Australian personal finance news, tips and advices.
by AFB
Apart from buying a house, superannuation is likely to be one of the biggest investments that you will make in your lifetime. Understanding your options and making the right decision can make the difference between scraping by or having that well-deserved, worry-free retirement.
In 2005, new legislation was introduced that put the power of super firmly in the consumer’s hands and gave many Australians like yourself the power to choose which fund your contributions would be made into. ... (read more)
by AFB
Breathtaking landscapes and seascapes, vibrant urban life, laidback lifestyle—these are what pull people to Sydney. However, Sydney is not just the biggest city in the country, it is also the priciest. In fact, the UBS ranks Sydney as among the ten most expensive cities to live in. Basic expenses alone already cost around $2,500 for a family with one to two children. Ten years ago, a 2010 survey by the Sydney Business Chamber indicated that half of the survey respondents believe they need $100,000 or more per year to live comfortably. ... (read more)
by AFB
Living a frugal lifestyle in the era of social media, where everyone flaunts what they have and where they’ve travelled to, can be quite challenging—but there’s nothing great about living paycheque to paycheque either.
If you aren’t conscious about your spending, you might end up accumulating credit card debt. It will only eat away at your limited earnings as well as the money you’ve set aside for emergencies. As a result, it can easily compromise your financial future. ... (read more)
by AFB
Over 20 lives lost. More than a hundred bushfires still raging. Thousands of homes destroyed. Millions of hectares burned. NSW alone has lost five million hectares and 1,300 homes. These are the dismal statistics we read about the direct effects of bushfires that have been burning for months now in different parts of Australia.
But aside from these, Australia is severely affected by smoke that’s blanketing the country. There have been instances of asthma, breathing difficulties and other respiratory ailments in Sydney and other cities. People have been advised to stay indoors to avoid exposure to bushfire smoke. But while commercial buildings are equipped with HVAC systems that have filters, homes aren’t always equipped with such systems that protect family health. This is why home purifiers have been in high demand for most people lately. ... (read more)
by AFB
All Mortgage Brokers are not born equal. Like any service business, the quality of brokers’ offerings can vary from company to company and from broker to broker. This article will explore the qualities that you should avoid in a potential mortgage broker. Use this information to find a broker that will take the time to understand your situation and secure a mortgage product that’s right for you. ... (read more)
by AFB
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.
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)
by AFB
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)
by AFB
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)
by AFB
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)
by AFB
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)