LifeStyle Discoveries & Money Talk

Visit my new blogs....

You will have noticed I haven't posted here for a while.... my new blogs & sites are keeping me busy.

Visit Today ....

http://LifeStyleDiscoveries.com/blog/
http://www.MakeYourMoneyTalk.com
http://www.eBookBestDeals.com/


To Continued Financial Success!

Interactive Finance Sessions With The Road Train

Commonwealth Bank Takes Interactive Finance Sessions On The Road

The 'On The Road' Train is coming to an end with it's informative & family fun days entertainment.

You've still got time to catch the train... Traralgon..... Tuesday, April 24th.

For more info Visit => Click Here

Great entertainment
food demonstrations
fashion parades
beauty pampering
health seminars
interactive finance sessions brought to you by the Commonwealth Bank & lots more!

Catch the Last Session of On The Road Train!

Free Booklet Understanding Money

Making Your Money Work For You

Understanding Money Free Booklet is now available...

It's easier than you think to take control of your money...No matter who you are or what you earn. Most importantly....Start taking action today!

To get your free copy of Understanding Money... You should be able to pick up a copy at your local library like I did or visit http://www.australia.gov.au/understandingmoney

Copies of the handbook are also available in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese. Download to your computer or order have the free book mailed to you.

Putting yourself in charge & Learn how to make the most of it can really pay off.

Protect Your Assets

As I’m sure you’re aware it’s important to protect your assets.You can forget how quickly the value of your home and possessions can grow. Ask yourself this question… Is your current level of home & contents insurance adequate?

Thankfully when my house was the victim of burglary... I was covered.... but, of course there were items like my grandmother's jewellery than can never be replaced.

I’ve just found this quick & easy free online Home & Contents Insurance Calculator to help you estimate the cost of replacing your home & it’s contents. Give yourself peace of mind & ensure you’re fully protected with an up to date insurance cover.
==> http://www.gio.com.au/calculators

Snapshot of Super Changes

Constant changes are being made to your Superannuation.... On 5 September 2006 Treasurer Peter Costello announced further changes providing even more incentive for people to boost their super savings.

From 1 July 2007
* Super benefits to be tax-free for people aged over 60 years
* Reasonable Benefit Limits abolished
* Simpler tax treatment for super benefits received before age 60
* Lump sum benefits taxed more concessionally
* Super more attractive for self-employed

From 1 September 2007
* Assets Test for Age Pension benefits will be more generous
* The 50% Assets Test exemptin will be removed for new 'complying' income streams.

What's New?
* New transitional limit on undeducted contributions of up to $1 million
* Revised deductible contribution limits
* Refined undeducted contribution limits
* New transitional rule for employer ETP's
* Invalidity benefits extended to the self-employed
* New rules for quoting of Tax File Numbers
* New pre and post component changes
* New rules for death benefits paid to dependents
* Commutation of complying income streams will not be permitted.

** It is always recommended to speak with your financial adviser to make the most of your Super.... Who knows what the next changes will be or when they will occur.. Hopefully making it a much simpler system to understand. ==> Federal Budget Info

Watch ecoNSW and Win

The NSW Government's free to air digital TV channel is giving you the chance to WIN an LCD widescreen TV or a water saving washing machine. There are also water saving packs up for grabs!

For more information, tune into Channel 45 and watch out for the competitions appearing on screen during the ecoNSW show at 2.30pm and 10pm Monday To Friday. The competitions close on 28th Feb 2007.

ecoNSW also features regular updates on:
* breaking news
* weather
* surf conditions
* water saving products
* dam levels
* water quality results
* water restrictions
* water wise gardening

For more information visit: ecoNSW - ChannelNSW is the NSW Government's Digital TV channel, delivering public and government information into your lounge room.

Free First Home Buyers Seminar

Are you thinking about buying your first home? This information packed evening is a must attend event for anyone thinking of buying their first home. Learn the answers to important questions from Mortgage Choice such as:

* What government benefits am I entitled to?
* What if I don't have a deposit?
* What other costs do I need to allow for?
* How much can I afford to borrow?
* Should I get a pre-approval?

Thurs 1st Feb 6pm - 8pm
Manly Leagues Club NSW (Aust)
02 9949 8698

Rainwater Tank & Washing Machine Rebates

Water Saving Rebates & Offers

Rainwater Tank Rebates
Sydney Water has a Rainwater Tank Rebate Program offering customers up to $800 to install a rainwater tank. A special Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate Program is also available for schools.

Washing Machine Rebates
A rebate of $150 is available to customers who purchase a new washing machine with a water efficiency rating of 4-star1 or AAAAA. The rebate offer commenced on 1 March 2006 and will run until 31 July 2008. 4-star1 or AAAAA water efficient washing machines save more than 21,000 litres of water a year compared to older machines. The rebate offer could help to save one million litres a day.

These are some of the many ways the NSW Government is helping you to help secure Sydney’s water for life by saving water in and around your home. To find out more and to take advantage of rebates and offers visit the website links above. Please read all information to qualify for rebates & expiry dates of offers.

Save Water, Save Money, Save the Environment!

Fresh 'n' Crisp

Fresh 'n' Crisp Fruit & Vegetable Storage Bags

This morning while shopping I spotted some gel pack fruit & vegetable storage bags.

I thought this was quite an interesting concept.... Just ask yourself this question... How often have you thrown out vegetables because they've gone limp or discoloured... this is especially true for broccoli or celery that goes limp after one day!

I thought for a cost of about $2.60 AU for 10 medium bags it was worth a shot at what I could save.

These bags are light green...& I have heard something about green bags before... where? who knows?....The pack states that they contain approved natural ingredients (couldn't find a list anywhere on the pack) which slow down the ageing process of fruit & vegetables.... Preserves freshness, vitamins & flavour.

I will let you know how my experiment went. Of course there are directions which I will need to follow to help preserve my fruit & veges for as long as possible.They also list the suitable produce to place in your Fresh 'n' Crisp storage bag.

On the back of the pack they show a piece of broccoli that was stored for 21 days still looking fresh & green from using the storage bag.... 21 Days my goodness! If it was still in my fridge after all that time it'd make me wonder what I'd been eating!!

Looking forward to saving money by keeping my fruit & veges fresher!

Click Here => For Everday Savings Hints & Tips

Refrigerator Door Seals

As you're most probably aware your refrigerator is constantly using extra energy.. & that means electricity as well... especially if the door seal is not doing it's job.

So, before you replace your fridge....maybe all it really needs is new rubber around your seals. This helps keep the fridge door closed tightly ... keeping the cold air inside where it belongs. Check your local newspaper for a tradesman who replaces the seals. Don't forget to ask him for a quote before he arrives & whether a service call fee applies to help you make an informed decision. If you are eligible for a pensioner discount etc don't forget to ask.

Another tip is to not continually open your fridge door. Try to take items out at one time. Apparently older style fridges also use a lot of electricity.... so ask yourself...Do you really need that extra fridge in the garage? Maybe the dh thinks so... especially if it's chilling his beer!

Clothing Savings

Clothes Savings can have a huge impact on your budget....Here's some ideas to help you keep within your budget.

Buy separates that coordinate: Make numerous combinations with a few well matched items. For women, skirts, slacks, jackets and blouses can be mixed and matched to create many different outfits. Change the look of these outfits with accessories such as scarves or jewellery.

Men's clothing offers a wide variety of separates that can be coordinated: shirts, blazers, slacks and ties can all be interchanged to create a versatile wardrobe with a minimum of expense.

Buy a season ahead: Buy next year's winter clothes at the end of this season and save. Buy quality clothes in the sales and these should last longer.

Stay away from trendy fashions: Sticking with the basics you can always be sure your clothing styles will last from year to year.

Always dress to suit your body type & style. Wearing styles that suit your body shape has the power to increase your attractiveness instantly. [Learn More]

Click Here => For Other Great Savings Ideas

Financial Security Reflection!

It's amazing... The message.... Wants & Needs seems to be everywhere! I think I'm trying to be given a message!

Sitting quietly after dinner - I was reading one of my favourite quote books....Meditations & Reflections....Special messages...One for every day of the year.... & you wouldn't believe what the message was about.... You guessed it.... Wants & Needs.

The entry was for Financial Security......A special message I wanted to share with you...

Actually we are slaves to the cost of living.
~ Carlina Marin deJesus ~

All of us have to cope with the cost of living. Existing gets more and more expensive, and living seems sometimes as if it's only for the wealthy.

We have lost track of the difference between what we want and what we need. Everything has become a need. If we don't have what we think we need, it lowers our self-esteem and our feelings of worth. We can hardly remember what is important anymore.

We are important. Our children are important. Our relationships are important. The planet is important. Our lives are important.

LEST WE FORGET What We Are All About, Let's Stop Today And Remember! .......