We’re still saving quite a bit overall but there are definitely areas we can improve on. I’m not going to cut us back like I did when we were eliminating debt because there needs to be a balance between saving and living. Back then we were willing to go to extremes to overcome our debt but now that we’re debt free we don’t need to do that. We’re still frugal but overall I think we can reduce our expenses in the coming months.
A new report has revealed that Australians are starting to cut back on luxury items including dry cleaning, expensive restaurants, designer fashion, cars and quite a few others.
Interestingly, charity has been included in this list. We donate to charities we feel passionate about because we can afford it and generally when there is a real need. I am not sure if charity should be included as I personally do not see it as a luxury.
July 1st is the start of the financial year in Australia so this month and August is when you start to get your big bills like water, council rates, strata fees, insurance, etc. I’ll give you a break down of how much our bills are and the payment options available.
Council Rates
$978.00 if paid in [...]
A recent survey conducted in New South Wales, Australia shows that almost 30 percent of residents have no savings putting them at high risk during this recession.
Another survey conducted in Western Australia showed that 27 per cent of their residents are in exactly the same situation.
60 per cent of those from NSW who took part [...]
I’m a big fan of financial expert Suze Orman. She has a no nonsense approach when it comes to financial advice and sometimes brutally honest with people asking for help.
Suze has put together a recession rescue plan with plenty of helpful advice and links to resources. Well worth checking out.
cnn.com reports:
Do you know what your [...]
We are now thrift store converts. You can buy some really great clothes at a fraction of the price and in most cases, contribute to the many charities who run the stores. The biggest hurdle is getting over your own preconceptions.
This is the 2nd and final part to Surviving without a job.You can read Part 1 here.
Don’t be too proud
This is probably the single most important thing I can share with you.
I work in IT and all my previous roles saw me in Management. My last stint all be it brief was as a Director.
After [...]
This is Part 1 of my series on surviving without a job. I hope it helps those of you currently facing job loss.
There are millions of people around the world that have become the unfortunate victims of the global financial meltdown.
Losing your job is probably one of the most stressful and frustrating events that [...]
Nothing like a politician telling you the bleeding obvious.
news.com.au reports:
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has urged Australians to go into 2009 with optimism and energy, but says it will be a tough year.
In his new year’s message, Mr Rudd said his Government was determined to do all it could in 2009 to protect Australian families, [...]
India Beggar Amasses Coin Fortune
I thought this BBC story was both sad and inspirational.
When 60-year-old Laxmi Das recently deposited her earnings in an Indian bank in Calcutta, it was a bit more than the usual mundane money transfer.
Ms Das handed over 91kg (200lb) of coins – the produce of 44 years of hard begging – [...]
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