Poole Group Wealth – December 2025

Market movements and review video – December 2025

Stay up to date with what’s happened in the Australian economy and markets over the past month.

The economy came under renewed pressure in November as inflation accelerated.

Higher inflation and a stronger labour market strengthened the view that the Reserve Bank of Australia’s easing cycle may have ended and fuelled speculation of a rate hike.

The ASX200 finished the month down 3%, marking its biggest drop in eight months. Major banks led the losses due to valuation concerns and fading hopes of near-term policy easing.

Global shares rose over the last week of November as the US shares rebounded on the back of increased confidence that the Fed will cut rates next month.

The positive global lead also pulled up Australian shares although they were constrained by a further rise in local inflation leading to talk that the next move by the RBA may be a rate hike later next year.

Click the video below to view our update.

Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

Poole Group Raise $4,318 for Movember: A Powerful Team Effort for Men’s Health

This year, Poole Group proudly took part in Movember, joining thousands of Australians committed to improving men’s health. With a mix of moustache-growing, fundraising challenges, and genuine community spirit, the team successfully raised $4,318 for this important cause.

Movember is more than just facial hair—it’s a global movement drawing attention to men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. By participating, our team helped spark conversations and contribute vital funds toward initiatives that save and improve lives.

A Team Effort With Real Impact

Throughout November, staff members embraced the spirit of the campaign, sporting fresh moustaches, encouraging donations, and sharing updates to raise awareness. The generosity of clients, colleagues, family, and friends played a huge role in helping the team exceed expectations.

Every dollar raised goes directly toward programs that:

• Support mental health and suicide prevention initiatives

• Fund ground-breaking men’s cancer research

• Provide critical support services for men and their families

You Can Still Get Involved

If you’d like to support the cause or share the message further, donations remain open. Every contribution—large or small—helps change the face of men’s health.

👉 Donate or share the link here:
https://movember.com/t/the-poole-group-dirt-lips?mc=1

A big congratulations and thank you to the entire Poole Group Movember team and everyone who donated. Together, we’ve made a meaningful difference.

Celebrating with heart – not habit

As the festive season approaches, there is a noticeable shift in the air. The days grow longer, school terms wrap up, and communities across the country begin to prepare for end-of-year celebrations in all kinds of ways.

For some, it is about unpacking boxes of decorations, preparing familiar family recipes and racing around the shops. For others, it is time to plan a beach day, host a casual BBQ, or simply enjoy a well-earned break from routine.

The festive season in Australia looks different for everyone. That’s part of what makes it so special. We live in a society full of rich cultural traditions. Some festive traditions have been passed down for generations, such as midnight Mass, lighting candles for Hanukkah, or gathering for a family meal on Christmas Day. Others have come to us through popular culture, often shaped by images of snowy winters and roaring fireplaces that don’t quite fit our sunny, southern hemisphere reality.

Think hot roast dinners in 35-degree heat, matching Christmas jumpers despite the sweat, and singing about snowmen and sleighbells.

And that’s okay. That’s part of the rich tapestry that is celebrating the festive season.

However, while tradition can be beautiful, it’s also worth asking yourself: do these traditions still bring joy to my life? Or am I doing them out of habit or obligation?

Reducing stress, reclaiming joy

The lead-up to the holidays can easily become overwhelming. This time of year often brings with it a long list of expectations about what to cook, how to decorate, where to be, and what to buy.

Trying to meet every expectation, real or imagined, can drain the joy right out of what is meant to be a time of celebration.

By letting go of pressure and embracing flexibility, we can shift the focus back to what really counts. Laughter. Connection. Rest. Reflection.

It is okay to opt out of what no longer fits. In fact, doing so often creates more space for what actually feels meaningful.

Rethinking what celebration looks like

While traditions can be a wonderful way to connect with our roots, they are not set in stone. Over time, life changes. Families grow and shift. Priorities evolve. The way we mark special moments can grow with us.

So, it is worth pausing to ask: are these traditions still adding joy to my life? Or am I continuing them out of pressure, or a sense of obligation?

Giving yourself permission to do things differently can be both freeing and fulfilling.

Making meaning in your own way

Reimagining tradition does not mean abandoning everything you love. It means choosing what feels right for you and creating space for joy, connection and rest – however that looks.

You might decide to swap the roast for prawns and salad and the pudding for a pavlova. Or ditch the mess of wrapping paper and presents in favour of shared experiences. You could even celebrate on a different day to reduce stress. Some people find joy in having a picnic in a beautiful location, taking a family beach walk at sunset, or simply spending the day unplugged from screens.

For others, creating new traditions might involve volunteering in the community or cooking dishes from their cultural heritage.

Whether your festive season is full of people or quiet moments, it only needs to reflect what matters most to you.

The season is yours to shape

There is no one way to celebrate. What is right for one person may not suit another and that is the beauty of it. The festive season does not have to look a certain way to be valid or joyful.

You might still love baking the same cake your grandmother made or singing carols in your street. Or you might find joy in starting completely new customs that reflect your values and lifestyle today. Either way, the important thing is that your celebrations feel true to you.

Small moments can become meaningful rituals too. A quiet morning coffee, a favourite song playlist, or calling someone you have not spoken to in a while are all things that can bring warmth and joy without adding stress.

Whatever this season means to you…

We hope it brings you joy.

How to spot a scam website

Recently, there was an alert about the ASIC Moneysmart website being impersonated. It’s part of a growing – and increasingly sophisticated – trend of scammers targeting reputable, high traffic websites.  

These days, websites can be very easily set up and look quite professional without much effort, thanks to templates. 

So, whether you’re visiting the website of your bank, insurer, or a government agency, how can you be sure you’re in the right place? Here are some top tips. 

Check the website address (URL) carefully

Does the URL match the content: Take the time to check a website’s URL. Many scammers take advantage of people not checking by showing content from known and trusted brands. 

Be wary of shortened links: If you receive a shortened link (like bit.ly), only click on it if you’re already confident that the website is genuine.  

Be wary of redirects: if a page ‘refreshes’ multiple times before it loads, with different content or a different URL, this may be because of multiple redirects – a warning sign of a scam website. 

Search for the website: If the website is from a major brand or is showing a news article from a well-known news source, search for the name or title in a search engine. Compare and check that it brings up the same URL.

How to check a URL 

The URL (web address) of the webpage you’re on will be in the browser bar at the top of your webpage. 

You can also check the URL of any links on a webpage simply by hovering your mouse over the link.   

Research the website

 Search for scam alerts and warnings

 You can check for alerts in a few ways:  

• Check the Investor alert list – Moneysmart.gov.au to see if ASIC has warned about the website or the entity operating the website.  

• Search for the URL or business name and the word ‘scam’ to see if consumers have warned others about losing money to a website online.  

• Check for international regulator warnings via International Securities & Commodities Alerts Network (I-SCAN). 

Check how old the website is 

Scam websites are often online for a short period of time before they get shut down or move on to a new website.  

You can check how old a website is by searching for ‘WHOIS search’ and conducting a free search. The ‘Registered On’ date is the date that a website was registered – anything newer that 6 months is a red flag.  

Look closely at the website content  

Unusual language: If a website uses an odd turn of phrase, try searching online for it. If many websites turn up which use the same wording, be cautious as they may be scam websites that were set up by the same person.  

Check for spelling and grammar errors: Scam websites often have poor language quality or awkward phrasing. Read it carefully to see if it makes sense. 

Being encouraged to invest? Here’s what to check before trusting a business with your money, and how to spot the signs of a scam.

Check the business information 

Check for a physical address, phone number and email. Legitimate businesses provide real contact details, and any license or registration details, clearly.  

Be on alert for these red flags: 

• Unusual contact channels: A website only offers communication via anonymous web forms, chat bots and social media accounts like WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram instead of providing a physical address and telephone number. 

• Vague address information: They list a large office building or coworking space as the office address without providing details like a floor number. They may provide a telephone number with a country code that doesn’t match the country of the physical address that has been provided. 

• Stock image staff photos: They use AI generated or stock photos for members of its staff. It is easy to check where an image comes from with a free reverse image search offered by a number of well-known search engines. 

• No licensing information for financial services: If the business is offering investments or other financial services, they should display license and registration details clearly. Speak to us before you consider investing.  

• Unusual digital footprint: A business may claim to work with a large client base or funds, but they have a limited web or social media presence.  

• Negative or overly positive reviews: There are negative reviews about the business online. Also be cautious if the reviews are overly positive or all sound similar – they may be fake. You could also check comments on their social media accounts. 

Other warning signs of scam websites 

Here are other signs you may be looking at a scam website:  

• A significant number of ads: a website may have more ads than content, or you are seeing a lot of pop-ups. 

• Broken links: If there is only one page, or links do not work, this may be a red flag. This can include broken links to their social media. 

• Unusual payment methods: If the business is asking for investments or payments using cryptocurrency, international funds transfer, or other unusual methods such as gift cards. 

• Multiple company websites: A search reveals more than one URL for this company – this might mean that one of them is an impersonation.  

Always be cautious of scammers impersonating legitimate businesses, especially if you are looking to invest your money. Look for signs of imposter bond scams and other investment scams.  

Report all scams to Scamwatch

Act fast if you suspect a scam

Report a scam

Scamwatch, run by the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), collates information about all scam types. They use this information to warn and protect the public. Scamwatch also sends information to other agencies, including ASIC and ReportCyber, to help stop scammers. Report all scams, including investment scams, to Scamwatch.

Reproduced with the permission of ASIC’s MoneySmart Team. This article was originally published at https://moneysmart.gov.au/online-safety/how-to-spot-a-scam-website
Important note: This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account.  It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.  Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns.
Important
Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

How generosity can be part of your financial plan

It’s the season for gifts, sharing meals and spreading cheer. But what if your festive generosity could do more? What if it could ripple through generations, perhaps shaping futures and maybe reduce your tax bill?

Giving isn’t just an act of kindness; it can also be a smart financial move. From helping loved ones today to creating a legacy for future generations, strategic gifting can align with your broader financial goals.

After all, Australians are generous. We consistently rank among the most charitable in the world with a study showing that, in the past year, 56 per cent of Australians have donated money and 31 per cent have donated their time.ⁱ

Australia, as a wealthy but ageing nation, is well-placed to grow charitable bequests, but the reality is less encouraging. The number of people leaving bequests to charities is low and the size of the bequests also “falls far short of international peers”, according to The Bequest Report by JBWere.ⁱⁱ

Why planned giving matters

Often, giving is reactive rather than planned. We might respond to a donation drive, an emotional TV ad, a friend’s fundraiser or gift property or shares to a family member.

But giving can also be intentional. Some people choose to set aside a portion of their annual income, commit to monthly donations or include charities in their wills. Others join workplace giving programs or support causes that reflect their values. In this way, generosity becomes less about impulse and more of a conscious decision.

There may be advantages in taking a more strategic approach. It can amplify your impact, build your reputation, open doors to new networks and potentially deliver tax benefits. Donations to organisations with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status can help to manage your tax position by reducing taxable income. If you give more than $2 to an organisation with DGR status, you can claim a 100 per cent tax deduction for your donation.ⁱⁱⁱ

Planned giving can help to create a lasting impact, building a legacy for family and community. It integrates generosity into financial planning, ensuring investments reflect personal or family values. In this way, it becomes a tool for involving younger generations in financial governance, teaching responsibility and shared purpose.

Strategic gifting can include early inheritance, education funding or contributions to a family trust. These approaches can reduce future taxes on your estate.

Structured giving options for lasting impact

For those looking to make a lasting impact on their communities, structured giving vehicles offer flexibility and control.

It can create long-term financial stability to favourite causes, providing predictable funding for charities. It can potentially reduce complexity in estate planning and ensure your wishes are carried out; and donating assets may offset capital gains tax liabilities.

Unlike mass market or other forms of giving, such as direct donations to charities, crowd funding and volunteering, structured giving involves using a vehicle designed to enable giving such as:

• Private Ancillary Funds – often used by families and individuals able to make a minimum initial contribution of $500,000 with a plan to grow the fund beyond $1 million.

• Public Ancillary Funds – suitable for those with a lower entry point of $20,000

• Community foundations or giving circles – enable donors to pool resources for local impact. Entry levels can be as low as $2,000.

• Donor Advised Funds or sub funds – a simpler, more flexible structure allowing donors to distribute funds over time. They can be established relatively quickly with some recommending an initial donation of a minimum $20,000.

Structured giving can also occur without using a dedicated vehicle through, for example, corporate cash donations or larger scale and planned contributions from individuals and families.

Giving isn’t just about generosity, it’s about creating a lasting impact.

We can help to create a giving strategy that supports your family and backs the causes you care about.

i World Giving Index | CAF

ii Bequest Report | JBWere

iii Inquiry Report – Future Foundations for giving | Productivity Commission