We have a couple in their mid thirties. John has his own gardening business and brings home $45,000 gross after business expenses. He also has a...

We have a couple in their mid thirties. John has his own gardening business and brings home $45,000 gross after business expenses. He also has a part-time job at the local club earning $10,000 gross. Mary works in media grossing $85,000 p.a. after SG.They are paying off a mortgage of $520,000 on their own home which they just bought for $580,000. The mortgage costs them $2,890 per month.They have three children 9 months old, 2 year old and 4 year old and all attend day care 5 days a week. Total day care costs are $90 per day.He has a Self Managed Superfund with $34,000 in cash and contributes as a concessional contribution $2,500 p.a. He makes no other contributions.Her superannuation has $67,000 in a Capital Guaranteed Fund and Mary salary sacrifices $5,000 p.a. Mary has a second fund from a former employment which has $11,400 invested in cash.They have a joint savings account with $15,000 for emergencies.He has a term deposit for $10,000 in case he needs cash for the business.Three years ago she inherited a $27,500 share portfolio from her mother. The portfolio is now valued at $28,300.There are two car loans; her car, with $25,500 outstanding & costing $1,556 per month with 4 years to run. The other is his utility with $18,000 outstanding and costing $933 per month with 3 years to run.They have a store credit for a home entertainment system which they have just purchased. The interest free period is 18 months. The first payment of $325 is due at the end of this month.Their credit card has an outstanding amount of $25,565 and they make the minimum payment of 3%.There are two personal loans. The first one was for $15,000 taken out to pay for a world trip and costs $546 per month. The second is $6,000 taken out to pay for some eye surgery and costs $218 per month.He has young nephew who is living with them, but does not contribute to the household expenses he send as much as he can back to his family. He is an apprentice earning $18,000 before SG. He recently inherited $1,500 which, as stipulated by the will, he contributed to his superannuation as a non-concessional contribution.Their expenses, including all their non financial bills and living expenses are $3,000 per month.They have private health cover which costs them $235 per month.Mary’s mother, who is a widow, has just being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and has been told that towards the end she will not be able to communicate. She has asked Mary what to do about estate matters.Mary and John are finding that every month their credit card balance keeps increasing and are becoming concerned about it.