Don’t say you never win anything - you’ve got to be in it to win it! Don’t miss your chance to enter these two great competitions and walk away with a $10,000 Australia holiday, digital SLR camera worth $1,799, or one of 65 prizes in The Finder Readership Survey…

Win a great Australian Road Trip worth $10,000 Tourism Australia is giving you a chance to get a taste of what you can see and do on an Aussie road trip by playing hte Ultimate Aussie Road Trip game at www.australianroadtrips.com. The top scorer will win a $10,000 self-drive adventure in Australia and every week until May 23 the top weekly scorer also stands the chance to win the latest Canon EOS 550D digital SLR camera worth $1,799! So click here to start playing and get packing!

Last chance to win $6,000 of Singapore prizes The Finder Readership Survey takes just 7 minutes to complete online and you’ll not only receive a FREE six-month subscription to your favourite mag, you’ll also be in the running to win great prizes worth more than $6,000! We have 65 freebies to give away - from Pilates classes, dining experiences at Original Sin, Michelangelo’s and Maharajah’s and an  ipac money makeover, to facials, manicures, gourmet produce and home hygiene services. Click here to be in it to win it! If only I could enter… sigh…

Image: Touring South Australia’s Barossa Valley, courtesy of Tourism Australia

Lawyer RAJAN CHETTIAR discusses the importance of both parents agreeing to child custody issues.
 

Fathers without custody or access of their children can request a review of such issues by the Family Court during the ancillary matters stage of divorce proceedings – where interim custody orders are usually made final.
          Depending on the facts and circumstances raised, the divorce Judge may make a new order. Keep in mind, it may be easier for fathers to obtain a split care and control order – provided the mother agrees to it. To obtain such consent you need to:

·         Maintain a harmonious relationship with your ex-spouse.

·         Attempt to reach an amicable settlement in relation to divorce, finance and property matters.

·         Explain to your former wife how your children will benefit with the assurance such an arrangement doesn’t deprive her of her parental rights but reinforces joint parental rights.         

Should you decide on split care and control a smooth transition between both parents’ homes is a must. Arrange for one set of each child’s personal belongings per home. And co-operate with your former spouse to ensure schoolwork is not affected by agreeing on logistics –such as ensuring your child transfers schoolbooks and materials between both homes.

As this tends to be a complicated arrangement, the Family Court does not usually agree to split care and control for school-going children. But if both parents are supportive, administrative hurdles can be overcome. And mothers tend to find split care and control advantageous, as it leaves them with more time to focus on their personal lives. If you’re unable to convince the Court of such an arrangement you may wish to seek care and control on a few weekday evenings and for some of the weekend.

            If the relationship between ex-spouses is acrimonious it can lead to issues with child access. One parent may limit access, while another “blames” the other for turning the child against them. Such issues are best resolved through mediation or counselling.

            Ultimately, it’s in the best interest of your child to have the love, support and bond of both parents. Hurling abuse and quarrelling in your child’s presence is never productive. When it comes to child access issues, it’s imperative you and your ex-spouse cooperate. If you choose not to, your child could suffer long-term, damaging psychological impact.

Rajan Chettiar
Commissioner for Oaths, Mediator LLB (Honours), Barrister-at-law (Middle Temple), UK

Australian property tax and expatriate tax expert STEVE DOUGLAS explains the tax implications when refinancing your property loan.

Q. If I refinance my Australian property loan, will I lose my tax deduction?

A. Refinancing your property usually improves the interest rate or general terms on the loan and is also advisable if you wish to use the built-up equity in your property to assist with the purchase of another property. What matters most is what the original drawdown of the loan was used for. Any subsequent change or refinance keeps the original purpose and appropriate tax treatment. If you increase your loan, a pro-rata allocation of the loan against the different uses is made and applied against each expense. It’s irrelevant what the loan is secured against, or what it may be called, the sole deciding factor is what the money was used for.

          If you borrowed A$80,000 to buy a property for the purpose of renting, the bank advances the money to the settlement agent, so it’s clear the loan is designated for that property and since it’s rented, you can claim a tax deduction. If you borrow an additional A$20,000 to renovate the property, the loan will be considered as part of the property expenditure. Thus, interest against the new total of A$100,000 still remains tax deductable.
          But if you borrow another A$25,000 to go on vacation, using the equity in the house as collateral and increasing your loan to A$125,000, you’ll not be allowed to claim this amount – since it’s for private purposes. You’ll incur a pro-rata claim of 100/125, or 80 percent, of the interest as a deduction and the remaining as private with no claim allowed.
          Should you decide to use the equity to help with a deposit on another rental property, that portion would be a deduction against the new rental property – not the original one. If you refinance with another bank later, this ratio comes with the new loan as the original use is tracked forward. It doesn’t matter how many times this occurs, each time a redraw or refinance happens you simply recalculate the ratio and bring that forward.

          If the loan is in a single amount any repayment will be allocated in the ratio of the loan use. So if you wanted to pay off the A$25,000 holiday loan, only 20 percent would be allocated to reduce that portion on a proportionate basis. To avoid confusion, split such loans.

Dr Leroy McCully of SMILEFOCUS explains how new techniques allow for pain-free root canal treatment.

Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime and with modern treatment methods this is often possible – despite damage or decay. Advances in Root canal treatment (RCT) are a great example. A tooth with an infected nerve once had to be extracted, but it can now be saved through root canal (endodontic) treatment. Any fears of pain are more myth and hyperbole than fact. As not only is having RCT infinitely better than enduring the pain of not having it, but today’s RCT is virtually pain-free! 

          RCT involves the removal of the tooth’s pulp – a small, thread-like tissue important for tooth development in childhood, but redundant in adulthood. An infected pulp causes pressure and pain, occasionally resulting in facial swelling. Sometimes, the deterioration of the pulp happens so gradually little pain is felt. Bacteria eventually destroys the pulp, causing the bone surrounding the tooth to become seriously infected.

          RCT may be required if you’ve experienced a physical blow to a tooth, have irritation from deep decay or a very large filling, need to rectify bacterial leakage of an old filling or crown, or are suffering from severe gum disease.
          With the help of a surgical microscope – capable of detecting the finest details in a tooth’s structure – an Endodontist removes the tooth’s pulp, replacing it with materials to promote healing and seal off the root canal from the underlying jawbone. Due to natural tissue inflammation, the tooth may feel sensitive for the first few days following treatment, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. But any discomfort can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication and you’ll likely be able to resume normal activities the following day.
          As a treated tooth is more fragile, it may be necessary to have a crown fitted for added protection. In the meantime, minimise any chewing until the crown or a permanent filling is in place, to avoid contamination and the tooth breaking.

            Providing good oral hygiene is observed at home and you maintain regular visits to your dentist, a treated and restored tooth can last a lifetime – so you can continue to smile with confidence.

Dr Leroy McCully BDS (Singapore) MSc Endodontics (London)
Dr McCully completed his post-graduate degree in Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment) at the University of London. He is a part-time tutor at NUS and skilled in helping patients with dental anxiety, performing treatments under IV sedation if required.

AIDAN BAILEY reveals what happens to your retirement pension upon divorce.

For many people, their largest asset – other than their home – is often their retirement pension. And during divorce, a commonly-raised question is, “what happens to my pension?”

          It’s compulsory to take pension entitlements into consideration in divorce settlements. The three key options available are offsetting pension benefits, pension attachment orders and pension sharing orders. The method used can be negotiated through your solicitors, or if contentious left to a Court to decide – and Courts normally prefer pension sharing or offsetting.

Offsetting pension benefits Pension rights are taken into consideration and equalised through transferring other financial assets of the marriage. For example, one spouse might retain their pension fund while the other keeps the family home. This method makes for a clean break with each party retaining their existing pension benefits.

Pension attachment orders Formerly known as earmarking orders, this method does not allow for a clean break. Attachment orders do not transfer ownership of any of the pension to an ex-spouse, so the member still has full control – subject to what the trustees will allow – over how the pension is run. In addition, benefits are taxed at the marginal rate of the member who retains the liability for the income tax on the whole pension – even the part of the pension earmarked for the ex-spouse.

Other drawbacks are:

·         Benefits remain with the member. The ex-spouse has no control over the timing of benefits or investment risk.

·         Income benefits cease on the member’s death – although a lump sum death benefit may be earmarked.

·         Benefits cease on the ex-spouse’s death or remarriage.

·         If the member retires early the member and the ex-spouse receive a reduced pension.

Pension sharing orders (PSO) With a PSO, the court awards a slice of the pension benefits known as a pension credit to the ex-spouse. This is based upon a percentage share of the Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV). A corresponding pension debit reduces the value of the former spouse’s benefit.
          Where the existing scheme is a personal pension scheme, the CETV is always transferred to a scheme chosen by the ex-spouse – usually another personal pension. In cases where the pension is split, the pension share does not have to be 50/50. And if the parties are unable to agree, the split will be set by the court. In practice, the split of the pension value is likely to be unequal, due to the different life expectancies of males and females.

Aidan Bailey BA (Hons) CertPFS AWP^CM 
General Manager Singapore, International Division

ELISABETTA FRANZOSO explains the connection between wellbeing and movement, the fifth focus of the Wellness Inventory Wheel.

Everything in us is moving. Our blood flows, lungs expand and contract, heart pumps, eardrums vibrate and eyes roll.

Reality Check Inhibit movement and you create illness. Stop moving and you’re dead! The need for human activity since the Industrial Revolution has changed dramatically. Most of us no longer chop wood and carry water. Our work more likely involves sitting for long hours at a desk or in a car, or standing behind a counter.
Insight The ability to move is the basis for work, play, creative expression, communication and sexual activity. How we start the day can set the tone for how we live the rest of it. A moving body releases stress and pent-up emotions. And time spent exercising is time to relax away from our routine and obligations.
Result Liking what you see is just one of the rewards. Exercise connects us to the way we think and feel about ourselves. Regular exercise firms muscles, sheds pounds and adds a rosy colour to our complexion. A moving body is a body “taking shape”. When you think of yourself in more glowing terms, you feel positive and can approach and light up those around you with confidence. You become less dependent on other people for approval, because you know yourself and you approve of what you know.
Moving Forward A regular exercise programme is a statement of personal power, strength, flexibility and endurance, and confirms personal control. It reinforces that what you do in your body you achieve in your work, your relationships and your dreams.
Result

The whole universe, the sum total of energy, moves as if in a flowing dance. So dancing, exercising and moving freely is a great metaphor for living – for being – in harmony. The person moving is at one with the universe and is fully human, fully alive.

Q. What are the benefits of movement?

A. A regular routine involving aerobic exercise, functional training, Pilates, yoga or pure dancing encourages improved food absorption, increased energy and stamina, restful sleep, reduced nervous tension, improved circulation, a stronger body and positive mood.

Q. Can movement impact our lifestyle?

A. People who exercise consume fewer drugs, coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, sugar and refined carbohydrates than non-exercisers, finding such things to be antagonistic to a healthy lifestyle.

Elisabetta Franzoso BA, Dipl.Psych, MSocSc Author of Stella’s Mum Gets Her Groove Back available at bookstores and www.amazon.com
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Join Elisabetta’s public workshops, Communication in 4Dimensions at Singapore Institute of Management. For further information email info@insideoutyou.com or call 6465 4605.

Elisabetta Franzoso is a highly self-driven coach and motivator who focuses on communication, self-expression and wellbeing. Her passion is to empower people to achieve excellence and transformation from the inside out. To complete your Well-Being Inventory Index and get your detailed personal Health and Wellness Assessment, contact Elisabetta and her team of professional Life Coaches, Psychological Counsellors, Fitness Trainers, Nutritionists, Physicians and Body Therapists.

For Aussies and Kiwis, April 25 is Anzac Day - a day of rememberance, commemoration and acknowledgement for allied military services of wars past and present.

How to pay your respects:
Attend the ANZAC Day dawn service Join members of the Australian and New Zealand community and pay tribute to true heroes. During this moving ceremony wreaths will be laid by the Australian and New Zealand high commissioners, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Singapore Government, the Singapore Armed Forces, the Singapore Ex-Services Association and members of the public. WHEN: April 25, 6:30am-9am. WHERE: Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery.
 

Throw a barbie Not the Mattel variety of barbie, or the overarm variety of throw, we’re talking about the "throw another prawn on the barbie" kind of action! Add in a game of Two-Up and come in spinner! For rules and how to play the digger’s game, click here. And for tasty cuts of meat visit The Butcher or Swiss Butchery - showcasing a special selection of Aussie-style offerings until April 25.
 

Go to the pub! Toasting your mates with a drop of amber liquid is a typical Aussie pastime and Boomarang Bistro and Bar gets in on the act by opening its doors from 7am for those returning from the dawn ceremony. Barrack for Essendon or Collingwood at the Anzac Day AFL game live on the big screen and boogie to DJ beats from 3pm until late.

But above all… Lest We Forget.

The right cup of coffee can make or break your day - according to my hubby that is. I myself can’t stand the taste. I wish I could, as I often envy his low-fat latte for dessert while I tuck into a calorie-laden piece of chocolate cake. Thankfully tea lattes are on the increase, so my wish to look sophisticated while I sip on a bit of froth and save a few calories has an increasing chance of being granted. Unfortunately tea lattes typically come with lashings of syrup or powders, but Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will use No Sugar Added powder upon request - cutting down on your calorie intake. Spinelli does a nice Honey Ginger Tea Latte and Starbucks has also started to make tea lattes. You can forgo the syrup on request, but I’d also recommend you ask they remove the tea bag before pouring in the hot milk, otherwise half your foam disappears with it! Maybe just ask for a cup of tea with hot milk on the side next time and save yourself $2 or so… 

At home we have a coffee machine, which I’ve never been able to fully appreciate. But I found a great Rooibos tea (caffeine-free) which has been ground into a concentrated form and can be used to make delicious rooibos lattes, click here for more info. As rooibos has a natural vanilla flavour there’s no need for added sugar, syrups or powders - the only problem is red espresso doesn’t ship to Singapore. So I ordered my tea online to a US address and then had a girlfriend bring it back with her after a holiday. Hopefully someone in Singpaore will soon cach on and start importing it by the bushel load - Coffee Bean, can you hear me?

But if coffee is more your thing you’re spoiled for choice. Granted Singapore isn’t the coffeelovers’ paradise of Melbourne or Italy, but a good caffeine hit shouldn’t be too hard to find - or is it? Here are the top four places I’ve been told serve "the best coffee in town":

1. Dimbulah Coffee - harvested from their own plantation in Queensland, Australia.
2. Boomarang - now with a cafe so you can buy your coffee on the run.
3. Oriole Cafe - known to be home of the best baristas in town.
4. Highlander Coffee - hosts workshops where you can learn to make the perfect at-home cup of coffee, or train to be a professional barista.

What do you think? Got a recommendation of your own? Comment and share…

 Photography: Highlander Coffee

I’m a big fan of shopping online, buying gifts for friends in the US via www.Amazon.com, designer threads for myself at www.ShopBop.com, presents, holidays and theatre outings for family in the UK via www.LastMinute.com - now also in Australia at www.LastMinute.com.au - and fab finds for Australia-based friends at family at www.Wishlist.com.au, plus spa, gourmet or sporting experiences at www.RedBalloonDays.com.au.

Finally Singapore has come to the party with www.NotInTheMalls.com, developed by Krista and Michelle - two fellow girls about town who were fed up with schlepping all over the Lion City to find that perfect gift, or well-deserved personal treat. Largely populated by the small businesses often seen at the fairs around town - who don’t have a boutique to call their own - Not In The Malls has more than 35 independent sellers offering a wide range of products for him, her, kids, baby, pets, home and travelling.

Check out this soft cotton Capri Ladies Maxi Dress by StarBlu, available in stunning tie-dyed summer shades. Perfect for your next beach holiday or poolside party, fully-lined with coordinating bead detail on straps. $169 at www.NotInTheMalls.com

Eager to showcase your Spielberg-like talents?

The 48 Hour Film Project invites all professional and budding filmmakers to register and compete to make the best short film in just 48 hours from April 30 to May 2. During this wild and sleepless weekend, you and your team will write, shoot, edit and score your own movie in just 48 hours. All films will be screened at Golden Village on May 12, with the Best Of selected for May 15. The "Best Film Of The City" will then be selected by judges and compete at an international level. To take part, register before April 19 and enjoy an early bird rate of $120, or $140 thereafter.

And the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture goes to…..