Ways to save money without spoiling your social life
If you can make your money go the distance, pay day can be a wonderful thing. However, if it means that 48 hours from now you’re likely to be scrounging for shrapnel wondering how you’re going to pay bills and eat for the next fortnight – you might want to rethink how you’re managing your […]
Will Australian House Prices Crash? five reasons why it’s more complicated than you think!
A common narrative on the Australian housing market is that it’s in a giant speculative bubble propelled by tax breaks, low interest rates and “liar loans” that have led to massive mortgage stress and that it’s all about to go bust, bringing down the banks and the economy with it. Recent signs of price falls […]
Should you lend money to family?
What you should consider before handing over your hard earned savings You’re probably fairly used to helping your family out with a little extra cash here and there. Whether it’s pocket money for doing chores, or money to pay phone bills, go see a movie or buy clothes, for example. But what happens when they […]
Money can buy you happiness, you’re just spending it wrong
This is the view of Dr Michael Norton from Harvard Business School. Michael’s research indicates that money can indeed make you happy if you use it to buy experiences, time, or invest in others. Buying experiences – when we buy experiences, we don’t just buy the duration of that experience. Michael’s team’s research found that we’re […]
For the next time you’re itching to get out, but don’t want to spend a fortune, here’s a list of 10 things to do for about $10 (or less). 1. Get near some water If you live in Australia, you probably live within 50km of the coastline.i And if you don’t, there’s a good chance you […]
Six traits of Australians living the dream
Almost one in four Australians (23%) believe they are definitely or mostly ‘living the dream’, according to recent research from the Financial Planning Association.iHere are six traits that have helped them to achieve their dreams. 1. Strong personal habits Australians living the dream are family oriented, spending more quality time with their family during the […]
What to do when you come into money
Whether you’re faced with an inheritance, redundancy package or winning lottery ticket, it’s wise to consider your financial situation and future goals. For most of us, a financial windfall isn’t something that comes around very often. And while the extra cash is welcome, money matters may be the last thing on your mind if you’re […]
Planning is the key to making it financially
If you’ve paid off your home, have a healthy stash of super and take an overseas holiday each year, you’ve made it financially. That’s the view of many Australians according to recent research. A study by comparison site Finder found paying off the mortgage is the financial milestone 74% of Australians value most. Having enough […]
Managing your money when you move in together
Living together is a big step. You may be merging your lives more closely, but should you merge your finances? So you’ve taken the leap and decided to move in together. It’s an exciting time which can take your relationship to a new level, but it can also add new pressures as you address practical […]
How to avoid property pitfalls
If you have seen the movie Money Pit, in which Tom Hanks and Shelley Long play a hapless couple whose home renovations plummet from bad to disastrous with every swing of the hammer, it’s easy to see why buyers should be beware. But it’s not just hidden and costly repairs that can snag home owners […]