To most of the rest of the world, Australia seems to be a strange and exotic land filled with unusual animals, interesting customs, and a unique take on the English language. Because of its geographic isolation, the plants, the animals, and even the people have evolved at their own pace and in their own way – and so has the legal system. To illustrate this point, take a look at these weird and crazy laws from the Land Down Under:
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Whether you’re thinking about consolidating your debt or taking advantage of a no interest promotion by transferring balances to one credit card, knowing how to successfully complete a transfer is important. You may think that you can simply request a transfer and not worry about your old credit card balance in the meantime, but this is not entirely true. Follow this (relatively simple) checklist to be assured of a successful balance transfer with no lapse in payments.
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What’s the last fine or penalty notice you received? Whatever it was, just thinking about it undoubtedly makes your blood boil. “Nein Nein Nein!” you’re probably muttering yourself whilst shaking your fist at the computer screen and hating on that parking inspector or speeding infringement letter.
We all hate coughing up cash unnecessarily, but the news doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Global parking surveys recently found that Sydney’s CBD is the world’s fourth most expensive place to park, with parking stations charging up to $35 an hour or $142 a day. What’s worse, parking fees are more expensive than the fines you’d receive for NOT paying them, and it’s all thanks to a new NSW government parking tax. It costs $89 to park for more than three hours, while the fine for not paying at all is $86.
All this revenue raising definitely costs some people much more than they bargain for. Here’s a look at some of the most unusual and outrageous fines handed out recently in Australia and around the world.
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Renting is a popular option for many people. With all of the costs that come with buying a home, many people are choosing to rent a place instead. Renting carries less stress because you don’t have to worry about loans, however, you could still end up paying a lot in rent. Instead of just agreeing to pay whatever rent a landlord decides, you should take some time and negotiate. Think about it like you are buying a car. Here are a few ways you can negotiate lower rent to save you money.
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It takes half a million dollars to buy the average Australian house. That’s what the typical new home loan is these days. Instead of prices going down during the global finance crisis prices actually went up. So we thought it was about time we revisited our Feb 2009 post on what $500,000 Aussie dollars buys across the nation and take a look at what you can get now.
How average is average? Have a look at our updated snapshot of what the average Australian property looks like and you’ll discover houses, units and apartments that vary from poky one bed one bath units in the Bondi Beach Sydney, to a beautiful country house in Launceston, Tasmania.
If you’re thinking of moving home, then check out our refinance home loan comparison tool to find the cheapest refinance deals in Australia.
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Are you looking for an innovative yet affordable way to cool down your home? When the weather gets warmer outside, the temperature inside your house will naturally increase too. Consider some new ways to save money cooling down your home instead of paying exorbitant rates for air conditioning.
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Once you’ve found your dream home, the one that ticks all the boxes on your list, the next thing you’ve got to sort out is the financing. However, actually choosing a home loan that meets your needs and doesn’t cost the world is much easier said than done. And without a road map, the process of choosing a home loan can become a long and drawn out affair. So if you’re looking for a home loan and don’t know what to look out for, here are some tips to help simplify the process.
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Who doesn’t want to save a bit of money? No matter how much you have, there is always something more you can do with your cash. So you might as well make the most of what you’ve got, right? Here are 99 ways you can stretch your buck and make it last!
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Purchasing a home for the first time is an exciting, yet confusing, event. Suddenly you are forced to choose from different mortgage products, complete a seemingly endless stream of paperwork, and commit to a multi-year relationship with one company. Instead of being overwhelmed, the tips for first home buyers below will help you prepare for the experience and work out the best home loan deal.
Financing is a major concern for most first home buyers. The four biggest factors affecting home purchase approval are the amount of loan requested, the home’s value, your credit history, and the lender. The following details will demonstrate how to use these factors to your advantage and get on the property ladder.
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Are you thinking about refinancing your home loan because you aren’t happy with your current rate or desire better features in your loan? Making the right choices every step of the way is very important and can literally be the difference between you saving some money and saving thousands of dollars per annum. Follow these tips to ensure you get the best deal currently available on the market for you.
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Subscribe todayMoney Hacker is a fresh Australian money and lifestyle blog dedicated to sharing great personal finance tips along with some oddities & curiosities from both the financial world found on our meanderings through the vast workings of the web. We hope you enjoy the read!