Aussie Finance Blog

Australian personal finance news, tips and advices.

What Is a Line of Credit

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Fluctuating fortunes mean there will always be times when assistance is required to plug financial gaps, pay bills and keep the business afloat. There are options for quick finance, such as credit cards, but interest repayments can make them cost-prohibitive in many situations. An alternative loan option is a line of credit, with lower interest rates and other budget-friendly features.

A bank line of credit provides customers the opportunity to borrow additional funds or utilise equity. Banks extend lines of credit (LOC) for a multitude of purposes, from home renovations to business expansion and more. The most well-known of this loan type is the home equity line of credit (HELOC), usually used for renovating or remodelling established residences. A line of credit is also accessible to the self-employed, those with inconsistent earnings, and people wanting to get their business off the ground. ... (read more)

How to Live on Less Money in Australia

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As the cost of living rises, more Australians are teetering close to the financial abyss. Our consumer driven society has generated tremendous financial rewards for a minority of the population at the expense of everyone else, and the gap between rich and poor is wider than ever. We can’t all be rich, but nobody enjoys being poor, and while opting out of capitalist society is a dream worth considering, it isn’t possible for people with ongoing expenses, obligations, or a family to feed. ... (read more)

6 Hacks To Cut Down Your Business Expenses in the New Financial Year

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With the end of financial year fast approaching, and a new one right around the corner, it’s time to think about ways to cut down your business expenses. Some hacks are more obvious than others, so here is a list of the ones you might not know about.

Capitalising on commercial property depreciation deductions

Across the board, tax experts agree that businesses often pay more tax than they actually need to. They also agree that a great way to cut your tax bill is by capitalising on depreciation deductions on the commercial property you own or rent – something many businesses miss out on. ... (read more)

Why is Savings Considered a Financial Investment

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There are features unique to both financial saving and investing, and understanding their different attributes is important. Saving preserves and protects money, while also accruing compound interest, whereas investing allows money to grow within share market fluctuations. Both saving and investing are used as short and long-term strategies for financial gain.

Investing entails greater risk and is usually undertaken with astute financial guidance. On the other hand, saving money and accumulating capital is less complex and more familiar to most people. Saving with a bank is considered a safe alternative to rolling the dice on shares, especially if finances aren’t fluid enough to cover any losses. It’s possible to get rich quickly, but most fail trying, while the get-rich-slowly savings method will work for anyone with patience and foresight. ... (read more)

How to Budget and Save Money on a Low Income

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Surviving on a low income isn’t easy in times when the cost of everything is rising faster than the average wage. Financial obligations can be frustrating and fraught with uncertainty even with proper money management, while saving money can seem almost impossible during lean times. People who want to budget and save money on a low income do have options, but creative thinking is required and diligence is essential. ... (read more)

What’s the difference between a check card, a debit card and a credit card?

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Bank cards are used for most financial transactions these days and people are familiar with the technology. However, there are differences between check cards, debit cards and credit cards that need to be understood. Bank cards can be used for financial freedom and financial restraint, ultimately assisting with money management – but only when used wisely.

Each type of card has its pros and cons, although they are all versatile and almost universally accepted. There are occasions where cash payment is still preferred, but almost everyone carries a check card, debit card or credit card. In fact, it’s not uncommon to carry a range of bank cards for specific purposes and payment options. Understanding the difference between check cards, debit cards and credit cards is relatively easy, as check and debit cards perform similar functions. ... (read more)

Are There Loans For Weddings?

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Weddings have always been special occasions worth celebrating in style. The tradition remains, and modern weddings are an opportunity for the bride and groom to shine. However, getting married is a huge step, and planning the event is a complex undertaking deserving a lot of consideration. The cost of a wedding can be overwhelming for couples who haven’t saved up for the big day, with dress, venue, catering, cars etc. all biting hard into the budget. A wedding loan could be the answer. ... (read more)

5 Reasons Not to Buy A Share

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“Never invest in a business you cannot understand.” Warren Buffet

“Behind every stock is a company. Find out what it’s doing.” Peter Lynch

There are two key decisions in investment decision-making: the buy decision and the sell decision. By being aware of the common pitfalls of buy decisions, we can potentially save ourselves from a painful sell decision.

Social Proof

Social proof is an extremely powerful force. It’s often noticeable at intersections when a group of pedestrians are waiting to cross. Often, if one breaks rank, others quickly follow. ... (read more)

Investing in a Trump World

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Guest post from from Lars Kroijer

With Donald Trump making headlines on an hourly basis and our social media accounts going crazy with comments on his presidency of it being an effective coup and a one-way route to the apocalypse, we are left asking ourselves: Should we perhaps change our investment strategy as a result?

In short the answer is yes, but perhaps not how you think.

In earlier blogs, I have outlined how I consider it highly unlikely for the vast majority of investors that they can beat the markets themselves through active stock selection, market timing, or via picking the one out of ten actively investment funds that may do so over a ten-year period. And that for your equity exposure you should pick as broad and cheap an index tracking exposure as you can get your hands on, namely a world equity index tracker. “Just” because Trump is now president of the United States, that is no less true. You most likely couldn’t beat the markets before November and still can’t. ... (read more)

Juggling your changing health needs on a budget

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The start of Autumn every year is a good reminder to make sure you’re on the right private health insurance plan. Why Autumn though?

On 1 April, premiums for health insurance rise by an average of 4.84%. So if you don’t take the time review your policy, not only could you be worse off financially but you could end up with the wrong level of cover – something that could cost you much more in the long run. ... (read more)