Welcome to our February Newsletter!

 

I hope your year is starting off well! Grab yourself a snack; we’re going to show you how to start your day the right way with a couple of inspirational books, introduce you to the amazing Liz Fry and the most frequently asked question of 2017 so far and what’s with the GST changes?? I hope you enjoy it. Michelle xx

 

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GST changes are here!

 

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the GST changes, so I thought I’d make mention of them this month for you.

Managing your GST online is now quicker and easier. There’s a new section in myIR called My GST – it looks a little different, but you can still do everything you need, plus some new things. These are the first of many changes over the next few years to make tax simpler for you.

What’s changed?

GST payments and returns

• Pay your GST when you file your return without having to log out of myIR.
• Make GST payments by direct debit, or by using your Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.
• Set up email and text message reminders when your GST return and payment is due or late, to avoid penalties.
• Arrange GST payment instalment plans online and in most cases receive immediate confirmation and approval.
• Request an amendment to an already filed GST return.

GST refunds

All GST refunds will now be paid directly into your bank account. You can update your business bank account details at any time in myIR. You can see the status of your GST refund online anytime.

GST statements

Your GST statement will look a bit different to the ones you might have received in the past. The new look GST statement still has all the valuable information you need; IRD have just made it clearer and easier to understand. The GST statement will include a:

• summary of your filing period(s).
• summary of transactions for each period.

eDocuments

All GST correspondence, including messages to and from us, can be found in the new My GST section. You can upload files relating to your GST return and you no longer have to send them by post.

myIR Mobile app

The myIR mobile app is no longer available. Please file your GST through your myIR account – you can do this from any electronic device.

For more information, including a video tour, click here.

 

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The Power of Less: The 6 Essential Productivity Principles That Will Change Your Life – Leo Babauta

With the arrival of the 21st century we have encountered a mental and material explosion in the Western world. We have near-unlimited information at our fingertips, we can have children who are healthy and safe, and we have wealth and possessions beyond what most of the world can dream of. However, this is not a boast. We are more stressed than we have ever been: the majority of us are profoundly unhappy. Despite the potential of prosperity, our fears are undiminished: we are stuck with cars and computers and houses and mobiles and hundreds of other tiny apparent “needs” that, when all combined, build to something unsustainable. Though we are surrounded by what we want, our desire to keep and still get more creates a pressure that we cannot tolerate. But we do not need to “keep up with the Joneses”. The flip side of our society’s growth is that we can choose what to accept, and what not to accept: what to keep, and what to lose, joyfully and consciously. With this handbook of simplicity, Leo Babauta shows us: why less is powerful. How to know what you want, and what you need. With The Power of Less, you will be able to start a complete shift from wanting everything to needing nothing, be able to live your life simply without compromise, and discover that though we cannot have everything we want, we can obtain anything we will ever need. With this book, you will find how to go through life not carefully, but carefreely.
Check it out here.

 

Mud, Sweat and Tears – Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls is a man who has always sought the ultimate in adventure. Growing up on the Isle of Wight, he was taught by his father to sail and climb at an early age. As a teenager, he found identity and purpose through both mountaineering and martial arts, which led the young adventurer to the foothills of the mighty Himalaya and a grandmaster’s karate training camp in Japan. On returning home, he embarked upon the notoriously gruelling selection course for the British Special Forces to join 21 SAS – a journey that was to push him to the very limits of physical and mental endurance. Then, in a horrific free-fall parachuting accident, Bear broke his back in three places. It was touch and go whether he would ever walk again. However, only eighteen months later Bear became one of the youngest ever climbers to scale Everest, aged only twenty-three. But this was just the beginning of his many extraordinary adventures. Known and admired by millions, Bear Grylls has survived where few would dare to go. Now, for the first time, Bear tells the story of his action-packed life. Gripping, moving and wildly exhilarating, “Mud, Sweat and Tears” is a must-read for adrenalin junkies and armchair adventurers alike.

Check it out here.

 

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Breakfast

We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but how often do we replace it with coffee? Or have the same thing every day? I’ve sure been guilty of that!

Here are some suggestions for you, they make me hungry just looking at them! They have everything from variations on muesli and eggs to waffles and beans.

While we are improving our mornings, if you don’t already have a morning ritual, you could look into developing one, it keeps you ahead of the game. Have you got six minutes to spare in the morning? I’m sure you could make that investment, check out this article by Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning.

Head over to Facebook to share your favourite breakfast or your morning ritual.

 

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This month, I’d like to introduce you to the lovely, Liz Fry. Liz helps people live a purpose fuelled life, and her favourite customers are small business owners. You are your businesses biggest asset, so she helps people understand more about themselves, their thoughts, their values and how this then reflects on their business. As Zig Ziglar once said, “you cannot be a success in business if your home life is in a shambles”.  Business and personal lives are inextricably linked, and Liz will help you to really stand tall and walk your talk.

I asked Liz some questions so you can get to know her better.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Get support. Whether it is an accountability buddy who is in a similar position to you, or a coach if that is an option for you.  It really makes such a difference to feel you have someone on your side and helping with the juggle. Being part of a group can help you meet people and get your word out there. Check out FUSE Auckland on Facebook

What do you like to do in your downtime?

I love being outdoors and exploring new places. I think that is why I love New Zealand so much you really don’t have to go far to have an adventure!

Tell us something fun that not many people know about you?

Maybe this should have been my answer to Number 2, but I did win first prize in a flower arranging competition at Junior School….

What has been your biggest lesson learned? 

Life is short.  Find out what your values are and live true to them.  Don’t get sucked into what you think you should be doing.  Be True – Be Awesome – Be You.

OFFER
Liz has generously offered $50 off a Pit Stop Session with her. To date this pit stop session has been used as a sounding board, a mastermind, a debrief, a springboard, a place to explore. What would be useful to you? Mention The Accounts Department when you get in touch, must be booked by March 31st 2017.

You can connect with Liz via Facebook, Email or phone 021449832.

 

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