Personal Finance

I’m thinking it’s time to finally get my finances in order. It’s long overdue really but better late than never, right? I’ve been spending like there’s no tomorrow for too long now and it’s starting to bite. I’m not swimming in debt or anything, thank god, but there’s definitely room to manage my money better. It’s not like I don’t earn a decent income, I just don’t know where it all goes. Sound familiar to anyone else? So, I’d love to get some advice on developing a budget and making my money work for me. Is it best to use an app or good old pen to paper? Any tips on what expenses to cut out first or how to save more each month? I know there’s no magic fix here but …

The buzzword on everyone’s lips these days is 5G. The fifth-generation cellular network technology promises speeds ten to a hundred times faster than 4G, which could revolutionize how we use the internet. The potential applications for 5G seem boundless - smart cities, autonomous vehicles, the Internet of Things, and even remote surgeries. How exciting is that! However, it’s not all smooth sailing! There are some valid concerns voiced about whether the infrastructure can keep up. If every device we own is constantly connected to the internet, it may lead to overcrowded networks and potential privacy issues. While advocates of 5G tout its numerous advantages, skept…

Okay, fellow forum members, let’s chat. So, I’ve recently dived into this murky world of personal finance and man, it’s a doozy. Who knew you needed a finance degree just to figure out your retirement plan? My main goal right now is just to get a handle on this whole personal finance shindig. So where should I start, what’s the best step to understanding all this financial mumbo jumbo? Like, I want to start saving for something big. Maybe a house or that dream trip to Bali once this pandemic’s a thing of the past. I’ve been stashing money under my mattress (okay not literally, but you get the drift), yet I feel like I could probably be doing something more produc…

i recently got back from a trip and let me tell you, staying on budget was a serious challenge. anyone else find it tough? i thought i had it all planned out with spreadsheets and apps but once i was out there, temptation was everywhere. one thing that helped me a bit was setting a daily cash allowance and leaving the credit cards in the hotel safe. that way, i could see exactly what i was spending and it made me think twice about those extra cocktails 🍹. what do you guys do to keep your holiday spending in check? any tips or tricks? would love to hear your stories or advice!

Alright, so I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately and finally decided to lay it all out here. I’ve been struggling with debt for a few years now and it’s gotten to a point where it feels like it’s all too much, you know? Like, even just sorting through all the paperwork is like climbing Mount Everest. It started with student loans. Went to university, had to get a loan. Then it snowballed from there. Credit cards became a crutch. I had one, maxed it out, got another, rinse and repeat. Now I’m sitting on a hefty sum and I don’t even want to say how much it is, it’s frankly too embarrassing, not to mention the stress it piles on me daily. Even though I’ve been …

I’ve been trying to get better at managing my money, but it feels like a never-ending juggle. I have some credit card debt I’m chipping away at, but I also want to build up a solid emergency fund. Right now, I’m setting aside about $200 a month for savings and paying around $150 extra toward my debt on top of minimum payments. It’s a small step, but sometimes it feels like I’m barely making a dent anywhere. One thing that stresses me is unexpected bills popping up, like car repairs or medical stuff, which throws off my budget and makes me doubt if I’m doing this right. I try to be frugal, packing lunches and cutting subscriptions, but it’s tough when I want to still enjoy…

So I’ve been trying to stick to a personal budget for months now. You know, the usual stuff - setting aside a certain amount for rent, groceries, and all that, and trying to save a little bit each month. It’s been tough, I won’t lie. Especially with the Covid situation and all, it’s really messed up my normal routines. Also, online shopping’s so tempting now, isn’t it? Just me? But the problem is, I keep going over budget. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to stay within the limits I set for myself. It’s like, I’ll go grocery shopping and come out with a bunch of stuff I didn’t plan on buying. Or I’ll see something online that I “just have to have”. I’m sure…

hi all, just stumbled onto this forum and wow, there’s some great knowledge flying around here! thought I’d pick your brains a bit. I’m in my mid-30s, decent job, but living paycheck to paycheck mostly. hate to admit it but I’ve never really thought much about personal finance until now. reckon it’s never too late to start right? so, I guess I need some basics. where do I start? I keep hearing about budgeting, but that just turns my brain to mush. anybody got a simple way to explain it? and what’s all this about emergency funds? how much should I have squirreled away? and let’s talk nightmare scenario. um, what if I’ve got credit card debt? (asking for a friend, …

So I’ve been tracking my spending for a few months now, and honestly, it’s been eye-opening. I didn’t realize how much little things like coffee runs and spontaneous online shopping added up. My rent and bills take up most of my paycheck, which is expected, but after that, I’m often left feeling like I don’t have much wiggle room for savings or fun. I’ve tried making a strict budget before, but I usually end up feeling too restricted and binge spending later. I want to find a balance where I can save a bit more each month without feeling like I’m depriving myself. I also get worried about unexpected expenses—car repairs, medical bills, that kind of stuff—that can totally …

Lately, I've been feeling a bit stressed about money. I try to keep track of my expenses, but somehow the bills, groceries, and little random purchases add up faster than I expect. I make about $2500 a month after taxes, and my rent plus utilities are around $1000, which feels like it eats up too much of my budget already. I want to save a bit each month, even if it's just $100, but it feels like I’m constantly juggling between paying essentials and trying to have a tiny bit left over for fun or emergencies. I've heard about different budgeting apps and methods like the envelope system or zero-based budgeting, but I worry they might be too complicated or time-consuming …

Anyone else find budgeting a bit like trying to eat healthier? You start off with good intentions, but then life happens and suddenly you're back at square one. 😅 I used to be terrible at sticking to a budget until I found a couple of things that really helped. First, I started using a simple spreadsheet where I listed all my expenses. I know there are fancy apps, but something about seeing everything laid out made it more real for me. Another tip that worked wonders was the idea of paying myself first. I set up an automatic transfer to my savings account right after I got paid. It's like out of sight, out of mind, and it really builds up over time. Lastly, I gave m…

is it just me? i mean, you’re surfing the net, minding your own business, when BAM! out of nowhere, some garish ad starts blaring through your speakers, or god forbid it’s late at night and you’ve hit a news article with an embedded video and the voiceover nearly gives you a heart attack! it’s intrusive, it’s annoying and honestly for me, it just ruins the entire experience. i don’t want my browsing to come with its own unexpected soundtrack, you know? there’s a reason I have headphones and select my own tunes. i don’t need to be ambushed by car ads while i’m just trying to read an article or look up a recipe. and the worst part? trying to find the tiny ‘x’ o…

Hey folks, I find myself in a bit of a pickle. I’ve been working for around ten years now, making decent money, not that I’m rolling in it, but you know, enough to get by. But I seem to be just getting by, you know? The bills get paid, the fridge is full, but at the end of the month, when I look at where my paycheck went, it seems like I’m living paycheck to paycheck. Mind you, I’m alright with money, I’m not wasteful or anything. But I feel like I’m missing something. You know, there’s my mate, not too different from me, but he’s got savings and is about to put down a payment for a house. Yeah, he doesn’t drive a fancy car or wear designer stuff, but he isn’t scrimp…

Ever since Alexa came into our homes, the debate about smart speakers and home assistants has been a heated one. Their convenience factor is undeniable - controlling appliances, streaming music, setting up reminders and searching Google by voice command, all of which simplify our day-to-day tasks significantly. Plus, it’s cool to have your very own AI-enabled assistant, isn’t it? There’s the other side of the coin though. These smart devices are always listening and potentially recording our conversations. There is a certain level of unease that comes with the notion of having a device perpetually tuned-in to all the chatter in your home. With regular news about data …

Hey folks, I’ve been hanging around the forum for a while but I’ve never really posted anything. Gotta admit, money matters have always been a weak spot for me. So, I am hoping you all could help me out a bit. Things have been a bit tight since Covid hit last year. Somehow, I’ve been juggling bills, rent, and a little one that just hit his terrible twos. I’ve been lucky. Kept my job and all, but the paycheck doesn’t stretch as much as it used to, ya know? And I’m really starting to feel the pinch. The whole saving money thing, not exactly my forte. Got a little nest egg tucked away but thanks to these uncertain times, it looks like it could do with fattening up. …

I've been on a bit of a personal finance journey over the past year, especially with prices going up everywhere. It's wild how those little expenses sneak up on you, right? 🤑 I thought I'd share some tricks that've really helped me keep my budget in check and maybe hear what works for you too. First off, meal planning has been a game-changer. I used to grab whatever was convenient, but planning meals for the week means I buy exactly what I need. Plus, it cuts down on food waste, which is always a win. I even started a small herb garden to save on those expensive fresh herbs at the store. 🌿 Another thing is tracking every penny. I know it sounds tedious, but using an a…

So, here’s the deal. I’ve been bumbling around with my personal finances for a few years now and it’s basically just been a case of living paycheck to paycheck. I used to reckon this was how everyone did things, but lately - especially after a brutal 2020 (don’t get me started on that), I’ve realised that this isn’t the way to live. I moved back home with the parentals last year because of Miss Rona herself and I’ve managed to squirrel away some money by doing so. Now, I’ve got a bit of a safety net, but now what? Where do I put it? How do I grow it? I keep hearing about interest rates, but when I googled it the information was really overwhelming and I simply shut do…

ok, so here’s the thing. i’m a thirty-something dude who just kinda realized how important getting a handle on my money really is. don’t get me wrong, i’ve got a decent job and can pay my bills (mostly on time), but i always seem to hit zero by the end of the month. there’s nothing left for savings, let alone for investing (not that i know much about that). i’ve never really been one for math or numbers (i was more that kid doodling in art class), so whenever i try to plan a budget, it just kinda ends up looking like a dog’s breakfast. you know? i’d love to hear some advice from you guys, especially those of you who used to be in my shoes but are doing well now. h…

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone could give me a bit of advice on personal finance. I’ve always been rubbish with money, honestly. Always living paycheck to paycheck, finding myself short at the end of the month is a recurring story, living on ramen noodles lol. And don’t even get me started on saving! Seems like a myth to me. Anyhow, this year I promised myself this would change, it’s about time I get a grip on my finances. With everything surrounding the pandemic, I don’t want to repeat 2020, that was a scare! I’m looking to get on top of everything and build myself a bit of a safety net for future, who knows what is in the cards for us? So, does anyone have…

Hey guys, I’m in a bit of a pickle here. So, my trusty old laptop finally gave up on me. Poor thing served me well for a good seven years. Never gave me no trouble, not a single blue screen. But last night it just went puff, and now it won’t even turn on. Tried everything - won’t budge. It’s an ex-laptop, lifeless… that sort of thing. Now, I need to get a new one and, oh boy, things have changed since the last time I bought a laptop. So much jargon, so many exhausting options to consider. Thought you lot would be the people to ask! I need something that’s good for both work and some light gaming. My work involves a truckload of typing, heaps of emails, Zoom meetin…

so, i’ve been working full-time for a couple of years now, and lately, i can’t shake off this feeling that i’m not managing my finances as well as i should. always kinda feel like I’m running in place, y’know? i try to put money away each month, got an emergency fund and all, but then life happens - car needs a repair, pipe burst, best mate’s surprise party, etc. it seems like every time i get a handle on things, another unexpected expense shows up outta nowhere. it’s like trying to navigate around icebergs in the middle of the ocean… blindfolded. then there’s the business of tracking expenses, setting (and sticking to) budgets, investing… it’s kind of overwhelmi…

I’ve gotta be honest guys, the whole personal finance thing feels a bit like deep waters to me. Not that I’m terrible with money or anything, but I just landed my first full-time job (yay to no more ramen for dinner!) and suddenly I feel like I have to know all the stuff nobody ever taught me at school. You know, all the boring stuff - budgeting, saving, investing, insurance - you get the picture. Maybe I could’ve googled everything (and trust me, I tried) but I found the info overwhelming and quite a bit contradictory. So thought I’d turn to this trusty forum. I’ve seen some financial gurus around here and I’m hoping for some real-life, tested tips and tricks. S…

So, I’ve been trying to budget for what feels like forever, but math is not my thing. Numbers dance around and taunt me. I swear, I once added 2+2 and got 5. 😂Anyway, I've tried a couple of things that seem to work, even for someone like me. First, I downloaded this app that basically does all the calculations for you. It’s like magic. You just input what you earn and what you spend, and voila! You get a nice little summary. It even makes pie charts, and who doesn’t love pie charts? Another lifesaver has been setting up automatic transfers to my savings. I don’t even see the money, so I’m not tempted to spend it. Out of sight, out of mind, right? What about you guys? Any …

Lately, I’ve been trying really hard to get my finances in order. I have some credit card debt hanging over me—about $3,000—and at the same time, I want to build up my emergency fund, which is pretty much nonexistent right now. I’ve been tracking every dollar with a simple spreadsheet, cutting back on little extras like takeout and subscriptions, but it still feels like I’m barely making a dent. What’s tricky is that I want to save something each month, even if it’s just $50, but the minimum payments on my debt make that tough. Plus, the stress of money worries sometimes makes me want to spend on small treats just to feel better—kind of a vicious cycle. I’m wondering if…

I’m kinda new to all this finance stuff, even though I reckon being a grown-up should’ve prepared me for it more than it has… and I’ve landed myself in a really sticky situation. So, I thought I’d take a shot and see if there’s anybody out there who’s been in the same boat and could hopefully, offer some advice? So how did I end up here? Well, I guess it all kicked off a couple of years ago, after the birth of my twins. Medical bills, surprise expenses, and the inability to go back to work sooner than I’d planned (let’s face it, having twins is its own special marathon) had me resorting to credit cards more than I’d like to admit. Couple that with the sharp downturn m…