Practical budgeting tips
Published December 23, 2011 | 
Yes, we know budgeting is boring but these basic tips are helpful and they work. Here at Financial Review Smart Investor we’ve started doing a few of them ourselves and are saving big bucks.
1. Power saving
The cost of electricity has been steadily increasing, even before the introduction of the carbon tax (which the federal government says we’ll be fairly compensated for). By switching to a cheaper provider, a family stands to save, on average, $386 a year and a business $1878, according to comparison site Energy Watch. Other websites that can help you find a better deal include www.goswitch.com.au and www.switchwise.com.au
2. Big meals
Make meals in bulk. This is a variation of “take your lunch to work”. If you can do a big cook-up once or twice a month and freeze the meals you could get the cost of your lunch down to $1 a day. Over a year, that could amount to a saving of more than $1000.
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What role does money play in your life?
Published December 19, 2011 |
December is the time when we reflect on what we’ve accomplished throughout the year. I just love those women who have the time/motivation to do a little photo collage of ‘the year that was’ and send to friends and family at Christmas time (O’ve manage to do it once in 37 years … pat on the back).
What achievements or goals have you made this year in your financial life? Your answer will depend on how you treat money.
Money is never just about money – it’s hardly got anything to do with dollars and cents (… or sense).
There is a huge emotional component to money – the way we mange our financial life is largely shaped by our childhood, personal values, socio-economic and family backgrounds.
The emotion attached to money makes it deeply personal, and why women often don’t like to talk about their finances. As money becomes meshed with emotions, it’s difficult to see how this crucial element of living happily, fits into our lives.
In a sense (not cents), how you use your money (spend it, save it, invest it and even earn it is a statement of how you see yourself.
We live with the results of how we deal (or for some of us, don’t deal) with our money. The little choices that we make every day have a big impact on what kind of financial life we have. Our money choices create a pattern, and this pattern turns into a ‘money personality‘. Read more
Stress Reduction tips to keep you calm over Christmas Turkey
Published December 19, 2011 |
The Christmas song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” But for many, Christmas is very stressful. In-laws to please, children to entertain, and family to great warmly, that you only ever see one day a year (Christmas)!
Techniques to manage stress are essential for everyone at one time or another, and Christmas for some is a stressful time. Try some of these techniques to help you feel less “stressed out” over the turkey this year.
Try “physical impact activity” - In simple terms hit something! Remember to pack a frisbee or a ball, or the totem tennis pole (now named Orbit tennis) when attending a family day. If you feel stressed, go play a game with the kids. Not only will the kids enjoy this, you will relieve some stress in the process.
Want to be Happy? Stop trying to be Perfect
Published December 18, 2011 | By Brené Brown
The quest for perfection is exhausting and unrelenting, but as hard as we try, we can’t turn off the tapes that fill our heads with messages like “Never good enough” and “What will people think?”
Why, when we know that there’s no such thing as perfect, do most of us spend an incredible amount of time and energy trying to be everything to everyone? Is it that we really admire perfection? No — the truth is that we are actually drawn to people who are real and down-to-earth. We love authenticity and we know that life is messy and imperfect.
We get sucked into perfection for one very simple reason: We believe perfection will protect us. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimise or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame.
We all need to feel worthy of love and belonging, and our worthiness is on the line when we feel like we are never ___ enough (you can fill in the blank: thin, beautiful, smart, extraordinary, talented, popular, promoted, admired, accomplished).
Share on FacebookGreat Christmas Pudding
Published December 18, 2011 | Great Christmas Pudding
Much tradition and folklore is attached to the Christmas pudding.
Traditionally each member of the family takes a turn stirring the mixture in a clockwise direction, making a secret wish as they go. Many people also bake lucky treats into their puddings. Often they’re silver coins, but in some antique shops you may come across special silver charms that were reserved for this purpose, their different shapes indicating the fortune of the finder.
The pudding was usually made up to a year ahead and left to mature, and then heated up on Christmas Day and brought to the table flaming with warm brandy and decorated with holly. Custard and ice-cream are winning accompaniments, but it can also be served with cream or brandy butter.
The Country Women’s Association’s Great Christmas Pudding recipe!
Ingredients
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Looking for post-work escapism?
Published December 7, 2011 | LA BOHEME
36 Grote Street
Adelaide SA 5000
T 08 8212 8884 | W labohemebar.com.au
Words Katie Spain Photography David Solm
LOOKING for post-work escapism of the character-packed kind? Renovations, facelifts and classic sips make these the funkiest spots on the block.
THE VIBE
Formerly Tunny’s Tobacconist, a wood-panelled Grote Street institution for over 90 years, the vacant shopfront was transformed in 2006 by brothers Paul, Adam and Darran Boylon. The bohemian hideaway is fit for burlesque dancers and flamboyant movers. Fine fillies perch on Chesterfield sofas, a piano doubles as DJ decks and a stage sets the scene for cabaret performances. Tassel fringed lamp shades made by the trio’s uncle cast a seductive red glow over the whole affair. An outdoor area fits up to 60 people but the new upstairs haunt makes this the hottest second-floor hangout in town. ‘The Cabinet Rooms’ are a labour of love, and feature Paul’s hand-made bar made from 1920s cabinets.
THE CROWD
During the early 1900s bars and cafes were a meeting ground for the exchange of ideas. Forget meat markets, commercial pop tunes and the public exchange of post-pubescent bodily fluids, La Boehme attracts an Adelaide set with culture in mind. Channel your inner Dita Von Teese, adjust your lace, preen your pearls, embrace the quiff and prepare to mix with likeminded people over a cocktail, sneaky Absinth or gourmet cheese platter.
THE BUZZ
The clientele drawn to this delightful dig says it all. The cast of Wicked recently popped in for a late night sip, as did the high-flying Cirque du Soleil troupe. Co-owner Paul is married to well known opera singer Kathryn Campbell and fondly remembers the time he sipped champs with British Comedy star Ben Elton.
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