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Moving house can be a stressful time requiring careful planning and preparation leading up to moving day. Our easy to follow checklist will guide you through some of the common things to do before you close that front door for the last time and keep your stress levels down. Let the right people know Update your mailing address and arrange a mail redirection to your new address to ensure you don’t miss out on any important mail Disconnect electricity, gas, water ,phone, internet and arrange to have them set up in your new home Update address on drivers licence, Medicare, electoral roll, subscriptions, bank statements including credit cards Let friends and family know where your new home is. Book a removalist service Hire a removalist service well in advance to ensure your moving date is locked in Arrange a skip bin to dispose of rubbish and unwanted items Consolidate and Pack Obtain a supply of moving boxes ahead of the big day including packing tape, bubble wrap, labels, marker pens and old newspapers. Label the packing boxes with the room the box is intended for to speed up the unpacking process Prepare appliances for moving Clear your calendar Clear your schedule for a few days after moving in day Schedule some time off work to assist with the unpacking and settling in process Organise Insurance Organise home and contents insurance for your new place Moving Day Backup Plan It’s ‘Moving Day’ and the preparation steps above should have you well on your way to a stress free day. Have a backup plan for any unexpected surprises. Designate a place to stay if things don’t go according to plan and consider having secondary transportation for backup in case removalist truck breaks down. Stay hydrated and ensure you have lots of snacks on hand will help the day run smoothly. We hope our moving house checklist helps make your moving day as stress free as possible. 

 Like most habits, learning to be money-savvy is most beneficial when you start young.  Here are five easy ways to start saving money that your future self will thank you for.  Track your spending Study your bank statements and go through your direct debits and cancel any unused subscriptions/memberships. For one month write down every single dollar you spend and what you spend it on. After the month, reading over your list will highlight where you are spending unnecessarily and where you have the capacity to save. Did you spend $300 on restaurant meals and smashed avo when you thought it was more like $100? Are you spending more on Uber trips than you initially thought? Being aware of where you’re spending recklessly will make it much easier to avoid those expenses going forward. Set some goals Start some savings goals right now with your take home pay. 50% of your pay toward needs such as bills, groceries, transport, housing etc 30% toward ‘wants’ like fun times with family and friends, social outings 20% toward ‘future you’ such as additional savings and paying off debt sooner Don’t take your debit card on a night out Try to avoid taking your debit card or credit card with you to social events. It makes it easier than ever to pay for things on the go with a simple tap of your debit card, but it can also make it harder to realise just how much you’re spending. Instead, bring the amount of cash that you want to spend and use it wisely. Your bank balance will thank you for it the next day.

Whether you are a first home buyer or potential investor, saving for a home deposit isn’t easy. It requires some money know-how and tonnes of saving, but with the right tips and tricks, you can fast-track your way to putting some cash down on your next property sooner.  What is a home deposit? A home deposit refers to the initial contribution you make towards the total purchase price of your property. Many home loan lenders expect a 20% deposit of the purchase price, and in the cases that they accept lower than that, borrowers are required to take out lenders mortgage insurance. This insurance is taken out by banks and financial providers to make sure they are covered in the case that you can’t pay off your home loan. Pretty much if are putting down less than 20%, statistically you are a riskier borrower. In simple terms, the bigger the home deposit you put down on your future property the less you will have to borrow from your home loan lender. Not only will you need to pay less back in repayments, putting down a bigger deposit on your home could save you in interest repayments as well. It also shows lenders that you are smart with your money and can save effectively so is beneficial for your home loan approval. It’s a win/win. Also keep in mind that, along with the deposit, other costs may arise, like stamp duty which differs from state to state. This means that you may have to save a little bit extra than just the amount of your deposit to ensure you’re covering all your bases and aren’t left completely cashless once you’ve put your money down.  Ways to save for a home deposit Saving for anything can be tough, especially when it’s 20% of the price of a property, so we’ve compiled four simple steps to help you save as much as you can for when you are looking to purchase your next home. Take a look at your current spending habits: fully assessing your current financial situation and the way you spend your money can give you huge insights into where you need to be more frugal. Whether it’s writing up an excel sheet or scrolling through your bank statements, decide which habits are more indulgent than others and assess whether you can reduce them, or cut them completely, so that you’re putting more money aside towards that deposit! Create a budget: once you’ve assessed your current spending habits, set a goal and timeframe for your savings and then make changes to your current money managing scheme. A good budgeting strategy to follow is the 50/20/30 rule, which allocates 50% of your income to needs (like groceries or electricity bills), 30% to wants (so your little indulgences like Friday night drinks with your mates) and 20% to savings (like for your home deposit). With a clear framework like this it may be easier for you to track where your money is going. If you need to separate your home deposit savings from your other earnings, you could also open a separate savings account just for it so you have an accurate idea of how your saving is going. Similarly, if you need even more of a helping hand with putting money aside, there are plenty of budgeting and saving apps available that can guide you. Get on top of your debt: having other debt lingering, like on credit cards or a car loan, could be getting in the way of your reaching your savings target for your home deposit. In this case, try and tackle your debt first or make it more manageable so that you have more funds to put away for your next property. If you’ve got multiple debts, you might want to roll them into one manageable payment with a debt consolidation loan. Transport Mutual has a product designed to do just that – called the Credit Card Crusher. We would be happy to discuss this with you. Open the right savings account: while many Aussies already have one or more savings accounts, some don’t know about which ones can get you the most for your deposits. If you know you’ll be depositing regularly, choose a high interest account so that you can make more on monthly interest from your savings. Once you’ve saved up the money, the method of putting down your deposit varies depending on if you bought the property privately or at auction. In the case that you have bought the home privately, you must sign contracts with your vendor and make arrangements for the deposit to be paid, usually via cheque or bank transfer. Sometimes you are able to pay 10% first up and then pay the other 10% a little bit later. Alternatively, if you are buying at auction you are required to put down your deposit on the day, this is commonly done via a personal cheque.  A few quick reminders about home deposits For home deposits under 20% of the property purchase price you may have to take out lenders mortgage insurance Remember to account for additional costs, like stamp duty The bigger the home deposit the less you have to borrow for your home loan If you pay at auction, you pay on the day You can pay for your loan via personal cheque, counter cheque or bank transfer

No need to feel overwhelmed when choosing a car loan; just follow our simple guide to find one that's right for you. If you’ve started searching for a car loan, no doubt you've been faced with words like "redraw", "unsecured" or "variable rate". You could be servicing your loan for some time, so it's important to understand the different options and make the right choice. This guide takes you through how each type of loan works, and how to pick the best one for your needs. How do car loans work? Car loans are similar to personal loans in that you borrow a set amount of money and pay it back over time. The difference is that these loans are specifically designed to finance the purchase of a vehicle. Car loans are usually used to finance new cars and used cars Types of car loans There are a few options to consider when looking at car loans, and it’s important to understand the difference between them so you make the right choice. Secured car loan. This option requires you to use your newly-purchased car as security in case you default on the loan. These loans usually come with relatively low interest rates, flexible repayment options, and with a variable rate. Unsecured personal loan. This type of loan can be used to finance a car, or any other purchase, as the way you use the loan amount isn’t restricted. Unsecured loans generally have higher interest rates than secured loans as there is no security required.  How to choose the right car loan Finding the right loan doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these steps to ensure you make the best choice for your needs: Decide how much you can afford Make sure you don't apply for a loan with excessive fees or rates that will make it difficult for you to meet your repayments. While it may seem a good idea to make large repayments to finalise the loan sooner, you could find yourself struggling financially if these costs are too high. Sit down and work out exactly how much you can comfortably afford to put towards the loan each week or each month. Understand your budget Next you need to work out how you are going to budget for the repayments. If you’re self-employed or are paid at irregular intervals, you may prefer a loan that offers flexible repayment options so you can make additional payments to help you reduce the ongoing interest. How flexible do you want your loan to be? Flexible repayment options, means you can make additional payments and clear your loan early. You may want to use the loan amount to make other purchases if you use the car as security. Beware of Dealer finance! If you buy from a car yard, the dealer might offer to arrange finance for you. Dealer finance may be convenient, but there could be hidden fees and charges. For example early payout fees, monthly fees, penalties for paying more than the minimum could be part of the loan. It is important to get all the information before you sign any contract. Did you know ? Transport Mutual offers a wide variety of car loans for new and used cars.  For more information click here

Once considered a radical way to live, many Australians are now viewing an off-grid lifestyle as both economically and environmentally savvy. We delve into some of the pros and cons whether it’s a good choice for you. Just a few years ago, going off-grid wasn’t something many people would seriously consider unless they lived in a remote area or had strong environmental leanings. However, increasing instability in the electricity grid, soaring utility bills and climate change are some of the reasons why more Australians are exploring the idea of an off-grid lifestyle. What does going ‘off-grid’ mean? Going off-grid means living self-sufficiently by detaching from public or private utility companies. While solar is generally the first thing that comes to mind when we hear the words ‘off-grid’, going off-grid isn’t just about electricity - it also involves disconnecting from municipal water, sewerage and gas services and adopting a lifestyle underpinned by self-sustainability. The transition to an off-grid home will often occur when families are either renovating or building a new home, which makes it relatively easy to add things like batteries, rainwater tanks, new plumbing and solar panels, but these things can also be easily retrofitted to an existing home. How much does it cost? In terms of costs, to live off the electricity grid you will need a reliable solar battery, a large off-grid solar system and a backup generator. All up, living entirely off the energy grid could initially cost up to $25,000, even after factoring in government rebates and incentives. Water-wise, the best rainwater tank system and fittings depend on your house. Most complete rainwater systems cost around $11,000. Sewage can sometimes prove the trickiest aspect to transitioning off-grid, with some local councils reluctant to allow people to treat their own sewage. However, with the appropriate permissions, there are options such as composting toilets and worm farms. A complete sewage recycling system could cost up to $11,000. Government solar incentives The Federal Government’s small-scale renewable energy scheme encourages households and businesses to install small rooftop solar systems.  The scheme rewards people by allocating ‘small scale technology certificates’ which is like a discount voucher for your system.  The number and therefore the value of the certificates awards to you depends on factors such as the size of your solar system and your location.  By 2030 this scheme is likely to have been phased out.  There are also differing state incentives such as rebates and interest free loans.  To find the programs available to you, refer to your State Government energy or environmental website.  What are the pros and cons of going off-grid? Despite the costs listed above, taking your home off the grid has never been more affordable than it is today. Solar power is a cost-effective way for homes to generate their own electricity in the long term. And, with battery costs coming down, the length of time from purchase to ‘payback’ is getting shorter and shorter. What is the payback time? Payback occurs when you have covered the cost of setting up an off-grid system via savings incurred from no longer having to pay utility bills. It’s important to remember that calculating the payback time for your solar and battery system depends on a number of factors, such as average sunshine hours in your location, individual consumption patterns, the future price of electricity (whether it will go up or down) and the size and cost of your system. From an environmental perspective, going off-grid halts your reliance on fossil fuels and creates a self-sustaining system of energy, water and waste management, which will heavily reduce your environmental footprint. That being said, there are a number of things to be aware of before turning your back on the grid entirely. These include: Roof limitations: make sure your roof has plenty of space to fit enough solar panels to go off-grid. Maintenance costs: you will need to maintain and replace your systems as needed. For instance, solar batteries need to be replaced every six to 12 years, depending on usage. Property value: not everyone is interested in off the grid systems and may see them as a deterrent to buying your home rather than an attraction, potentially pushing your house price down rather than up. Going off-grid is a considerable commitment so you need to consider whether it is the right option for you and your family. There are a host of other changes you can implement to help reduce your impact and live a more environmentally-friendly life such as reducing the amount of meat you eat, not using disposable items such as plastic cutlery and reducing your electricity consumption. If you’re considering an off-grid lifestyle, contact Transport Mutual and we can help assess how it could affect your financial well being.  We have a number of products supporting off-grid lifestyles and would be happy to discuss them with you.

 Financing your dream car Apart from a home, a car is one of the single biggest purchases you are likely to make. Don't let the excitement of buying a car get in the way of making good financial decisions. What can you afford? Before you start looking for a car work out what you can afford. Include all the costs of owning and running a car. This can include annual registration fees, insurance, roadside assistance, petrol, repairs, maintenance, and road tolls. Work out the real costs of buying and running a car. Decide how much you can afford and stick to it. The dealer may offer accessories for the car and extra insurance products. However, these are often not very good value and can really add to your debt. Consider getting a good second-hand car. This can save you money and you'll have more cash for other things like insurance. Before you buy, check the Australian Government's Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to make sure the car won't be repossessed because the owner still owes money on it. Choosing a car loan A car loan is a personal loan for the specific purpose of buying a new or used car. You borrow an amount of money that you have to repay within a certain period of time (called 'the term'). You will have to sign a credit contract that specifies the amount borrowed and how you will repay it. The term can vary, but is usually between 12 months and 5 years. If you don't pay off the full amount of the loan by the end of the term, or if you can't afford to make equal payments over the life of the loan, the final payment must be made as a lump sum. While this makes repayments affordable, you may be left with a large amount of money to pay off orrefinance when the term ends. Fixed and variable rate loans If you shop around you can choose between a fixed or variable rate loan. In a fixed rate loan, the interest rate is locked in for the term of the loan. This means that your repayments will be set, so you know exactly how much you have to repay each month. But if you make extra payments from time to time and pay out the loan early, you may be charged an early termination fee. You will also have to pay account fees and charges. Car loan scams Be suspicious if you are contacted out of the blue by a company offering loans with low interest rates. See our tips on how to pick a loan scam. Secured loan With secured loans you offer an asset, such as the car you are buying, as security for the loan. If you don't make repayments, the credit provider can repossess and sell your asset to get its money back. The age of your car will affect its resale value. If your car is sold for less than you owe, you will still have to pay the credit provider the difference. Get value for your money Dealer finance If you buy from a car yard, the dealer might offer to arrange finance for you. Dealer finance may be convenient, but it's important to shop around to make sure you get a good deal on your loan. Banks, building societies, credit unions and specialist lending and leasing companies all offer car loans, so check out what's on offer so you can compare and choose the best loan for you.  Flex commissions  From 1 November 2018, 'flex commissions' are banned. Flex commissions were paid by lenders to car dealers and finance brokers to encourage them to arrange car loans at the highest possible interest rate. Dealers will no longer be able to charge customers more than the rate set by the lender. See ASIC's media release for more information.  Car leases A car lease allows you to rent a car for an agreed period of time, but you don't have the right to buy the car. At the end of the period, the lease is terminated and the car is sold. You could make an offer for the car, but you will usually need to come up with a large sum of money to buy it and the credit provider does not have to accept your offer. If you want to own the car, getting a lease is not the right option for you. Warning about business declarations Only sign a business purpose declaration if you are really using the car for business and can claim your payments as a valid business expense for tax purposes. By signing a business purpose declaration, you may lose valuable rights under the National Credit Law. Car insurance You must take out compulsory third party (CTP) insurance before you are allowed to take your car on the road. If you borrow money and a lender takes security over the loan they will usually require you to pay for comprehensive insurance. This insurance covers damage to your own car and other people's property if your car is in an accident (including fire), as well as covering you if the car is stolen.

 Protecting Your Super legislation  The ‘Protecting Your Super’ legislation came into effect on 1 July 2019 and is designed to protect people’s super balances. The three main changes are: Insurance in super – if you have an inactive super account, defined as an account where you have made no contributions in the last 16 months, your insurance will be cancelled unless you take action. You can retain your insurance by contacting your super fund and ‘opting-in’ to retain your insurance or having a contribution made into your account every 16 months. Low super balances – if your super account balance is under $6,000 there is a cap placed on fees, limiting them to no more than 3% per year. Also, if you have an ‘inactive low balance’ account, the Australian Taxation Office is now responsible, where possible, for consolidating this money with your active super account. An inactive low balance account is broadly defined as an account with a balance of under $6,000 where no activity has occurred in the last 16 months. This includes where no contributions have been made to the account in the last 16 months and where there is no active insurance on the account. Other new definitions apply. Exit fees – when you exit a super fund you will no longer be charged an exit fee.