Winter Bills – Best Practices to stay in the black during the chilly season.

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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 […]

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Practical ways to teach your children about money

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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 […]

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David’s number one Budgeting Tip | Personal Budgeting

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Budgeting Tip

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 […]

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Mandatory Comprehensive Credit Reporting and what it means for you…

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Mandatory Comprehensive Credit Reporting and what it means for you… The Australian Government has proposed a change that mandates Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) from 1st July 2018. Also known as positive credit reporting, the proposed CCR legislation mandates the reporting of positive, as well as negative, credit history – from Australia’s largest financial institutions. So what does this change mean for you? Today your credit history includes credit enquiries (such as applications for consumer credit and credit contracts) and negative information (such as significantly overdue accounts, defaults, serious credit infringements and public record information). Essentially, previously your credit reports only […]

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Teaching children good financial habits

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financial habits

The best way that parents can pass on good financial habits to their children is to be in good financial habits themselves. Children pick things up from their parents by osmosis. If a child grows up in a family where finances are a drama because money keeps running out, the chances are that they will continue that financial roller coaster ride into adulthood. If they experience a childhood in which energy does not get wasted on day-to-day financial transactions because everything just flows, this ease and flow is likely to be reflected in their own finances later on. It’s a […]

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7 last minute Mother’s Day gifts under $20 | Shopping on a budget

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shopping on a budget

When shopping last minute, it’s easy to splurge and unintentionally overspend… When buying a gift, it can be difficult to find something meaningful if you’re shopping on a budget. But, don’t break the bank by overspending on items that aren’t necessary. If you haven’t included gifts in your budget in the lead up to Mother’s Day – don’t stress. We’ve come up with 7 Mother’s Day gifts under $20 that can assist you when shopping on a budget. Check them out below… 1. Photo Calendar Grab some family photos and get online! Personalised photo calendars are not only useful, but they also allow […]

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