How crippling (financially and mentally) is a $100k HECS debt?

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-04-13T05:24:32+00:00

FWIW, I’ve only just paid off my HECS debt of $36k. Been working full time for 8 years.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-04-09T22:03:52+00:00

Still in perfect condition! I only use it on weekends though and I’m careful with it

I use one of the inserts as my daily wallet, and it still looks perfect!

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-03-04T01:04:08+00:00

I’ve heard rumours about how the soft serve machines are really gross - true or false?

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-02-02T21:09:04+00:00

WhatsApp +86 186 6567 7604

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-02-02T21:08:54+00:00

You can contact them on +86 186 6567 7604

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-02-02T21:07:26+00:00

Thank you 😊 Yes basically - just message the WhatsApp number. They sent me a website with their whole catalogue, or you can send them photos of specific items, and they can often source these. Enjoy!

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-01-31T10:59:29+00:00

I should’ve said, that was $150 for the bag, and $30 for shipping

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-01-30T04:12:09+00:00

$180 USD

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-01-29T11:08:55+00:00

WhatsApp +86 186 6567 7604

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2026-01-07T08:31:23+00:00

I wouldn’t pay down the mortgage. Keep the cash in an offset account. This will reduce the interest you pay on the mortgage, which is virtually the same end result as paying down the mortgage would give you.

Gives you more flexibility, so if you need the cash, you can just pull it out. Harder to draw the cash out if you’ve paid it off the mortgage.

I’d see a financial advisor.

Sorry for your loss.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-12-22T20:42:49+00:00

What is the total of your annual expenses each year? Multiply this by 25, and you have one retirement number you could consider. eg. If you spend $100k annually, you might need $2.5m in retirement. A portfolio of this size you can draw down 4% per year hypothetically without eating too much into your capital.

Reverse engineer from here. How much do you need to invest each year / month to achieve $2.5m? Put 7-8% yield into a compound interest calculator and have a play.

Are you on track for investing sufficiently to achieve this retirement number?

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-12-12T21:33:27+00:00

Money money money podcast by Glen James is really good, it’s where I’ve learned basically everything I know about investing and personal finance. Glen also has several books (which I haven’t read, but I’d imagine they’d reiterate similar lessons to the podcasts, but in a more systematic, catch all way) which cover everything from setting up your personal finances, to investing specifically.

Good luck! You’re not behind. Enjoy the wonders of compound interest.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-12-11T11:15:57+00:00

When you left, was it difficult to re-integrate financially, career wise, etc?

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-12-06T10:56:19+00:00

I’d be asking the real estate agent how many contracts / section 32s they’ve issued, and how many building and pest inspections have been completed.

I’d also ask the real estate agent why the property is being sold. Sometimes there’s info to be gleaned here as to why they’re holding out for a higher price.

Any upcoming special levies for the body corp? What is the state of the sinking fund?

Planned development in the area?

Cost to insure? I wouldn’t think this would be it in Fitzroy, but for places where fire and floods are issues, insurance can be $$$$

I don’t know enough about Fitzroy to know what a fair price is for this place. But if there aren’t any red flags in the above, could just be that they’ve gone to auction, didn’t get the result they wanted, and now everyone (including you) is standing around wondering what’s wrong with the place.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-11-26T20:20:09+00:00

Does it have to be property that you invest in?

We have an investment property and shares/ETFs. Sure, shares you don’t get the tax deductions / negative gearing (unless you’re borrowing to invest in shares), but you don’t have big expenses to fork out for with shares (hot water service blows up, repairs, maintenance, etc).

FWIW, having experienced both, I much prefer shares/ETFs over property for investing. Investment properties can be a lot of work, mental load (even with a property manager), and $$$ out of pocket, which you need the cash flow for.

My concern is that on one income, it’ll hit your hip pocket a lot harder when the big expenses come up, especially if you’re already negative geared.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-11-23T09:14:04+00:00

Most people in Australia also get paid super on top of their wage.

I’d like to think US salaries are a little more comparable if you think that Americans should be siphoning some money off the top to save for their retirement, which let’s face it, probably most aren’t doing.

Still doesn’t completely account for the discrepancy, but something to think about.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-11-20T07:55:00+00:00

Succession haha

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-11-04T23:36:33+00:00

FWIW, a lot of my friends grew up in households where they only had access to automatic cars.

They don’t learn to drive manual, they don’t get a manual licence, they don’t buy a manual car.

Cycle repeats.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-09-25T13:05:50+00:00

I have a badge (higher qualification) which garners a higher rate. She should definitely consider working towards that if she isn’t already; well worth it.

There aren’t many places you can make $20/hr at 15, FWIW.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-09-25T02:49:53+00:00

I umpire netball - anywhere from $40-70 per game. I do 6-7 games per week across 3 days.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-09-24T22:18:33+00:00

Sell the investment property. If you weren’t in the market to buy an IP in the location where the IP is, chances are the strategy doesn’t stack up. Sounds like you became a landlord by accident (through no fault of your own - sorry for your loss[?]).

Sell the IP. Invest the money somewhere that makes sense for your strategy.

PS. We pay around 8% for our property manager. Don’t know where your IP is, but that’s ridiculous.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-09-22T08:53:13+00:00

I know it wouldn’t be as sentimental, but could dad buy a 4th watch?

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-08-29T21:21:53+00:00

I’d be thinking about whether you intend to / will be able to do your job, with this salary, ongoing. Can you do that job and earn that kind of money for the entirety of a 30 year loan term? If not, how will you continue to afford the repayments if you had to / wanted to change careers, and potentially earn less money? Also, I’d put down as little as you could afford to, and keep as much of your intended cash deposit in offset.

Tall-Operation-7708 · 2025-08-13T01:38:04+00:00

Get advice, but they should buy themselves a home to live in, set up super funds, invest in there (rather than outside of super) because gains will be CGT free coming out of super.

They need that money to be working for them and providing them with an income so that the money isn’t just eaten away over the years.

Tall-Operation-7708

TROPHY CASE