Couldn’t have said it better myself

Living in Perth, you really have to wonder about some of the people here. Do they have a warped sense of humour, or are they just incredibly thick? I’m talking number plates, and some of stupid things people choose to have stuck on the front of their cars. I’ve already listed some of the more ‘interesting’ plates that I’ve seen before, but below are a couple that really stood out from the crowd.

The first car I saw in the shopping centre yesterday, when it drove into the car park at a speed only acceptable on the German Autobahn or a race track. Once the lives of passing shoppers had been suitably put at risk, the driver screeched into the disabled bay /taxi rank right in front of the entrance, climbed out of the car and lolloped inside.

I use the word lollop, because for all extent and purposes he had the definite whiff of Neanderthal about him – no shoes, skanky feet, clothes that even the homeless would turn down. His tattoos encircled every limb, his hair was matted and greasy enough to fry a dozen eggs and he had, what could only be described, as the remains of dead rat hanging down his back. Basically he looked like something you might see painted on a cave wall, with a club in one hand and a dead animal in the other.

As he disappeared off to buy whatever it is that modern-day cavemen buy, several words did immediately sprung to mind – but I needn’t have bothered forming my own opinion. With his carefully chosen number plate, he’d already gone to the trouble of describing himself. How thoughtful and spot on. Maybe he was more articulate than first thought.

I didn’t actually see the driver of the second car, but I’m guessing they share many of the same qualities as the first driver.

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In case you’re unfamiliar with the word ‘feral’, it’s one that seems to be widely used here to describe a certain sort of person. The following description is from  www.urbandictionary.com, and I couldn’t have put it better (or more colourfully) myself.

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An individual who usually lives in a housing trust neighbourhood who loves wearing flannel shirts, tight faded jeans, tracksuits (usually FUBU, EMINEM, etc branded). Usually has a pack of smokes tucked under the shoulder of their knitted jumper/wifebeater, and one behind the ear for ‘ron.

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Commonly spotted at shopping malls and fast food outlets and especially Centrelink which is their sole source of income with the exception of drug dealing/manufacture/growing/selling stolen goods. Known to swear a lot and are frequently found not wearing shoes, much like their offspring who are usually dirty looking with snot running from their noses.

“What the **** are you looking at ****?” said the feral female with no shoes with a major muffin top over her 4 sizes too small mini skirt and no bra.“Nothing” replied the man walking by and minding his business.

“Well do ya wanna root? If I have another kid I can start me own footy team and Centrelink will fund it!” Asks the feral skank who can be smelled from 20 metres away.

“No thanks. I’d rather have sex with a garden mulcher. It’s much safer than your diseased, stinky p****” Replies the man about to be robbed by the group of male ferals waiting for him around the corner.

So that said, would you seriously want this word on your car?!

Budget Changes for Superannuation

Now this certainly isn’t the sort of topic I normally have on my blog, but it is something of interest to most people in Australia right now – well those who are old enough to work, have wrinkles and worry about spending their golden years penniless and living in a cardboard box.

In light of the recent 2009/2010 Federal Budget delivered by Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan, I thought I’d share this information that I was sent from the BT Financial Group.

It is regarding what the Budget changes to superannuation mean, the various changes proposed to salary sacrificing and Government Co-contribution arrangements and some tips on how you could make the most of the remaining time
until the end of this financial year.

Enjoy…

Concessional Contributions (CC) cap reduced

Concessional contributions generally include Superannuation Guarantee (i.e. the money your employer pays into super), salary sacrifice contributions and personal deductible contributions. They’re taxed at a ‘concessional’ rate of 15%.

What’s the change?
Effective 1 July 2009, the concessional contributions cap (CC) will be halved from $50,000 to $25,000 (indexed) per annum.

Things to consider:
Do you have money you want to invest into superannuation this financial year? If so, you could consider maximising super contributions this financial year to fully utilise the current concessional contributions cap of $50,000.

If you make total concessional contributions of more than $50,000 per year, you may need to reduce your salary sacrifice (or personal deductible contributions from 1 July 2009 to ensure you don’t inadvertently breach the new contributions cap).

If you’re not currently making additional contributions to superannuation (i.e. in addition to SG), the ability to make large ‘last minute’ concessional contributions will be diminished from 1 July 2009. One idea post 1 July 2009 is to start a regular savings plan into super to ensure adequate retirement savings are accumulated.

Maximum Government Co-contribution reduced
Depending on what you’re earning and subject to certain eligibility criteria, the Government currently kicks in $1.50 for every $1.00 you make in personal non-concessional contributions for which you have not claimed a tax deduction, up to a maximum of $1,500.

What’s the change?
A temporary reduction of the maximum Government co-contribution from $1,500pa to $1,000pa has been announced. This will apply to eligible personal superannuation contributions made on or after 1 July 2009.

Things to consider:
If you qualify for the Government Co-contribution, this will be the last year for three years that you will receive $1.50 from the Government for every $1.00 you put into your super. That’s a 150% return! So if you have some spare cash, it may be worth considering.