5 saving graces of giftmas Gift giving is one of life’s joys, until the credit card bill comes through. Here are five ways to maximise the love without blowing your budget. According to a recent Financial Planning Association of Australia reporti, 85% of us find more joy in giving gifts to others than in getting them ourselves. Though we love the sound of ripping wrapping paper, almost three quarters of us don’t budget for gifts. …
Our Top 10 lifestyle costs Six out of the top 10 categories relate to just two things. Can you guess what they are, and could you be cutting back? As a nation, Aussies aged 18 and over spent approximately $145 billion on lifestyle costs over a 12-month period, with the average spend per person around $7,800, according to research1. While clothing and footwear took out the number one spot by a country mile on the …
Are you living your dream life? (Video) Financial planning starts with understanding what’s important to you and your family. If you are not living the life that you have always wanted, so far, then talking to a financial planner to identify what you want and map out a plan, is a good place to start. People who plan have more control of their lives because they can see options to move forward. This provides them …
Weekend saving ideas – for your pocket and lifestyle When weekends are crammed with Saturday sport, shopping and screens, it can be hard to feel like you’ve had fun and relaxed. Discover how to get more from your precious days off and spend less. 1. Plan for all the right ingredients To have a happy weekend to look forward to (and back on), it’s important to get the balance right between the different activities you …
Does it pay to plan ahead when you travel? You may be keen to go wherever the wind takes you, or you might be a plan-to-the-hour type of traveller. There are benefits to both styles. Travellers often fall into two categories—the planned and the unplanned—and more than likely, you already know which of the two camps you belong to, or if you sit somewhere in between. Whatever your preference, we look at some of the …
How to spend more to save The old saying “penny wise, pound foolish” couldn’t ring truer than in today’s throw-away world of overconsumption and excessive production of disposable items. Did you know that many manufacturers have been using techniques to deliberately reduce the life of a product to increase its replacement rate and sell you the same thing again? It’s called planned obsolescence. Some products are not built to last. Others are specifically designed to make …
7 money personalities you may identify with or want to avoid Are you the friend that shouts more than what you can afford, or the one that’s happy with a handout because no one knows struggle street like you do? When it comes to money and people’s behaviour, you may have a few labels or preferred ways of describing those nearest and dearest to you – and surprise surprise, they may do for you too. …
Relationship rules for your finances (Video) Your relationship might be rock solid. But any romance can come unstuck when you fall out over money. Keep those financial squabbles at bay with our friendly guide to joint finances. If you have a question you’d like answered by a professional financial planner please email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. This video contains general financial advice only. It is provided by an Australian Financial …
Balancing career, family and time (Video) Australians who are living their dream are planners. They believe in their ability to create the life they want and they are not afraid to ask for help or seek advice. Balancing career, family and time …. Here Christina and Richard Taylor explain how meeting a financial planner opened their mind to new possibilities for their careers, family and love for travel. If you have a question you’d like answered …
Affordable school holiday activities We asked our readers for their top tips to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays without blowing the budget. AMP News&insights ran a competition on Facebook asking our readers for budget-friendly ways to keep the kids busy in the school holidays. Art and craft, board games and movies at home all proved popular, as did visits to the park, playground, picnics, riding bikes and camping. And perennial favourites such …
