Buying a home? Budget for all the extras, not just the house
There’s more to buying a home than just the asking price. Now that you’ve got your deposit and secured any available government grants, prepare yourself for the other charges and expenses that come with becoming a homeowner.
Research is vital to help you identify the associated costs. Setting aside a budget for these fees will save you a lot of time, and hassle. It also helps ensure there are as few unexpected nasty surprises as possible.
Fifty years of loyalty — and nothing to show for it
Yvonne Arnall didn’t expect any special treatment. Like most of us, she simply expected to be treated with respect and have her issue resolved in a timely manner.
Instead, what the Melbourne grandmother got was an abject failure in customer service that dragged on for almost six months. A saga that involved her driving hundreds of kilometres on multiple occasions for appointments that never eventuated. And when her initial request was finally resolved — on the eighth appointment — it came with an added insult: a pool of urine.
Ready to travel? Here’s how to see Australia without blowing the travel budget
If you’ve been feeling trapped within your own state, you’re probably more than a little excited at the thought of the country opening up. But you may be worried about blowing your travel budget with unexpected expenses.
Travelling in this Covid recovery period is not without its challenges. The pandemic has brought unpredictability to almost everything we previously took for granted — from border restrictions and other new travel requirements to the inevitable price rises, there’s a lot to catch you unawares.
So how do you plan an affordable getaway in this era? We’ve rounded up some top tips from budget travel experts.
Make the most of Black Friday with a good game plan
Australian consumers are set to spend a record-breaking $5.4 billion in the upcoming four-day shopping bonanza, a big jump on last year’s $3.8 billion.
The mammoth shopping event officially kicks off on November 26 with Black Friday and extends until Cyber Monday. However, many retailers are offering sales right now. Some offer savings of up to 80 percent.
Protect your good name: Why you should check your credit report regularly
Jessica Meyer was excited about buying her first home with her mother. She’d saved a good deposit and was ready to sign the contract.
Until the bank contacted her to say they had checked her credit status with a credit reporting company and she was deemed a risk.
Expert tips to avoid the latest scams
Wondering why you’re receiving those misspelled SMS? It’s actually deliberate.
Scammers are bypassing the system that automatically blocks scams with a smattering of bad grammar and spelling. They are getting in front of you and hoping you click too quickly to realise your mistake.
This is just one of the more sophisticated tactics - yes, even bad spelling is sophisticated - scammers are employing to capture even the most cautious among us. Scammers are so successful that, according to the latest reports, Aussies have lost a total of $222,810,200 to scams in 2021. That’s already 26.8 percent higher than 2020, and the year is not yet over.
Take a load off with our easy guide to laundry appliances
Washing machine given up the ghost? Dodgy dryer dampening your mood? Whether you’re washing for a family of four or downsizing to an apartment for one, there are laundry appliances to fit your needs.
But if it’s been a while since you last bought one, your head may be spinning with all the new features and options on the market. Take a load off — we’ve done the dirty work for you so that you can go shopping for laundry appliances with confidence.
The art of complaining – How to get your complaints resolved fast
No one likes a whinger, but we all have legitimate complaints from time to time. So what’s the right way to complain?
Before you pick up that phone or send that email, ask yourself how invested you are in making the complaint? Is the $50 watch that isn’t working properly worth spending indefinite hours trying to get your money back? The trade-off between your effort to complain and how much you value the item is what we call the complaining value.
Still want to complain? Here are some do’s and don’ts to ensure a better chance of getting a resolution.
You now have more power over your energy bill
Worried about your energy bill? You now have more power to do something about it.
As of 1 October 2021, the Federal Government requires energy companies to switch you to a better deal within 48 hours of asking for one.
Prior to this change, companies could take up to three months to switch you over — that’s three months of paying more than you should. With Christmas on the horizon, making a switch now might just put some much-needed extra money into your account.
Why a Gift Card is the best Covid-friendly present this Father’s Day
Father's Day is a chance to honour the special men in our lives. They don't need to be your dad, or grandad, they can be anyone's dad or not even a dad. And if you don’t really have the time or fresh ideas to go hunting for something specific - how about grabbing a gift card for him to spend as he wishes. We’re letting you in on our tips for this practical and thoughtful hack on giving a gift.