No matter how eager you are to buy your first home, there are a few things you need to do before you’re ready to bid or start negotiating. 1. Know what you can pay The lender will assess your borrowing capacity based on what you earn, owe, spend and own. They won’t lend you more than their algorithms tell them you can manage. But [...]
I’m often asked what are the most important things that I’ve learnt throughout my time of buying property, so I thought I’d share them with you. Set your goal. Figure out what you want and how much it will cost. Create a vision board, write it in detail in a book, visualise it. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? A “fixer-upper” or an “already done-upper”? [...]
Starting your first full-time job is a big deal. It’s your first real step into adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it. It’s a moment to be really proud, but it can be really scary too. There are some things that you need to think about before you start: Money How much are you going to save from each paycheque? It’s hard to [...]
I've started the year with a whole bundle of emotions. Heartbreak over the destruction and loss of homes, lives, livestock and wildlife. Sheer amazement at the effort, dedication and determination of the fire fighters (how they do that every day I have no idea) and the wildlife rescuers. Inspiration over the fundraising efforts of people like Celeste Barber - that's nothing short of amazing, [...]
It's 2020 and there's not a Jetson or flying car in sight! (or am I showing my age by that reference?) Seriously, 2020 sounded so far away just 21 years ago when we were wondering what a new century would bring - and now we're into the third decade of that century! How did that happen? It's a great reminder of how fast time [...]
Arrggghhhh! Everything costs so much money! Christmas holidays can be a killer to your budget, so here are some ideas that won't break the bank. Picnic Bushwalk Amazing Race style of treasure hunt Day at the beach or baths Walk around the city centre checking out Christmas decorations Bike ride Botanical gardens visit Walk around your local park Board game marathon Family/Friends sports day [...]
Just like every other time of year, you need to have a budget for Christmas shopping. Probably even more so than every other time of year! It's the number one time for spending blowouts - so go in prepared. Who are you buying for? What's your budget for each gift? If you're watching what you spend, could you suggest a Secret Santa to your [...]
Summer holidays seem to cost a lot. If you've got kids or a big social network, they cost even more. First, you've got Christmas, then New Year, hopefully, holidays somewhere in there too. So it's often a time when we're thinking about how we can be making some money rather than spending it. Renting out your home or spare room through AirBnB or similar [...]
From my experience, you're usually firmly in one of four places when it comes to Christmas decorating: Like you've just stepped out of an American movie where more is more - and even more is even better. You start buying your decorations on Boxing Day and start getting the lights untangled in early November. Your house puts a strain on the power grid but [...]
If you feel like buying a house is similar to climbing Everest - on a snowy day - then you're not alone. But don't give up hope. There are some things you can do that will help you buy that house without giving up your lifestyle completely! Strategy 1: Rein in your spending This is a bit of a no-brainer, but it's also often [...]
