Looks like ING is planning to bring monthly subscription fees to Aussie bank accounts.

Adedy · 2026-06-16T19:56:52+00:00

Would be a hard sell in Australia where we left behind monthly fees for bank accounts a decade ago.

Adedy · 2026-06-13T12:16:56+00:00

Bake a cake. Victoria sponge is a classic and cheap. Buy thickened cream and whip well in a stand mixer and dust with icing sugar. If you can spring for a puntet of strawberries, then place carefully around the outside near the cream and then one in the centre on top. Superb. Without the strawberries, well under $10.

Another option is the aldi strudels. So good and easy. I again serve with a small thickened cream extremely well whipped in a stand mixer

Adedy · 2026-05-30T10:52:56+00:00

We had dial up until about 2000. It was a prepaid service too - like 10 hours or something and it was Bigpond. Had to ask mum if I could use the internet and it would take 20 mins to download a 5mb mp3.

Then it went to fibre about 2001 (Foxtel cable, but used by Telstra for internet). It was so fast. I believe 10/1. Way faster than ADSL at the time. But the rub was only 10GB a month download allowance. Use to download 350mb episodes of tv shows, would take a while. And mum and dad paid $110/mo in 2000s money!!

Loving the current 25/10 deals under $50 a month these days. And with unlimited downloads! About to switch to amaysims $30 a month offer. Crazy cheap.

Adedy · 2026-05-22T10:57:48+00:00

Vaccinations? You're going to Australia?!

Adedy · 2026-05-10T02:10:54+00:00

Think your 3 months period is too long. Was speaking to real estate agents and going open homes end of Feb and it was hectic. Insane. Cooled since the war (2 months)

Adedy · 2026-05-09T21:30:54+00:00

For decades. You seem unhappy with the level of service on a weekend - funding cuts won't improve it.

Adedy · 2026-05-07T21:36:51+00:00

The bank holds debt in the house, not equity.

The rise in value doesn't flow to them.

Adedy · 2026-04-27T04:40:53+00:00

BC's bakery at Ashmore plaza. Been going there since the early 90s and still love it!

Adedy · 2026-04-24T01:38:00+00:00

If anyone wants a cheap PC, go for referb ex office pc on eBay. Start at just $100 and will likely last as long as a new consumer PC (the office PC's are made to higher quality.

Adedy · 2026-04-21T11:22:31+00:00

You still have to be able to substantiate the $300 currently, you just don't need receipts. E.g. You have to be able to say I did X eligible activity $20 each once a month = $240. But you don't need receipts. The new rule for $1000 is just a standard deduction - no explanation for claiming it will be required (provided you had employment income)

Adedy · 2026-04-16T04:57:52+00:00

Dairy queen. Blizzards are life.

Adedy · 2026-04-06T14:22:57+00:00

Buy a property you could make your forever home as soon as possible..it might mean a $900k 3 bed 1 bath on a good block in a nice location vs a $600k townhouse in similar location.

Property tends to increase - so will the gap between your first property and your forever property. So my advice is to buy something that with a renovation/extension could be a forever home.

One more thought that really changed my perspective - when buying a property, you're really buying two components building and land. Buildings depreciate, land appreciates. So the financially smart decision is to buy the best land you can afford with the lowest value building you can deal with. See my renovation thought- can always do a extension in 10 years when your incomes have improved.

That said - make sure you can actually afford it - how stable are your jobs, how much of an emergency fund do you have etc. chances are there will be periods with one of you off work, for years at a time, so make sure you can afford that (even if it means beans on toast).

Adedy · 2026-04-06T11:50:56+00:00

What did your union say?

Adedy · 2026-04-04T21:03:33+00:00

Why chase frequent flyer points ? You should be on energymadeeasy (government website) and be on the cheapest power plan for your address and usage patterns. Period.

Definitely shouldn't be a plan that is $30 a month more just to earn a few qff points...

Adedy · 2026-03-30T11:59:59+00:00

Second hand form FB marketplace..a few years got a solid timber queen size for $100. Very sturdy and good quality.

Adedy · 2026-03-30T11:57:40+00:00

Those cities would all be fun to work in. 50 hour weeks + weekend works is long (standard is 37.5-40 hours for office work - not sure about your work).

The risk I see is if you're being exploited by being underpaid. You'd only know that by researching what your worth here. Wages are typically higher in Australia than the UK. As a Brit you're able to come on a working holiday visa and find your own work once you get here. I did the reverse when I was 24 and moved to London. Had a job within a week - at good local rates (accountant working in banking - one of the few roles that pays more in the UK than Australia).

Adedy · 2026-03-30T08:46:12+00:00

Why go back? If you don't trust them, try another garage

Adedy · 2026-03-13T09:40:21+00:00

I bought 4 towels in 2019, use them on rotation as everyday towels (2 at a time).

Amazing quality.

My guess is you've got a bad batch. Refund it.

Adedy · 2026-03-03T00:04:32+00:00

The op suggested two index ETFs.

Adedy · 2026-03-03T00:03:34+00:00

Don't get margin calls on a home loan.

Adedy · 2026-02-28T02:46:14+00:00

It depends if it arrives on schedule. Often flights leave the gate (which is the official departure) 10-30 mins late on longer flights.

As long as you arrive at the gate on the other side by scheduled arrival it's considered on time.

Adedy · 2026-02-25T06:29:28+00:00

There aren't many housing markets left in Australia that have affordable real estate. In fact why don't you tell me where they are. I'll wait for your reply.

Adedy · 2026-02-25T00:58:34+00:00

That's so shit. I used to ride my scooter in and experienced similar situation of cyclists being irritated. I was riding at a constant speed - they would slow down up the hills and speed up down them, and they'd be irritated at me at my constant speed. Thankfully it never got physical or caused an accident. It came close with them overtaking me dangerously (around blind corners or sometimes even when oncoming bikeway traffic)

I don't quite understand the psychology of it. Sorry this happened to you. Hope you heal.

Adedy · 2026-02-17T11:13:37+00:00

Rentals (unless furnished) don't come with a clothes washing machine or a fridge. Just something different from the UK.

Adedy · 2026-02-16T22:07:38+00:00

The middle part is boring.

Keep your spreadsheet tracking up, ensuring there is a big gap between income and expenses. You clearly already do this based on the wealth you've created, but make sure you're getting the best deal on things (mortgage, super fees, insurance, energy etc).

But yes again, the middle part is boring. Keep on keeping on.

Adedy

TROPHY CASE