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Category: Your Money Gen X

Success is a great feeling. What’s been your greatest financial achievement?

BLOWING our own trumpets? Most un-Australian. We don’t like bragging. Usually makes us sound like tossers. But that’s what the editor wants, so … I’ve got two answers. One personal, one professional. And, neatly, they’re linked. As a kid, I was always a good saver. Sure, I spent money on lollies and footy cards and […]

Even the experts can make mistakes. What’s the silliest financial blunder you’ve made?

It’s natural to feel like an idiot when you make a mistake. But if soon afterwards you feel smarter, it’s because you’ve learned something. Yeah, I’ve stuffed up on occasion. Some of my errors have cost me thousands. Youthful exuberance. But the most annoying are not always the most costly. The cab driver in Santiago, […]

It’s budget day tomorrow. What are your top three budgeting tips?

    WHOA! Let’s bugger off this word “budget”, okay? It puts everyone, except Treasury officials, to sleep. Tomorrow night’s federal snorefest – well, I’ll be watching – has virtually no similarities to your own home finances. Pollies can raise taxes. They negotiate with dozens of vested interests in parliament. They quibble over billions of […]

It’s composting awareness week! What eco practices can we all do to save money as well?

“Cash-a-can, cash-a-can, it’s lots of fun to do!” My first inkling that being a tree-huggin’ hippy could be financially rewarding was via that 70s TV jingle. Every kid I knew would fight over aluminium cans to earn extra pocket money. Trawling around school fetes with a plastic bag was particularly profitable. Later in life, the […]

What are the top five personal finance and investment traps?

You want riches? You want to avoid the biggest financial trap in life? Don’t … have … KIDS! They’re money pits – you just shovel cash into them for two decades. I call my first one Leech, the second one Vampire. Occasionally they flash their fangs and glare at me with blood red eyes. That […]

Property investment has always been popular in Australia but is it the best place to put your cash now?

Property’s popularity is perpetual. And for some damn fine reasons! Well, nearly perpetual – there are times investors rightly shy away. Like all asset classes where bubbles can develop, there are good times to invest in property … and some times when caution is required. Some commentators suggest real estate might have run its race […]

Debt can be a huge burden so how do you survive bad debts and even bankruptcy?

I don’t believe in bad debt. I believe in the “DOG” of debt. There’s “dumb”, “okay” and “great” debt. People use dumb debt to buy the stuff that doesn’t make any financial sense – stuff that is neither a tax deduction, nor does it increase in value. This is almost anything bought on a credit […]

Motivation is often lacking when it comes to managing money. What motivates you the most?

EXCUSE me!? Please issue a warning before asking questions like that. I’m choking on my Sunday roast as I write this! Motivation? Lacking? Seriously? Who’s having that problem? Something to motivate you should be easy! Backing your motivations with actions and sacrifices every single day is the “Tough Mudder” part. My motivations? Making sure my […]

The Easter break is great fun but also provides a little time to review money matters. What should you be doing?

AAAWW, come on! It’s Easter! Seriously? It’s a long weekend for chillaxing with the family. A long weekend for letting go. A long weekend to celebrate carbs in all their fat-inducing glory! In every one of that food group’s fabulous forms. Hot cross bun carbs, potato chip carbs, pizza carbs, beer and wine carbs. And […]

What are three good places to stash any surplus cash you may be lucky to receive?

“LUCKY to receive?” Whaaaat? Outside of the track, lotto, scratchies and an inheritance, there’s usually no luck involved in having “surplus” money! Savings are usually the result of considerable work (your job) and sacrifice (not spending)! Cue Donna Summer: “She worked hard for the money”. So, then, what should Gen Xers do with their surplus? […]