I have been working on creating a Super Co-contribution Calculator. Superannuation co-contribution is a great way to increase your retirement savings, and it is an Australian Government initiative to help low to middle income earners save for their retirement.

So how much co-contribution can you get from the government?

If you're eligible, you can get $1.5 co-contribution for every $1 you contribute - the maximum co-contribution amount being $1,500. The co-contribution reduces by 5c for every dollar you earn over $30,342 up to $60,342 for the financial year 2008-2009. Use the Super Co-contribution Calculator below to calculate how much you can get.

Calculate Super Co-contribution

Financial Year	2008-20092007-20082004-2007
After-tax Contribution
Annual Total Income
Government co-contribution *
Your Optimum contribution #

* You are entitled to a $20 of co-contribution if the calculated co-contribution amount is between $0 and $20.

# This is the amount you should contribute to maximize return on your investment.

What are the eligibility criteria?

For the financial year 2008-2009, from 1 July 2008, you will be eligible for the co-contribution if:

• you make a personal super contribution by 30 June 2009 into a complying super fund or retirement savings account


• your total income is less than $60,342 (this is indexed annually to reflect changes in average wages)


• 10% or more of your total income is from eligible employment, running a business or a combination of both


• you are less than 71 years old at the end of the year of income


• you do not hold an eligible temporary resident visa at any time during the year lodge your income tax return.

What is Optimum Contribution in the calculator?

If you earn more than $30,342, the co-contribution from the government becomes less and less. For example, if your total income is $40000, the government will chip in $1017.10 whether you contribute $1000 or $678.07. So you're not getting any bonus for extra contribution above $678.07, the Optimum Contribution.

How else can you boost your savings?

You can salary-sacrifice a portion of your salary and invest in your super. Thus you can reduce your taxable income and liable tax too. You won't get co-contribution from the government for that.

Compare Superannuation Funds

Disclaimer: This is just for educational purpose only. The author is not responsible for any consequences or losses due to actions taken solely based on the examples and advices given in this post.

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It has been a few weeks since I first installed Searchles related posts widget in my blog. So what is my opinion?

These are some of the features I like about Searchles Related Content Widget.

Ease of setup and configuration: It's so easy to set up. You don't need to worry about java scripts. Choose colors and size of the widget, and it's ready to go. The number of links displayed depends on the size of the widget. In comparison, it's way easier than installing Adsense (not that Adsense is hard to install).

Doesn't rely on tags/labels alone: It will work even if your site doesn't have labels/categories. I guess because Searchles scans all pages to display, it's more accurate than relying on labels.

Report for clicks : The best feature I like is I can see the report of clicks from the widget, which you can't get with other related post scripts. It's great to be able to check how many people use it to find more information. As visitors can see related information easily, it will somehow encourage them to stay around a bit longer. The disadvantage of it might be less frequent use of search box to find more information because the visitors are finding related information easier. But I'm not sure yet if that's the case.


What I am not so thrilled of

Index frequency: Although the initial indexing was pretty fast, I don't think it indexed every single post of my blog. It doesn't seem to scan frequently after that (based on the Indexed Articles stat). I hope they fix this issue to make it a perfect related post/content widget.

Overall, I'm very happy with it. I hope visitors are finding it useful too.

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Cadillac CTS

This year's Australian International Motor Show is bringing plenty of interesting cars in for car-lovers. It will be held from 9th Oct - 19th Oct. There will be six categories of shows.

• Supercar Central
  
• Family Day
  
• Concept cars
  
• Classic Car Promenade
  
• Waeco 4WD Action Track
  
• Centre for Road Safety (featuring the NSW SpeedBlitz Blues cricket team)

Bolwell Nagari

Supercar Central brings together some of the best low-volume, hand-crafted exotics the automotive world has to offer, including the $2.1 million Koenigsegg CCX supercar from Sweden, the $1.5 million Pagani Zonda Roadster from Italy and the spectacular Bolwell Nagari sports car from Australia.

Koenigsegg CCX

Mazda Taiki

This year there are two Family Days, on Saturday 10 and Saturday 18 (October), which will be great fun for the kids. The Wiggles' Dorothy the Dinosaur and Friends will visit Volkswagen Pavilion, and Roary the Racing Car's Activity Zone will keep the kids entertained with colouring competitions and games. Fifi from Fifi and the Flowertots and Bob the Builder will appear on both Family Days to add to the excitement.

Place

Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
Darling Drive, Darling Harbour
Australia
Ph: (02) 9282 5000
Fax:(02) 9282 5041
www.scec.com.au


Date & Time

Thursday, October 9 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Other weekdays 10:00am – 10:00pm
Saturdays 9:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday, October 12 9:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday, October 19 9:00am – 7:00pm

For more information, please visit Cars Guide.

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Ferrari Enzo has always been one of my dream sport cars. Only 400 were manufactured.


The Enzo can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.14 seconds and can reach 100 mph (160 km/h) in 6.6 seconds. The ¼ mile (~400 m) time is from 10.8 to 11.2 sec at well over 130 mph (210 km/h) and the top speed is estimated at 354 kilometers per hour (230.95 mph). It is rated at 12 mpg–U.S. (19.6 L/100 km / 14.4 mpg–imp) in the city and 18 mpg–U.S. (13.07 L/100 km / 21.6 mpg–imp) on the highway.

Here are some facts about Enzo.


Manufacturer Ferrari
Parent company Fiat Group
Production 2003–2004 (400 produced)
Predecessor Ferrari F50
Body style(s) Berlinetta
Layout Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine(s) 6.0 L V12
Transmission(s) 6 speed semi-automatic
Wheelbase 2650 mm (104.3 in)
Length 4702 mm (185.1 in)
Width 2035 mm (80.1 in)
Height 1147 mm (45.2 in)
Curb weight 1365 kg (3009 lb)
Related Maserati MC12, Ferrari FXX

Here is a youtube video of FERRARI ENZO Vs. CAMARO MUSTANG. Nice

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Is anyone in Brisbane interested in free fitness classes and free samples of Vaalia yoghurt after each class? There are two types of classes -- Mind and Movement (combination of pilates, yoga and tai chi) and Aqua Aerobics. Here is the extract from Our Brisbane site.

Vaalia Yoghurt Feel Good Program.

Back by popular demand, Vaalia's FREE fitness classes in the South Bank Parklands will be kicking off in October.

As part of the series there will be a weekly giveaway of a Vaalia prize pack, as well as free samples of Vaalia yoghurt after each class.

This is the perfect opportunity to get active and ready for summer while enjoying the beautiful surrounds of the South Bank Parklands.


For more details and timetables, visit here.

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There are free Lancome and Emporio Armani perfume sample promotions going on in Myer and David Jones. Lancome Magnifique is available in Myer, David Jones and other selected pharmacies while Emporio Armani Diamonds for Men is only available in DJ. Click on the pictures below to visit the promotion sites or download the Lancome ticket from here. Of course "Available while stocks last".




I hope you all enjoy them.

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Security scanners that can see through passengers' clothing and reveal details such as their sex organs, colostomy bags and breast size, are being installed in 10 US airports.

A random selection of travellers getting ready to board airplanes in Washington, New York's Kennedy, Los Angeles and other key hubs will be shut in the glass booths while a three-dimensional image is made of their body beneath their clothes.

While it allows the security screeners - looking at the images in a separate room - to clearly see the passenger's sexual organs as well as other details of their bodies, the passenger's face is blurred, TSA said.

TSA foresees 30 of the machines installed across the country by the end of 2008. In Europe, Amsterdam's Schipol airport is already using the scanners.

Source

I think there is always a trade-off between security and privacy. I hope they know what they are doing.

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I found it quite frustrating to find Myanmar fonts (Burmese fonts) when I needed. You might get one or two here and there. So I've compiled a list of Myanmar fonts. Although it's not complete, I hope you will find it quite helpful.

Fonts included in the zip file are:
Myanmar1 Normal
Myanmar1 Bold
Myanmar2 Normal
Win Haka
Win Han Pagan
Win Amarapura
Win BaikThaNo
Win Dagon
Win Dawei
Win Haka
Win Han
Win Hlaing
Win Innwa
Win InnLay
Win KaLaw
Win Kyemone
Win Kyauktan
Win Loikaw
Win LaShio
win Monotype
Win Mandalay
Win Mawlamyine
Win PhaAn
Win Ponnya
Win PyinOoLwin
Win PyinYa
Win Pyu
Win Researcher
Win Sittway
Win Typewriter
Win TaungGyi
Win ThanLyin
Win WingDings
Win Yadanapon
Zawgyi One

Download from here

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While the Burmese government is not doing enough to help the cyclone victims, Telstra has offered free calls to Burma from your land line.

Australians can use their home phone to contact friends and family in Burma without charge from Saturday until midnight (AEST) on Monday, May 19.

The free period started at midnight, meaning calls made on Saturday morning would also be free.

If any caller was inadvertently billed during the free period they should contact Telstra for a refund.

I wish all victims can recover soon.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

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This magic eye is fantastic. I've never seen any such 3D effects in text, only in graphics such as this. I love it.

Tip: Watch it with crossed eyes and adjust your eyes a bit until it becomes two layers.

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Yesterday I was looking for some wallpapers of fast cars and I found these two sites with high resolution and high quality pictures.

Dieselstation.com
Desktopmachine.com

Here are my two favourite pictures of Bugatti Veyron. They look so dynamic and moving while you watch. View them in full screen. Fantastic!!!

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See the Bugatti Veyron in Melbourne Motor Show 2008

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The Bugatti Veyron, the fastest and most expensive production car ever built, will make a special appearance at the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show for three days only.


With a top speed of more than 400 km/h and an estimated Australian price of $2.7 million, the Veyron makes all other supercars look slow and inexpensive by comparison.



The special show car has been brought to the Motor Show in collaboration with the organisers of the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide and Trivett Bespoke Automotive, the Australian importer/dealer for Bugatti.

Veyron’s specifications and performance are breathtaking, with a top speed of 407 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 2.5 seconds – it can do the 0-200 km/h run in just 7.3 seconds.


Its 16-cylinder, 8-litre engine produces a massive 736 kW (1001 horsepower in the old measure) which it transmits to all four wheels through a seven-speed sequential automatic transmission.

Luxury and performance details abound, with a cockpit that recaptures the glory days of hand-built classic Bugattis and features such as a large spoiler that deploys above 200 km/h.


The pop-up spoiler doubles as an air brake at higher speeds, adding to the tarmac-tearing power of the massive carbon ceramic disc brakes to stop the car from 100 km/h in just 31.4 metres. Watch a Bugatti Veyron in action.

Veyron is built around a carbon fibre monocoque body shell and features magnesium, titanium and aluminium components to keep its weight down to just under 1900 kg.

To put the Veyron into perspective in a world of more "everyday" supercars, the Bolwell Nagari to be launched at the Motor Show also features a carbon fibre monocoque, but is half the weight and likely to be one-tenth the cost.

Address: Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Clarendon Street, Southbank (Melway Map 2F, Ref A9)

Show Time:

• 29 Feb (Fri) 5pm-10pm
  
• 1-9 Mar (Sat-Sun) 10am-10pm
  
• 10 Mar (Mon) 10am-6pm

Note:Veyron will appear at the Motor Show from 5pm to 10pm on Friday, then from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday, 29 February to 2 March.

Admission: Adults $18.00; Children (5-15) $10.00; Children under 5 Free; Concession $14; Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) $44.00

Source: www.motorshow.com.au

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Emotiv EPOC "brain-computer interface device", a neuroheadset that allows the wearer to play videogames simply by thinking has been unveiled at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco and will go on sale in late 2008.

The Emotiv EPOC has 14 neurosensors that branch off it like fingers sitting on the sides of the temple and top of the head.

The device can detect conscious thoughts, areas of brain activity, facial expressions and even some emotions such as frustration, shock and anger, and will cost about $US300 when it is released.

I can't wait to see it!!!

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Last week, I received a security device from HSBC Bank. It looks like a key chain and it has got a LCD display and a button. Whenever the button is pressed, it will generate a time-sensitive, single-use six-digit Security Code for you to use when logging on to Internet Banking. That code is needed together with user ID and password. It takes more process to log in now, but I think security has been greatly increased. The best thing is it's totally free.

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Have you ever played any game that teaches you financial literacy? Are you wondering if such game exists at all? Yes, it does. But it isn't Monopoly. All you do in Monopoly is buy, sell and collect money. I've found a much better game than Monopoly, that can teach financial literacy & investment skills. It's so enjoyable to play that you won't even notice that you're learning a lot while you're playing it.

It's Cash Flow 101 game created by Robert Kiyosaki, the best-selling author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". Although I read about the game in "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", I didn't have a chance to play it until last week. Once I played a few games and became familiar with it, I've been hooked with it.

As the name suggests, it's all about cash flow, and you've to try to win the game by moving yourself from "Rat Race" to "Fast Track", and then achieving your initial dream. "Rat Race" represents active income (or) salary (or) wages, and "Fast Track" stands for passive income such as investments and businesses. Your financial statement is the most important tool to guide you through the game. You need to prepare and balance it at every stage.


As you can see in the above picture, there are 4 categories in the financial statement: Income, Expenses, Assets & Liabilities. According to Robert, assets are the ones that put money into your pocket, and liabilities are those that take money out of your pocket. I believe this is the most important concept in Cash Flow 101 as well as in the real world. You might think you are buying assets but if the expense of your investment is higher than the income it brings to you, then it will be a liability for you (unless the prices increase and you can sell at a higher price in the future, in other words negative gearing). But Robert doesn't encourage negative gearing, since you might have financial hardship if you can't sell it for a higher price.

The game is quite similar to real life. There are Opportunities (to invest), Doodads (unexpected expenses), Paychecks (income), Charity, Child expenses, Downsize (job loss, etc). If you are in the "Rat Race", your income may be just a bit higher than your expenses. You're financially vulnerable in this stage, so you need to save more money to buy investments that will bring positive cash flow. The more assets you have, the higher your income will be. Thus you can invest more and when your passive income is high enough, you can get out of the "Rat Race".


This is the screen shot of "Fast Track". There are more opportunities in "Fast Track". Although there are still unexpected expenses, the damage they can do to you is not significant. This is the life of investors and successful business people.

After you've been in the "Fast Track", you need to achieve your initial dream to win the game, such as buying a yacht, etc. The first person who achieves his/her dream wins the game.


There are so many things to learn from Cash Flow 101 and all of them are essential skills for every one, but they are hardly taught at school. If you haven't played this game yet, I would recommend you to do so. There is a more advanced version called "Cash Flow 202" that includes bull market, bear market, etc. I can't wait to play it.

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Finally long awaited Xbox 360 is out now (released on 22nd Nov 2005) with all the greatnesses a game console could bring. The console is backward-compatible with all previous Xbox games, so you don't need to throw your favourite games. Xbox live is even better with the new generation console. Xbox Live Silver, available to anyone with an Xbox 360 or Xbox 360 Core System console, a hard drive or a memory unit, and a broadband connection, provides many free features, including messaging and downloads. The second level of service—Xbox Live Gold, with the option to play multiplayer games online—costs the same as your original Xbox Live subscription.

There have been long lines outside the stores for people looking to buy an Xbox 360. Because of its limited supply, it may disappoint some serious gamers too. Big American retailers, including Best Buy and Target , reported running out of the new console at most stores following its North American debut on Tuesday. As a result, many new owners are selling Xbox 360 on eBay for almost twice the retail price.

By midday Wednesday, nearly 7,700 Xbox 360s had sold on eBay at an average price of $US786 ($1065) , a spokeswoman for eBay said. The basic unit retails for $US300. A premium package that includes accessories and a hard-drive that allows gamers to play existing Xbox titles costs $US400. (Reuters)

Here are some of the Greatness Xbox 360 brings.

CPU 3.2GHz x 3
ATI Graphics Porcessor 500MHz
RAM 512MB
High Definition 720p, 1080i
Hard Drive (detachable) 20GB
miscellaneous
48 parallel shader pipelines
Supports DVD, CD, DVD-ROMs, DVD-R/RW, MP3, JPEG
USB x 3
Wireless Controller

I am sure Xbox 360 the greatest game console so far and many gamers will be satisfied with it. If you could grab a console for retail price before Christmas, I would suggest not to hesitate. You might be able to make money by selling it on ebay!!!

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After waiting for nearly 5 days since I joined Google Analytics, the first report is available now. It's quite frustrating that you have to wait for so long while Google kept saying it would be available in next 12 hours. I can understand that a lot of web masters joined Google Analytics in such a short time, and Google servers must have been too busy servicing new customers and collecting massive amount of data. But I think they should have guessed the amount of attention they would be receiving.

Anyway, what is my impression about Analytics report? I was very surprised to see such a complete report. They have more information about your site traffic than you would actually use. I've seen other free analysis programs and nothing can compare with Google Analytics. They have got statistics of how many new and returning visitors you have got, how many visits returning visitors made, how many visitors came from each referrer (such as search engines or those who linked to you), how many came from which countries/cities, how many visitors have java disabled, and many many more. I am sure such data will be helpful to promote your site and to check which of your efforts are working to what extent. I still can't believe that you can receive such analysis for totally free.


There are some room Google Analytics can improve too of course, such as excluding my own visits from the report whether I use static IP or not, and the feature to choose any Time Zone (so far it uses only Pacific Standard Time). I would love to see the report updated within an hour or so if not within seconds as most counters do. At the moment the data for yesterday and today are still not available. But we can't complain much since it has been functioning for a few days only, can we? One thing I'm not so sure is the accuracy of the report. So far the total number of pageviews for any day is a lot lower than the numbers shown by the statcounter I'm using. I do trust the result from my statcounter since I can see the result of each visit within seconds, and I can disable the counter for my own visits. So I'll still stick to my statcounter while testing Google Analytics.

Overall, I'm quite overwhelmed with all the services Google Analytics will be providing and I think Google has done it again.

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Great news for iPod owners who have been unsatisfied with its battery life. What does 200hr playback sound for you? Yes, iCel has created 3 models (iCel 201, 202, 205) of portable power source, that can offer up to (50 hrs, 96 hrs & 200 hrs) respectively. They are compatible with Games, DVD players, InMotion and more.

The operation is very simple too. You just need to use a firewire to power your iPod from iCel. This is going to be another hot item for X'mas.



Visit iCel for more details.

Technorati Tags iPod gadget

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Since I wrote Million Dollar Idea ,I've been searching for some pixel-advertising sites where I can advertise my blog for free. Advertising with them will help my blog in terms of SE ranks & traffic. Here are a few great sites where I added. Some links have been up & running, and I'm very hapy with that.


Here they are.

Pixel Your Page
Free Million Pixels (Very quick!!! Once you verify your email, it will upload your link straightaway)
Free Pixel Advertising (Thanks to Mike's suggestion in comments)
Like 5
Million Pixel Page (Limited time only)

I hope they will bring more traffic for you. Please feel free to ask Q's or tell me what you think about them.

Technorati Tags pixel advertising blog

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