Want to know how to save a lot of money week to week on one of your highest expenses? Read this quote from David Purchase of VACC.

“There has been a lot of recent industry and media discussion regarding alternative fuels and electric powered vehicles in particular. VACC can see the potential of plug-in vehicles, but they are for the future, especially when you consider re-charging networks and training courses for repairers still need to be addressed. But LPG is for the now. It is viable, environmentally friendly and the technology and infrastructure is proven,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

So, either buy a full LPG car or convert your current vehicle to LPG. The cost for the LPG gas is less than half of unleaded petrol and diesel. LPG doesn’t fluctuate as much as as unleaded. Plus the shopper dockets, rewards credit cards such as the BP-Citibank credit card help to lower the cost even further.

Boom of Social Sites Infographic via the Focus FYI blog

Another post on One Dollar More where I point out some of the best personal finance stories and posts which I have come across in November:

10 Simple Tips for Saving Up a House Deposit

There is no question that there are property deals to be had right now with homes more affordable than in a long time, especially for the first time buyer. But there is a catch. Banks willing to give out mortgages are requiring larger deposits. Check out the 10 Simple Tips for Saving Up A House Deposit from Money Hacker.

Travel Hacking for Noobs: How We Save Hundreds on Airfare, Get Free Accommodation, & Make Money while Overseas

Matt from Man vs Debt blogs on his advanced travel hacking and how that, contrary to popular belief, saving money on the road is actually quite simple.

The Wealthiest Kids in the World

The Money Hacker profiles 10 of the world’s richest kids. There’s nothing but bright white-teethed smiles … and bank balances the envy of many adults.

Making Cash From Trash: The Recycled Art of Clare Graham

The unusual yet compelling art of Clare Graham is testament to the belief ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’  View the post by Anna Zuchowski-Morrison.

3 Stocks With High-Quality Growth

Growth is scarce at the moment. About three-quarters of companies in the S&P 500 index have issued financial results for the third-quarter reporting season. Read Jack Hough’s 3 Stocks With High-Quality Growth on Smart Money.

4 Home Improvements that Can Boost the Value of Your Home

While you can’t really expect to get 100% ROI on home improvements, read the four that can give a respectable return on Personal Finance Corner written by Miranda Marquit when you go to sell your home.

Writing an Awesome Personal Executive Summary

Great post on Financial Fizzle on how to write a great executive summary is to live up to its namesake by providing a short, broad overview of the entire plan. It’s a quick reference to its contents, and many parts of it may be completed even after the rest of the plan is written.

The Great Big List Of 75 Budgeting Tools, Finance Softwares And Iphone Money Apps

One of the most important things when it comes to personal finance is taking control of your money, instead of allowing it to control you. Read the post on Bible Money Matters.

Friday should have been a wonderful day for me: early finish from work had been planned, chance of some good surf, and dinner at home with my wife.

However, it wasn’t to be.

Work royally sucked: it was very, very busy and it was stressful, so much so that I didn’t get to leave work early as I was supposed to do. So busy in fact, that I forgot to move my car from a clearway. I have ended up with a $197 fine which I have no chance of avoiding. So here comes a nasty little expense for my credit card.

Friday was a financial disaster - I really should have stayed in bed.

So here I am, I admit that I was remiss in not moving my car from the clearway (sorry to all the commuters who had to dodge my car) but I’m protesting the egregious size of the fine! $197 for a simple parking offense is excessive. I’m guilty for a parking offense and I will pay it but North Sydney Council are guilty of robbery.

Rant over.

In lieu of writing my own blog post I thought I’d post on One Dollar More with my top personal finance blog picks from October.

Billshrink VC Firms [Infographic]

“Where’s the money? Here’s a look at where the most active VC firms in the US are and the biggest deals have been made. Venture funding increased during the third quarter over the first two quarters of 2009, but is still down 33 percent from one year ago.” Link

11 Incredible Homes From Around the World for Under $50K

“No doubt there will be a few reading ready to point out the error in the title. Surely, it’s a mistake? Homes for less than 50K? No way! But yet, it’s true.” Link from Money Compare

92 Quotes About Debt That’ll Make You Think, Laugh, & Tweet!

“A passionate quote can provoke thought, encourage laughter, or inspire thousands into action.” Link from Man vs Debt

Contest: Free Access to a Resume Service

There’s a contest on over at Miranda Marquit’s Yielding Wealth blog where one lucky winner will win a free resume CV consultation. With the news that unemployment is up, and the likelihood that we will be seeing a jobless recovery increasing each week, your ability to get a job becomes important. Enter it if you need to brush up that resume.

20 Signs Your Personal Finances Are In Tatters

“It’s payday next week, and the time just isn’t going quick enough. You’ve already earmarked a dozen things you want to buy, and then there’s those nights out with your mates you planned – now you can finally afford a few drinks… or can you?” Link to Credit Letter

Money, its such a big subject but its something that we all need to understand better than we do and its something that i want to be able to teach to my kids.

There are basically only 3 categories of money; earning money (or ‘obtaining’ it), spending money and giving money away.

These are the 3 basic areas of personal finance I want to think about in this blog post.  If you’re like most people you will think you’re not earning enough, you spend too much and you need to work on giving your money away to church, charity or friends in need.

Earning Money

Doesn’t matter how you phrase it, this is the bringing in of money which means getting a job. Your income, believe it or not is the most important part of the personal finance equation and you have to protect your income if you’re ever going to getting out of dodge.

Spending Money

What do you spend your money on? Groceries, latte’s, rent, loan repayments, fuel, clothes, holidays, miscellaneous expenses. The list goes on and on. The simple truth is that if you are going to be wise with your money you should never be spending more than you earn, nor anywhere close. Dave Ramsey, for instance, would teach that you shouldn’t be spending more than 1/3% of your take home (post tax) pay on home loan repayments otherwise you’ll become ‘house poor’ i.e only able to afford the house but having nothing left over for perks, holidays, little treats and of course giving money.

Giving Money

How do you perform in the giving department? Do you give you charity? Are you generous with your money? Or are you like a lot of people who are sticklers for giving?

My post is over for tonight. Hope thats been something worth reading.

The top five traits of a shopaholic are somewhat comedic when you consider this person shops for items that are of no use. This is a compulsive behavior attributed to 1 out of every 20 people. It is not limited to one gender, but affects men and women equally. The most famous stash is probably the clothes and shoes found in the closet of Imelda Marcos. Mary Todd Lincoln had over 84 pairs of gloves. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana had huge wardrobes of clothes. William Randolph Hearst collected expensive and eccentric art, antiques, tile and stone.

Inner Self of the Shopaholic

The average person shops for items they need, except during festive seasons when they are buying gifts for others. Think of the shopaholic as an average shopper on steroids. Shopaholics are addicted to the rush they get from shopping. They need the same rush that a gambler gets when let loose in a casino, the rush of a drunk who cannot stay out of the local pub or the person who drops into every lottery station hoping for a miracle.

“Shop ‘til you drop” has a twisted meaning for the addicted shopper. This shopper will use any excuse to go on a spree. Finding cute knick-knacks helps cure depression. The thrill of the hunt justifies the need for adventure. Some shopaholics are obsessive-compulsive and concentrate on specific items like jewellery, shoes or hats punishing their poor old credit cards.

Compulsive shoppers are not living in denial – they are keenly aware of their binge shopping and they love it! A professor from the University of Iowa is a specialist in identifying and treating obsessive-compulsive behaviour insists that the binge shopper does not fit the pattern of compulsive behaviour. Shopaholics are reacting to impulses and are dealing with an impulse control disorder.

My List of the Top Five Traits of the Compulsive Shopper [in reverse order, of course]

• #5. The shopaholic considers the buying experience to be a hobby.
• #4. They have no idea that there is a difference between need and want.
• #3. Compulsive shoppers are not window shoppers. They barge right into the store.
• #2. The shopaholic disappears when bills for past purchases arrive in the mail.
• #1. The binge shopper views The Shopping Network as a religious experience.

You Heard It at the Water Cooler

If 85% of shopaholics are women, then the other 15% must be men.

Of course, that number might be higher. Compulsive buyers have a double standard. Women are shopaholics, but men are collectors. Apparently, collectors are not shoppers … they are missionaries searching for a specific item. The fact that they purchase 10 versions of the item does not qualify as binge shopping.

Shopaholics and collectors have a chronic problem that is treatable, but there is no cure. Of course, these folks need to cooperate with the treatment. Compulsive buyers should seek the assistance of a qualified professional. This person knows the techniques that are useful to help subdue the impulse to shop.

Moving House Boxes

I helped a family member move a mammoth 3 hrs north from where they had been living and I can tell you that moving house at best is a busy and stressful time, but there are ways to make the move run more smoothly and organised which means less stress come moving day. A movers’ checklist helps keep the task at hand from the beginning to end of the move.

Here are the tips that I have learned:

About 4 – 6 weeks before the move, a firm date has to be set to move into the new house and arrangements made with your job to have moving day off. Then preparations for mail to be redirected to the new address on the move date needs to be made. And before any early packing can be done, all of the junk and unused stuff needs to be purged from the home and got rid of (this allows for a fresh start). When planning a move a few things to consider are; will all of the appliances fit in the new house, will the budget allow for professional movers or will friends and family help move.

Another moving checklist needs to be done about 2 weeks before the moving date and should include; the connection and disconnection of utility accounts for both houses, canceling any local services associated to the current house that is being lived in. When the furniture and all other personal belongings are moved from the house it needs to be properly cleaned either by a professional carpet cleaner and general house cleaner or if doing it yourself is an option because the budget is a factor.

On moving day there are several last minute things going on, so it is helpful to have a checklist to check off tasks that are done. Getting up early will allow plenty of time to get ready for the day and pack up a few last minute essentials needed for everyday life in a house. This includes; all bathroom items, medicines, toiletries, and a change of clothes. Another box of kitchen essentials needs to be packed after it is used, which usually includes; coffee, tea, creamer, sugar, snacks, coffee pot, silverware, mugs, and etc…

Knowing the inventory of the furniture going out will help when it goes into the new house. Before leaving check all storage areas, windows, and doors of the house before locking the doors for good. Make or confirm the collection of the key and turn off electricity at the meter. Be sure to keep all important papers, insurance papers, valuables, and personal items with you.

Photo source: 1

Coming home to a nasty credit card bill. Source: photo

Let’s face it – money is tight these days no matter who you are or where you live. Learning to save and correctly budget your money is a skill that eventually improve your personal finances no end. This applies not only to those with low income jobs, but to anyone who would like to sleep comfortably knowing that they are not in debt. That said, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself afloat without having to live like a ’serf’.

Forget about the flat-screen television. Even though “everyone” has one these days, and you can sometimes get a “no payments no interest for twelve months” at your local department store, the bottom line is that this is a luxury that is unnecessary to daily living. Don’t give in to the trend! Next, ditch the premium television channels. You may be able to lower your cable bill from $100 a month to $30 a month if you can do without the higher end channels. Also, hold back on putting a TV in every room. The extra electricity that you will use adds up to a hefty sum of money.

Eating out too often is another way that people tend to spend much more money than necessary. Sure, it can be nice to go out for a steak every once in a while, but try limiting this to once every two weeks. After all, cooking at home is usually more satisfying to begin with! However, don’t use this as an excuse to eat poorly, as this will not help anyone in the long run. Stick to grains, fruits and vegetables. It is also important to get plenty of exercise to compliment your diet.

Don’t jump into leasing a car if you are looking for a new vehicle, as in the end you will pay much more money than you would if you just bought the car in the beginning. On that note, try to make your vehicle last as long as possible, as buying a new car every few years can be a huge source of wasted money.

Skip the urge to buy the latest and greatest cell phone – this is a trend, just like the flat panel TV! If you really need it for your business then go for it if you can justify it but its just a toy for the purposes of showing off then reconsider.

Another reason why your personal finances are in tatters – you constantly buy new clothes! Why not make use of your old clothes instead of spending a heap of money on new ones all the time!  Fashion comes and it goes. Try to buy clothes that will last for more than one season. Try to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Take these simple pieces of advice on board and you will be able to stay afloat a little bit better.

The Best Gold Card on the Market for Australians

Even in the midst of a recession, there are those who have and those who have not. Those who have money generally know how they got it. Those who ‘have not’, excellently referred to as the “Not So Well To Do’s” on Free From Broke, by contrast generally have no idea why the have no money! Anyway, I digress.

For those who have, there are a number of ….’options’ when it comes to the golden variety of plastic. I thought I would take the time to do a post on the gold cards on the market in Australia and here’s what I’ve come up with.

If you’re is looking for high credit limits, then check out the CitiBusiness Gold Card or American Express Gold Choice credit cards. The CitiBusiness Gold Card has a whopping $60,000 credit limit while the American Express Gold Choice Card has a maximum $50,000 credit limit … for those who qualify. Both cards feature aggressive reward point systems and 55 day interest free days, but the CitiBusiness Gold Card also offers 7.99% p.a. for 6 months on balance transfers.

Those ‘who have’ and are looking for gold credit cards with a comparatively low APR might be surprised to find the ANZ’s Gold Visa Card or the Citibank Gold Card. The ANZ Gold Card has 17.49% per annum interest rate which is much less than the 19.99% of the Citibank Gold Card.

• The ANZ card offers 44 days of interest free days on purchases as well as 24/7 travel assistance wheras the Citibank gold offers 55 days interest free, travel insurance plus access to Citibank World Privileges.
• Both the ANZ Gold Visa Card and the Citibank card come with international travel insurance.
• The ANZ Gold Visa Card comes with a credit limit up to $25,000 and a 7.99% balance transfer period of 6 months.
• The Citibank Gold Card comes with a credit limit up to $25,000 and a 2.9% balance transfer period of 6 months.
• For those who travel internationally it is worth noting that Citibank has branches in many countries which might just sway you….if you are a ‘have’.

Don’t overlook the NAB, which offers the NAB Qantas Gold Card allowing cardholders to earn Frequent Flyer points on everyday purchases. The NAB Qantas gold cards feature slightly higher APRs than their non-Qantas counterparts at 17.99%.

If you’re looking to transfer large balances at low interest rates then they ought to look at the Citibank Gold Card or the CBA Gold Card. The Citibank Gold Card offers an incredibly low 2.99% per annum rate on balance transfers for a full year while the CBA card offers a very reasonable 5.99% per annum rate on all balance transfers for a 5 month period.