Aussie Finance Blog

Australian personal finance news, tips and advices.

Upgrade Your Career

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You can only climb a ladder one step at a time. It’s the same in the business or corporate world, with each step you take leading you higher in your chosen field. Furthering your education and improving your skill-set will give you the best chance of climbing that ladder and improving your lifestyle.

In today’s competitive work environment it makes sense to keep one step ahead of the competition, whatever your field of employment. There is always more to learn and greater learning can translate into greater earnings. Whether you are a recent school graduate or are of mature age with a keen desire to learn new skills, a huge range of study options are available to suit you. ... (read more)

Get the Best Deal on Your Next Car

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Purchasing a car is a little like playing poker. The dealer won’t reveal all his aces at once, and neither should you. Negotiating the best price is a matter of balancing your requirements against the dealer selling points. Make sure you keep a few aces up your sleeve for negotiation, and only make your final offer when you are exactly sure what you are paying for.

A savvy customer will be mentally prepared and sharp prior to setting foot inside the automobile showroom. Sales is psychology in action, and car dealers are experienced analysts looking to find a way to steer negotiations to a profitable conclusion. By utilising a few strategies you can control the negotiation from start to finish. ... (read more)

Save a Bundle with DIY Home Maintenance

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Australian house prices are among the highest in the world. The divide between the haves and have-nots continues to widen, with home owners in Australia now eagerly awaiting yet another upswing in values. Government incentives do little more than increase the asking price by vendors wanting to sell, and first home buyers are often at a loss as to how to find an affordable dwelling, especially in the capital cities. ... (read more)

Work Wardrobe Savings

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Our wardrobe and dress style is an indicator of the type of person we are. Clothing choices help us to identify with our peers, fit into a variety of social settings, and mark us as belonging to a particular group or society. Just as we like to feel comfortable in our bodies, by extension we also want to feel comfortable in knowing that our dress sense accurately represents us.

It’s easy to get excited when shopping for casual clothes, or when selecting a special item for a fun occasion or event. However, searching for work clothes can be a different story altogether. Work clothes don’t always match our personality and are often worn to conform to fairly strict guidelines, depending on your field of employment. Spending money on such items suddenly feels much less like fun and more like work. Work clothes can be rather bland and unexciting, plus very expensive. They usually can’t be too outrageous, grungy or revealing. ... (read more)

Making Money Doing What You Love

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No matter what our day job entails we all need time away from the pressure of work. Lots of people escape from the working grind by doing something they truly enjoy. Indeed, it seems we all need a release, a hobby or a passion to keep us vital and inspired. At some time, all of us have dreamt of turning our passion into our occupation. You may be a home chef, a musician, a crafts-person or any number of other things, but still remain obligated to work in a field you don’t really enjoy so much. ... (read more)

Real World Skills We Didn’t Learn at School

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For many of us our school days were some of the best times in our life. We made friends, had some fun and even learnt a thing or two. Then came our graduation and entry into the ‘real world’ where we were encouraged to stand on our own two feet and make a name for ourselves. Some progressive thinking kids had their career mapped out already: university, followed by employment in a specific field of expertise, a good wage and all the trappings that follow. ... (read more)

Making Smart Property Choices

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It’s easy to get excited about being a real estate investor. We have all heard the success stories and how easy it is to get in on the action. We are told that it’s as easy as purchasing a property, renting it out, and collecting the checks. In reality there is much more you need to know.

Is it affordable?

Along with location, affordability is the most significant determining factor in buying a property. It’s not much use mulling over properties that are priced beyond your ability to pay back a bank loan. Banks will need to see evidence of your capacity to pay a deposit on the house, plus extra finances to cover legal costs and stamp duty. This requires reasonably substantial savings even before you can begin your chosen calling as a real estate tycoon. ... (read more)

Do You Need an Insurance Broker?

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An insurance broker is hired in order to help your business obtain the appropriate cover. They assist clients by helping avoid risks or unnecessary expense. Some business owners consult an insurance broker for general insurance advice, although a qualified broker can also handle complex claims and legal matters.

Broker/client relationships take many forms:

  • Business risk analysis
  • Recommendations and quotes regarding insurance products
  • Implementing insurance policies
  • Assistance with forms and paperwork
  • Providing advice regarding claims
  • Annual revision of ongoing insurance needs

The process

The first step in the relationship is to consult a broker regarding your needs. By learning about your business a broker can make recommendations about insurance and risks. The broker will analyse your situation and compile insurance quotes. When a satisfactory arrangement has been decided, the broker will provide you with policies and documentation. If the relationship with your broker is ongoing the policies will be reviewed before your next yearly renewal. The broker will also investigate competing insurers to locate the most competitive price for your insurance. ... (read more)

Credit Score Mistakes to Avoid

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A bad credit score will cause a moneylender to consider you a risk. There are ways to plan right now if you are considering applying for a loan sometime in the future. Having a credit rating that doesn’t satisfy a moneylender will adversely affect your borrowing options. Some lenders claim that they will lend money to anyone regardless of a bad credit rating or history, but many of these financiers cover themselves by demanding unrealistically high interest and repayment terms. ... (read more)

Air Conditioning Angst

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The summer months are the time when many of us turn to our faithful air conditioner for relief. There is an inherent feeling of satisfaction in conquering oppressive heat while remaining in our comfort zone. It’s also a time of year when energy bills can skyrocket, arguments ensue about the environment or carbon footprint, and cooling alternatives are considered by frugal householders. What can be done to stay cool without breaking the bank? ... (read more)