There are a few questions that I get asked very frequently. How are you? How’s your little boy? What’s the weather like in Canberra? And what percentage of my income should be going into savings? I get it a lot! And I put it down to the endless rules of thumb that are being exchanged at Sunday barbeques around the … Read More
What comes first, the HECS debt or the mortgage?
Hi Tash, I’m wondering what the best thing is to do, prioritise buying a house or pay back my HECS debt first? Is being completely debt free better than having a HECS debt and a mortgage? Or is HECS not something I need to worry about paying back so quickly? Great question! First of all, HECS-HELP is essentially a government … Read More
Women are awesome, and yet…
Women. Are. Awesome. In case you need it, here’s proof. On top of it all, we work, cook, clean, shop, chauffeur, pay bills – often all simultaneously. You do it, I do it, together we kick some serious butt! Unfortunately, despite how awesome women are… we still tend to pass the buck on important money matters. Divorce, which is becoming … Read More
I’m a single parent, will I ever own a house?
Tash, I feel gypped! I built a house with an ex a few years ago, using my first home buyers grant and he ended up with the house. Now five years later I have full time job and I’m a single parent and it’s a lot harder getting a house the second time around. Do you have any tips to … Read More
New or used? Don’t miss this important step in your research!
This week we tackle another common dilemma, this time on the subject of cars! Hi Tash – I hope you can help! My car is plagued with issues and is a total money drain, not to mention it also has a loan attached to it! I’m currently working on clearing a smaller loan which has an interest free period until … Read More
The cents-ible way to spend your tax return!
It’s tax time! This time of year many of us are eagerly anticipating our tax refund and already planning how to spend it. Ok, so you can if you want, but before you do, I suggest having a read through some of the more sensible ways to use your tax return. Of course, your spending ability will depend on the … Read More
Before you take out finance at the dealership, ask yourself these questions…
Shopping for a new car is an experience – and boy is it a fun one. Choosing colours and interiors, taking test drives, that new car smell, imagining where you’ll put your bag, sunglasses and keys when it’s your very own car…
Should I cancel my private hospital cover?
Let me start with a story. Two years ago, my husband’s work colleague was single, in his early 40s, and apart from an ongoing heart condition he was in pretty good health. He went in for scheduled heart surgery as a public patient, and everything went well so he was released from hospital. A few days later though, he … Read More
009: Recognising Abuse
This week we are shedding the light on domestic violence and financial abuse and joining me is Kylie Travers, mum and award winning CEO. Kylie openly shares with us her heartbreaking story of escaping domestic violence and fleeing her home with her 2 young daughters, with very little money or possessions. We discuss the common misconceptions about what domestic violence … Read More
Help! I’m a self-employed mum and I can’t save!
This week I’m helping out a fellow self-employed mum! She sent in this question: I’m self-employed and find it absolutely impossible to budget or save. My husband’s salary covers our regular expenditure (such as the mortgage and utilities) so we aren’t saving any of his income and I make okay money, but I get paid so irregularly that setting aside … Read More