaan, Coordinator of Learning & Community Engagement, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (Education Program) plans to use the scholarship to undertake a study tour that will investigate best-practice models of education partnerships between schools and professional music organisations.

Heather Fisher, Head of Library Services, New England Girls’ School plans to use the scholarship to study integrated school library management systems, and to facilitate the implementation of digital resources in school libraries.

Kate Simpson, General Manager—Education, Life Saving Victoria plans to use the scholarship to attend the 2015 World Conference on Drowning Prevention (WCDP) hosted by the Life Saving Society Malaysia, with a goal to deliver a presentation on one of the significant school education projects she is currently managing.

Luis Siddall, Teacher, Shore School (pictured) plans to use the scholarship to fund the existing Cuneiform in Australia and New Zealand (CANZ) project—which aims to identify, translate and publish all the cuneiform tablets in the region and to produce a catalogue, an educational website and a support syllabus that teachers can use for secondary history.

Patrick Kelly, Industry Development & Marketing, St Patrick’s Technical College plans to use the scholarship to visit a number of university technical colleges to investigate how their relationships with local sponsors and employers have been built, how they are maintained and the outcomes being achieved.

NGS Super has recently won the 2015 Money magazine award for Best Innovative Investment Product for the new Income Generator product. To find out more about this investment option (available to income stream members only), please visit www. ngssuper.com.au.

Proven Platinum Performance NGS Super has been awarded a ten-year platinum performance award by independent rating agency SuperRatings.

A platinum rating is provided to the top 15 per cent of super funds who show the greatest value for money.

NGS Super is one of only 14 funds in Australia to reach a decade of platinum performance.

NGS Super is dedicated to helping you enjoy wealth, in every sense of the word. It is this guiding philosophy that drives the fund to provide you with consistent value for money and sound long-term performance.

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The Essentials of

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Is EI the new IQ? Managing your emotional intelligence on the job can improve performance at work and play.

By Carla Grossetti

E

motional intelligence is the foundation of effective leadership, whether you are aware of it or not. Putting this skill on the agenda can have a profound effect that extends beyond the confines of the office cubicle.

Sue Langley, CEO of The Langley Group, is a consultant who teaches professionals to be more intelligent about their emotions. She was featured on the hit ABC-TV series Redesign My Brain, holds a Masters in Neuroscience of Leadership and has written an e-book How to Lead with the Brain in Mind.

She says the strategies that encourage employees to master empathy are essential in today’s fast-paced and increasingly disconnected world.

“When we are emotionally charged our decision making becomes less effective,” she says.

“Emotional intelligence is more than just a soft skill. Unless a business is doing something to improve the emotional climate, there’s no point in measuring engagement. It’s a winwin to make sure you have happy employees. Emotionally intelligent leaders help businesses achieve that.”

To measure individual emotional intelligence ability in leaders, Sue advocates using the Mayer-SaloveyCaruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), named after the academics who developed it. She says research has shown that by practising skills that help manage stress and by practising daily positive rituals, the brain can be rewired.

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“The ability to stop and calm down is a valuable skill. How we interpret events and handle emotional content is important but it’s not easy. Humans will want a quick fix, yet learning to be more intelligent with emotions takes time. The steps have to be practised daily,” says Sue. The benefits of improving your emotional intelligence can spill over into other areas of your life.

“Your emotions can affect your whole life. By practising reading other people’s emotions for example, you can approach stressful situations with confidence and learn to manage frustrations. That leads to better outcomes from a business perspective and in your personal life, too.”

Scott Nell underwent a Langley Group Emotional Intelligence at Work program while working at energy management company Schneider Electric five years ago. He believes he has become a much smarter manager as a result.

“I was never a hard-nosed boss but I now have improved tolerance levels, am more resilient, and the frustrations that once overwhelmed me have subsided,” says Scott.

He says he has become more aware of non-verbal cues and office dynamics.

“The workshop taught me to be more mindful of people and what they are experiencing at an emotional level.

Now, emotional intelligence is very much a part of my everyday life, both at work and at home,” he says.

LIFESTYLE

Im prove your EI

To incorporate emotional intelligence into your everyday life, Sue Langley suggests that you: Put people first. Take time to listen and understand what the people you work with feel and what drives them.

Look beneath the surface when conflicts happen and seek to understand the emotions, interests, values, needs and expectations that are influencing their behaviour and decisions.

Treat emotions as data. Emotions are not good or bad, just information.

Being aware of what you and other people are feeling gives you more choices about how to respond to situations. If you are not aware of the emotion, or you are inaccurate in your perception, you have less data and fewer choices.

Listen to your body. We often miss out on the physiological signs behind our emotions. When you feel angry or anxious, watch where you hold tension.

The better you become at perceiving your emotions, the better you will be at managing them and the faster you can take action before they escalate.

Shift your feelings. There are many ways to change your emotional state.

For example, a few deep breaths will get oxygen to your body and brain, which changes the intensity of your emotion. Even a simple action like tidying your desk or cleaning your house can provide the space and emotional balance you need to better respond to situations in life.

Image: iStock

Smile. Smiling not only makes you feel positive, it makes others feel positive too. The muscles we use to smile tell our brain we are happy.

Mirror neurons in the other person’s brain pick up on our feeling and our intention, creating a positive connection. Humans are social animals, and smiling is one way to tap into our brain’s capacity for empathy and relationships.

Attend an EI course to hone your skills in this area. Many organisations provide short courses such as Konnect Learning and the Australian Institute of Management.

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DEVELOPING CHILDREN

Mentoring FOR KIDS

O

nce a corporate buzzword, mentoring is now just as popular in schools where children, rather than adults, are teaching each other life’s lessons. Factors such as divorce, unemployment, bullying, violence, drug and alcohol abuse and the rise of technology are making children feel anxious and disconnected, say experts. But peer-topeer mentoring such as buddy programs, which pair new primary school students with a Grade 4 to 6 pupil, stress the importance of social and emotional learning and are helping youngsters achieve happy and fulfilling lives.

Peer-to-peer teaching starts early at St Joan of Arc Primary School in Brighton, Melbourne, where Grade 5s buddy up with Prep (kindergarten) students to support them. Pupils in the older grades also visit the classrooms of younger students to read to them, and help them with craft and regular lessons.

“It gives them great leadership opportunities and the chance to build social skills,” says the school’s Wellbeing Officer Georgina Manning. “In Prep orientation week, the Grade 4 children are encouraged to introduce themselves to their new buddy and [his or her] parents,” says Manning.

“It’s a massive thing for them. At the end of the year, the Grade 5s present a hand-written story to their buddy, which stars their mentored friend. It’s amazing to see how they grow with the responsibility,” she says.

The program’s positive effects flow into the playground.

At the children’s request, the school has changed from separating grades in the yard to mixing all classes together.

“There’s a chess program run by the kids and each class from Prep to Grade 6 has two captains who become role models for all the other children,” says Manning.

Around 1500 schools around Australia are part of a similar program called Better Buddies. This child-to-child support system was launched by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, a charity set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, two girls killed in the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. These schools do a range of buddy interaction sessions as part of the school timetable. Examples include older pupils acting as schoolyard guardians, patrolling the playground to ensure everyone is treated with respect and has a friend to play with. A survey in 2013 found that 6 + TRUE WEALTH

95 per cent of principals said Better Buddies helped create a friendly and caring school community while 85 per cent said it reduced bullying incidents. Better Buddies Coordinator Katina Astles says the scheme started out as a transitional program for primary schools but has become more than that.

“It’s moved towards being a wellbeing program,” she says.

Adult-to-child mentoring programs are also continuing to prove successful in a range of formats. For example, the work of mentoring group Aunties and Uncles, which supports disadvantaged children, was highlighted two years ago when singer Karise Eden, who had been inspired by an ‘auntie’ during her teenage years, won the first series of the hit television series The Voice. Suzanne Rose, chair of Aunties and Uncles Queensland, says the self-funded group has supported over 100 children (between the ages of 1 and 12) in the past financial year alone. Finding enough mentors, particularly male ones, is a constant problem.

“The common profile is young boys in single parent families who need a male role model. There may be no extended family to help or a parent just isn’t coping,” says Rose, whose mentors commit two days a month to one-onone quality time with their ‘adopted’ niece or nephew.

“We make it really clear to our mentors that it’s not about doing lavish things, tutoring or babysitting, it’s about being a positive role model.”

Sherilyn Hanson, of Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia, which mentors vulnerable children aged 7 to 17, says demand has skyrocketed.

“With more single parent families and more pressure on parents who are working longer hours, some kids need that steadying person to come in and spend time with them,” says Hanson, who has 600 children on a waiting list, 72 per cent of them boys.

The rewards of being a mentor are immeasurable, says Judy Wood, a single, working mum who has become a role model to two children with Aunties and Uncles Queensland.

“Having that one-on-one attention brings out their confidence and makes them feel special. They get to experience normal family life like going to the beach or reading a book at bedtime. I’ve got far more out of it than I have ever put into it,” says Wood.

Image: iStock

School mentoring programs have changed for the better and are transforming children’s lives across Australia. By Becky Barker

RETIREMENT

HAVING THAT ONE‑ON‑ONE ATTENTION BRINGS OUT THEIR CONFIDENCE AND MAKES THEM FEEL SPECIAL.

DID YOU KNOW? One in four children experience bullying behaviour each fortnight, according to the National Centre Against Bullying.

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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

HELPING hands

How one teacher’s passion and resilient attitude led to a successful volunteering program with a long-term view. By Kristy Barratt

F

or many well-meaning Gen Y Australians the prospect of volunteering overseas in a remote, developing community— building mud huts or working in an orphanage—is an attractive thought.

This thinking has helped volunteer tourism, or ‘voluntourism’, to become one of the travel industry’s fastestgrowing sectors. And yet the impact of voluntourism can often do more harm than good, says Rita Shepherd, Deputy Principal at St Dominic’s Priory College, a Catholic girls’ school in Adelaide.

“Voluntourism taps into the fact that Aussies are caring, generous people with a social conscience,” says Rita, who holds a Masters of Education.

Together with the support of her school, colleagues and the wider community, Rita is helping to bring about sustainable longer-term volunteer placements in Nagpur, India. “I don’t see a lot of value in volunteering to do the things that locals can do themselves, like

build houses or plant trees,” she says.

“What these communities lack is financial backing, skill and expertise.”

In 2008 Rita and a fellow teacher at St Dominic’s Priory College launched a pilgrimage program for Year 11 students to visit India. The purpose was for the students to undertake volunteer work, engage with local people and develop an inter-cultural understanding of impoverished communities.

Faced with multiple communication problems and logistical issues in the early planning stages, it took much research until Rita finally struck up a conversation with Father Herald D’Souza from the Indian Centre for Integrated Development (ICID). With the help of ‘Father Harry’, as he is endearingly referred to at St Dominic’s Priory College, Rita and her first group of Year 11 students were ready to travel to India in December 2008. However, two days before their departure date, the Mumbai terror attacks occurred and the trip was postponed for four months.

Despite such hurdles, Rita remained positive that the pilgrimage would be of

WE WANTED TO TAKE THE STUDENTS OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE... AND MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE.

huge benefit to her students and the developing international community.

“We wanted to take the students out of their comfort zone, encourage them to be less judgmental and make a positive change to the lives of the locals,” explains Rita.

Moving the students out of their comfort zone was exactly what happened on that first pilgrimage to Nagpur in 2009. “The students were quite shocked when they first saw Yuva Jyothi, a home for children in difficult circumstances,” says Rita.

“There were more than 30 children living in one room with an asbestos roof and minimal facilities.”

The students’ volunteer work consisted of doing ordinary things, from helping the children with homework and practising their English to giving them lots of cuddles and attention.

After that first pilgrimage, St Dominic’s Priory College went on to raise $40,000 to help build the children a new home.

The school has now seen three pilgrimages take place and sends a group of students to India once every two years. The college estimates it has fundraised close to $100,000 to support severely impoverished and disadvantaged children and adults in Nagpur.

A grassroots charity called the Dare 2 Dream Foundation has also grown out of the school’s involvement in India and includes a committee of past pilgrimage students. The formal charity consequently has a high degree of accountability.

FAMILY

In a bid to provide concrete evidence that the pilgrimages make a difference to communities in Nagpur, Rita proposed to undertake an Action Research Project in the region. For this she was awarded the 2013 NGS Super Scholarship and $5000. She couldn’t be more grateful.

“The NGS Super funding was amazing,” says Rita. “The grant helped fund essential parts of my trip, such as using an interpreter. I also received two weeks study leave from school, which was facilitated because of the scholarship.”

Over the five-week research project, Rita conducted interviews with the children at Yuva Jyothi and found the support from St Dominic’s Priory College has had a significant impact.

Each child now attends school regularly, is well nourished and lives in a safe family environment.

Part of this lasting impact is down to the fact that each pilgrimage is not a one-off experience for its participants.

There is 18 months of preparation for each student in the lead-up to the trip, and the pilgrimage only accepts proactive, adaptable students who are willing to significantly fund the journey themselves.

“Each student must apply to be considered to go on the pilgrimage and one criterion is that they fund much of the trip themselves through part‑time jobs,” says Rita. “It’s become a very special thing for our kids to get a

place on the pilgrimage as they have to earn it.”

According to Rita, responsible voluntourism is about asking yourself why you’re doing it. If it’s to make yourself feel good, it’s not something you should consider. “The point can be made that the money you spend travelling to the country to volunteer might be better directed to the community itself,” she says. “For our students that’s not the case as they stay involved with the community long after they leave India.

It also helps affirm their career choices and puts life into perspective.”

Wan t to volun teer overseas?

Consider your interests and how best you can make a difference. Do you want to work for the environment or with people? Do you want to be doing hands-on work or something more office based? Check out www.projects-abroad.com.au for some overseas volunteering inspiration.

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Self-m anaged SUPER FUNDS

There are many good reasons for taking control of your own super, but putting yourself in the driver’s seat can come at a significant cost both in time and money. A desire for control has led many working Australians to investigate and set up self-managed super funds (SMSFs). Before you consider whether to join their ranks, it is important to look at the costs and time involved, as well as other alternatives.

Is a self-m anaged fund right for you?

For some people, self-managed super funds are a good option—if they have the time, skills, knowledge and funds to make managing their own affairs worthwhile. For others, SMSFs have the potential to be an expensive and timeconsuming minefield of regulations, fees, audits, analyses

and investing. If you have a lot of super and you’re very experienced in financial and legal matters then a selfmanaged super fund could be right for you. But increased control doesn’t automatically translate to better returns, and considering the following issues is very important.

+ RED TAPE

+ FEES

There are strict Australian Taxation Office rules about setting up and managing your own super fund. Even if you receive incorrect advice from a professional, the ultimate responsibility for the fund still rests with you.

A typical SMSF can attract fees that are substantially more than the management fees charged by industry super funds.

They include the cost of annual audits, administration and legal fees, accounting fees, investment costs and advice fees.

+ TIME

+ YOUR ACCOUNT BALANCE

People who get the most out of SMSFs generally spend a lot of time tracking markets—usually more than two hours per week. Do you have the time for this?

A recent study, commissioned by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), found that SMSFs need to have a balance of $500,000 or more before they become cost-competitive.

+ INSURANCE

+ PROTECTION

Industry super funds generally include life insurance, total and permanent disability and income protection cover. If you move all your super to an SMSF but want to keep your insurance, then you’ll need to apply again for your cover and should expect to pay higher premiums because industry super funds negotiate lower group premium rates for members.

SMSFs don’t enjoy the safeguards and compensation schemes that industry super funds have should something go wrong. In cases of investment fraud or theft, traditional super funds, which are regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), are protected.

SMSF investments are not.

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WEALTH

+ GET RELIABLE ADVICE To get a personalised view of your suitability based on your skill set and retirement expectations, hop online and complete the quick analysis at www.ngssuper.com.au/smsf-profiler.

It’s important to seek financial advice when making major investment decisions such as choosing how to invest your super or income and investing in individual shares. To speak with a financial planner, call the NGS Super customer service team on 1300 133 177.

Is there an alternative?

There is more than one way to take charge of your super.

NGS Self-Managed offers a new level of choice and direct control over your super or income stream through an online direct investment gateway. It enables you to invest in a wide range of shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and direct term deposit options. It also provides access to real-time trading and market information to help you make

informed decisions and manage your account. In addition, NGS Super takes care of all the compliance and reporting requirements. There are no set-up costs and the ongoing fees are low.

NGS Super can provide ongoing support and assistance should you have any questions about your NGS Self‑Managed portfolio selection.

INVESTMENTS AVAILABLE THROUGH NGS SELF-MANAGED

Image: iStock

Direct term deposits You can select from a range of term deposit providers and terms with the flexibility to decide if a deposit automatically rolls over to a new term or not. There are no fees for investing in term deposits.

ASX-listed companies You can pick and choose from the top 300 Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed companies. The gateway

has low-cost brokerage charges when you trade shares.

low-cost brokerage charges when you trade ETFs.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) You can choose from a range of ETFs, which are similar to managed funds but traded on the ASX. ETFs can be bought and sold in the same way as shares and range from fixed income and property investments to Australian shares and international investments. The gateway has

Transaction account The NGS Self-Managed direct investment gateway is available to NGS Super and NGS Income Stream members with at least $7000 invested in their account.

You are required to keep a minimum of $2000 in your NGS Super or NGS Pension pre-mixed or sector-specific investment options and $500 in your NGS Self‑Managed

cash account. A maximum of 80 per cent of your account can be invested in your NGS Self‑Managed account.

Fees and charges NGS Self-Managed has a direct investment gateway administration fee of $3.75 per week ($195 per year), which is calculated daily and deducted on a monthly basis from your NGS Super or NGS Income Stream pre-mixed or sector‑specific options.

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DEVELOPING CHILDREN

Read between

THE LINES

Explaining serious issues to children can be challenging. To help, we've sourced the best books to help kids aged 5 to 12 grasp and deal with complex topics through language and concepts that they can understand and relate to. By Olivia Richardson Being differen t

MARMADUKE THE VERY DIFFERENT DRAGON

by Rachel Valentine (2014, Bloomsbury, $14.99)

Marmaduke is not like other dragons. He has huge ears and funny wings, and princesses don’t want his protection. He’s an outsider and is lonely. Non-traditional Princess Meg wears runners, has messy hair and dances at the most inappropriate times. She doesn’t have friends, but is too busy having fun to mind. One day she gets lost in the forest and only Marmaduke hears her, thanks to his unusually large ears.

The two become best friends, the other dragons see all the fun the duo are having… and wish they were different too!

Help for caregivers: www.raisingchildren.net.au, www.cda.org.au and Kids Helpline at www.kidshelp.com.au and 1800 55 1800.

B ullying

Death

by Sally Rippin (2012, Hardie Grant, $7.95)

by clinical psychologist Shona Innes (2014, Five Mile Press, $14.95)

BILLIE B BROWN: THE BULLY BUSTER

Billie is bullied at school by an older boy and later learns he acts out because he’s lonely and wants friends but doesn’t know how to relate. The two end up playing happily together after they sort things out.

This is suited for kids aged seven and up who are experiencing less-serious bullying where it’s more of a misunderstanding.

Help for caregivers: www.bullyingnoway.gov.au and www.cybersmart.gov.au.

Also try: Llama Llama and the Bully Goat

by Anna Dewdney is similar, but for kids aged five to seven.

12

Also try: The Dawn Chorus by Suzanne Barton has a similar principle to The Ugly Duckling; and A Cautionary Tail by Erica Harrison—a story (and movie) about a girl born with a tail.

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LIFE IS LIKE THE WIND

From the blurb: “Life is a little bit like the wind. When the wind leaves, kites stop soaring, fur stops flying and the trees stop their fluttering. But where does the wind go? And where does a life go when it leaves the body?” This beautifully written and illustrated book talks about different beliefs of where life goes once the body dies and offers helpful ways kids can deal with grief.

Help for caregivers: www.childhoodgrief.org.au, www.heavenisforreal.net, www.dougy.org, and 35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child by the Dougy Center, a US organisation that helps over 5000 grieving kids each year.

Also try: Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between by Bryan Mellonie, explains that as leaves, animals and insects die, so do we, and that dying is as much as part of life as living.

There’s a lot of repetition of these sentiments for different creatures and plants as the book goes on, which makes the text soothingly melodic to hear. The pictures are calming and there’s a beautiful spirit about it.

Heaven is for Real for Kids and Heaven is for Real for Little Ones tell the story of Colton Burpo, who had a near-death experience on the operating table when he was four and went to heaven. In these books, he explains what he saw. Best suited for Christians.

New You

RESOLUTIONS It doesn’t have to be New Year’s Day for you to re-evaluate what’s important to you and set some life goals for the months and years ahead. By Rebecca Douglas Even when we have a lot to be thankful for there’s always room for improvement. This year, try these seven resolutions to help you live a healthier, wealthier and happier life.

Get fit

Looking for a budget-friendly way to lose weight and get fit?

Aside from books, many libraries lend out exercise DVDs. If you’re interested in joining a gym or doing casual fitness classes, try a community centre near you for cheaper gym entry and classes. Another option is to head to www.gymlink. com.au to download and print free trial passes to thousands of gyms, yoga studios, Zumba classes and more Australia-wide.

Sample different activities and find one that’s right for you.

Volun teer

Would you like to volunteer in the community, but have no idea what to do? Head to SEEK Volunteer (www.volunteer.com.au) and choose a cause that interests you such as animal welfare, human rights or disaster relief.

There are opportunities for both small and large brackets of time, and both one-offs and regular gigs.

Image: Getty Images

Be generous

You could make a one-off donation to charity, but for a more lasting contribution, set up a regular direct debit through your bank or chosen charity. For an added incentive you may like to tie in goal motivation with giving. The website Promise or Pay (www.promiseorpay.com) encourages you to either achieve your nominated goal or donate to charity.

For example, you might aim to do exercise three times a week or pay $100 to charity if you don’t. So even if you fall off the wagon, you’ll feel good!

Set a budget

Budgeting may sound complicated, but it’s easy with ASIC’s online budget planner (found at www.moneysmart.gov.au) or the TrackMySPEND app, available for Apple and Android smartphones. You’ll feel better for taking control of your finances and can save towards long-term goals. For further motivation you could challenge a friend to join you in keeping an eye on your finances. Set a reward you’d both enjoy and you’ll be saving in no time.

S ave and spend m ore wisely

Make saving easy by setting up an automatic transaction to deposit a certain amount of your income (for example 10 per cent) into a separate savings account. Also check out daily deals sites such as Scoopon (www.scoopon.com.au) and Cudo (www.cudo.com.au) to buy vouchers for discounted restaurant meals, dance classes, theatre tickets and more.

Follow your dream s

It’s time to tick some items off your bucket list. Head to Day Zero (www.dayzeroproject.com), which encourages you to complete your goals to a set deadline, whether it’s 101 things in 1001 days, 52 things in 52 weeks or your own made-up challenge. Need some ideas to get you started?

How about identifying 100 things that make you happy?

Visit www.100happydays.com to get going.

Have fun!

Remember to set aside time to simply relax and do the things that you enjoy. After all, having fun with friends and family is what life’s all about!

TRUE WEALTH

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IT’S HARD TO BEAT THE RETURNS ON SOME INVESTMENTS.

We are a super fund. It’s our job to help build your wealth. However we believe that doing well is also about doing good.

As a teacher, school or community worker, you couldn’t set a better example. So while we are proud of our track record as a high performing, low cost industry super fund, we know that’s not all you care about.

You could say we’ve learnt from our 103,000 members who have dedicated their lives to helping others.

We’re dedicated to educating our members and providing peace of mind.

We’re invested in being responsible corporate citizens committed to helping the community and the environment.

As any good superannuation fund should tell you, it’s all about giving a little to get a whole lot back.

For more information visit ngssuper.com.au or call 1300 133 177.

Issued by NGS Super Pty Limited ABN 46 003 491 487 AFSL No 233 154 the Trustee of NGS Super ABN 73 549 180 515