Tag: money guide

Financial habits worth making

man hands wallet money

Are you suffering from financial stress? Signs may include arguing about money, mood swings, depression and difficulty sleeping. In a report conducted by AMP Financial, more than 1.8 million working Australians are dealing with financial stress. Financial stress can stem from: Not developing good financial habits as children Lack of education on how to save money Inability to find work Living beyond one’s means But it’s never too late to develop good financial habits. Keep reading to discover how you can reduce your financial stress. Learn to pay attention to your spending habits The most common mistake people make with their finances is not knowing what’s incoming and outgoing. How many of you ever take a close look at your bank statements? It may be somewhat of a surprise to discover how much you’re actually spending. All those streaming services and long forgotten apps soon add up—$9.99 here, $6.00 there. It doesn’t seem like much when you first sign up. Don’t forget to count the nights where you couldn’t be bothered cooking and opted for Uber Eats, or the designer boots and clothing you purchased on After Pay, or the gym membership you’ve been meaning to cancel but haven’t. There is little wonder as to why so many people are living payday to payday. Our financial experts recommend auditing your bank statement. Use a highlighter to mark everything you’re not sure of, or anything you no longer use and cancel them! You don’t need all TV streaming services, so pick your favourite and change them… Read More

How to keep your spending under control while still living your life

Man hands credit card online shopping

Keeping your spending under control when you have a family can seem difficult. The Australian Institute of Family studies found that even in the first year as parents, your newborn can cost you up to $13,000. And that’s not including what comes next—education, school fees and stationery, childcare and extracurricular activities, but having kids doesn’t mean you have to stop living your life. With our top tips to curb your spending habits, you’ll be able to still enjoy some of  life’s little luxuries. Put aside 20% of your weekly/fortnightly wages The first thing you do when your wage appears in your bank account is to transfer 20% into a high-yield interest account. You can use this money for when unexpected costs crop up or you want to treat the family to a fun day out or a holiday away. Try to keep enough money in case of emergencies (root canals, extra-large power bills, house repairs). Round it upSome financial institutions allow you to round up your card purchases to $1 or $5. So, when you make a purchase the extra can be transferred into your savings account or towards an eligible home loan. You’ll be surprised at how fast you can accumulate savings to spend on lunch with friends or an evening out on the town. Always plan out your meals for the week Only purchase what you need when you are grocery shopping and stick to what’s on your list. Shopping on an empty stomach or with the kids in tow can make grocery… Read More