budgeting and finance Archives

working towards long term goals? what to do in the meantime

We know the importance of long term financial goals, but how do you enjoy today and now, while still working towards goals to be realised in the future? Here are a couple of my tips for enjoying the now, while still saving for the future.

the zen of long term financial planning

Just as where you are today is the result of the actions you took in the past, so too will the actions you take today determine how your life will be in the future. Deep, man. The key to planning for the future without worrying about the future.

can you beat the tax man? Diy tax returns

DIY tax? On one hand, you save money on the accounting fees. On the other, it could cost you more in lost deductions that the savings on the fee and could be more hassle than it’s worth. Do you DIY?

managing electronic bills

I’m a huge fan of going paperless when it comes to bills. I confess that I HATE filing and my previous employers will confirm that filing is not a talent of mine. I’m surprised however, at how many companies still don’t have online billing. I have contacted our electricity provider and credit card company and [...]

tip tuesday–The ‘always something comes up’ fund

You’ve budgeted your money, you’ve put funds aside for the bills, you’ve tried to predict potential expenses in the future and you have a healthy emergency fund. But there’s always something that comes up that can muck the budget around (and put a real strain on the pocket when funds are tight). That happens to [...]

Teaching money to kids with five activities

This is a guest post by Alban of Homeloan Finder. As we get older, the mistakes we have made in our financial lives over the years become more apparent, and one result of this realisation is usually to take steps to avoid making those same mistakes again. However, when you have children, another motivation will [...]

Are you really heading in the direction you think you are?

Things have been tight lately. The other day I went to the store knowing I only had $17 left for the week. Milk, grapes, cat food and two bananas later, the checkout operator’s telling me the total is $19. Um, better make that one banana. Yeah, nanas are expensive at the moment. And it’s still [...]

preparing the household budget for 2011

Preparing a budget and tracking your actual income and expenses is the first step in empowering you to reduce your expenditure, save money and get control over your personal finances.

the money talk

It’s that time of the year again. Time to draw up a new budget and decide on some goals for the coming year. DH and I recently sat down and had THE TALK. What our financial priorities will be for 2011. Dealing with stark financial realities is never fun. Budgeting and goal setting can be [...]

what is your dream life costing you?

Every now and then I see something that makes me wonder what I’m missing. There seems to be a secret understanding that everyone else gets, and I’m out of the loop. An understanding that you can buy your way to happiness. You see, I watched a video recently by Frank Kern, a popular internet marketing [...]