As a home owner with a mortgage, chances are you’ve heard of the term ‘refinancing’. Refinancing involves reviewing your current mortgage, and changing to another lender with a cheaper interest rate or a loan that better suits your needs. Refinancing can also allow you to consolidate your debts or pay down your mortgage limit. Another…
So, you’re thinking of buying your first residential investment property? There are a few things to consider before making the move. Here are our top 10 tips for avoiding potential difficulties and ensuring success. Know your goal Understanding your financial objectives is key to finding the right investment property. The actual property itself is rarely…
Christmas is a special time of year, but it can place huge demands on your finances. Here are some practical tips from local mother-of-three, and owner of Frangipani Finance Joanne Foltman who shares her financial savvy to help you survive the silly season. 1. Make a list and check it twice. Having a list will…
I was asked to write an article on Managing Family Finances for a local mums group. The article can be found at https://www.mumsoftheshire.com.au/tips-on-managing-family-finances/ or below. Managing the family’s finances can be a tough job, especially if you’ve had a change of income and are not both working full time anymore. As a mother of three,…
Australian home loan interest rates remain at historic lows, and the opportunities for paying off a mortgage early are better than ever. Used in conjunction with low rates, here are some extra steps that can speed up loan repayments and reduce your loan balance. Make higher repayments One of the easiest ways to quickly…
The amount you can borrow and the amount you should borrow are sometimes two very different things. Before you apply for a home loan, it makes sense to realistically assess your financial situation. Here’s how to do it. Understand your borrowing capacity Generally speaking, your borrowing capacity – what you can borrow – depends on…
Whether you’re a first time or seasoned investor, it’s often tricky to predict the next big location for buying an investment property. Even the experts sometimes get it wrong. There are a few things you can learn to look out for when considering where to invest. Here are a few quick tips : Ponder…
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what are we to think of an empty desk?” said Einstein. So, if you’re a slob around the house, does that make you a genius? A psychological study from the University of Minnesota suggests the answer is “yes.” Researchers discovered that participants…
Everyone dreams of living a simpler, uncluttered life, but when it comes to decluttering our homes it’s easy to get overwhelmed about where to begin. Here’s how to make the process of choosing which of your stuff to jettison a whole lot less painful : 1. Start small. If you’re finding it hard…