Our favourite items from the 2020 IKEA Catalogue

One of the best things that happened this week is the release of the 2020 IKEA Catalogue. For those of you who have been looking to renovate or just need some inspiration to start redecorating their homes, this is perfect for you. This year’s theme is “Save our Sleep” which is totally relatable for so many busy Aussies!

In this blog, we’ve rounded up a few of our faves.

HILLEBORG Blackout Curtains

If you want a continuous good night sleep without the disturbance of the outside light, this pair of curtains is perfect for your bedroom.

Image: IKEA ($49, 1 pair)

BERGPALM Duvet Cover Set

According to the IKEA website, this cover is made up of thicker yarn “to create a handcrafted, vintage expression that feels casual and relaxed, inviting you to unwind.”

Image: IKEA ($39.99)

KNIXHULT Floor lamp

This modern twist to your good ol’ lamp aims to produce a minimal environmental footprint.

Image: IKEA ($59)

EIDSÅ Mirror

This classic mirror design is perfect for both bedroom or bathroom wall. You can even install the LEDSJÖ LED wall lamp on both sides for a more elegant look.

Image: IKEA

BESTÅ Wall mounted cabinet

If you’re looking for a clean and edgy, elegant vibe for your bedroom, this wall mounted cabinet fits perfectly.

Image: IKEA ($495)

SKOGSLÖK Ergonomic Pillow

Whatever your sleeping position is, this pillow can give you a comfortable, relaxing support while you’re sleeping.

Image: IKEA ($19.99)

What are your favourites?

So many new things you can add to your home and give it a new look—perfect for the Spring season! Have you had the chance to browse the catalogues? If you don’t have a hard copy, you can download it here.

Hope you find inspiration with this new collection and if you’re worried about finance, happy to discuss your options for you!

Let’s get that dream renovation starting!

References:

https://www.ikea.com/ms/en_AU/catalogue/IKEA.html

Disclaimer:

Credit Representative Number 486927 is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.

This article provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

The post Our Favourite Items From the IKEA 2020 Catalogue appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

Toni Coates, owner of The Coat Box

The idea of decluttering and reorganising comes with the New Year. Removing the clutter from your home and organising your life can leave you with an environment filled with things you love and you actually use. For some of us, it somehow gives us a clean slate to start with and the idea that something is truly working for you.

Whether you have been inspired by Feng Shui, minimalism or the recent trend, the “KonMari method,” learn a thing or two from a Perth Girl boss herself:

What is ‘The Coat Box” all about? (What’s your inspiration for your business name?)

The Coat Box is a Professional Organising Business. I help people declutter and organise their homes or areas in the home where clutter and disorganisation is causing my clients stress or anxiety, or physically impeding the use of space in the home. The Business name I must admit is a little quirky! It was inspired by my surname (Coates) and my partner and kids’ surname (Box). As a family owned and run business, it just made sense – and could also sound like a kind of storage item.

What pushed you to start this kind of business?

From the first time I ever lived on my own, I became quite fussy about tidiness and organisation. This only grew as I got older and especially after I had children. When we moved into our current home, I had to become creative in the way things are stored and also somewhat ruthless with decluttering as my home has little storage available.  I came to the realisation that I actually really enjoy decluttering and organising and was pretty good at it! Why not help others with their home? I know that a lot of people struggle with clutter and disorganisation so I could help others at the same time as doing something I enjoy. Also as a Mum of 3 young daughters, running my own business with hours I could make suit our lifestyle meant I could still be home on weekends and after school to spend time with my family and do all the mum stuff (like driving back and forth from dance lessons!).

How are you able to go the extra mile for your clients?

My service is a very personal one. I’m working in people’s homes with their personal belongings so a high level of respect, compassion, understanding and empathy is a must. Every one of my clients is different and every home is different. Sometimes I may need to work closely with a client who suffers from mental or physical illness or perhaps with a client who has lost a spouse or loved one. Or maybe it’s a time poor family who are overwhelmed and just need some help and support. I’m a naturally friendly person so I find that after the initial questions, I like to just chat with my clients, listen to them and try my best to relate to them and their situation. In any, job it’s necessary to maintain a level of professionalism but it’s also ok to share something of yourself!

What are the struggles you encountered in building your business along the way and how did you overcome these?

Well! Funny story – when I started working on putting my business together I got unexpectedly pregnant with my 3^rd child! This put the brakes on for a couple of years but I stayed focused and continued trying to learn as much as I could for when I could “officially” start work. I’ve now been in business for 2 years.

Also as a business run from home and on a budget I opted to build my own website – this was a big learning curve! I managed to get it sorted though and with some great advice from a wonderful client on SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) my site is now ranking high on Google search and this has improved my business exponentially!

Please share some valuable tips to our readers about decluttering and organising.

If you’re considering doing some decluttering and organising, depending on the time available and how motivated you are, start with the area that most frustrates you, or is most pressing – such as a cluttered kitchen that you have trouble working in, or a wardrobe where you have trouble finding what you’re looking for!

For those who are more hesitant or overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, maybe find something smaller, a drawer or just one of the kitchen cupboards. Then it doesn’t take as long and the visible results can boost your confidence and motivation.

Very importantly, go into any project with the aim to declutter first, then organise the items left back into the storage space. Try not to keep buying more and more storage as this can actually add to the clutter.

Don’t be afraid of empty space! People often see empty space and have the urge to fill it with something, don’t get pulled in by this feeling, instead, look at the space and try to appreciate it, one day you may need it.

Last but definitely not least, don’t be afraid to seek help, there are professional organisers all over Australia (and the world). Our professional Industry body IOPO (Institute of Professional Organisers International) has a database on their website you can search to find an organiser in your area.

The future ahead of you is dark. You are holding a ‘magic light bulb’, which has the power to illuminate any part in your future. (Means you can take a peek of your future) What part are you seeing?

Oh this is a hard one – there’s so much I’d love to see! My hope is that I could look forward to a time in the future when my business is still strong and successful, my family is happy and healthy and my daughters are growing up into smart, sensible and strong young women – one of the other big reasons for starting my business is to help support my family and be a good role model for my girls, so I’m really hoping this is in that illuminated future!

Organising and decluttering go far beyond improving the aesthetics of your home or work space. It’s essential to both your physical and mental wellbeing.  Find a way (and time) to start somewhere and just like what Toni said, if you’re not sure where to start, find something smaller. You got this!

The post The Illuminate Series: ‘The Coat Box’ appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

Soul Finance Group’s Top 10 Most Popular Blog Posts of 2018

We’re a matter of days away from 2019, but let’s not hop on to that just yet. December is a great time to look back at the previous months and take stock of what truly resonated with our readers. Many online publications have compiled their best-of lists for 2018, and we want to get in on the action. So we took a look at which articles on Soul Finance Group blog were most popular this year.

Here are the 10 blog posts that made the cut:

10. Different Ways to Observe/Celebrate Australia Day

Celebrating Australia Day has been a tradition amongst Aussie people and they sure constantly look for ways to commemorate it. In this post, we listed ways on how to maximise it including the good ol’ BBQ party.

9. Ways to Consolidate Your Debt and How It Works

Juggling debts can be tricky, and time and time again, we always advice our clients (especially if it works in their financial situation) to consolidate their debts. Doing so could make it easier to manage and potentially save them money on interest.

8. Confessions of a Working Mum

This is a pretty sentimental entry for me as it was very personal and I showed a vulnerable side of me. This blog aimed to become relatable to my audience (working mums specifically) who are struggling to keep it together. It was also written in honour of the Women’s Month so I figured why not create something that will resonate with them.

7. How does the cash rate affect your home loan?

Not everyone is well-versed in the finance industry. As a Finance broker, part of my job is educating my clients about what they need to know in regards to their finance. Every month, there’s always news about the RBA and how it can affect a homeowner’s loan. I thought of dedicating a post explaining it so they are well-informed and know what the next steps they can do.

6. Why You Need to Talk to Your Lender Now

In this blog post, I shared with my clients how they can talk to their lender and why they need to do so. A lot of homeowners might be intimidated by the idea of talking to their lender, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of their trusted Finance broker, I highly encourage them to call their bank and see if they can haggle for a better deal.

5. The Illuminate Series: ‘The Gifting Pot’

I launched a series this year called “The Illuminate Series” where I feature one Perth-based small business monthly. My goal is to highlight these small businesses and encourage readers to take the plunge if they have dreams of starting on their own.

4. The Illuminate Series: ‘Fusion Biz Babes’

This is the 2^nd entry for the series I started last September. I tried to introduce to the audience each small business via questions I asked them. One of the constant question I always include is this: “The future ahead of you is dark. You are holding a ‘magic light bulb’ which has the power to illuminate any part in your future. (means you can take a peek of your future ) What part are you seeing?” The answers are interesting and inspiring!

3. 2018 Personal Finance Apps for Australians

This was a bit fun to write since I could also use the apps myself. A lot of us are looking for ways to make our lives a little easier so these finance apps are a huge help!

2. Beating the Holiday Rush: Gifts We Love from These Perth Businessowners

I won’t grow tired supporting my fellow girlbosses especially in my local community! Hence, I made this a part of my blog entries where I personally recommend small businesses in Perth where people can get their Holiday presents from. Turns out people loved the post!

1. First Time Home Buying: Your Questions Answered

The 2018 top most read blog post on Soul Finance Group! This post shared some simple and efficient ways in purchasing your very first own home. The process can be really overwhelming and complicated especially for first timers and my job is to help them with that.

Those are the top 10! Excited for what 2019 will bring! In the meantime, Soul Finance Group  will continue to offer you informative and educational content related to anything mortgage and finance. Happy New Year!

Disclaimer:

Credit Representative Number 486927 is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.

This article provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

The post Soul Finance Group’s 10 Most Popular Blog Posts of 2018 appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

You might be in the mood to declutter any unnecessary stuff in your home and while you’re at it, you might want to take a second look at your current home loan.

At the end of this video, answer these questions:

 Am I paying an unreasonably high interest rate?
 Am I paying outrageous fees?
 Am I frustrated by inadequate service?
 Does my loan give me the features I need?
 Am I paying for features I don’t use?
 Have my financial circumstances changed?

For a complementary assessment, call Kirsten on 0408 081 082.

(If you want a written version of this, check this article we published.)

The post How To Spring Clean your Home Loan (VIDEO) appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

Nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. Hence for this week, we have given you some tax tips before June 30 arrives. If you have missed our posts, we are providing you this roundup. EOFY is just around the corner, so make your 2018 tax return more rewarding and check out these tips now!

This allows you to claim an immediate tax deduction for all capital purchases costing less than $20,000, rather than depreciating the cost over several years, as used to happen. This is great for tech items such as computers, tablets and phones, as well as tools and equipment, office furniture and even motor vehicles. The allowance is available to all businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million.

The expenses that you can claim include:

• Heating, cooling and lighting
• Cleaning costs
• Decline in value (depreciation) of home office furniture and fittings, office equipment and computers (for items over $300)
• Computer consumables, stationery, telephone and internet costs
• Items of capital equipment (such as furniture, computers and associated hardware and software) which cost less than $300 can be written off in full immediately.

If you used your personal mobile phone for work purposes, you can claim a deduction for the business-related use. Make sure you have your phone bills collected together and have kept a log of your business/personal use over a four-week period. That percentage can then be applied to the whole year.

You can claim a deduction for donations of more than $2 to a registered charity provided you have a receipt for the donation.

BONUS: Additional Tax Tips!!!

• According to Dave Ebdon, Senior Tax Specialist at Tax & Super Australia ,“The ATO will be paying particular attention to claims for clothing and laundry expenses, given that last year around 6 million people claimed work-related clothing and laundry expenses,” he said. “This is almost half of all taxpayers, and it is highly unlikely that this many people would be required to wear uniforms, protective clothing or occupation-specific clothing.” “If you don’t have receipts for your expenses, you can only claim a maximum of $300 for work related expenses.”
• Claim everything you are entitled to: Make sure you know what you can claim. For example if you are on the road for work (or work outside) you can claim sunscreen so if your foundation, lip-balm or moisturiser has an SPF factor then you may be able to claim it. You can also claim home office, internet, travel, training, handbags, food when travelling overnight.
• Gather written evidence. Make sure you have written evidence, such as receipts, invoices and bank or credit card statements, for everything you intend to claim.
• Prepay expenses. If you’re a small business you might consider prepaying expenses such as rent or insurance for up to twelve months.

* Soul Finance Group and its finance brokers do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

References:

https://mozo.com.au/savings-accounts/articles/eofy-last-minute-tax-tips-to-jump-on

https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/12-last-minute-tips-save-taxes-040823563.html

Disclaimer:

 Credit Representative Number 486927 is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.

 This article provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

The post EOFY Tax Tips Roundup appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

News and updates you see online about your home loan can be a bit overwhelming. Talk about information overload!

To avoid giving you that, we’ve created a very, easy to read infographic that contains ALL of the significant and important things you have to know that concern your home loan.

So if you are a current homeowner and would want to potentially save money on your monthly interest, take a look at this helpful guide:

What you need to know about your home loan

Disclaimer:

Credit Representative (486927) is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.

 This infpgraphic provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

The post What You Need to Know About Your Home Loan (Very Easy to Read Infographic) appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

2018 top trends in home interior

Home stylistic theme are anticipated to be bolder than years before—from clear gem tones, luxury velvet, and metal offset with natural accents present in the home interior game. If you are one of those people who finds remodeling therapeutic, or just really love revamping your home interior every now and then, we have sourced out the internet, browsed some of the top home interior blogs and listed down what might work for your home!

Regardless of whether you are building your first ever house, revamping a whole room, or simply looking to just make a couple of updates and redesigns all through your property, here’s a rundown of a few of the most sizzling 2018 home interior trends.

Wabi-sabi

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese trend which seems to be the major home interior buzz this 2018. It is all about finding beauty in imperfection. It involves grounding oneself by forming a deep connection to the earth and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. It values simplicity, uncluttered, underplayed, and modest surroundings. Authenticity is key to wabi-sabi philosophy: the presence of cracks and scratches in things are considered to be symbolic of the passing of time, weather, and loving use–and should be embraced. Another facet to wabi-sabi is the idea of the “obvious pretty” vs. “unique beauty.”

Rich Pigments

“Grey may still be the neutral of choice for many interiors, but colour is set to be bolder this year. We’re feeling braver with colour choices – on both walls and furniture pieces, as sofa colour choices of late have demonstrated. Moody interiors are more popular than ever, too, with brooding violet, navy and striking emerald green all key colours for 2018.” (from Ideal Home UK)

Circle Patterns

“Hard geometrics are going to be huge and circles are the new triangle. You can start small with accent pillows or dive in with graphic wallpaper.” (From House Beautiful) Plus, the circle being the symbol of infinity, it also suggests a myriad number of solutions for storing and decorating your home.

Statement Ceilings

For centuries, the statement ceiling was the ultimate sign of luxury (think Versailles). For 2018 top trends on home interior, you can adapt this very style. With the right paint, fabric, or decorative plaster, the ceiling can become a striking statement. Ceilings have a large effect on the overall ambience, outlook, and lighting of your home. Walls notably carry eye-level color and decorations, but ceilings set the tone and character of your property.

Spa-inspired Bathroom

There are different ways to escape the weekday stress. Some go for out of town trips on weekends, some sleep their way during rest days, and some others find way to relax and recharge at their own homes—inside the comfort of their bathrooms. This trend adapts the look of a spa, or a vacation spot which consequently allows peace and relaxation.

There you have it. Whether you’re looking to just make a few updates and upgrades to your home or thinking about remodeling an entire room or your whole house, 2018 is a very exciting year for home design. Here at Soul Finance Group, our goal is to offer financial guidance to homeowners wanting to improve their lives, such as renovating the look of their homes. If you’re looking to upgrade and improve your home in 2018 but needing help in finance, call Kirsten on 0408 081 082 for a complimentary consultation.

References:

www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration

www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends

www.idealhome.co.uk/news/home-decor-trends-2018

Disclaimer:

Credit Representative (486927) is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.

This article provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

The post 2018 Top Trends in Home Interior appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

Three things you need to know for a lucky Chinese New Year

Chinese have specific way of observing their traditions. Those who grew up in a Chinese household even dedicate over two weeks to Chinese New Year: the cleaning, cooking, decorating, and celebrating. There is a very meticulous way for things to be done — from the decor to the food, everything has its superstition.

2018 is the Year of the Earth Dog in the traditional Chinese calendar. Chinese astrology describes the canine symbol as independent, sincere, loyal, and decisive. The dog does accept difficulties and is considered responsible. Just like man’s best friend, the dog is loyal, clever, and brave.

But how does this actually relate to us personally? Many claim that there’s nothing wrong if we use these Chinese superstitions as our personal guide. I mean, I know a lot of successful Chinese when it comes to finance so they must be doing something right.

To maximise the celebration, I’ve consolidated 3 simple things you can actually apply and use to have yourself a “lucky” Chinese New Year.

Consider renovating.

Chinese people believe that there are bad spirits keeping us from having good luck. They actually start cleaning out their houses as early as a week before the Chinese New Year. Houses are cleaned to their entirety to sweep away bad luck and “inauspicious breaths,” according to History.com.

Take this to a whole new level by revamping the look of your home. Clean out your gutters or give your house a fresh coat of paint. Tidy up your lawn or consider remodeling your garden or even the interior of your living room or bedroom. Been wanting to touch up your kitchen? Now is the perfect time to do it.

Leave a paw print.

Being 2018 as the Year of the Earth Dog, adapt one of its qualities—leaving a paw print. Not taking it too literally, this means you have to keep track and monitor where your finance is going. Bills from the holidays are barking at the door or your emails, do you find yourself getting a headache because you actually lost track of your spendings? Be extra responsible this year before you literally pay for the consequences.

Give out ang pao.

Did you know that giving out ang pao (red envelopes with money) brings good luck to the receiver as well as the giver? This has been a trademark of the Chinese wherein there is an exchange of ang pao among family members. On a deeper sense, this is a reflection of giving back and sharing. After all the hard work in the past year, this is a symbol of sharing one’s blessings and a demonstration of unselfishness.

Disclaimer:

Credit Representative (486927) is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.

This article provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

The post 3 Things You Need to Know for a Lucky Chinese New Year appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

Consumers who use AfterPay and ZipPay will now have to disclose what they owe on these transactions

AfterPay and ZipPay are digital credit platforms which enable consumers to purchase goods and services and receive them immediately without paying for them upfront. The digital credit companies serve as the financiers and pay on the consumer’s/purchaser’s behalf. The purchaser will then make repayments to the financier usually in installments over a short period of time. For instance, AfterPay requires four equal fortnightly repayments. Fees and charges apply for those that fail to meet the repayment terms.

There are a number of situations in which the “buy now, pay later” is useful, including for those on a lower income who are looking for a treat but cannot afford to pay for everything in one lump sum. It has been a proven effective strategy for businesses to include this on their sales efforts to entice shoppers to purchase more. It can be hard to get the money together that you might need upfront. By buying now and paying later, you are able to get the product immediately, but with easy monthly repayments, rather than needing to find large amounts of money in advance.

The digital services can be considered convenient but critics claim they make it easier for consumers to build up debt. There are instances where consumers tend to lose track of their repayments!

Major banks such as Westpac and its divisions – Bank of Melbourne, St George Bank and BankSA – are “tightening their scrutiny of digital consumer credit by property buyers in the latest move to get a clear picture of a borrowers’ true financial position in a bid to improve borrowing standards and serviceability.”

Under Westpac’s new policy, a property loan applicant who used AfterPay and/or ZipPay has created a liability that must be included in any loan application along with the monthly repayment. Simply put, if you are applying for a property loan, you have to declare whether you have an ongoing credit with AfterPay and/or ZipPay, otherwise, your chance of getting approved is very slim.

 If you intend to secure a property this New Year, double check with your trusted mortgage broker the lending requirements of your chosen bank or lender. Furthermore, as a borrower, it is also your responsibility to declare all your outstanding debts that would affect your credit rating. However, when in doubt, you can always consult your mortgage broker who will be able to help you throughout the loan application process.

Disclaimer:

Credit Representative (486927) is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.

 This article provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

The post Are You Using AfterPay and ZipPay? Banks Apply Stricter Measures on Lending Requirements appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

As we wrap another year, we look back at the most viewed and most read blog entries posted on our website. The list was based on audience engagement via social media shares and number of views and engagement accumulated from our ever-trusted Google Analytics. They’re arranged from the oldest to the most recent published. Some will make you think; others will bring back those dreams you have put off for so long. They may also serve as a reminder of the importance of being informed and having knowledge as empowerment.

It was quite a year.

10 – Top compact SUV’s under $30k

Compact SUV’s are said to dominate the vehicle segment as every major automaker now offers one, giving shoppers many choices. To keep you from doing the daunting task of checking websites and reviews online, we had listed the top 7 compact SUVs that will cost you just less than $30,000!

9 – Mother’s Day Gifts That Will Fit Every Budget

Instead of providing some random options, we had given you gift ideas at every price point. So, no matter how much your budget is, it can surely match what you can give mum to make her feel extra special on that day. We scavenged the internet for the most underrated presents perfect for our mums, and looked for the best gift that will effectively work for a specific price range—from zero budget to having it all the way!

8 – Nature Meets Style: Top Glamping Spots in Western Australia

Glamping (Glamour + Camping) marries the best of both worlds: the rustic beauty of nature, and the classic comforts of luxury. This entry is probably one of my favourites because it showed a new side of travelling—getting away with style! Plus it doesn’t have to be expensive as there are spots that cater to whatever budget you might have.

7 – Buying a Used Car: Things You Need to Know

The process of buying a used car can be overwhelming, much like buying any other property. So, to help you navigate the seemingly-complicated used car market, we had provided you tips before landing on that deal.

6 – 10 Personal Finance Hacks

As an experienced banker and a Finance Broker myself, I pretty much saw all the possible worst scenarios experienced by my clients in terms of managing their finance. In as much as I can, I share what I know to help them save and work on their personal finance by starting within themselves and/or within their homes. Hence, the birth of this blog entry…

5 – From Saving to Settlement: How to Buy Your First Home

Buying your first home proves to be a major financial decision so you need all the help that you can get. And not surprisingly, most frequently asked questions revolve around this process!

4 – How to Switch Lenders and Potentially Save on Your Budget

Are you one of those home loan owners who are playing safe by sticking to their lenders to avoid uncertainty and hassle? Well, in this post, we’ve listed down a guide on how to switch lenders which can potentially save you money on interest! (And apparently, people were INTERESTed!– see what I did there?)

3 – Easy-to-Understand Infographic on the Mortgage Process

Yes, this is also one of those most frequently asked questions—the mortgage process. We’ve created an infographic to answer all those queries. (If you have further questions, ask us today!) Click here for the infographic.

2- Tips to Haggle for a Better Deal

Haggling may seem like a huge effort for some and so it certainly is not for everyone. People tend to not haggle on big purchases, or on things like home loan, insurance, or credit cards. They may think it’s embarrassing, not worth their time, or maybe they don’t have an idea how to do it. So, we’ve written down some tips to sharpen those haggling skills you thought you never had!

1 – Christmas Gift Ideas for Every Member of The Family

And finally, for this season of gift-giving, it tends to be trickier when it comes to picking presents for each member in the family. It’s always a smart move to have a list of ideas of gifts to give because it tends to get stressful once you’re inside the store and you’re clueless what to purchase! Luckily, Soul Finance got you covered with some gift ideas!

There you have it– our most-read articles for this year. Thank you for reading our blog posts and we hope you continue to support our entries in 2018! Wishing you and your family a blessed and Merry Christmas!

Disclaimer:

Credit Representative (486927) is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.

 This article provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

The post The Ten Most-Read Soul Finance Group Blog Posts of 2017 appeared first on Soul Finance Group.