19m recently started investing.

I want to invest in ETFs but I hear that the market is at All Time High and that we are due for a crash. Is it safer to hold cash and wait for a crash, or just dump it all in ETFs today? There is the common cliche "time in the market beats timing the market" but what if we are expecting a crash in the near future?

I used to think credit cards were either a great rewards hack or a terrible financial decision. These days I think it mostly comes down to how you actually use one. If the balance is paid off every month, the rewards can be useful, but I can also understand why some people would rather not have the temptation sitting there at all.

What did having a family and raising kids do to your finances?

My wife just found out she’s pregnant with our first child. I’ve been spending more than a few nights awake, thinking about life and telling myself I can’t mess around anymore.

How does having a family impact your finances?

We’ve gone from dual incomes (her 80k+ me 160k = 240k combined) and renting in a shared house to a pretty big mortgage recently. Currently paying \\\~6k a month for our house. Way less savings and investments now but we see the mortgage as an investment.

Wife will stop working for a while but wants to return to full time employment. In-laws will move in with us soon so hopefully won’t be needing to pay daycare.

What can I do to anticipate the changes to our finances? People with kids, which financial habits did you find useful?

I’ve started accumulating bitcoin for my kid. We also want to start buying shares for them. Is it advisable to save a deposit for them?

I'm looking for some honest opinions on what to do with my finances and whether investing in property is the right move for me at this stage of my life. 

I'm 27, live in Wollongong NSW, work full-time earning $73k a year (before tax), have no debt and currently live at home rent-free. I have approximately $247k in savings, $5k in shares and can save around $750 a week while my living expenses are relatively low. 

I'm very aware that this is a good position to be in, and I want to make the most of it. However, I'm conscious that just because I can borrow money and buy an investment property doesn't necessarily mean I should. 

The options I'm currently considering: 

1. Buy an investment property 

I've been looking at properties around $650k (Geelong), with a loan of approximately $500k. I'd be contributing $450–$500 a week out of my own pocket after rental income and property expenses. 

The idea would be to hold it, build equity and potentially sell it to help fund my own home down the track. Or keep it if I can sustain the repayments. 

My hesitation is whether I'd be limiting my options if I wanted to move out, travel or buy my own home in the next 3–5 years. Although down the track could mean moving out with a partner, which seems a little easier, and also potentially increasing my income. 

1. Buy an apartment locally around Wollongong 

I've also considered buying something closer to home, potentially around $600k. Initially, it could be an investment, but I would have the option of moving into it myself in a few years if that suited my circumstances. 

I like the flexibility of this option, although I'm unsure whether an apartment is the right investment for my longer-term goals, particularly when considering strata fees and the potential for capital growth.  

1. Hold off on property and invest my money elsewhere 

I could keep a substantial cash buffer, continue saving and potentially invest my money in ETFs or other investments instead. 

This would give me more flexibility and avoid taking on a large mortgage, but I feel like I’m missing an opportunity by not using my current living situation to get into the property market earlier. 

My goal:

My long-term goal isn't to accumulate as many properties as possible or become wealthy purely for the sake of it. 

I'd like to own a home with enough land where I can grow some food, establish a garden and build a simple, meaningful life. I'd like to do that with minimal or manageable debt, while still having the freedom to travel, enjoy my late twenties and eventually build a family. 

I'm not opposed to taking calculated risks or contributing money towards an investment. I just don't want to overextend myself now and find that, in five years, I'm stuck with a large mortgage and struggling to buy the home I actually want to live in. 
 
Does buying an investment property make sense if my goal is to own my own home with minimal debt? 

I’m finding it hard to make any final decisions because I don’t have people around me to talk to for advice. I'd appreciate some outsider perspectives. 

Appreciate any thoughts! 

I don't think I’ve suddenly started spending heaps more, but looking back over the last few years, quite a few things have quietly become “normal” that used to feel like luxuries. Better phone plan, more takeaway, nicer groceries, subscriptions, eating out more often. None of them are huge on their own, but together they definitely change what a normal month costs.

I’d like to pose a sincere question to those living in Australia—especially those who feel they have achieved some level of financial success.

Between the high costs of housing, food, bills, fuel, taxes, and everything else, it sometimes feels like—even when working full-time, earning a decent salary, and doing the "right" things—it is still difficult to build genuine wealth.

It feels like simple budgeting, cutting expenses, and saving money are no longer enough, especially as the cost of living keeps rising and home ownership seems out of reach for so many.

I’m curious about what people in Australia are actually doing—beyond just saving—to get ahead financially. What truly makes a difference economically? Is it increasing income, investing in stocks or real estate, starting a business, utilizing legitimate tax strategies, or something else entirely?

I am particularly interested in advice from people who started from relatively ordinary beginnings—without wealthy parents, inheritances, or massive head starts.

If you were starting over in Australia today, what strategy would you use to achieve financial security and build real wealth over the next 10 to 20 years? Would you focus first on your career and earning potential, invest as much as possible, buy property, start a side hustle, or take a completely different approach?

I’d also love to hear thoughts on Australia’s tax system and cost of living, and whether there are opportunities that the average person might be overlooking.

I’m keen to hear about real-world experiences, data, strategies, and lessons learned—including mistakes you would avoid if you could do it all over again. I’m looking for more than just generic advice on budgeting and cutting costs; I want to hear what actually helps you make real progress.

Walked out of Woolies with a trolley that looked half empty and a receipt like a phone number. Nothing fancy in there either, just the normal stuff plus a few snacks I didn’t need.

So I ran a little experiment for three weeks. Aldi for the basics, then Coles or Woolies only for the two or three things actually on special, and no wandering the aisles. We’re now at about $190 a week.

What surprised me is the savings didn’t come from coupons or apps or any clever trick. It came from not shopping hungry and not browsing. That’s it. Also the Aldi cheese and pasta taste identical to the expensive stuff and I will die on that hill.

The thing I miss is the snacks, because apparently that’s where $60 a week was hiding. Anyone got a grocery habit that has actually stuck? And please not meal prep every Sunday, I’ve tried that three times and it lasts about a fortnight.

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right direction, because this is really weighing on me.

On paper I'm doing okay. I'm a PAYG employee, I earn enough to cover what I buy (though the cost of living is definitely stretching that), and so far I haven't missed anything badly enough to cause real consequences. The problem isn't the money. It's everything around it.

I'm neurodivergent, and executive functioning is a constant battle for me. Paying bills, keeping track of what's due, and especially sitting down to do my tax are incredibly hard. Right now my tax return is due in two weeks, and I've been staring at it for ages without getting anywhere. I've always been up to date, but it's causing me significant stress. My finances sit in the back of my mind constantly, and each year it takes more out of me.

Communication is also really hard for me. I used to be non-verbal, and while time and therapy have helped a lot, phone calls and on-the-spot conversations are still a real struggle. That's a big part of why reaching out to professionals feels so daunting.

I've tried the usual fixes. Autopay and direct debits didn't stick, and neither did budgeting apps. They all assume a level of consistent follow-through I just don't have. On top of that, I have significant ongoing medical costs (specialists and medication) related to my disability, which makes the whole picture more complicated to manage.

I'm based in Sydney, but I'm happy to work with someone remotely. I'm looking for a professional, who get this. Ideally someone who can:

• Set up systems that work with how my brain works, not against it
• Prepare and lodge my tax return
• Help with bigger-picture planning, so I'm not just surviving month to month

What would make someone a good fit for me:

• They chase me. Reminders and follow-ups, rather than relying on me to remember.
• No judgement when I'm slow to reply or send documents.

I'm also an NDIS participant. If anyone knows whether any of this support can sit under a plan, or has had good experiences with providers who work with NDIS participants, I'd love to hear about it.

Has anyone found an accountant, adviser or bookkeeper like this? Recommendations, or even just what to search for, would mean a lot. Thanks for reading.

Quite sick of the dribble out credit cards. The great John Howard liberal leader allowed the banks to charge for cards. Since then as a business banks now make a lot of money and growing. As a business owner if you need to pay your tax using cards maybe you should question if business is for you.

I'm hearing there is another 2 interest rise on the way. If that's the case construction industry will get impacted severely. How do we ride this wave?

Is it good time to buy an IP now? Up to 650k budget. Which state? Any insights?

Thanks.

I'm looking for basic info... So just want to chat with someone before j go get myself a professional

I don't mean like a house, but moreso the everyday purchases.

Could be Netflix subscription, takeaway, car servicing or anything really.

For me I've stopped going out for drinks, it's just way too expensive now.

Property prices are dropping and no new investors are going into property because of the elimination of negative gearing. Does that mean we will see more money being poured into the share market?

I used to jump around between savings accounts whenever I found one paying a bit more. Then you realise there’s usually some catch, like having to deposit a certain amount, make a bunch of transactions or the higher rate only lasts a few months. These days I’d rather have a decent rate and an account that’s easy to use than spend my time moving money around for an extra few bucks.

Shoplifting in NSW has increased by 10.6% over the past two years, with around 90 incidents reported each day, while police are already under resource pressure. Do you think the cost-of-living crisis is driving more people to shoplift? Are staffing and security shortages a bigger part of the problem?

Bank of America says US interest rates could become a serious concern for financial markets if they rise into the 5-5.5% range, with Australian super funds particularly exposed through their investments in US markets. With so much Australian retirement money invested overseas, are you paying attention to what's happening with US interest rates?

House prices dropped another 1.1% in September, bringing the total decline to 5.2% from the March peak. Sydney fell 1.4% and Melbourne 0.7%, while experts are warning that further falls could follow as higher interest rates continue to affect borrowing capacity. Is this finally making Australian housing more affordable, or is it creating a different set of problems for homeowners and the economy?

Iv been really bad with money.... It's gotten worse and my anxiety is getting higher. I feel as if everything is getting much harder for me financially. How is everyone coping

Mark Bouris compared government spending and borrowing to a family spending more than it earns, using examples like buying TVs, going to Bali and having backyard barbecues. His argument was that when the gap is covered by borrowing, the debt eventually gets passed on to the next generation. Do you think our government is taking an irresponsible approach, or is this a model that other countries also rely on?

My husband and I are looking to buy our first place and we’ve realised that to make it happen, we’re going to have to change our lifestyle quite a bit. Cutting back on travel, takeaway, eating out etc. for at least 3 years, if not longer. I know we’d be very lucky to be in a position to buy a home, but it’s still a hard thing to wrap your head around when it means giving up a lot of the things you enjoy for years. For anyone who’s been in the same boat, how did you manage it? Did you just get used to it, or did you find ways to still enjoy yourselves while saving?