Renting rights: Lessons from real estate hell
The warning signs were there from the start.
Just before we took possession of our new rental, we were informed that the kitchen on the lower floor had been flooded. Not an event anyone could have foreseen. So we decided to move in after an agreement outside the lease was made to reflect the need for repairs.
At first, we were all working together to get the job done. But the real estate agent soon showed how bad life can get with a terrible property manager. In fact, as our experience showed, the property manager is far more important than the property.
Flower power: Avoid some thorny issues this Valentine’s Day
What's your plan for Valentine's Day? Romantic dinner? Tick. Chocolates? Tick. A beautiful bouquet of roses for your Valentine? A big cross!
Flowers are the most popular Valentine's Day gift in Australia. A study published last year found Aussies would spend more than $110 million on flowers for their loved ones - or the ones they’d like to love. And why not? They're pretty, smell good, and are generally cheaper than jewellery and healthier than chocolates.
But while they look blooming lovely, there’s an ugly side to the flower industry. Behind the fragrant scent of roses in full bloom are toxic chemical fumes designed to keep flowers fresh and pretty, specifically the imported ones.
Curious about cryptocurrency? Do your homework
More than four million Australians, or almost 20 percent of the total population, own a crypto asset. And the number is rising every day. You may have read about people like Regan Gallagher, who got into the crypto game early and did very well indeed.
On the flipside, there are those who have lost everything to cryptocurrency scams. In August last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Watchdog reported Australians lost more than $70 million and predicted that amount to double within six months.
So what exactly is cryptocurrency? Is it the currency of the future or just another way to make, or lose, money? We take a closer look.
What to wear: Finding a fitness tracker fit for purpose
If you’re a fitness fanatic, it’s likely you have already invested in the modern tool for monitoring your efforts. And you’re not alone - according to Deloitte Consumer Trends 2021 report, one in five Australians own a wearable fitness tracker.
But if you’re kicking off 2022 with an action plan that includes a whole lot more exercise, you may be curious about their benefits. Is it worth adding a fitness tracker to your get-fit arsenal? What do they actually do? And how will they help you reach your goals?
The ripple effect of poor customer service
Like most of us who have renovated a kitchen, the Wilsons couldn’t wait to enjoy it.
So imagine their dismay when, after using their stove for the first time, the South Australian couple noticed a distortion on their brand-new splashback.
Home buyers tips: From search to sold
Buying a residential porperty can be a long, tedious process. And if you’re not ready, you could easily fall into a hole of home buyers stress and frustration. But don’t lose hope. Armed with the right knowledge and a solid plan, you’ll be a homeowner before you can say ‘sold’!
Let’s walk through the key steps you need to take (and prepare yourself for) to score the best home.
The right fit: Finding the workout that works for you
As we emerge from the season of indulgence and look ahead to the new year, we all know what’s next.
We can see the advertisements to ‘lose those Christmas kilos’ before they even arrive, luring us into gyms, booking sessions with a personal trainer or signing up to the latest fitness app.
And, because we all want to start the new year on a good note, we’re even more likely to sign on the dotted line than usual. But is it worth it?
Need to return a Christmas gift? Here’s how to do it with style
So you really don’t like that floral nightie Nana sent you? The shoes you got for your fashion-conscious son are just ‘so last year’? Your daughter received two of the same Nintendo game?
Yes, it’s Christmas and we’ve all received – and given – presents that just aren’t quite right. In the back of our minds, we’re wishing it was a gift card instead. No matter the reason, there’s no need to feel embarrassed about returning them.
The 12 Pains of Christmas and how to avoid them
Have you heard of The 12 Pains of Christmas? Released in the mid-1980s, the song is a parody of the popular carol, The 12 Days of Christmas, where instead of touting the pleasure of receiving various gifts, the singer bemoans the less than sunshiny parts of the festive season.
But even if Bob Rivers sounds a bit like the Grinch who stole Christmas, we all know he has a point. For all the family get-togethers, presents and general bonhomie, there is plenty to complain about this time of year (and we don’t just mean the price of cherries).
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.