VivaEthical Financial Advice

02/06/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱.

Most people start by scanning their portfolios for the obvious 'bads' like to***co, weapons, or old-school fossil fuels. It feels like a win when you’ve successfully filtered out the industries that cause harm.

While avoidence is a starting point, it has a hidden flaw: it doesn't actually drive the transition to a sustainable economy.

Removing a company from your list stops you from 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 the problem, but it doesn't necessarily 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

This is exactly where things like '𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘺𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨' slip through the cracks. It sounds like a solution, but it often functions as a justification to keep producing more plastic while calling it green.

This mistake persists because 'doing no harm' is easy to measure and even easier to market. It is the default setting for many large-scale ethical funds because it requires less research than finding companies that are moving the needle.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵.

Rather than just screening out the bad, the focus should be on identifying companies that deliver a net positive impact. These are the businesses creating genuine circularity, reducing total production, and solving the energy intensity issues that tech-fixes like chemical recycling ignore.

What you can do to shift your focus:

𝟭. 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 '𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆': Does your investment actually help a green solution grow, or is it just sitting in a 'less bad' corporate giant?
𝟮. 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: Question the yield of recycling claims. If a brand promotes chemical recycling, check if they are actually reducing their virgin plastic use.
𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: See if your fund is purely using negative screens or if they are proactively investing in sustainability leaders.
𝟰. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘀: Support companies and policies that aim to make less waste in the first place, not just those finding complex ways to burn it.

𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Ethical investing is more than just a list of 'don'ts'. It is about directing capital toward companies that are physically and economically building a better future.

𝘕𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘴: 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥?

Book a Call → https://www.vivafp.com.au/podcast -calendlycom-elizabeth-48-15-minute-phone-chat

20/05/2026

𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 '𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝘁' 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

What does the world look like if millions of Australians redirected their super toward companies fixing the problems we face?

Picture a shift toward:
• Targeting the circular economy instead of just avoiding waste.
• Backing water purification and resource recovery as core portfolio drivers.
• Investing in businesses that actively restore ecosystems rather than those that just extract less.
• Aligning your retirement savings with the long-term survival of the systems we depend on.

When you shift from passive avoidance to active contribution, your superannuation stops being a neutral pot of money. It becomes a vote for a regenerative future where ethics and long-term returns are inseparable.

𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Screening out harm is only the starting line. True responsible investing targets competitive returns by actively backing the solutions our future requires.

𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀:
Book a Call: https://www.vivafp.com.au/podcast -calendlycom-elizabeth-48-15-minute-phone-chat
Download your free Guide to Ethical Investing: https://www.vivafp.com.au/podcast

13/05/2026

Remember to claim your tax deduction for personal super contributions well before the 30 June 2026 cut-off. Most super funds have a pre- set date before the end of the financial year for contributions and submitting the Notice of Intent ( ATO documentation)

Remember: claim your tax deduction for personal super before 30 June 2026

Many people assume tax deductions for super contributions are only for business owners.

They treat their super as a passive "hands-off" account managed by their employer, missing one of the most effective ways to lower their tax bill.

The hidden flaw in this approach is leaving your tax outcome to chance. If you have "headroom" in your $30,000 annual cap after employer contributions and salary sacrifice, you can top it up with your own cash to claim a deduction.

People often miss this because they think the 30 June deadline is just a suggestion. It isn't. If the money hasn't cleared in your fund's bank account by 30 June, the deduction is gone for that year.

Key points to get right:
* Check MyGov for your total employer contributions to date.
* Transfer funds 7–10 days early. Electronic transfers aren't instant during the June rush.
* Lodge a ‘Notice of Intent’ form with your fund before you do your tax return.
* Meeting the work test is mandatory if you are aged 67–74.

Important detail: The "Carry Forward" rule.
If your balance is under $500,000, you might have unused caps from the last five years. You could potentially contribute much more than $30,000, which is useful if you have a capital gain to offset.

Bottom line: Your contribution isn't deductible until your fund sends you a formal acknowledgement. Don't wait until the last week of June to act.

Next steps:
If you want to ensure your contributions are tax-effective and ethically aligned, let’s talk.
Book a FREE Call: https://www.vivafp.com.au/podcast -calendlycom-elizabeth-48-15-minute-phone-chat
Download your free Guide to Ethical Investing: https://www.vivafp.com.au/podcast

13/05/2026

Remember: claim your tax deduction for personal super before 30 June 2026

Many people assume tax deductions for super contributions are only for business owners.

They treat their super as a passive "hands-off" account managed by their employer, missing one of the most effective ways to lower their tax bill.

The hidden flaw in this approach is leaving your tax outcome to chance. If you have "headroom" in your $30,000 annual cap after employer contributions and salary sacrifice, you can top it up with your own cash to claim a deduction.

People often miss this because they think the 30 June deadline is just a suggestion. It isn't. If the money hasn't cleared in your fund's bank account by 30 June, the deduction is gone for that year.

Key points to get right:
* Check MyGov for your total employer contributions to date.
* Transfer funds 7–10 days early. Electronic transfers aren't instant during the June rush.
* Lodge a ‘Notice of Intent’ form with your fund before you do your tax return.
* Meeting the work test is mandatory if you are aged 67–74.

Important detail: The "Carry Forward" rule.
If your balance is under $500,000, you might have unused caps from the last five years. You could potentially contribute much more than $30,000, which is useful if you have a capital gain to offset.

Bottom line: Your contribution isn't deductible until your fund sends you a formal acknowledgement. Don't wait until the last week of June to act.

Next steps:
If you want to ensure your contributions are tax-effective and ethically aligned, let’s talk.
Book a FREE Call: https://www.vivafp.com.au/podcast -calendlycom-elizabeth-48-15-minute-phone-chat
Download your free Guide to Ethical Investing: https://www.vivafp.com.au/podcast

13/05/2026

Many people assume tax deductions for super contributions are only for business owners.

They treat their super as a passive "hands-off" account managed by their employer, missing one of the most effective ways to lower their tax bill.

The hidden flaw in this approach is leaving your tax outcome to chance. If you have "headroom" in your $30,000 annual cap after employer contributions and salary sacrifice, you can top it up with your own cash to claim a deduction.

People often miss this because they think the 30 June deadline is just a suggestion. It isn't. If the money hasn't cleared in your fund's bank account by 30 June, the deduction is gone for that year.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:
* Check MyGov for your total employer contributions to date.
* Transfer funds 7–10 days early. Electronic transfers aren't instant during the June rush.
* Lodge a ‘Notice of Intent’ form with your fund before you do your tax return.
* Meeting the work test is mandatory if you are aged 67–74.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱" 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲.
If your balance is under $500,000, you might have unused caps from the last five years. You could potentially contribute much more than $30,000, which is useful if you have a capital gain to offset.

𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Your contribution isn't deductible until your fund sends you a formal acknowledgement. Don't wait until the last week of June to act.

𝘕𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 👇

09/05/2026

When you see "Sustainable" or "Ethical" in a fund name, it's easy to assume the hard work of screening has been done for you.

I’ve seen many people choose their Super or investment portfolios based on these names, believing they’ve finally divorced their money from industries like armaments or fossil fuels. It feels like a win for your values and your future.

The mistake here isn't wanting to invest ethically. It's assuming that a marketing label is the same thing as a guarantee.

Recently, as ASIC has tightened its grip on greenwashing, we've seen that what is on the brochure often looks very different from what is actually in the portfolio. You might find a "Green" fund that still holds mining giants because their revenue from coal is "only" 9%.

True transparency requires looking past the the marketing. If you want to know what you actually own, you need a different approach to your due diligence:

1. Look at the full holdings. Don't just check the top 10 companies. Ask for the list of every single asset in that fund.
2. Question the revenue limits. Many funds allow a "buffer" for problematic industries. Decide if a 5% or 10% exposure to something you dislike is a compromise you're willing to pay for.
3. Watch their actions, not just their words. Check the proxy voting record to see how the fund manager actually voted on climate or social resolutions at annual meetings.
4. Seek independent proof. Look for RIAA (Responsible Investment Association Australasia) certification and LEAF ratings ( Ethical Advisers Co-op), rather than relying just on the fund's internal scoring.
5. Watch out for "closet indexing." Make sure you aren't paying high fees for a sustainable fund that is essentially just a standard market index with two companies removed.

Clarity isn't just about feeling good about your choices; it is a vital part of managing your financial risk. If a manager is vague about what they hold, it is hard to trust their strategy.

Have you ever done a deep dive into your portfolio's holdings? I'd love to hear if you found anything in there that surprised you.

30/04/2026

There’s a common myth in investing: you have to choose between making a profit and making a difference.

For a long time, 'ethical' investing just meant "I don't invest in to***co or gambling." We call that 'doing no harm'.

But what if your wealth could 'do good' instead?

Imagine your superannuation or investment portfolio actively funding schools, reforestation, or disability housing—all while meeting the performance benchmarks you need for a comfortable retirement.

If you’ve ever felt a disconnect between your personal values and where your money is parked, it might be time for a portfolio alignment.

Tag a friend who is passionate about ethical living—they might not realise their investments can reflect that too.

29/04/2026

Most people spend their entire lives asking, "Do I have enough to retire?"

But once that box is ticked, a much more important question emerges: "What is my money actually doing while I'm not using it?"

Traditional financial planning is great at the 'how much' and the 'when'. But it often misses the 'what for'.

If you care about your community, the environment, or leaving a specific legacy, your investment portfolio shouldn't just be 'neutral'. It should be an extension of your values.

At Viva Ethical , we go beyond simply 'avoiding the bad' to actively 'funding the good'—whether that’s supporting sustainable energy, medical research, or local infrastructure.

The best part? Aligning your wealth with your purpose doesn't have to mean compromising your financial security. It’s about making your capital work twice as hard: once for your future, and once for the world.

What’s one cause you’d love your wealth to support long-term? Let’s start the conversation in the comments.

27/04/2026

When you're investing, diversification isn’t just a strategy – it’s a necessity. Why? Because picking the winners is tough❗

🔸 In March 2026, Morningstar released its biannual Asset Class Gameboard, tracking the performance of seven major asset classes over the last 20 years to December 2025.

🔸 The gameboard highlights the winners and laggards every year, but the big takeaway is the huge variation in performance — proving how hard it is to predict future winners and why portfolio diversification matters.

🔸 Diversification means managing risk by balancing your investments. The right mix depends on your financial risk tolerance and goals. Avoid over-diversifying; focus on assets that truly align with your objectives.

🔸 Want to learn more? Check out our blog
https://vivafp.squarespace.com/config/pages/68e49ca92d66014d427a8d4a

🔸 And contact us here for a quick chat
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