As the end of financial year approaches, many families feel a mix of pressure and confusion about how to manage their household finances.
We asked Sorita Mcgrane from SM Co how people should approach the end of financial year (EOFY) and ‘tax time’.
“At SM Co, we believe EOFY is the perfect time for a Money Reset - a chance to pause, reflect
and realign your budget to reduce stress and set your family up for success,” Sorita says.
“A good budget isn’t about restriction. It’s about understanding what matters most and making your money work for your goals. Whether you’re saving for a family holiday, trying to get ahead of bills, or just want to feel more in control, small changes can add up.”
Here are a few tips SM Co shares in its Money Reset program:
1. Plan your tax return with purpose If you're expecting a tax refund, plan how you'll use it before it hits your account.
A balanced approach could mean, using some to pay down debt, to save and a small
portion for something enjoyable. That way, you're looking after your future while still enjoying the reward.
Pick one thing to change
Cancel unused subscriptions, cut back on delivery apps, or do a meal plan each Sunday. Choose something achievable that you’ll be more likely to stick with.
Set a short-term savings goal
This goal could be $300 for school holidays or $1000 for a buffer account. Having a goal gives your budget purpose and makes it easier to say no to impulse buys.
Talk about money at home
Involve the family in simple budgeting conversations. When everyone understands the goal, it’s easier to work as a team.
Money Coaching with SM Co empowers individuals and households to take control of their finances, build strong budgeting habits, and create a
pathway to lasting financial stability. Whether you're feeling stuck, overspending, or ready to make a change, the team offers practical guidance to help you manage your money with clarity and confidence. This is not about restriction - it’s about freedom, purpose, and building generational wealth. Through personalised support, you’ll learn to make intentional financial decisions that align with your goals.
SM Co offers one-onone and group money coaching sessions, budgeting workshops, long-term goal setting and client support.
Sorita is an experienced trainer committed to empowering individuals and communities by fostering healthy money habits and goals to create lasting change and generational wealth.
Boost your online presence i
Businesses building or revamping their websites need to understand their audience and invest in quality copywriting, according to Web-Sta Web Design's Karen Ahl.
Karen has seen plenty of changes in design and functionality, since she founded the business almost 19 years ago, but says these two essential elements continue to be commonly overlooked.
“It's easy to create a nicelooking website but if you don't first understand who it's for, then you can miss the mark completely,” she explains.
“Another common mistake is not investing in quality copywriting. Google needs words to help with a site's ranking
and the right words can help convert visitors to a site into sales.”
Web-Sta’s services include website design, hosting and management, logo design, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and newsletter marketing.
The team tailors their approach to clients’ needs.
“For some customers, their website serves to add credibility to their business when they lodge tenders/ submit quotes, and for others their website is a major contributor to attracting leads and keeping their existing customers up to date,”
Karen says.
“We also offer our Pick 'n' Mix Marketing package - it's a retainer package customised to whatever
the customer needs that month. This could include business card and brochure design; SEO; email marketing, Facebook posts and cover image updates; Youtube videos; or Google Business Profile review scripts.”
When it comes to websites, Karen says visual
appeal is vital.
Other online marketing activities businesses should consider include regular email marketing.
“We explain everything in English. We want to make the process of getting and owning a website and marketing it as easy as possible,” she says.
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In today’s online-first world, digital presence can make or break a business.
Whether you’re running a café, managing a not-forprofit, promoting a new property development, or
growing a local service brand, one thing is clearyou need more than just a pretty Instagram grid or a static website. You need a strategy.
That’s why Thomas & Lange is launching the
Digital Strategy Cluba space with the tools and guidance to help businesses grow online with clarity, creativity, and confidence.
Why digital strategy isn’t optional...
Too often, business owners approach digital marketing with a “try everything and hope something sticks” mindset. They post when they have time, run the occasional ad, or update their website once a year - all without a clear roadmap.
A strong digital strategy helps:
• Understand the audience and what they’re really looking for
• Align website, social media, and content with a business’s goals
• Spend marketing budgets wisely
• Create a brand that’s consistent, trustworthy, and memorable
We have a club for small businesses to elevate their online presence
• Show up where it counts and know when to say no
Built for real business owners
Thomas & Lange created the Digital Strategy Club for business owners juggling a million tasks, wearing multiple hats, and doing their best to show up online with limited time and resources.
The club offers:
• Monthly live sessions with digital strategy and branding experts
• Step-by-step templates for content planning, campaigns, and audits
• Real-world case studies
• Q&As, accountability, and feedback
• Behind-the-scenes insights into what works in today’s digital space
The Digital Strategy Club officially launches in July. Early members receive exclusive bonuses, founding member rates and first access to workshops.
Expert advice key at tax time
With the end of financial year looming, Good Life Accounting has some top tips for individuals and businesses wanting to maximise their tax returns.
Principal Peter Sobczuk (CPA, B. Com, MBA), who has been providing advice on the Redcliffe Peninsula since 2006, says keeping good records and seeking guidance are vital.
“Records are little treasures that our ‘big brother’ could be asking to see. If you have them, you could be saving many tens of thousands of dollars,” Peter explains.
“Good records can help with effective and efficient short-term and long-term tax planning. For example:
records on capital gains and related investments.”
Peter says there are taxation changes every year, but new rules bring opportunities.
He helps clients to be proactive – investing, short and long term, in education and knowledge, keeping good records and maximising the use of technology.
“Good tax returns are the outcome of good business and individual planning
and short to long-term strategies in wealth creation,” Peter explains.
Top tips for individuals ahead of tax time:
• Seek professional advice from experts who are members of the accounting bodies such as CPA and CA.
• Obtain a Statement of Advice addressing your personal circumstances and to maximise potential tax benefits.
• Establish a shortterm and long-term professional relationship to achieve your goals and objectives in a taxeffective outcome.
• Write your will in a taxeffective way.
Top tips for businesses:
• At the start of a new financial year, ensure your business structure is effective, efficient, provides best potential asset protection and brings the best outcome in minimising tax payable.
• Have a clear business and strategic management plan.
• Have a tax plan strategy.
• Seek professional advice not just at the end of the financial year.
• Invest in education as it will transform your life and your business.
• Ensure Employees/ Contractors are clearly classified.
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Team eases strain of business
Running a business is more demanding than ever and with compliance obligations, administration overload and financial uncertainty, many business owners are burning out trying to do it all.
Recognising this, Rapid Ledgers Bookkeeping has expanded its services to become a reliable, scalable support partner
– helping businesses manage day-to-day tasks without overheads.
Principal Bookkeeper
Candice Beckitt says Rapid Ledgers was launched in 2023 and is backed by two decades of experience in financial operations, practice management, and business leadership.
“With a strong foundation in hands-on bookkeeping
and strategic business advisory, we’ve quickly become a trusted partner for businesses across Moreton Bay,” she explains.
“We started as a dedicated bookkeeping service, primarily focusing on core functions like accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and BAS lodgments.
“As we grew and listened to our clients' needs, it became clear that many businesses were looking for broader support.
“That insight led to the creation of RL Business Group, our parent company, which now offers a full suite of support services including virtual office administration, personal assistants, and management accounting.”
Candice says many small to medium-sized businesses don’t have the
time, resources or need to hire full-time admin or finance staff.
“We simplify and centralise support by offering tailored, fixedfee packages that cover everything from bookkeeping and payroll to admin support and reporting," she says.
“We also help implement efficient systems like Xero and Dext, ensuring real-time visibility and automation wherever possible. Our team becomes a seamless extension of the client’s business, without the complexity or cost of hiring in-house.
“Our services give them peace of mind and breathing space — especially at key times like EOFY. It’s about restoring balance and making business simpler.”
