The Big Decisions
Money Stuff has all the info on buying stuff in general and buying a car, mobile phone and computer. Select ‘Just the Facts’.
Debt Sux provides fact sheets on mobile phones, renting, cars and insurance and loans.
The Australian Consumer Association: Choice has free advice for non-members and extra advice for members on buying products, superannuation and scams.
Need wheels? The NRMA has advice and fact sheets to help you get on the road and stay there. Doing a REVS (Register of Encumbered Vehicles) check could save you $$. You should check that your potential new car doesn’t have a debt from a previous owner that you might inherit, for more information phone 1800 424 988 (available 7 days a week) or follow this link.
Lawstuff has fact sheets and legal advice on buying a car and getting it on the road. Enter your State or Territory, select ‘Law Topics’ and ‘Buying a Car’.
Debit card or credit card? What is the difference and how can you use them to your advantage? Check out the credit section of Money Stuff to answer all your questions.
Mobile phones, gotta love them! Think first and don’t get caught out later, Lawstuff has a list of questions you should ask before you buy a mobile phone and advice on mobile phone contracts or if you can’t pay your bill. Select your State or Territory, then ‘Law Topics’ and ‘Mobile phones’.
Renting a house or moving out can be a great way to share expenses or a nightmare…read the Renting section on Money Stuff before you move out, to end a tenancy and for some sample case studies. the source has links to sites with legal information about renting, go to Rights and select ‘Legal Advice’.
Banks, building societies and credit unions…where is the best place for your money? Check out FIDO (Financial Information Delivered Online) for info on transaction fees, online banking and a list of authorised groups who can take deposits in Australia.
June 30 is the end of the financial year. The Australian Tax Office has lots of info and helpful people who will answer your questions about tax.
Superannuation - that's paying a bit now to have money for when you retire. Your employer is required by the Government to pay a percentage of your salary into a superannuation fund. You can't get it till you retire but you should be able to say which fund your super is paid into. FIDO has a page which explains superannuation and answers heaps of questions. Getting an ‘accrued benefit’ and not sure what that is? The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia has a superannuation dictionary for all that super jargon! The Australian Taxation Office has fact sheets and advice about superannuation. Make sure you keep a record of where your super is as you change jobs throughout your working life, and look at rolling your funds with small amounts into your bigger accounts.
Looking to invest? Start with FIDO’s (Financial Information Delivered Online) Investing Basics to get informed. The Australian Stock Exchange has free online classes to help you learn about the sharemarket. It will also keep you updated with all the latest info on the latest market statistics and Australian company research.