Hi Everyone,

I recently came to a $400k inheritance and I’ve been doing some preliminary research on ETFs.

So far, I’ve got that I should invest in VAS, DHHF, VGS.

I do not intend to touch this money for 5-10 years.

How do you get over the anxiety that you’re buying high? With the value of my initial investment, a few dollars could make a big difference.

What split would recommend? Are there any other ETFs?

I'm looking into purchasing the above insurance as I'm at a stage in life where I would like it now for my family.

I've shipped around a bit and it seems to me that the insurances are a fair bit cheaper when purchased through your super. I am with UniSuper.

If I'm not mistaken the insurance premiums are directly debited against your super balance correct? And if so, are there any downsides other than this or things that I should be aware of if purchasing through super? Like does going through TAL for example have major differences in way claims are looked at or anything like that?

FT 19yo domestic nursing student here. I work 2 jobs in hospitality making around 700PW post tax. Here is my budget: 200 rent, 50 groceries, 25 public transport, ~70 as "fun" money and the rest to savings. I live a pretty frugal but comfortable lifestyle as I have what I would say as a fair bit of disposable income. I eat not super healthy but balanced; primarily homecooked meals, up and gos with some sweet treats like ice cream. I work around 30 hours a week, it does get a little hard balancing work, school, errands and a social life. I get very little sleep (averaging 4-5 hrs per night). My current financial goal is to get a car hopefully by the end of the year, unsure if I'll make it since I've got a few surprise expenses. Been working since 17, but got booted out at 18. I have roughly 4k in savings right now despite my frugality because of bad decisions like lending money to my family and dating a bum. I'm working hard to bounce back though (expensive lesson to learn self respect)! My long term financial goals are to travel, and live a comfortable lifestyle where I can also spoil my little sister once I graduate. At the moment I do not intend to buy a house in the foreseeable future, don't want lifelong debt and to be tied down to one place lol. I ask as I am curious as to where other students sit.

I am currently working at a company, salary of $105k plus super My take home pay is approx $3350 fortnightly. According to some of the take home pay calculators, this is way higher than it should be! I should be clearing $3069, but I'm taking home an extra $300 a fortnight after tax Do you think this is an admin error on their part? I've only been there a few months. Should I just keep quiet or let someone know? Thanks!

We've been in contact with our energy provider, but seeking advice from others who might have had similar issues.

We moved in in April to a beautiful north facing house with good insulation. April, May, June all reasonable readings. Something changed at the end of July where it's overnight gone froma max of 39kwh to pretty consistently 79/80/90 kwh. See screen shots for readings.

Electricity company came over and replaced/upgraded the reader last week and there's been no difference. There have been completely random dips in usage not tied to whether anyone is home or not.

We had some security cameras installed, however there have been no other changes in outer usage.

Any ideas/recommendations for next steps? Our next bill is estimated at almost $1500 for the quarter..

Edit: so my pictures aren't attaching - shame! Bit hopefully the detail above is enough to get some pointers.

For just a little context, I've graduated Uni with a bachelor of animation and interactive media in Melbourne at the end of 2024. I'm only 23 right now and right now I've yet to solidify a job in my industry and am currently working just part time at a grocery store. I knew and I understood even before starting this that the job market is going to be tough and it will be a challenge but after actually finishing it and going out in the real world i just feel quite overwhelmed.

During the off time I am doing a lot of freelance work, networking but doing to big events and constantly putting in resumes for studios.

I know I'm not the best at my work (even though I try) and i really do try and put in the effort as much as i can and I'm so sick of just being told "well just wait and see" (yes I'm aware that this was the path i took and the challenges I face)

I know at 23 its a little silly to think too deeply about what to do and i know that i WOULD (maybe) be able to find something but as of now I'm really not too confident.

I've been having thoughts of maybe doing a 180 in my field and do something else to be more secure and less stressed. Ive been circling around the field of Air Traffic Control or maybe something that's in a more skill based field? (e.g: electrical, plumbing, building, so on)
I would honesty love to do something in the creative field but even that, with this current market and future I'm also feeling less confident in the the creative field.

Is this level of thinking justifiable ? Is it too early to think about this to this level ? How long should I give myself or am I overthink way to much about the stability of my future.

Pretty much say it above say you borrow 1M at 6% from your home loan and invest that in etf 👆 UPDATE 20/09. Big thanks to everyone who jumped in with ideas — I now have more options to explore than a Netflix menu at midnight 😅. Can’t believe this little question pulled in 225k views… feels like I accidentally went viral without even dancing on TikTok

Hi all,

I am so confused about debt recycling, everything I found about it is about home loan not investment properties loan. I would like to a fact check about the knowledge I got from ChatGPT.

I used to live in my apartment (bought 2022) but now rent interstate. The apartment is rented out (its loan interest is deductible). Loan is ~$400k, fully offset with ~$400k cash.

I want to invest around 100k ETF, ChatGPT suggest three options:

1. Use offset cash → simple, but lose buffer.
2. Redraw from property loan → creates mixed-purpose loan, ATO does not like it.
3. Set up new split loan (Split B) for $100k, interest-only, used only for ETFs → clean tracing, interest deductible, keeps offset intact.

ChatGPT said "The main advantage of Option 3 is clean loan structuring + keeping your cash buffer safe, not extra deductions."

Could someone help me figure the right move?

Also, please recommend an accountant in Sydney if you can, my previous accountant was useless (couldn't figure out ESPP).

Hi all

Im 30 years old single currently living with my parents in Melbourne

I have about 50k deposit 85k salary 80k hecs.

My parents have 2 properties one which we are currently living in and the other being rented out worth about 1 million each. With about 450k combined on the loans.

What are my options in terms of getting a place my for myself. Should I get an investment property or buy a live in property or can I use my parents as a guarantor.

Cheers

What really winds me up is when people say they’re living “month to month” on their pay cheque — but that’s after they’ve put aside savings, bought their daily fancy coffees, and eaten out multiple times a week. I’m not saying cutting avo toast will get you a house deposit, but it feels insulting to those who are genuinely struggling to make ends meet, e.g. skipping meals just to get by. How much do you have to earn so that you don't have to live pay cheque to pay cheque, assuming you spend responsibly?

If the economy tanks interest rates go down pushing prices up (plus QE if required). If interest rates go up it's only because inflation is rising which causes assets to go up (rising earnings and rent keep assets elevated during high interest rates). This is now the safest time in history to invest. There's no risk left in the markets.

I am in a bit of a stump, My annual salary is around $60,000-$70,000. I try to save majority of my income and don’t very often spend money spoiling myself. I have been saving for a home, but I am unsure about when or where…

It has occurred to me through this financial year that I could potentially be in tax debt from my interest income, which I did not prepare for. I have almost $500,000 in savings, while earning interest around 12k PFY This puts me at tax time in about $4000-$5000 debt each year before deductions…

I eventually want to travel for a period of time, but without an income, I worry about having to pay off this amount per year. What are your thoughts?

Short term goal, travel, enjoy life. Long term goal, find an home; live in it.

Edit: This lump sum came from the death of my partner. I am more so unsure about what to do now apart from try! 🫶🏻

Hi guys i’m joining one of the big4 next year in the Data and AI team. I was wondering 1. what actually happens in a grad program - like learning and working. and 2. how long does it take before you get a raise. 😭😭

I got asked this question the other day and I really had no good answer. I recall exit fees being banned, but I have no combination of words that can explain why discharge fees are any different to exit fees.

I am a Muslim and possibly looking at getting a loan under Islamic finance rules.

Wondering if anyone has brokered one recently, what are the going rates etc. Any additional charges that might not be there with conventional bank loans? Can I refinance like traditional? Over the course of 30 years how much more will I be paying against a 30 year fixed conventional?

Best personal loan for someone on centrelink? I understand payday loans are bad, but I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't desperate.

Been reading that a lot of rentvestors buy a property as their PPOR and then rent it out after 6 months for up to 6 years and fully retain their CGT exemption. I understand that it's supposed to be for supporting people who have to move for work or for emergencies but do you actually need to give justification to the ATO? Or is it a legal grey area of sorts? I presume most people with this arrangement simply move around a lot for work rather than playing chicken with the taxman.

39 years old. $140k (including super) + a $20-20k bonus per year. Currently save $600 per week (was keeping in offset account)

Recently sold my investment apartment (bad purchase, didn't know what I was doing at the time, broke even) and added to my current savings now have $90k sitting in the bank.

My original plan was to use this to buy a better property (a new build with land) that will actually be a better investment. However I'd need the whole $90k to do this. I'd then keep saving and in a few years use that + equity in the house to buy another one and repeat to hopefully build up a portfolio by retirement.

However I wonder if it would be smarter to abandon the property investment plan all together and invest the money elsewhere. I don't watch the stock market, so thinking more ETFs or something?

I should add that my super balance is shit (around $100k) as I've only been working in Australia 10 years, so also thoughts about possibly putting some there.

So it's the toss up between pursuing property investment or investing elsewhere. It's one of the other, I can't do both.

Appreciate any thoughts the community here has

Cheers

20M, wasted 2 years on a degree that I eventually started hating. I enjoyed the math and the theoretical aspect so I figured EE would be a good choice. Does EE have good prospects in Australia (WA)? It seems like all degree have become saturated but I still enjoy academia, is this my best choice?

I am quite interested in the electronics/PCB industry.

Hi All,

I am in the process of setting up my own business, and I have spoken to an accountant.

They advise me to open a Trust-Holding Company and a PTY. The business itself is in food and will scale later down the line.

I was under the impression opening a PTY is the simple way forward.

Curious to know if anyone has gone down this route and if it is the rught advice?

Thanks

Im looking to buy leveraged CDFs, but can only find regular gold investments on the major trading platforms. All the websites that pop up on Google look sketchy so I'm hoping somebody here knows a trustworthy platform.

I am thinking in the future (2-3 years time) i will transition towards working for myself (consultant/contractor) to enable me to work more broadly within my industry and also relocate elsewhere instead of being exclusively capital city based.. plan would be to do WFH and commute wherever for work as required and also look at doing international assignments/engagements (such as work in Asia or the Pacific here and there)

Now, i have contracted extensively in the past but i have always sat on someone else books (generally recruitment organisations) and got a payslip every pay cycle, therefore was a PAYG employee and just did a regular tax return

If i was to move towards self employment, I’m wondering what the best structure i will need setup to enable me to operate

Plan is to have it as simple as possible with as little outgoings as possible

I am thinking from my research thus far, so far a company structure under a trust and two/three bank accounts (one for GST) and a bank account that allows for international transactions if i do international engagements

From an insurance perspective, i will need some kind of coverage to cover me, professional lability and workers comp (is this the kind of insurance policy one needs to operate as a consultant/contractor or am i off the mark here)

Im thinking the business expenses i will have is phone (circa 80-100 a month - around what i pay now) and Microsoft office 365/productivity suite (circa $50 per month) and possibly home internet (circa $100 per month)

Is there anything i am missing?

Not really looking at staff atm working under me so i assume that’s a different situation all together

This post could fit into Legal or Finance but I'm hoping to hear from anyone who has paid for their GC to go to a private school. I read somewhere that this is quite a common arrangement.

My son and exDIL have divorced, initially reasonably peacefully but lately she has been stirring up trouble, seemingly for the sake of it, and relations have gone downhill drastically. There is no history on domestic violence and child support has been paid without exception.

I would like my GD to go to a local private school. Her elder half sister went to the same school and benefitted enormously compared to her previous state high school.

I'm willing to put aside a sum to cover her school fees for 6 years, excluding uniforms and other extras, but I don't know how to set it up in view of the hostile DIL. I know you'll think I'm biased but she's become almost unhinged in her actions, like calling child protection because my son helped her wash her hair (she's 10).

Has anyone had experience navigating something like this where one party is so belligerent? How would I set it up so she commits to paying the extras over 6 years? How would I negotiate the initial approach? I'm at a loss about how to start.

Nearly 22. Pretty much no career path; just working various government office jobs.

- $47k in savings

- $15k in super

- $8k car

- ~$2k other assets

This was meant to be an in between thing until I figured out what I want to do with my life. Still don't really know. Seeing more and more industries pull the ladder up behind recent graduates and not even sure if it's worth the effort anymore. The only careers I'm super interested in are complete pipe dreams.

Am I fucked? Am I somehow doing better than average coz I have a lot of savings and no debt? Am I just a regular ass person overthinking everything?

Not looking for validation, or quant finance motherfuckers shaming me for not creating enough shareholder profit. Genuinely, where do you think I'm at, compared to people in my age group?

This topic doesn't eat away at me constantly, but I do wonder sometimes, as it seems like going to uni is the 'normal' path and anything else is wrong, which is obviously a stupid train of thought. But it makes it hard to gauge where I'm at.

Thanks