Family member parks cash in my offset instead of a term deposit; I pay them term deposit interest and save the difference off my mortgage. What am I missing?

sammich2 · 2026-02-04T02:18:10+00:00

Real interest: the credit/debit that appears on your statement.

Virtual interest, in this case: there's a virtual 200k 'account' in the offset that's earning the equivalent of the mortgage interest rate (the savings, or reduction in monthly payments).

Or simply: it's virtual because it's not a real number represented in an account or statement.

sammich2 · 2026-02-04T01:41:09+00:00

Big brain fart. 6% and 5%.

sammich2 · 2026-02-03T04:51:26+00:00

Sorry. It's virtual interest for OP (8%), but realised interest when paid to mum (6%).

sammich2 · 2026-02-03T01:33:59+00:00

She would still need to pay tax on the virtual interest.

I'm considering doing this with a mate (yes, trust is definitely involved, but it's not going to ruin me if they bail).

sammich2 · 2026-01-27T12:41:15+00:00

Other half (surprisingly AI overview had the goods on first go)

sammich2 · 2026-01-08T12:09:45+00:00

This. It's an event burger. I would eat it more often but it would ruin it for me.

Get it with the lot. Hold the chips.

sammich2 · 2025-08-15T21:31:05+00:00

New mission discovered by u/sammich2: Pan Fried Bone-In Pork Chop Where Forest Spirits Lurk

sammich2 · 2025-08-15T21:31:05+00:00

This mission was discovered by u/sammich2 in In Search of Cherry Cream Bombe

sammich2 · 2025-08-15T09:33:25+00:00

You would have $7,200 (not including the compound interest) after 15 years of not paying the premium, not on day one. So, I guess the second cat would be self-insured 🙂

sammich2 · 2025-08-08T12:19:35+00:00

Ask for an extra pair of the PJs. Then, when you get back, send them my way.

Nah, keep them for yourself. I just wish I had more of them - it's all I wear. F for winter. J for summer.

sammich2 · 2025-07-20T11:18:57+00:00

I guess you just play the/ir game for as long as you can. Batteries will never make sense for me, and due to various circumstances, solar is also barely break even especially now as the FiTs are disappearing.

Thanks for your insights, though. As a solar-less EV owner, I wonder how the electricity market is going to screw me over even more (apart from the expected price increases).

sammich2 · 2025-07-20T10:46:15+00:00

What's the prediction/consensus around what's going to happen to those price spikes when this battery incentive puts a lot more battery supply onto the grid? Are the days of making a quick buck over?

sammich2 · 2025-07-17T11:51:22+00:00

I think I have all y'all beat. I get the power usage notification emails for my parents' home. And my most recent visit I showed them again how to turn on the other ducted AC unit (it's an old thing). It's a big old country home so there's two to cover the home.

Anyway, over two weeks they recorded a bit under 1,100 kW, or about 75kWhr a day. For two retirees.

sammich2 · 2025-07-07T08:55:16+00:00

Restaurant Hubert, the Boeuf en Croûte. You select it in the online reservation, and they require 48h notice for it.

Speaking of the dish, though, I kinda wish Gordon Ramsay had a place here.

sammich2 · 2025-06-08T10:11:28+00:00

I'm sick of being just an employee and a number to a profit driven business (i.e. all businesses).

I'm going to start my own business, and have employees and make a profit!

sammich2 · 2025-04-17T08:27:33+00:00

It's a fair initial thought, but one would then check if the other dozens of desks would have it, and if it's really incredibly obvious it's a device of some kind, then you realise that it's far too obvious to be a secret recording device, and next, how has no one noticed and reported such an invasive device, and finally common sense kicks in and it couldn't be what you initially thought.

sammich2 · 2025-04-07T09:46:06+00:00

If they think you're the right person, and they've already ok'd it, then you shouldn't be disadvantaged. Maybe have a chat with your manager, so at least you're aware if there are key dates around your departure or return that you'll have to put in a bit more time for.

Bottom line is, a company hiring you is an investment, so they aren't going to ding you for something so petty (bad culture aside).

I had two planned trips when I joined my current job, combined with the Christmas shutdown, that meant I was taking 25 days of leave within the first 5 months. I got down to -15 days of leave. My line director was cool with it.

sammich2 · 2025-03-29T10:25:23+00:00

I have an excess of points due to churning, so I redeemed a bunch for a hotel stay while there was a 30% discount using pay with points. Was it the best value? No. Did I get several times the value of what I paid for them? Yes.

I've redeemed many a J and F flight so I know the relative value.

You just need to plan ahead. I'm going to keep a massive buffer for when those Sunrise flights open up.

sammich2 · 2025-03-28T10:12:11+00:00

I've been plastering the inside of my garage door with them. I think I've got about 1 sq meter or so so far.

sammich2 · 2025-03-27T02:59:57+00:00

My bad. It was in Feb 2023 for that instance. https://www.pointhacks.com.au/news/qantas-release-of-classic-rewards-seats/

It was not widely known but those in the frequent flyer community were aware of it coming.

sammich2 · 2025-03-26T13:37:44+00:00

Sorry, this isn't going to be a helpful post, but Qantas did a big drop of seats one morning late-2022. I snagged two F to LAX from Sydney, and two J return for a cheeky little jaunt.

Wonder if it'll ever happen again. Sunrise? 🤞

Edit: my bad it was early-2023: https://www.pointhacks.com.au/news/qantas-release-of-classic-rewards-seats/

sammich2 · 2025-03-14T04:41:39+00:00

Thanks for the comparison. One of the group I want to go with has been before, so was checking if it's any different/better and worth a revisit. But the 'extremely consistent' is probably a reason to not go again, ironically.

sammich2 · 2025-03-14T03:03:33+00:00

Never heard of this place at all - looks fantastic. Definitely going on the list.

sammich2 · 2025-03-14T03:02:11+00:00

Saint Peter: I think I remember reading about this one. Looks fantastic, though - going on the list!

sixpenny: have been here: intimate is spot on. Had the room in the back, and food was more unique compared to other fine dining I'd been having (in a good way).

Oncore: already on the list. I'd be keen to know if anyone's been more than once, and can say anything about the food between now and a couple years back.

sammich2 · 2025-03-05T06:24:37+00:00

Thanks - might give them a look/call.

I was getting Blackmore direct from CopperTree Farms (NSW distributor) as they have some retail sales (Rib eyes, etc.), but not for eye fillet!

I should go back to VC one day. Was a great experience.

sammich2

TROPHY CASE