Money Makeover
Opinion
Budgeting
I tried a 'zero-based budget' and here's why you should too
The idea is simply that your income over a certain period, minus your expenses and savings, should equal zero.
- by Jessica Irvine
Latest
Money psychology
From purse strings to waistlines: why budgets and diets both fail
Why do we so often fail at our money or body goals? The forces at work behind both are surprisingly similar.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Budgeting
What I learnt by tracking my spending for three months
While budgeting is not for everyone, it really is a great way to get on top of your personal finances.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Opinion
How I slashed my car insurance premium by more than 40 per cent
Make sure you get a quote for a new customer policy, not just an alteration to your existing policy. Loyalty is dead.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Budgeting
How I cut my home insurance premium in half
You must consider what you would do if the worst should happen: total loss by fire, flood or theft.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Opinion
How to decide if you really need home and contents insurance
It comes down to how lucky you feel and how able you are to cope financially if the worst happens.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Opinion
Why I’ve fixed part of my mortgage at 2.19 per cent
There are several things to consider when facing one of the most vexed questions in personal finance.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Opinion
How I saved $10,000 a year by budgeting
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt on this journey, it’s that there is dignity in every dollar in your budget. Look after your money and it will look after you.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Budgeting
How to avoid getting ripped off by excessive super fund fees
Paying too much in super fund fees can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement. Look at the total fee amount you are paying on your account and, if it is more than about 1 per cent, it’s time to do something about it.
- by Jessica Irvine
Opinion
Budgeting
This is how much you've saved by not eating out or having holidays
The past eight weeks have afforded a real chance to think quite deeply about what constitutes essential versus non-essential spending.
- by Jessica Irvine
Planning & budgeting
The real price women pay for 'beauty'
There is a multibillion-dollar beauty products and services industry which makes a profit out of exploiting women's' insecurities about their bodies.
- by Jessica Irvine