My grandfather was an accomplished builder. So the day he handed me a brick and a trowel and asked me if I would like to build something with him, I was excited. As an 11-year-old boy, I thought the pattern of bricks in a nearby wall looked simple enough – surely, therefore, there couldn’t be that much to it. How wrong I was! Managing your Money Fast forward to the present, and I find that people (mostly men, if I am honest) have much the same view of what I now build […]
Apply one of these money-saving lessons today to save more!
The idea of saving money can be daunting, and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Let’s look at a few of the best money lessons that you can start implementing right away to make a big difference to your finances. Saving in the Kitchen Shopping smart in the supermarket is an easy way to quickly end up with more money in your pocket at the end of each week. Step one, make a list and stick to it! You’ll end up with a lot less waste. We all know the dangers of hungry shopping! Another good supermarket money […]
Winter Bills – Best Practices to stay in the black during the chilly season.
We all want to stay warm through the winter months, but when the bills come in, and we see how much is being in spent, it can make your blood run cold. Winter is a tricky time for budgeting; there is no use freezing yourself to save on the energy bills, anything you save there you may end up paying back in sick leave. It’s all about balancing your usage intelligently. Here are a few areas to look at to keep you warm and in the black this winter. Utility Bills If the clothes dryer is part of the soundtrack […]
5 expenditures you should be reviewing to save money this financial year
As with the start of any new year, the start of a new financial year is a great time to save money by getting into new habits. Spending patterns naturally change as we move through different phases of our lives. It is important, though, to “clean out” our finances every so often, so that we are not accumulating financial clutter. If you don’t review your spending, you’ll be amazed at how many payments ‘fly below the radar’, outstay their welcome and become a drag on your financial progress. Insurance So, let’s start with insurance. Are you getting your money’s worth, […]
Practical ways to teach your children about money
Sort My Money founder and personal budgeting specialist David Rankin and two of his children, Lucas and Layla, caught up with Channel 9 Today Extra’s David Campbell and Sonia Kruger to discuss how to get kids into great financial habits for life. SONIA KRUGER: 66 per cent of Aussie parents are worried their kids don’t understand the value of money, and according to experts the rise of online banking and credit cards is to blame. DAVID CAMPBELL: Joining us with more is finance expert and father of three David Rankin and two of his kids Layla and Lucas – good […]
David’s number one Budgeting Tip | Personal Budgeting
I often get ask what my number one budgeting tip is. My answer is not the oft-quoted budgeting tip of paying yourself first. Nor is it saving ten per cent of your earnings. My top budgeting tip is actually consistency. By, for example, consistently spending the same amounts each week on living expenses (food, drink, petrol and other day-to-day spending). Left to its own devices, this part of your outgoings can fluctuate wildly – hence the importance of making sure it is under control. Consistent debt repayments are a key ingredient of this budgeting tip. Going hard at that credit card or home loan might feel good […]