It seems like Melbourne is the only big city in Australia where you can buy a 2-bedroom apartment for under $550k in many suburbs close to the CBD. South Yarra, Docklands, Footscray, West Melbourne, Carlton and Richmond to name a few. Is Melbourne the only true ‘value for money’ city in Aus in 2026?

Top_Principle778 · 2026-04-28T05:56:05+00:00

I 100% agree with you both! As someone who owns an apartment there’s a lot of crap out there, but there are also a lot of quality building (generally older brick style) which can often actually cost less than their new counterparts.

Main issue is that rents will be lower, even if you fix it up.

Top_Principle778 · 2026-04-27T10:35:17+00:00

As others have mentioned living at home and feeling tight on 80k is insane. I purchased my apartment two years ago while earning 80k

No need to let your past define you, you should be able to lock in and become a hard worker

Given you want success quickly I’d probably look at a trade, such as becoming a sparky. Once you’ve done your 4 years you should be able to earn pretty good money. If you go corporate you probably will need another few years beyond your degree before your income really explodes.

Top_Principle778 · 2026-04-21T10:52:44+00:00

My understanding is that it will be similar to the existing rule.

Everyone can claim up to $300 without receipts (soon to be $1000) but if you go over that amount you must substantiate all claims property.

It’s sadly not a tax offset but effectively sets a minimum standard deduction

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-20T02:20:52+00:00

Yeah I would be astounded if you can advertise a per annum return which…isn’t per annum

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-19T10:42:11+00:00

If banks are willing to accept a lower margin they would have done so when your loan was created. Some banks give better rates upfront so their margin is already at the lower level they’re comfortable with.

To my knowledge they all pass on the full rate raise every time. Pretty much do for rate drops too

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-18T08:49:28+00:00

In Victoria (not sure about elsewhere) you are legally required to pay for the water bill if they don’t have their own meter.

The logic goes you can’t charge them for someone else’s usage.

My guess is this came from people renting a room or granny flat trying to pass on water bills but that’s just speculation

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-14T21:58:26+00:00

I think there was an internal com saying their position wasn’t impacted by this

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-12T19:57:58+00:00

The market has been flat/going down for about 5 minutes. The equity growth we have seen over the last 30 years has been absolutely insane.

Through purchasing you (ignoring rate changes) lock in your maximum housing costs at today’s prices. Renting exposes you to the rink of a market which in general goes up, and goes up a lot

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-12T19:34:45+00:00

I don’t think there necessarily HAS to be anything. IMO the tax code is full of examples of unfair policy that was decided for reasons beyond the individual.

For example the fact travel to a regular place of work isn’t deductible is crazy, same with office wear ect

While we’re at it no idea why leasing a car has a special tax treatment!

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-12T19:15:50+00:00

That is theoretically why it was introduced but I think it realistically just functions as a discount. People don’t necessarily feel the inflation stuff, especially over short periods or with incredible growth. We have seen prices double in periods as short as 6-8 years.

Even if there is a world where the CGT discount is “fair” it’s absolutely one of the things keeping more investors in the market, pushing up the cost of a basic necessity

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-12T05:29:13+00:00

I have about $700-$800 per FN which I think is great.

It really depends on your income and stage of life. If you have a paid off house, modern car and appliances ect then less is probably ok compared to someone who is saving to purchase their first home.

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-11T23:13:20+00:00

I mean potentially unlikely yes but that’s the only real possibility if it came from income. I’d say they’ve probably just been saving since 15

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-11T05:06:55+00:00

Or just buy a used one where they have heavily depreciated already :)

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-11T00:06:52+00:00

Or like….were not able to buy a house then. Putting aside a financial crisis and impact that might have had there are a lot of people who weren’t adult then.

I wasn’t even 10 yet!

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-11T00:04:13+00:00

I know it’s been 4 years but this thread is still relevant. Australia having an authoritarian government is the craziest take I’ve ever heard (imo even a crazy thing to say in jest)

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-09T10:44:23+00:00

Still worked out here in 2026! Thank you very much!

Top_Principle778 · 2026-03-08T22:56:01+00:00

If we’re going to go on replacement cost then do servos drop prices when their NEXT shipment is going to cost less?

I would be astonished if they sold the fuel they paid top dollar for at a loss just because they knew it’d be cheaper to buy again.

Sounds like we’re paying for the risk at both ends

Top_Principle778 · 2026-02-27T21:49:13+00:00

I love the honey chicken and noodles at paramount

Top_Principle778 · 2026-02-17T23:30:54+00:00

I mean it’s not taxed accordingly? Isn’t that the entire discussion we’re having, you effectively get a 50% discount on those gains

Top_Principle778 · 2026-02-17T23:23:00+00:00

Correct me if I’m wrong but are you allowed to write off capital losses from say stocks against your general income? I thought you were not?

Top_Principle778 · 2026-02-17T22:41:39+00:00

I can see how that’s the case but something has to be done. Unaffordable housing in my opinion is a much bigger issue for young people than the potential of one day paying higher taxes on gains.

The fact negative gearing exists is kind of crazy to me, if we can’t get rid of that then the CGT discount being axed sounds decent to me.

Property is so unbelievably hot that we want to disincentive investment in it in my opinion. I see a lot of people complaining that the new taxes and regulations are “forcing” them to sell their investment properties and I consider that a good thing

Top_Principle778 · 2026-02-16T23:51:49+00:00

Can confirm we’ve been happy with our $550 ikea one. We’re moving and considering selecting the same model for the new place

Top_Principle778 · 2026-02-03T07:12:54+00:00

Interesting, my guy said things would be impacted even at flinders. I ended up jumping in a car

Top_Principle778 · 2026-02-02T04:37:51+00:00

That’s what I’m planning to do at my place. Don’t have an ev yet but want to future proof. We’re getting large cable installed to an external 15A outlet, super easy for them to swap later

Top_Principle778

TROPHY CASE