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Budgeting

Tips and tools to help you manage your money

Saving Tips Budgeting

Tuesday, 11 August 2020

How to make the most of your tax return

Filing your annual tax return may not be your favourite task, even if you do have an accountant on b... | Read More

Owning a Home Saving Tips Budgeting

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Budget friendly ways to enhance your home this Winter

When the days get colder and the nights get shorter, we know that Winter is well and truly here. Whi... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

How to get your finances back on track after Easter

The Easter break, coupled with school holidays can leave us exhausted - physically, and financially.... | Read More

Budgeting Buying Tips

Wednesday, 1 May 2019

What you need to know about ‘pay later’ options

Do the maths: Can you really handle pay later plans? ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting

Monday, 7 January 2019

Three financial goals to set for 2019

With the New Year upon us, now is the perfect time to set some financial goals. Below are our top th... | Read More

Budgeting

Tuesday, 26 June 2018

Use your tax return to help you buy a home… next year

With the average Australian tax return at more than $2000 these funds can have a considerable impact... | Read More

Budgeting

Saving Tips Budgeting

Wednesday, 1 November 2017

How to plug the leaks in your household budget

Here's the most common leaks in your household budget, and how to fix them ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting

Monday, 9 October 2017

How technology could be sabotaging your savings

Technology and innovation has changed the way we buy, shop and bank. But is it ruining your finances? ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting First Home Buyer Home Loans

Thursday, 24 August 2017

What comes first - the baby or the first home?

In the 70s the ‘norm' was to marry, buy your first and for women to have a baby in their early 20s. But times have changed! ... | Read More

Budgeting First Home Buyer

Monday, 29 May 2017

How to buy your first home without a large deposit

You don't need 20% deposit to buy a home. Here are several ways to buy your first home without a large deposit. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting Buying Tips

Thursday, 18 May 2017

Budgeting made easy

Having trouble making and sticking to a budget? We've found 5 useful money management apps which are sure to get your budgeting back on track! ... | Read More

Budgeting First Home Buyer

Friday, 12 May 2017

First home buyers guide to the Federal Budget

Find out the Federal Budget measures that will impact first home buyers in Australia. ... | Read More

Budgeting Buying Tips

Monday, 8 May 2017

Renovate or buy new - what you need to know

It is the question many home buyers face. Should they buy a brand new or newly renovated home, or a run down property and renovate? Here are the things to consider. ... | Read More

Budgeting Buying Tips First Home Buyer

Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Home or wedding – what would you choose?

Buying your first home and getting married are two of the biggest financial commitments a couple can make together. What would you choose? ... | Read More

Budgeting Buying Tips First Home Buyer

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

The five home truths every parent should share

We have the top five pieces of home buying advice every parent should teach their children. ... | Read More

Budgeting Buying Tips

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Rent vs buy? The evidence you can't ignore

It's an age-old debate - are you financially better off to rent or buy a home? ... | Read More

Owning a Home Budgeting Building a Home Buying Tips

Thursday, 2 February 2017

How to buy a home when you don't earn a lot

There's an idea out there that you need to be a university graduate to afford a home, but it isn't true... here's how you can buy a home on a moderate to low income. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting

Tuesday, 24 January 2017

Genius K-mart hacks to style your home on a budget

Need to give your home decor a lift, but don't have lots of cash to play with? We've found the best K-mart hacks to give you some homes-peration, on a budget. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting Buying Tips

Thursday, 12 January 2017

Who had it harder buying a home - you or your parents?

Generational conflict between Gen Y and the Baby Boomers on who had it harder when it comes to buying your first home is alive and well in Australia. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting Managing Credit

Monday, 4 July 2016

7 tips to manage your home loan like a pro

With a new financial year beginning, now's a good time to check up on your loan and see how you're tracking. Here are some great tips to make your handling your home loan as well as you can. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

4 awesome long-weekend escapes in SA. On a budget.

Are you still deciding what to do on the long weekend, but not sure if you can afford to get away? Check out some of these affordable homes away from home in South Australia, and get inspired to get on the road this weekend. ... | Read More

Borrowing Tips Budgeting Buying Tips Finding a Home First Home Buyer Home Loans

Tuesday, 12 January 2016

The frustrations of renters

If you have ever rented a home before, you'll know that it comes with limitations. We asked home buyers and homeowners what their biggest frustrations with renting have been. ... | Read More

Budgeting Buying Tips First Home Buyer

Monday, 5 October 2015

Don’t fear your finances

If a fear of your financial state is making you want to avoid opening your bills or looking at your bank statement, you're not alone. ... | Read More

Budgeting First Home Buyer

Thursday, 30 April 2015

What is LMI and why do you have to pay it?

LMI stands for Lenders Mortgage Insurance and it is designed to provide lenders (banks and home finance providers) with an extra level of protection in case the borrower defaults on (can't repay) their loan. ... | Read More

Owning a Home Budgeting Building a Home Buying Tips First Home Buyer Home Loans

Thursday, 8 January 2015

Managing your home loan

While the focus can be on getting into your own home sooner, it's equally as important to consider how you will manage your home loan once you have one. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting

Sunday, 4 January 2015

What’s your New Year’s Resolution?

It's that time of year where we all start making promises to ourselves - so how can we make sure we stick to our goals? ... | Read More

Budgeting Buying Tips First Home Buyer

Tuesday, 9 December 2014

Avoiding costly mortgage insurance

When shopping around for a home loan, unless you have saved a deposit of at least 20%, chances are you will encounter Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting First Home Buyer

Sunday, 7 December 2014

Beating Christmas finance stress

Extra costs at Christmas can make it harder to meet regular home loan repayments, or derail your home-buying savings goal. John Oliver shares some tips on how to keep your Christmas spending in check. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Borrowing Tips Budgeting First Home Buyer Home Loans

Thursday, 23 October 2014

How much will I need upfront?

Buying your first home is a great achievement but the upfront costs can make it difficult to get started. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting Home Loans

Sunday, 28 September 2014

Handling your home loan

Now that you have your home, it's important to make sure you are managing your home loan as well as you can. Here are some things you should be thinking about… ... | Read More

Saving Tips Borrowing Tips Budgeting First Home Buyer

Sunday, 7 September 2014

Budgeting for 20 somethings

Tips for graduates on budgeting after school or uni; how to save while paying off your HECS. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting First Home Buyer

Friday, 1 August 2014

Saving your first deposit

The path to home ownership starts with saving for your first home deposit. For many, it requires a new attitude to financial responsibility and learning some new financial techniques to make your savings grow. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Starting Over Budgeting Home Loans

Sunday, 30 March 2014

How single parents can get started

Being a single parent is a tough job and can really stretch the budget, but that doesn't mean you can't buy a home of your own. We've got some tips to help single parents on the path tow home ownership. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Borrowing Tips Budgeting Building a Home First Home Buyer

Thursday, 13 March 2014

Don’t get caught out by extra costs

Buying or building a home is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, so it's important to be aware of all of the costs involved. Let's explore some of the less obvious costs so you can prepare and budget for them. ... | Read More

Budgeting

Thursday, 27 February 2014

Budget Test calculator

Calculate how much of your income you want to put towards various expenses like housing, food and savings. 2 minutes to complete quick and easy to fill out provides a rough idea of the percentage of your income you can expect to put towards t ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting First Home Buyer

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

How to save through Christmas

Christmas is predictably an expensive time for any household budget. There are plenty of gifts to give and food to share and none of it comes cheap. Planning is the key... ... | Read More

Owning a Home Saving Tips Starting Over Budgeting Buying Tips

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Switch to save

Have you ever considered switching a bad habit for a good one to help you save money? ... | Read More

Saving Tips Ask the CEO Budgeting First Home Buyer

Friday, 6 September 2013

A fear of finances

If a fear of your financial state is making you want to avoid opening your bills or looking at your bank statement, you're not alone. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting First Home Buyer Managing Credit

Monday, 26 August 2013

What’s your money personality?

We are all individual with different personalities and habits that influence how we live our lives, including the way that we handle money. Understanding the traits of your ‘money personality' could help you manage your finances by recognising ... | Read More

Saving Tips Borrowing Tips Budgeting First Home Buyer Managing Credit

Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Calculate all your questions

Hate doing the maths? We can help you calculate! Whether you're trying to find out how much you can borrow to buy a home, how much you'll need upfront or where your spending leaks are, there's a calculator to help. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Ask the CEO Budgeting

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Take charge of your finances

Have a savings goal and need help to stay on budget? HomeStart's John Oliver has these top tips to help you set a budget and stick to it. ... | Read More

Budgeting Building a Home

Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Budgeting for building a home

Building a home can be a cost effective way of getting in to your own place. With realistic expectations and a careful approach to managing your budget, getting a brand new place exactly as you'd like it could be within reach. ... | Read More

Owning a Home Budgeting Buying Tips

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Why less is more when renovating

Here are some ideas on managing renovating spending from Paul Eadon of Eadon Home Loans. Strategic spending, rather than splurging, is the safest way to ensure you reap the best possible returns from your next renovation project. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting Managing Credit

Friday, 8 February 2013

Holidaying on a budget

With summer winding down, a holiday could be what you need - and it doesn't have to interfere with your home ownership goals. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting

Thursday, 31 January 2013

5 savvy supermarket shopping tips

The most consistent feature on any household budget is the cost of groceries. It's a significant chunk of spending so keeping this as low as possible is one way to help you achieve your home ownership goals sooner. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Starting Over Budgeting

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Kid’s fun on a budget

Are you looking for savings tips to help your family into a home of your own? Then saving on entertaining the kids could help you get started sooner. Here are some ideas that could help. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting

Friday, 16 November 2012

Spending Leaks

All of us are guilty of spending money on things without thinking twice about it. Whether it's buying a cup of coffee on the way to work each day or buying your lunch instead of making it, you can find cheaper alternatives. Use this tool to find ... | Read More

Owning a Home Borrowing Tips Budgeting

Thursday, 6 September 2012

How can a financial planner help me?

You might think financial planners are for high flying CEOs with money to burn, or maybe only for those in dire financial straits. The reality is a financial planner can be a sound investment for anyone with an interest in their long term financial f ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Need help? Try an accountant!

If you've discovered you're just not a numbers person when it comes to budgeting and accounting for your expenses, you might need the help of an accountant. ... | Read More

Budgeting First Home Buyer

Friday, 8 June 2012

Budgeting tips from home owners

Watch this video for budgeting tips from home owners who've been in your shoes. ... | Read More

Saving Tips Budgeting Managing Credit

Wednesday, 11 April 2012

Credit Card Calculator

Do you find yourself constantly reaching for your credit card to pay for things? Do you struggle to pay off your balance each month? To get an idea of what your credit card may be costing you... ... | Read More

Budgeting

Tuesday, 10 April 2012

Starting a budget

Starting a budget for yourself or your family is useful to keep track of your regular expenses, how much you're earning and spending, and can help you start saving for a goal. ... | Read More

Budgeting

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

7 ways to pay a bill

Did you know that there are at least seven ways to pay most bills? Here are some of the many ways to pay a standard phone bill. ... | Read More

Budgeting

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Compare different ways to pay

There are an increasing number of ways you can pay for items in person, over the phone, or online. Here are the different ways to pay, and we compare the advantages and disadvantages of paying via Cash, Credit and Debit Card. ... | Read More

Budgeting

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

5 warning signs of going over budget

Here are 5 warning signs to look out for when you're worried about going over budget. ... | Read More

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