Aussie Finance Blog

Australian personal finance news, tips and advices.

How to choose the best mask for bushfire smoke

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Smoke mask is not a topic I would normally write about but given the circumstances (large bushfires in Australia), I think it’s important that we talk about the risks and options we have to protect ourselves and our family (including our pets). Scroll down if you are interested in the smoke masks only. I also found a smoke mask for dogs.

Protect Your Family from Bushfire Smoke

It is nearly the holiday season and the end of 2019 is just around the corner. But with dozens of bushfires raging all across the country, Australia is in a state of crisis. South Australia has shut down more than a hundred schools due to a Catastrophic Fire Warning and even those further away from the actual flames are suffering from the effects of wildfire smoke. ... (read more)

A Timeless Investment

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A good timepiece is always a worthwhile investment. It’s a functional accessory that can last for more than one lifetime. Plus, there are so many stunning models that won’t break the bank. These days, watchmaking has progressed to a point that even affordable watches are quite good and built to last. At the end of the day, you need to ask yourself: Do you want a watch that is primarily a luxury item or simply a reliable accessory for keeping the time? ... (read more)

Uncertainty Around AUD & What It Means For Aussie Travellers

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With the recent global uncertainty surrounding Brexit & the European Union, the Australian Dollar has continued to delve into some less than predictable waters. Coupled with Donald Trump’s continued trade war with China, there are a number of global external factors having a negative impact on our Aussie Dollar.  

Meanwhile with household debt increasing and house prices appearing to start to take a slump. Over the past few months, the Australian Dollar has started to decline against some of the more popular international currencies. In this article, we review what impact this is having on Australians planning on heading overseas. After all, there is nothing worse than feeling short-changed when you go and convert your AUD for foreign currency and feel like you can’t afford to go on holiday at all.
... (read more)

Securing a Car Loan in Australia

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Prospective car buyers are in for “excellent deals” this August, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said last week during the release of new vehicle sales data for July 2019.

A total of 83,184 new vehicles were sold. While year-to-date growth is still down 7.7%, this is better than June’s 8.4%.

From $1,000 in factory bonuses on Hyundai’s Tucson range, to a $6,000 discount off Fiat’s Abarth 124 Spider and the $44,990 drive-away price of Holden’s Colorado LSX, today’s buyers have so many options to choose from. ... (read more)

TransferWise Review: Money Transfers at True Mid-market Rates

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Picture this: You just land a great job, but it’s in a different country. You make the necessary arrangements, and you move there. Problem is, you need to send money back to your country regularly, maybe to pay for a mortgage, a phone bill or your family’s expenses.

Come payday, you calculate your budget and come up with the money you need to send before visiting the bank, only to find out that you lose a significant chunk of money to the bank by sending it. This is because banks do not follow the mid-market rate. ... (read more)

How Much Does Landscaping and Gardening Cost?

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Tasteful landscaping and gardening are very effective in increasing the sale value of homes and property. According to a recent article on OpenAgent, an investment in colourful plants, as well as practical garden spaces, can add at least $15,000 to the value of a home. Real estate agents have long extolled the value of simple flowering plants, which quickly enhance a property’s sale value.

Professional landscaping, such as decks, garden spaces, patios, and sitting areas, with fireplaces and pools, exemplify, to potential buyers, a space ready for restful family activities. Real estate agents tell us that professional landscaping can add 6 to 7 per cent to the value of a home, whereas, if you neglect your garden, it can lower the value of your home from between 5 and 15 per cent. ... (read more)

Comparing car insurance

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What should you look for when comparing policies?

Cars are a big expense, especially when it comes to insurance. Whether you’re buying insurance for the first time or your policy is due for renewal, you should always start by comparing your options. But where to start? Here are five things you should consider when comparing your car insurance options.

The cost

Cost is the first point of comparison for people when comparing policies because it’s the simplest way to compare, ie policy A costs more/less than policy B. ... (read more)

Comfort Spending: How to beat the $1400 a year habit

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By Rhianna Dews, Money Writer at Mozo

Despite all the benefits that come with the digital world we live in today, its fast pace has ultimately led to a rapid increase in stress and anxiety, with Beyond Blue data revealing that 1 in 7 Australians are currently experiencing an anxiety condition.

What makes matters worse is the way in which Aussies are coping with the pressure. Mozo’s 2019 Comfort Spending Report found that Aussies are spending $1,430 each year on average in attempts to dilute stress, boredom and anxiety. This works out to a massive total of $25.5 billion each year! ... (read more)

Undateable debt: Why it pays to know your partner’s credit score

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By Kate Browne

Nothing unravels a blossoming relationship quite like a bad credit history. Seriously!

Ok I know what you’re thinking “yeah right sure finance lady, it’s not about how you look or how you come across personality-wise or even if you are a dog or cat person it’s all about your credit report…give me a break.” And well that might be true, bear with me…. If you are going on a date it just might be worth checking your credit report – as well as the mirror – before heading out the door. ... (read more)

How to Use an Economic Calendar to Trade in Forex Markets?

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Every day countries publish economic reports, meetings of Central Banks are held, as well as governors give speeches. These events usually occur at a scheduled time. To keep abreast of the upcoming events traders use an economic calendar where the time of their release and the degree of importance are displayed.

An important economic event can significantly change the market price of the asset in a matter of minutes. Traders respond to news reports in different ways. Some traders expect such news and recommend not to miss the opportunity to benefit, while others stop trading before the releases and wait for the market to calm down. ... (read more)