| Saving money - the big challenge | |||
Use FIDO's Budget Planner to help you manage your expenses. Tips on how to reduce your expenses, control your debts, manage large bills, and get expert help. Direct debits - how to make them work for you and how to cancel direct debits. | |||
| Credit and credit cards |  | ||
Choosing and using your card. If you have a credit card, loan or telephone account, a credit reporting agency probably has a your credit history. What's in a credit report, who compiles it, who has access to it and how you can get a copy and check your report? Use our credit card calculator to check how long it may take you to pay off your credit card if you only pay the 'minumum payment' and how, by paying more, you can significantly reduce the time it takes to pay off your credit card debt. | |||
| If you are in financial difficulty | | ||
People can get into financial difficulties for all sorts of reasons. If things go wrong use these tips to take control or get help. To the Max Read our comic To the Max. Find out how Josh, Sammie, Lena and Kaz took control of their finances and dealt with mobile phone debts, credit cards, car finance and insurance. | |||
| Investing | | ||
Want to know more about investing but don't know where to start? Set yourself some goals and start at the beginning with investing basics. How much should you reasonably expect to earn on an investment? It’s a tough question but you can get an idea on our rates of return page. Read FIDO's reply to a request about how 11 year old Jack can invest a small amount of money Getting financial advice Take the time to get the most out of your money by learning more about investing; making a financial plan; or getting advice from a licensed financial planner. You can also learn more about investing and financial services by contacting Centrelink. Visit Centrelink's Financial Information Service. Scams & rip offs There are people who will try to trick you into giving them your money. Sophisticated scams are out there so stay one step ahead by finding out how to spot a scam and avoid becoming a victim. When in doubt, check them out. How to make a complaint If you have had a problem with a financial service or product you have a right to make a complaint. Our guide You can complain tells you who to contact and what to say. | |||
| Starting a new job | | ||
| You'll have so much on your mind as you move into your new job. Whether it's a part-time, casual or full-time position, you need to get organised about where your pay will be deposited and work out what you're going to do with your money. Read FIDO's tips on the financial decisions you'll need to make when starting a new job. Superannuation If you're like most young adults, saving for your retirement is probably not something you think about very often. But what you may not realise is that tax concessions and other government benefits currently make superannuation one of the best ways to invest your savings for the long term. In most cases, you'll join a super fund as soon as you're employed, because by law your employer must pay contributions into a fund on your behalf, so it's important that you understand about super. Under the 'superannuation guarantee', your employer must pay in 9% of your earnings and from 1 July 2005, as a result of new rules on 'choice of superannuation fund', you may be able to choose which fund your future super guarantee contributions will be paid into. Find out if you are eligible to choose your own super fund Read more about comparing super funds When you're young, especially if you do a lot of casual and part-time work, it's easy to end up with little bits of super scattered across different accounts with different funds. If that's happened to you, then it's generally a good idea to combine your accounts. Four reasons why you should combine small amounts into one fund Are you eligible for superannuation as a casual worker? | |||
| Leaving home | ||
Leaving home is a significant change which brings with it new financial decisions and responsibilities. Read FIDO's tips on the financial decisions you'll need to make when you set up on your own. | ||
| Continuing your education | ||
Read FIDO's tips on financial decisions you'll need to make when you decide to continue studying. | ||
| Buying a car | ||
Buying a car can be a nerve-wrecking but also exciting time and you'll be thinking about what sort of car you want and where you'll go in it. Read our financial tips on buying your car Have a look at our car insurance material before you buy.
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| Travelling | ||
Going on a holiday? Learn more about travel insurance and why you might need it. | ||
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