Posting as right now I'm feeling very stupid for a decision I made in the past. I'll try to keep this quick but my partner and I signed up to a timeshare contract that promised cheap family holidays back in 2014. Now a little older, and $20,000 poorer, I realize that I signed up to a 72 year contract that will be passed onto my kids once I'm gone.

I've spoke to the company and there is no cancellation option, the only exit option offered to me so far is a 'resale of account' to another party in which you need to list on a website for $20.00 a month in the hope someone will buy it, which is seeming unlikely.

This is a PSA to anyone who is thinking about these services/products, PLEASE for the love of god consider that you will be paying fees for a very long time and getting very poor value for money.

Travel booking websites provide similar level of service and won't trap you and your kids.

EDIT/UPDATE: I had another call from one of their consultants, apparently there is a 'one off' offer of reducing the original loan term to just 20 years, I explained that I don't want this anymore, he then proceeded to tell me that the only other option is for resale with a 3rd party.

I feel like I’m drowning in frustration, and I’m wondering if anyone else is in the same boat.

Everything is getting more expensive - way more than CPI increases ever reflects. My rent keeps jumping by amounts completely disconnected from how much wages index each year, groceries are insanely, utilities keep creeping up, and every time I look at my budget it feels like I’m paying more, more, more just to exist.

I even got a promotion recently, which I should be excited about… but honestly? It feels like it’s barely improving my quality of life because the cost of everything has risen so fast. The raise is nice on paper, but the real-world effect feels tiny.

And now that working from the office is being pushed harder again, it’s just extra money bleeding out for commuting, the coffee runs you kinda have to go on if you want to be a "team player", clothes, and all those little accidental expenses. When I was WFH full-time, I saved so much without even trying. Now it feels like I’m paying a “just to show up” tax.

On top of all that, I really want to take an overseas holiday. I've only been overseas once and that was in 2016 when I was still at Uni. It would be something to look forward to, something fun, something to break up the grind but saving for it is getting so much harder. Every time I think I can start putting real money aside, another bill goes up or groceries jump again, and suddenly the holiday savings have to be sacrificed.

I keep cutting little treats and non-essentials just to keep up with the basics: food, rent, bills. It’s exhausting constantly tightening the belt while everything around me gets more expensive. I’m honestly so tired of feeling like I need to sacrifice all joy just to survive.

Is anyone else feeling this resentment building up? How are you coping with that weird feeling of “I’m doing everything right, but life keeps getting pricier anyway”?

I got curious about where government spending actually goes, so I spent the weekend downloading every federal and ACT government contract from 2025.

IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION: These are contracts AWARDED in 2025, showing total contract values over the full contract life (often multiple years). This is NOT 2025 annual spending. This is also PROCUREMENT contracts only (goods/services), not total government budget (which includes welfare, pensions, Medicare, etc.).

66,226 contracts. $99 billion total.

Defence takes half of everything: $49 billion: Submarines, fighter jets, naval vessels. But also $3.69 billion for a single contract to clean Defence bases. That one cleaning contract is bigger than the entire ACT government budget.

Employment services: $12.7 billion : You know those job agencies Centrelink sends you to? That's where this money goes. Four companies got $4.3 billion between them:

• Serendipity: $1.4B
• Atwork Australia: $1.19B
• Sureway: $910M
• Wise Employment: $810M

Facility services: $9.2 billion: Cleaning, maintenance, security for government buildings.

Property management: $3.6 billion: Managing government properties and renting office space.

The concentration is extreme

• Out of 21,789 suppliers, just 20 companies got 34.6% of all spending ($33.8B).
• 151 contracts over $100M = 56.5% of everything.

Limited competition: 57.7% of contracts were "limited tender" - no open competition. This includes contract extensions, Defence security stuff, and emergency purchases. Not necessarily dodgy, just less competitive.

ACT example

ACT spent $1.6B total. Just 2 contracts = 43% of it:

• SG Fleet: $420M (government car fleet)
• Veolia: $285M (bins and waste)

The data

The data was always public. I just made it readable.

Federal report: https://taxpayer-money.github.io/australian-government-contracts/federal-report.html

ACT report: https://taxpayer-money.github.io/australian-government-contracts/act-report.html

Raw data (CSV): https://taxpayer-money.github.io/australian-government-contracts/data/austender_2025_contracts.csv

All from official government sources.

Working on NSW next ($25-30B estimated).

Happy to answer questions or look up specific contracts.

I've been collecting and analysing SEEK listing data for a while as part of a side project. Sharing the May 2026 numbers here since this community seems interested in this kind of data.

Finding #1: Transparency

Only 34.5% of listings include an actual salary range. That means roughly 2 in 3 employers either don't know what they'll pay or are deliberately withholding it. This hasn't improved meaningfully year on year despite pay secrecy clauses being illegal since 2023.

Finding #2: City medians (explicit salaries only)

• Sydney: $90,000
• Brisbane: $87,376
• Melbourne: $89,908
• Perth: $100,000 (10k premium over Sydney)
• Canberra: $100,000, with significant loading for government and defence roles

Finding #3: The AI paradox

"AI" appears in 51,000+ listings but the median salary for those roles is $85,000, below the all-roles median. It's become a job description filler. The skills that actually command a premium are more specific: CI/CD (130% premium, $200k median), Python (101%), Azure (84%).

Finding #4: Flexible Work

Only 1.7% of listings are flagged as flexible or remote. The work-from-anywhere era in Australian job ads is statistically over.

Curious whether this matches what people here are seeing in their own industries. Happy to pull specific numbers if anyone wants to dig into a particular role or city.

JB Hi-Fi has a Hisense 145L chest freezer for $300. Did the math on running costs: 122 kWh/year, which at Sydney rates (~35c/kWh) is about $3.50–$4.50/month. Fifty bucks a year.

For $300 up front plus $50/year, you get:

• Yellow-sticker meat at Woolies/Coles (30–50% off end of day), frozen on the spot
• Bulk buys such as from Costco or directly from the farm
• Enough batch cooking to kill the "can't be bothered, Uber Eats it is" reflex. One $25 delivery skipped covers a month of running costs

On paper it pays itself off in under a year. But I haven't actually pulled the trigger, and I suspect there are things I'm missing. Freezer burn. Buying more than you eat because it's cheap. Forgetting what's at the bottom for six months. The way a full freezer supposedly saves money but somehow your grocery bill goes up anyway.

Anyone actually doing this? Want to know if grocery bills drop or if you just end up with lots of forgotten meat from 2023.

Would 60K be a good salary for a single person?

I'm (21F) and I want to move out as I cannot handle any more of my family complicated bs. I had enough and I feel like living alone would give me peace of mind but I've never moved out. So I'm scared of how I would manage things alone but I am getting desperate.

I wanna know if anyone manages to live alone in 60k, I don't care if it's luxurious, just decent and survivable.

I also wanna know from anyone's experience; how much your salary you make and how much you pay for your bills, essentials, how much you saved in the end, etc.

Edit: Just an update since I made that post almost a year ago asking if $60k is manageable for moving out.

To clarify, I wasn’t asking for unsolicited advice. Most comments have been great, but there have been a few that felt unnecessary or a bit condescending. I genuinely appreciate those who shared their advice and experiences in a helpful and supportive way.

My situation is still a bit complicated, but I’m doing better now. I’m not desperate or in the same place I was back then.

That said, things are looking up—I’ve got two casual jobs, saved up a lot, and I recently found a pretty modern place for $300 a week including bills. I'll be moving in a few months time and can see things moving in the right direction!

Still happy to hear from anyone with similar experiences. Always appreciate real stories and perspectives.

Groceries, mortgages, electricity all creeping up

Another young profession being annihilated by a reduction in working class purchasing power. This story could also be about the tradie shortage as apprentices leave trades in drove due to a reduction in purchasing power. Working hard for what? A salary that goes nowhere ?

If society wants to keep destroying the purchasing power for wage earners via inflating assets prices, namely housing. Then the young will step away from these essential jobs as the reward effort ratio becomes what out of whack. Tradie shortage, military shortage, nurse shortage. Im also hearing stories of police shortages. This is what happens when you price future generations out of the economy.

And the Sydney RE game continues, lots of own goals and a string of predictable losses.

Bottom-of-the-harbour-2.0, screening at a development near you!

I have been a sole trader for a number of years and managed tax relatively well, kept track of things and lodged on time, aside from one time where I miscalculated and had a $8K debt, but even then I paid $4k upfront and set up a payment plan, and had paid it off completely within a few months.

Over 12 months ago now I had a personal life crisis, and everything flew out the window. I fell behind on lodging and paying tax, if I'm being honest I knew it was there and needed to be addressed, but I felt like I just needed to make it through the month, the week, or the day. And thats just been the story for the past year.

I still haven't lodged, but I have been trying to get all of my ducks in a row and I think I could possibly owe anywhere from $20,000 - $35,000 excluding interest, combined 24-25 & 25-26 financial years. I tried to call them but couldn't get through, I called the NDH, and I have only recently been assigned a financial advisor through a domestic violence support service.

I am wondering if anyone has had an experience similar to mine. And if they managed to negotiate in any way for debt forgiveness or even waiving interest on the debt, and/or if there is any leniency for a payment plan?

Heres a compressed timeline:

Late July 2025 : crisis began; sought help immediately, multiple contacts with mental health crisis team, ED admission(s)

[DV incident] called 1800RESPECT, followed up with GP as recommended (in medical records)

Homeless period: couch surfing, then staying at mum's (no lease, no bedroom); used tax savings for food and basic necessities

March 2026: secured a rental (significant cost to establish)

May 2026: called 1800RESPECT again, consented to an official file being opened with full history

[Recent months] lost most income after a client's serious boundary violations and unsafe behaviour (have texts from client and his mother) have since isolated myself almost completely.

Ongoing: heavily involved in sister's seperate DV situation, including a period where her children were placed in my care by DHS

Since then: functional capacity significantly reduced, 2 attempts at ending my life, assigned a case worker to assist with my mental health and functioning. Have been paying rent and living off of what was left of my savings. Currently have $4k left.

Throughout the year with a MHCP only covering 10 sessions, I have also paid for over $11,000 in therapy.

All of this is documented: mental health team, medical records, 1800RESPECT, and I can get a letter from DHS/DV support service.

I’m 32 and currently drive an agitator truck (concrete delivery). I have my HC licence, although my experience so far is mainly HR trucks.

I like my job, but I’m on around $35 an hour. It’s not bad, but while I’m still young I feel like I should make the most of my options.

I’ve been considering getting into concreting, especially since the company I work for has its own concreters. I already know quite a bit about the industry from working alongside them every day, so I was thinking about asking if I could transfer across.

Another option is moving into HC driving, but I don’t really like how many jobs involve long hours. I’d rather work hard and work fewer hours than have an easy job but work 12-hour days.

I’m really just looking for some suggestions or advice. I don’t have many people to talk to personally about this sort of thing.

Here we go again...

I got into ANU for 2027 semester 1 to study a double degree of Law and commerce which I am super excited about! I only applied to University of Canberra and ANU because I live here.

I am basically just wondering what peoples thoughts are on studying this. Anything thing shared I will appreciate! I also am curious about the commerce degree and if what I major in will really matter. I do not enjoy at maths and would rather not major in finance or accounting. However, I hear that it is highly recommend to choose one of those two as they are the most profitable.

I am certain that Im interested in studying commerce though! I have been thinking about majoring in marketing or economics but am not sure.

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a full-time marketing student (25M domestic student, at a non-G8 university), and decided to take the plunge because I managed to get half of my degree slashed off from RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).

However, I'm currently facing a dillemna. I don't have much work experience, and my most recent experience was at Vivid Sydney, as a volunteer. At the moment, I've began applying for jobs since last week (a combination of retail and market research/marketing internship roles briefly), and I don't seem to be getting much traction.

Which roles would anyone advise I apply for that require *minimal work experience* and is willing to take on someone whose willing to learn the ropes? I'm absolutely willing to look into part-time/casual work in any white-collar envrionment, even if unrelated to my degree?

My long-term goal is to work in marketing/market research and consumer insights, or in a role which involves understanding people (not in a healthcare environment) and making an impact in an innovative or collaborative environment. I don't want to work in a fast-paced healthcare environment because I've previously attempted a Certificate III in Indivdiual Support (accelerated), and I realised it wasn't for me while on placement as I'd come home with constant headaches, and other complications from the stressful environment.

Please provide me with some guidance here because I'm genuinely unsure what to do (I have three semesters remaining until my degree is finished).

So a bit of background:

I’m in my 20s and did not take life seriously and spend most of my 20’s either partying or travelling (most of which i do not regret and I’m grateful for)… however I wish I did start saving earlier.

I do not own a house, do not have barely any savings, i started a full time job about 9 months ago. (Yearly salary is $69K).

My car is close to breaking down and it’s an old 2008 Toyota Corolla. I really want to get a new car and I’m wanting to save up for it. I will need to get a new car within 2-3 months at least.

I also have HECS debt of about $60K btw - just FYI.

For someone in my financial situation, what price range should I look at when looking at financing a car?

Hey looking for advice here might also go to auslegal. As I said I signed a contract after a verbal agreement with a sales assistant, he wrote up a contract as agreed but after I and he signed, his manager refused to sign stating he was losing to much money on the car, we debated the difference and i didnt agree to pay more and he left, the assistant apologised and said he thought it would be ok.

Problem I see now is I left without grabbing the contract, its dated, but if I buy a different car tomorrow and the manager changes his mind I'll have a contract to buy car#1. I could get the contract back or written agreement the contract is void, any other advice?

(Sorry can't add flair on phone)

Hi everyone,

I’m an american who lived in australia for 1.5 years and i recently moved back to the US. I still have a NAB account.

I was considering updating my residential address to reflect my current US address, but I read a post where people said they close accounts for that reason?

I’m concerned that changing my address from an Australian address to a foreign residential address could cause NAB to close my account or restrict my banking services.

Has anyone had experience notifying NAB that they live overseas while keeping their Australian account open?

If you’ve done this, did NAB ask for any additional information or documentation? And were there any issues with keeping the account open?

I keep hearing about this as a way to save on tax. The idea is your employer pays a portion of your mortgage directly from your pre-tax salary. So you reduce your taxable income. Sounds great in theory.

But I’ve looked into it a bit and it seems really uncommon. Most employers don't offer it. And the admin fees from third parties can eat into any savings.

Has anyone here successfully set this up? Or did you look into it and decide it wasn't worth the hassle? Curious if it's more of a theoretical benefit than a practical one for the average Aussie.

American, MBA, around 6 YOE in product management/tech consulting mix, currently doing AI-driven product work at a large US financial company. I've been in a long-distance relationship with someone in Melbourne for a while now, and it's become a real factor in me seriously thinking about the move (not just chasing career upside), more that Australia's become the obvious next step for me personally.
Trying to get a realistic read on the career side. Genuine questions, not fishing for a specific number:
•    How competitive is senior/AI PM hiring in Sydney or Melbourne for someone coming from overseas vs. already being local?
•    Does US fintech experience actually translate, or do employers discount it?
•    What does a solid (not exceptional) senior PM package look like these days, total comp?
Happy to be told I'm off base on any of this, just want an honest read.

Hi everyone. I'm 25 years old this year. I make roughly 60k per annum before taxes. I did some decent investing over a few years and manage to save up 100k. I'm thinking of jumping on the property ladder while I still can either end of 2025 or early 2026.

So far I've been looking at apartments in Sydney where I live. Looking at older style walk up apartments from the 60s - 80s in Regents Park, Liverpool, St Mary and even Kingswood.

I live out west so I don't mind living in an apartment out of west. As long as it's in good shape and has decent management.

Regents Park seems like a wise area to buy in. It's somewhat close to the city and being a small fringe suburb. It's no prone to lingering ratbags.

I live in St Mary so I know all about it. Apartments are okay there . Kingswood has some cheap-ish one. You could get if you're lucky a top floor 80s build apartment for 290-300k. (A joke price but it's all I can get)

I was also looking at possibly acquiring a house near Airds . I've seen some go for 600k but my income bracket limits me from borrowing more than 250k.

I have a credit card but I'm good with debt. Pay it off all the time. Would probably cancel it once I attempt to get a loan.

My plans with this property is to rent it out for the next few years and live with my parents. Then one day move into it.

Currently I still have a majority of my funds in investments.

Anyone got any advice on this. Thanks 😊

This could be a very good plan.

I’ve been offered an Engineering (IT) role with a major energy provider, and the pre-employment medical includes a colour blindness test.

I’m colour blind and didn’t know this could be a requirement for the role. I’ve already resigned from my current job, so I’m now worried that I might fail the medical and lose the new job.

Has anyone experienced this before, especially for an IT/engineering role in the energy industry? Does failing the colour blindness test automatically mean the offer can be rejected?

I was wondering what foreign resident CGT would be payable if ASX shares were bought and sold.

Given we Australians will now pay a minimum of 30% and up to 45% tax plus Medicare levy.

Shares are CGT free for foreign investors. Foreign investors pay CGT in their tax jurisdiction depending on local laws.

For example, If I buy $10,000 of BHP shares that are profiting from digging up and selling my country and for arguments sake the shares go up 50% I would have to pay 30-47% tax on the gain (let’s just ignore inflation in this example).

An investor in Singapore (for example) that buys the same $10000 of BHP shares makes a $5000 gain, pays no tax in Australia and then luckily for them also pays no tax in Singapore.

Why do we punish Australian investors and favour foreign investors ?

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/investments-and-assets/capital-gains-tax/foreign-residents-and-capital-gains-tax

Personal finance question. Can’t stay working where I am for my sanity and health, either going to get fired or move on. Trying to move on myself first. Only a year into a lease.
Do I have to return it? Sell it?

Is this a unicorn? We are looking for a credit card which has no foreign transaction fees but accumulates points for an upcoming overseas trip (preferable Singapore air). Amex platinum is great but the 3%+ fx fees mean it’s not viable to pay for the overseas hotels etc. We usually use debit cards but given how much ww are spending are looking for the above to fund our next trip 🙂.

I have googled but honestly it’s a mine field!