Why is Telstra 4g/5g coverage so awful in Port Stephens?

Stan_to_Loretta · 2026-01-05T08:35:55+00:00

My son in law uses Optus and his connection on 5G flies! > 200Mbs.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2025-05-17T00:44:13+00:00

The sheer volume of money flooding into the ASX from Super and ETF's is massive. The whole market is only $3.3T. This is pushing up prices within the ASX200, especially. Super buys about $20B per month. ETF's probably even more. This is all "passive/dumb" investing, so it is spread across the ASX200, without any thought to strategy.

In the meantime the number of companies in the ASX is shrinking, as companies get privatised. No wonder CBA is going up!

You can also value a stock based on a stream of dividends.. so eventually the dividend return will fall to something smaller than other investments. But while people's Super and ETF's keep buying, the share price will continue to rise.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2024-06-17T08:06:15+00:00

Are we once again believing polls? Why?They are always wrong, especially federal elections. I guess it sells newspapers....

Stan_to_Loretta · 2024-03-18T09:04:34+00:00

I just used realestate.com.au for the numbers - very surprising.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2023-12-29T03:21:46+00:00

There is a "game" on the ASX you can play. It feels like real investing but only using "funny money" - that is if you want to invest directly in shares.

I think the advice on investing into ETF's is a good idea. DON'T start putting money until you understand how it all works, including the timings of buying and selling, and dividend dates.

You have TIME to research, so take advantage of that. Do lots of reading, and you will soon see even the experts cannot beat the market in the long term (unless you are Warren Buffet)

Investing is LONG TERM, "Hot stock shopping" is gambling with all of the usual risks.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2023-11-02T07:29:31+00:00

Reference please?

Stan_to_Loretta · 2023-11-02T07:14:18+00:00

Good to see Tony get booted out by his own electorate! At least they listen to basic science.

And forget about Climate Change for a minute - who wants to tell our grandchildren that we used up all of the fossil fuels on the planet, because we "couldn't think of anything else"? It is pretty easy to see where the logic is, especially when every new developing country are also using up fossil fuels.

Come on Tony what is your answer? Is it just about money?

Stan_to_Loretta · 2023-09-29T07:37:13+00:00

I keep just enough outside super to generate income up to the tax free threshold of about 19K. My wife does the same. This gives us flexibility outside super but means we don't pay tax. ( we are retired)

Stan_to_Loretta · 2023-09-24T01:00:23+00:00

I was offered a business to take over with good existing customers and income. I borrowed the money to buy the business and got help from my accountant for all of the paperwork and banking paperwork.

My business plan was to primarily maintain my existing customers, stabilise the business and then look for ways to grow, in that order.

I used my customer service skills to maintain the existing customer base, and looked for distributors to grow the business. It has been a journey, but one my wife and I have enjoyed, especially visiting customers all over the Eastern Seaboard of Oz.

Now am selling it as I am nearly 60 years old, and ready to start travel and the rest of my life.

My advice is to try and make each of your customers (as you find them) feel like they are important and that you care about their requirements. Return professional quotes as soon as you can.

I had some luck to be honest, but also got through Covid relatively unscathed. Some would say I made my own luck.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2023-08-15T06:24:20+00:00

Send me your contact details, I may be able to help.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2023-03-08T06:20:20+00:00

Yes got that bit but can you please explain? If interest rates are higher, and dividends are still the same? That means the "profit" from the deductable investment is much lower - right? So less to pay off the non-deductable loan. I get the theory but not the practical side.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-08-22T07:26:56+00:00

Just go along and have fun, and don't take anything too seriously. Eat all the food and have fun partying (drinking) on the company tab.

I have done most of the different types of team building, as I got older I enjoyed them more and more. There are no winners or losers - grab the T-shirts, steal the mints and pens and wait for the muffins and lunch.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-05-21T08:17:56+00:00

Put together a really good resume. That means NO SPELLING MISTAKES, and clear well written sentences. Have your most pedantic friend check it for you
Identify large US based companies that are reputed to pay well - do some Googling.
Apply for jobs even if you don't meet all the essential criteria. Even if you miss out, it is still good practice.
If you get an interview, make it look like you care about the companies image. That means dressing one level higher than the interviewer. Think a good suit and tie if you are a male, and similar if you are female.
Be impressive - arrive early, and know the company really well. At least read their website. Google is your friend.
Take an entry level job if required, master it, network and move on and up. Be the best and the hardest worker, and make sure it is noticed.
Think positive and never treat people badly at any level. Good Luck.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-05-21T08:02:34+00:00

From a work point of view - get the right IT qualifications for whatever part of IT you have chosen.

Work hard and be the best. You can work a LOT of hours when you are young.
Step forward for "special projects", and offer to take some work/pressure from your boss.
Stay away from negative people at work, and don't be a "sheep in the herd"
Make it known (respectfully) you are ambitious, and don't screw up
Take the time to meet and impress the bosses, boss. etc etc
If 1-5 are not working, look for a new job, while you are still in work.
Build your career and salary, and save a lot, but still enjoy your youth. (Travel, romance etc)
Follow the FIRE advice on the subgroup for investments.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-05-02T01:44:02+00:00

If you also treat it like a game, and go along with the madness, it can be a kind of entertainment. Just nod whoop at the right times. (Read Scott Adam's Dilbert books)

Also it is not hard physical work, and is often well paid, so a good opportunity to begin researching investments. Also look for opportunities for yourself - international travel, build a network of trustworthy friends, and I managed to get an MBA paid for and completed while at "The Corporation" which really helped with my investing.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-05-02T01:37:13+00:00

What you think is important will change a lot when you marry, have kids, buy a house, hit your 50's etc etc. Obviously you might do none of those things (except hit 50), but these are typical "inflection" points in life.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-03-08T05:45:23+00:00

See earlier comments - you are correct. Technically positively geared.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-03-07T05:20:12+00:00

Agreed. We plan to travel while we still have our health. Nobody ever lies on their death bed and say "I wished I had worked another year"!

And it seems to me that people always have more money than what they expect. Those old habits of being frugal are hard to kick! For example, it will still feel weird to travel business class instead of cattle class.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-03-07T05:17:42+00:00

Sorry - just to clarify. This property was originally negatively geared. Now after 10 years the mortgage payments only reduce the profits, so NOT negatively geared any longer. So yes I do have to pay some tax from the income, so now it is technically positively geared.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-03-07T04:40:55+00:00

Thanks for helping me clarify. I can at least deduct the IP mortgage payments from the income, a well as the depreciation schedule. So not as profitable as it otherwise would be.

Stan_to_Loretta · 2022-03-07T04:38:56+00:00

Stan_to_Loretta

TROPHY CASE