SocietyOne Blog | Financial education, Inspiration

Tips for teaching kids about money

An important part of raising children is wanting the best future we can for them, and part of that is preparing them for the world, right? A big part of their future world is money, how to spend it, what to do or not do with it, and how to have a healthy relationship with it. So how and when can we educate the children in our life on money and how it works?

To all the weekends of wedding season

While we know having a wedding can be tough on your wallet, attending a wedding can be just as expensive. What makes attending a wedding so expensive, and how can we cut down on the costs?

5 Hacks For Overcoming Your Impulse Buying

In moderation, impulse shopping can breathe fresh air into a stale routine. But in today’s well-connected world, it’s easy to go overboard. Here are 5 simple hacks for keeping your impulses under control.

The Quest For The Perfect Wedding

Competitive wedding syndrome - a condition predominantly affecting engaged couples whose wedding plans become focussed on outdoing their peers and impressing their guests.

Paying Off Debts Doesn’t Have to be a Balancing Act

Quite often, you will find you are paying higher rates of interest across a number of cards and also incurring additional fees, especially if you miss a payment or are unable to keep track of what you are looking to repay. That balancing act can literally trip you up.

The Costs Of Home Renovation

It’s the classic dilemma for home-owners after a few years of living in a place that you love. Right home, right location, it’s just not big enough. You need an extra bedroom, the kitchen is too small or the bathroom’s looking a bit tired.

Make It Happen.

Happiness arises out of actions, so what gets in the way of crossing dreary things off the list? Wouldn’t you feel better knowing that they were done and no longer hanging over your head or lurking in the shadows of your spare time?

Lemons to lemonade - how Marty made it happen.

Marty Jackson knows what it is like to experience the very highs of life. And the lowest of lows. From pulling on the green and gold of Australia to the life-changing injury that destroyed his dreams of playing his chosen sport at an elite level - one that inadvertently presented him with an opportunity to represent his country at another.

New lease of life for Brian

An investor’s story

The number the banks don’t want you to know

There’s a number out there that summarises your entire financial history – the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s called a credit score and if you haven’t seen yours before, you should! More than a million Australians are now empowered with their credit score and it can be a great way to get a better deal when you’re borrowing money.

How to tackle your to-do list and make things happen

10 Tips to Overcome Procrastination

Portrait of a Procrastinator

Think about the last time you came across a task you weren’t that keen on or felt that you weren’t able to do.

12 Tips For Your Next Home Colour Revamp

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to update the look of your home is with paint. But there’s more to the job than just hastily slapping it on your walls because you’re eager to see the colour. The key to a flawless finish is to do the proper preparation and use the right tools. So, give your technique the once-over for perfect results every time.

5 Home projects you can do yourself

Whether you’re escaping the cold of Winter or the heat of Summer, sometimes its good to get a few things done indoors. It doesn’t have to take ages either - here’s five projects you can do in a weekend!

How to prepare your home for weather

Whether warm or cold, snowy or rainy, sunny or windy, there are a lot of ways to make your home more weather-tight to save some of your hard earned cash. Find out a few easy ways to keep your home well-primed for whatever the weather may bring.

Budgeting For Gifting

Sometimes when we budget for gifts, we forget all of the occasions we enjoy giving gifts. A bit of mindfulness now may help you down the line when you already have something set aside for your new niece’s first birthday or your best friend’s wedding.

Money and Relationships

Money is a difficult topic for a lot of us to deal with on our own; trying to deal with finances jointly within a relationship can be a massive headache, in fact - according to one 2017 US study, it’s the number one issue married couples argue about. So how do we talk about the elephant in the room?

Choosing the right post pay option for funding a holiday getaway

Dreaming of a holiday in 2019? We sat down with Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont to talk about some of the strategies Aussie travellers can use to book that once-in-a-lifetime trip and pay for it in a way that suits their budget.

When is debt consolidation a good idea?

Debt consolidation is a financial strategy that still has stigma and fear around it for most, so here’s a few ways to understand if debt consolidation may be the right choice for you and your current financial situation.

Good Budget Habits

While financial habits and priorities are different for everyone, there are some basics that everyone should follow, or at least understand, to have a healthy relationship with their money.

Holiday Party Ideas

So this is the year you’re hosting the holiday party - friends, family, coworkers you like - whomever it may be; this year it’s on you to entertain. How do you do it without spending a small fortune?

Budget Friendly Travel Ideas

While holidays can be massive 4-week European explorations, they don’t have to be. A good holiday is about getting some time to relax, unwind, and do what you want, whatever that may be. So how do we get the most out of what we budget for our holidays?

Holiday Budgeting Tips

It’s getting to that time of year - time for presents, travel, family, and eating (lots) - that is! As cheerful as the silly season may get, for many of us it’s stressful as well, as most of the time we end up with a lot of unplanned spending for the holidays. So this year, why not plan, and give yourself the gift of one less thing to stress over?

Where to Skimp and Where to Save on Home Renovation

Home renovations are projects that can go from a $50 polish of the bathroom to a we-need-to-replace-everything months long trial by fire. You’ll want to walk into these projects as prepared as possible, which includes a budget.

What to consider when budgeting for travel

When you start holiday planning, sitting down and thinking about what you want to get out of the trip will help you when you need to make budget cuts…because you probably will.

What to do with your tax return

It’s that time of year in Australia which heralds the dreaded tax filing season. For some of us it’s a simple process, for others, not so much. Regardless of how simple or complex your tax is, the average Australian gets a tax return of $2,574. That’s a pretty decent windfall! So what to do with it?

5 Tips For Supercharging Your Debt Repayments

Sometimes it’s not about how much money you make, but what you do with the money you have. If you’ve already got a good repayment routine but still feel a step behind, you might just need a few small financial tweaks to get yourself debt-free.

What to Know Before Buying your First Property

Buying your very own home is a large, thrilling step into a new phase of life. Between looking for the right location, bookmarking home decorations and saving for a deposit, purchasing your first property can be stressful, but approaching it researched and prepared can make the journey much more enjoyable. If you’re a little lost on where to start, don’t worry! Here are some things you should consider when planning for your dream home:

When to Refinance your Home Loan

Sometimes the mortgage you got is no longer the best fit for your financial situation. If you’re thinking of refinancing your home loan, here are some factors that could help ease the decision.

What Responsible Lending Actually Means for You

“Responsible lending” is a concept in the finance industry, ensuring lenders only offer you a loan if it suits your needs and circumstances.

The 4 Hidden Dangers of Balance Transfer Cards

A balance transfer card can be a smart way to consolidate debt from multiple credit cards — but only if you know what you’re signing up for.

Spend smarter and save on your kids’ education

Just one wrong payment choice could see you wasting hundreds of dollars in back to school costs each year, with no added benefit to your child’s education. The start of the school year can be extremely expensive. School fees by themselves are a hefty up-front cost that simply can’t be avoided. And when you’re juggling a whole to-do list at the start of term, amidst an already busy schedule, swiping your credit card can often feel like the easiest option.

Comparing apples with apples

Comparison sites make it super easy to shop around, but they won’t always lead you to the best deal. Here’s what you should know about these handy tools before buying in on their advice.

How Australians save money

Ever wonder how some people stay on top of their finances? It’s all to do with how you manage your money. Here’s how other Aussies are saving (and spending) towards their goals, courtesy of ASIC’s Moneysmart.gov.au.

Make sure your Christmas card doesn’t come with bill shock

“Christmas is coming and the credit card’s about to get a whack. Please put another dollar in the big bank’s hat.” This take on the traditional Christmas nursery rhyme is a lot closer to reality than many of us would like to admit. Because it is, by and large, true for most Australians.

How to Budget When Travelling to Europe

The best things in Europe are free: lively plazas, stunning monuments and the atmosphere. Walk down the Champs Elysée marvelling at Parisian decadence or chart London’s history from a Thames stroll without spending a euro. But before that, make a financial plan for your adventure and get the best deals on food, transport and accommodation. With our guide, European travel can be easier and less expensive than you ever thought.

Six considerations for financing your new wheels

Buying a set of new wheels can be an exciting time for first time buyers and just as exciting for those looking to get an upgrade. If you don’t have the cash to pay for it upfront, you’ll need to borrow money. And, depending on the type of vehicle you choose, you could be paying off your loan for some time. So don’t let the thrill of owning your new motor get in the way of making good financial decisions. Here’s a list of the top six things to consider before entering into any agreements, courtesy of ASIC’s Moneysmart.gov.au.

Smart Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

Your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. However, sometimes it can be difficult to get excited when you’re worried about blowing the budget. Here’s a few tips that will hopefully save you a bit of cash, while allowing you to have the wedding you always wanted!

Making a house a home

It’s an exciting time. You’ve finally found the dream house and moved in. One month, two months … having lived in the house a while now, you’ve realised that you can’t live with that ‘80s bathroom after all. It’s cosy, but tatty. A little rough around the edges. But don’t be daunted, you are not alone. Many of our customers taking out a loan for home improvements have been at their address for less than six months. With a bit of elbow grease and a lick of paint, you can transform that unassuming duckling into a beautiful swan. Here are a few tips and tricks to get your house just the way you want it.

Home renovations for sustainable living

As an owner-occupier, you stand to gain the most from upping the sustainability factor of your home and garden. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Making the most of small spaces

Small doesn’t have to mean cramped, nor does it limit you to a minimalist lifestyle. With the right improvements and design choices, you can turn a tiny interior into a cosy dream home.

What is debt consolidation, and should you be doing it?

Debt Consolidation is where you take out one loan to pay off others, whether that’s two or more credit cards, other personal loans or a mixture of finance that might also include an existing car loan, for example.

Putting the positive into comprehensive credit reporting

For consumers, the introduction of comprehensive credit reporting will mean they can be rewarded for having a good credit history, not be penalised for one or two missed payments if a small glitch happens in their life

The Time is Now

Imagine yourself at your 80th birthday party. You’re surrounded by good friends, family and food. When it’s time for the speeches, what do people share about you and your life?

5 steps to improve your credit score

So, you have your credit score and it’s not looking as pristine as you thought. Trying to take hold of your personal finances and improve your score can seem daunting. We want to help so here’s 5 easy steps to move towards a better credit score.

Adding value to your property

The possibilities are endless for improving your property before you sell or rent it out — it’s only the budget that’s capped. Let’s look at the renovations that stand to give you the best returns on your investment.

Personal Loans, Explained.

Here at SocietyOne, we try to keep things simple - but consumer finance covers a multitude of different types of loans and products, from credit cards and unsecured and secured personal loans to vehicle and home renovation finance, so we thought we’d put together everything you may need to know to help you make your choice and make it happen for you.

Six cheap as chips decorating solutions for the broke homemaker

No money to spend on home decorating? Here are our top tips on how to get creative and decorate your home on a next-to-nothing budget.

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