The electricity market has many rules, but one handy rule of thumb to save money has changed, and it pays to take notice from July 1. It’s the time of year when power prices are re-set, and as you know, due to steep rises in the wholesale cost, they are substantial. In the past, you may have heard us consumer people advising to switch from pricey standing offers to usually discounted mark... read more>

“Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.” - George Orwell Advising your kids is one thing and sometimes a thankless task, but giving it to a whole generation - we’ll stand back and take care. However, George Orwell's wise words ‘notwithstanding’, is there any advice we can give those younger than ... read more>

We can never get enough money or at least so-called tips to help save it. Last week's blog elicited some fun responses, including swapping eating out (or bicycled delivery) for eating in with so many lower-cost essential ingredients (bar lettuce) and BYO grog! There's also much free money advice from various 'experts' who dismiss the conventional wisdom. One of them is Ramit Sethi, author... read more>

I'll admit it. I like natural gas and want to hang onto it. I cook with it and appreciate its warm flames on a winter's night. The prevailing winds suggest domestic gas has had its day because it's a fossil fuel and is far more costly than it was. In the ACT, new homes are no longer obliged to be connected to the gas, and various plans to de-gas homes are afoot in a bid to save us money. ... read more>

If you trust Wikipedia, Australia has more slang expressions for money than any nation on earth, ranging from a ‘lobster’ for the red-coloured $20 note to a ‘zac’ for the sadly-gone sixpence. Sadly we are also up there in terms of inflation and the galloping cost of living. We are number seven in the top ten most expensive countries to live in, according to the World Population Review So ... read more>