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Tighten Your Belt – 5 Secrets to Creating a Stable Financial Future

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It can sometimes seem impossible for low-income households to get ahead in today’s economy. Financial pressures can have a debilitating impact on your life. Too many families are familiar with the pattern of purchasing only the bare necessities, putting off replacing broken appliances, and spending all their time commuting to and from jobs that pay too little and ask too much. The economic hamster wheel leaves little opportunity for saving, or to enjoy your daily existence. The following are a few creative, yet simple ideas to help you get a handle on your financial stress and get back to loving life.

Wiggle Room

Unfortunately, lower-income families can find it nigh impossible to access credit with mainstream lenders. Locked out of the market, many turn to high-interest options such as payday loans for a lifeline that ends up being a deadweight around their necks. Fortunately, a growing number of government agencies and not for profits are offering interest-free loans for people on low incomes, to spend on necessities, like home appliances, or car insurance. Sometimes that wiggle room is all you need to ease yourself of some of that stress.

Master Chef

The ease of ordering takeaway in our modern society means a lot of money can quickly disappear on food. Yet it’s cheaper and healthier to cook your meals at home. All you need to do is change your perspective on meals preparation. Instead of a chore, transform it into a fun-filled activity. Numerous celebrity chefs that have a wealth of cheap, easy recipes that turn into delicious meals. So, get a quick recipe online, put on some music, and turn it into a joyful ritual. Get your family involved, and make preparing the meal just as enjoyable the meal itself.

Saving Grace

It’s hard to think that a small amount of money set aside every day can make a significant difference in the long run. However, with a bit of discipline and patience, you will be amazed at how much it can add up to over time. Even as little as 50 cents a day, or 10 dollars a week squirreled away into a dedicated savings account you don’t regularly check, your long-term savings can really start to grow. If you can’t get yourself into the habit of putting the money aside, there are apps that can do it for you, all at a rate you’re comfortable with.

Free Entertainment

Just because the budget is tight doesn’t mean you have to skimp out on cultural activities. You can spend hours wandering around free museums, markets, and historic buildings. Your local backyard is someone else’s tourist daydream. Check out the tourism travel page for your local city and see what they recommend is a must do for free. There are always plenty of ways to entertain the family without having to fork out hundreds.

Au Naturale

Whatever the weather, whether you feel like lazing around or getting active nature has you covered. Plan a trip to the beach, and spend the day lazing on the sand. Alternatively, plan a trip to the hills and go for a hike. Getting out of your four walls and enjoying nature has many mental health benefits, and it doesn’t cost a cent. Even if you end up doing precisely what you were planning on doing inside, such as relaxing with a book, or tapping away on your computer, if you do it outside, you’ll feel much better for it.

Having money problems doesn’t have to take the joy out of life. Cheap activities are still fun activities, and clearing your head of stress can help set you up for a financially stable future.

Guidelines to Choose the Right Phone System for Your Business

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Choosing a business phone system is a very important decision. A decision that requires a lot of research and consideration. Different businesses have different needs, especially when it comes to a phone system. A small coffee shop could probably get by on a personal landline and mobile phone combo. On the other hand, a city centre hostel with 100 plus beds will need a business phone system, such as a virtual PBX, to handle multiple incoming calls, facilitate call transferring and be ever reliable with no downtime. If you need a business solution there are plenty of options out there for you. Read on for 3 of the most popular business phone systems along with pros and cons of each.

Traditional Landline

When you think of a traditional landline we think of our home phone line. They are slightly different when talked about in a business sense. Business landlines are typically supported by a phone company. These are analog systems that run on the phone companies existing technology. This technology is usually traditional copper wiring.

To run a traditional landline, you need local PBX hardware. This hardware is what enables you to use business phone system features such as call transferring etc. They enable the use of multiple phone extensions.

Some business landline systems run as a hybrid with VoIP systems (more on them so). The traditional phone line comes into your business and then connects to your data network. The data network is then responsible for connecting the multiple business phones to the central line.

Many landline systems are now being phased out by most system providers.

Pro: Landline systems have been around for ages so are reliable and time-tested. A lot of companies like what they know, which is the traditional landline.

Con: With the prevalence of the cloud most providers are moving away from landlines. This means they are more difficult to purchase and, more importantly, repair should something break.

VOIP Systems

Where landlines use copper wires to get you connected, VoIP systems use the internet. They tap into your companies existing connection to enable your phone system. VoIP systems provide great business features such as automated attendants, call queues and computer integration. Some of the highlights include allowing voicemails left over the phone to be sent to email inboxes and computers to be turned into "softphones."

VoIP systems give remote employees and users access to the business VoIP phone system from their mobile device so they can work on the go without the hassle.

Pro: VoIP systems provide the complete business phone package. These VoIP systems are easily set up and configured, and are a lot more cost effective than landline systems.

Con: The downside, however, is that these systems rely on your internet connection. So, if you’re in a community with spotty internet service, this type of phone system wouldn’t work for you.

Virtual PBX

Virtual PBX phone systems are the next step in the evolution of business phone systems. The Virtual PBX phone systems differentiate themselves by being hosted in the cloud instead of being on-premise. And that eliminates many of the challenges associated with traditional systems and provides all the benefits of the cloud technology it is based on.

A virtual PBX phone system is securely stored in the cloud on a server that is accessible and configurable via a web interface. Virtual PBX phone systems uses internet protocol or IP communications, allowing businesses to make calls over the internet. The difference is mostly invisible to the average user. The only change you’ll see is that instead of plugging your phone handset into the wall socket, your plug your IP phone directly into your modem.

Pros: Cloud-based systems like virtual PBX mean no local hardware to purchase and maintain. Your provider takes care of that for you. You can set up and configure the system for your business, all from your computer.

Cons: Not having your own hardware means that if there are any problems it is out of your control and up to your provider to get them fixed

Think about the services we’ve talked about here and align them with your business needs. Choosing the right system for your business will help it thrive while avoiding headaches down the track. If you need some more advice ask the team over at https://www.cloudtelecom.com.au/ what would be best for you. The right phone system for your business is right around the corner.

Things To Do At 7 Capital Cities In Australia

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There’s a reason why Australia is at the top of the list for most vacationers around the world. Its bustling beaches, lush jungles and luscious rainforests packed to the brim with every kind of exotic greenery you can come up with.

Without doubt, Australia is where you should be spending some quality time with your spouse or better half. We advise the reader to spend their hard-earned frequent flyer points and catch a free ride, or better yet spend free time in luxurious hotels in Australia. To get started, this is the best place for you to redeem your virgin points.

Australia is behemoth of a continent; therefore, we prepared a list of capital cities that you should be visiting and places of interest that you should definitely be keeping on the top of your to-do list.

1. Adelaide
While the city itself is laced with world class art rooms, hidden bars and restaurants, what you should be watching out for is the Kangaroo Island, Australia’s most popular destination to explore wildlife, witness the fur seals, echidnas and beautiful koalas in their natural habitats. You can get to the island by hitching a ferry ride.

2. Canberra
If you’re a food enthusiast, then Canberra must definitely be given a mandatory visit, dine in at popular restaurants such as Aubergine, Capitol Barr and Monster Kitchen and Bar. Or simply marvel at the miniature trees – also known as bonsai – in the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection. Visit the iconic Nishi Gallery located inside Nishi Building where artists from all walks of life showcase their creativity.

3. Darwin
Located in Darwin’s busiest business district is the Mindal Beach which attracts thousands of tourists year round – it is a common sight to spot visitors eating at one of the dozens of food stalls located in Mindal Market while watching the Sun setting down casting an orange hue onto the sparkling sea.

4. Brisbane
The most populous city of Australia is also home to one of the most important landmarks of the country. For example, the City Botanic Gardens—which houses the Bamboo Grove – is home to a collection of some 23 bamboo species, where innumerable bamboo sprouts tower over the entire landscape, and the sun illuminates a magnificent aura to the bamboo peaks, lending a luscious contrast between green and orange.

5. Melbourne
The best place by far to spot penguins in their natural habitat is Phillip Island; located south-east of Melbourne. It is packed to the brim with pristine beaches where you can set up camp and watch exotic animals unperturbed by visitors gawking at them. Don’t forget to pay a visit to Cape Woolamai to catch a glimpse of numerous pink granite forms in Westernport Bay.

 

6. Sydney

While Sydney is home to hundreds of attractive tourist locations, we can’t help but point you towards the most photographed swimming pool in the world at the Bondi Icebergs club. You can also become a member of the oldest winter swimming pool in Australia, something that you can brag about to your friends.

 

7. Hobart

No trip to Australia is complete without paying a visit Mount Wellington, the place is also easier to reach by vehicle, there’s a range of activities to partake in, from mountain bike riding to sightseeing from a plethora of vantage points scattered around the mountain.

The Rewards Of Regular And Concise Performance Reviews

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There are 2 reasons why business owners never sit through the performance reviews of their employees. The first is when they want to discipline someone, and the second is when they think someone deserves a pay increase. However, what they don’t know is that they have so much to gain when it comes to scheduling employee performance reviews on more than just these two instances.

Communicate Goals

When you sit down with your employees more than once every year, you are technically reminding employees what you expect of them in a way that motivates them to achieve this. It is possible that you may have begun to notice changes in the employee that you would like to discourage. This is the perfect time to do that before it escalates into something serious, resulting in you having to call in crisis control.

For Feedback

Regular performance reviews give employees the perfect opportunity to give you feedback on what your employees need. It helps you in correcting bad behaviour before it ultimately affects the bottom line of your company. You cannot just send in an email that says the employee is not meeting the set standards. You must review performance and set a training period for them and encourage them to attend it as part of their professional development which will help them throughout their career.

When Firing an Employee

In case you are faced with the task of terminating an employee, you can always offer them proof that they had an idea that this was coming. Your case is made strong by the regular performance reviews that you conduct so that the employee does not challenge your termination.

Set New Goals for Over Achievers

Certain employees perform above and beyond the set standards. The regular performance reviews give you a chance to set higher goals for them, and you must encourage them to advance in their career at your company if you really believe that they have the potential to do great things. If a person thinks he/she is wasted in a place where their talent is not recognized, he/she is likely going to move elsewhere.

Appreciate the Hard Work

It is important that you praise employees who consistently do a great job. By offering positive feedback on a regular basis, you will also make your employees feel like they are being truly appreciated. Your win is that now the employee is going to be encouraged to work harder and shall remain loyal towards you as they are made to feel good about their hard work.

Their Feedback Counts just as Much

Mostly, employee performance reviews are created to give feedback to the employees, and employees are also encouraged to share their thoughts about the company as well. It is important that you listen to the concerns and comments of these people. You must also consider using the valuable information you now have to improve operations.

3 Problems Plaguing the Australian Construction Industry (And How to Overcome Them)

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The construction industry can be a harsh place for businesses. It requires a huge investment in potential profits. Until a customer has paid for a project or contract in full, there is no guarantee that this investment will be worthwhile. It means that cash flow is very important and any delays to payments or problems with receivables can become big obstacles very quickly.

In Australia, the construction sector is very healthy and diverse, but it has its challenges, just like construction sectors all over the world. For instance, the rising cost of raw materials is a constant pressure and contractors have to find ever more innovative ways to meet them, while also keeping their rates competitive.

This guide to the construction sector in Australia will discuss some of its biggest problems and how your business can overcome them.

Slow Invoicing and Payment Cycles

Many contractors (small businesses especially) find it hard to regulate cash flow because they don’t put suitable invoicing systems in place. By using aprogress payment schedule you can easily outline what is expected of your contractors at different phases of the project. It’s important to be crystal clear on what is required for a phase of the project to be considered ‘complete’ and for a progress payment to be issued so that there is no confusion or disagreements as the project progresses. Expect contractors to request a progress payment approximately every two weeks, depending on the scope of the project.

Without regular progress payments, it can be very challenging to keep your current construction project on track. Furthermore, it will be virtually impossible to begin another project as you will have too much of your financial resources tied up in the current job. Agree on a progress payment schedule that works for all parties and the job should run smoothly from start to finish.

Rising Cost of Raw Materials

As already mentioned, the price of commodities like oil and metal continues to rise alongside interest rates and the strength of the Australian currency. In some ways, this is good news for contractors, because it means that they can justify raising their own rates. However, if rates climb too high, customers look elsewhere for their construction work and deals are lost.

It is a tricky problem and one that has no easy solution. Nevertheless, businesses can try to cut costs in other areas. For example,learning how to streamline operations with the use of technology can be an effective way to minimise waste. Digital invoicing apps and record keeping software are tools which boost profits by helping companies keep track of payments and close out on projects faster.

Lack of Safety Training

One recurring problem for the Australian construction industry is safety. As demand grows, so too does the need for qualified contractors and construction experts. This can encourage some companies to cut corners and try to maximise profits by reducing their investment in things like safety training and risk management procedures.

Unfortunately, this is nothing but a fast track to serious injury and, in many cases, subsequent litigation. So,investing in high-quality safety training is not just a way to keep employees safe, it also protects the business. Technology can be a great tool in this area as well because apps and mobile devices mean that training doesn’t have to be limited to formal meetings.

Why Technology Is the Future of the Construction Industry

It is often said that technology represents the future of all industries, no matter what their objectives. While this might sound a little far-fetched, the reality is that digital resources can transform everything from project planning to managing supplies, tracking deliveries, and processing invoices. It is particularly valuable for regulating cash flow, as automating payments eliminates errors and increases visibility right the way along invoicing channels.

The Advantages of taking Professional Assistance for Tree Removal in Melbourne

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TREE CHOPPER AUS

Tree removal is a task that is required for various reasons. It may be necessary for the removal of dangerous trees, as a measure to safeguard property and occupants. It may be deployed as a component of landscape beautification process. Tree removal service in Melbourne also becomes a necessity while clearing large sites for developmental projects. Irrespective of the reason, it is advisable to delegate this task to a professional tree care firm.

Hazardous tree management is considered to be the most common and important reasons for tree removal. Trees that are old, ailing or rotted lose their structural integrity and become shaky and fragile. Their branches or sometimes even the entire tree can fall, especially if there is a windstorm. This puts the safety of the occupants and others passing by, at risk.

Overgrown trees can be a nuisance for homeowners. Apart from bringing harm to the surrounding vegetation and plants, trees with overgrown limbs can lead to extensive damage to the property. Many property holders have frequently whined about pipes issues and broken sewerage pipes that are caused by roots of an overgrown tree.

Another cause of concern for homeowners is that septic damages resulting from untrimmed trees are usually not covered by insurance agencies due to which they have to bear additional expenses to fix such issues.

Therefore, if you intend to avoid all the above mentioned issues, it is advisable to enlist the services of a firm that provides top notch professional tree removal & pruning in Melbourne. Here are a few benefits of taking professional assistance.

· Some people tend to underestimate the complexity of the process along with the implications in case the procedure is not carried out properly. Taking the responsibility of removing trees from your property on your shoulders implies that your are inviting unnecessary complications. Besides compromising the quality of the task, carrying out tree removal on your own can lead to injuries.

It can likewise put an undue strain on your pocket with additional expenditure. This is precisely where professional and trustworthy firms that provide tree removal and tree pruning services in Melbourne come into picture. They have a team of highly skilled arborists and specialised tools to execute the process, safely, quickly and effectively.

· Similarly many homeowners assume the responsibility of tree pruning in Melbourne with a final objective to save money. Be that as it may, it can increase the expenditure with all the investment required to purchase the required gear. Also, if in procedure any harm is brought on to your property or surroundings, the cost involved may even get multiplied. Taking professional assistance, as a general rule, ends up being the most cost efficient choice. By outsourcing tree removal, you can spare a great deal of costs on fuel, transportation and equipment.

· Besides tree removal and pruning, the services provide by these tree care firms include checking the health of trees, identifying the unhealthy or infected trees. They also provide service for regular maintenance of the trees by trimming the branches and spray of medicines for a germ free environment.

All the above mentioned points make the decision of taking professional assistance for tree removal and pruning, a wise one.

In any case, before contracting these tree care companies for tree removal in Melbourne, you ought to take a few things into account. The best way to gain insight into company’s track record of its customer service is client reviews. For this, try getting in touch with previous clients of a particular company and they will give you a fair idea of their service.

How can your Business gain from Labour Hire companies in Melbourne

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Every business irrespective of its scale or industry requires a skilled workforce. The business world is getting competitive by the day and is undergoing a continual evolution with changes happening on daily basis.

Taking the increasingly competitive nature of the market into account, it imperative to have access to workers that are highly trained & experienced with an ability to adapt. Qualified & proficient workforce makes sure that you keep up the desired levels of performance, irrespective of any challenges. This is precisely where labour hire companies come into picture.

Labour hire in Melbourne has been an integral component of the business world for a long time now. These agencies are a growing business’ best ally. They provide skilled labour whenever required, without putting undue strain on the finances of the company.

Labour hire has grown in prominence in recent times throughout Australia, with a persistent requirement for short and long term projects emerging all the time. As this industry has developed to serve clients across a broad spectrum of industries, more and more business owners realise the benefits of enlisting the services of a labour hire firm

From a business viewpoints, it is vital to have a team of skilled employees with a multitude of skills ready to assist at any given time. Skilled labour hire services can be highly advantageous to any business, established or newly found as they can provide employees with skills that suits the exact business requirements, either on a temporary or permanent basis and that too, without any delay.

Here are some of the benefits your business stands to gain by enlisting the services of labour hire companies.

· Most organisations have fluctuating workloads relying upon the season. This implies the work prerequisites of the business keeps changing as per the workload. Having in-house staff members on payroll even when there is no requirement, results in a lot of unnecessary expenditure. Labour hire enables you to get skilled workers you need at your convenience without the obligation of full time employment, thereby, curtailing the outlay.

· Employing staff is a challenging task. At the point when entrepreneurs or business managers need to expand their workforce to take care of increasing consumer demand or an important project, these firms are an ideal option to recruit the workers with appropriate skills.

· Finding competent individuals with right the skill set for the task at hand is, to a great degree, tedious. From interviewing applicants to selecting them, the whole procedure can be quite time consuming and does not generally ensure that the right candidate will be selected. We all know the importance of time for business owners and managers and that they can’t afford to fritter away their valuable time in this process. A labour hire agency gives them the leverage to recruit pre-screened workers who are not only qualified but also have the experience of dealing with any kind of work requirement. This way they decrease the downtime considerably and as a consequence, increase the operational efficiency.

· Labour hire workers have the experience of working in an assortment of organisations within & outside your industry. Moreover, on-hired employees bring different skills to the table that your on-board employees may not possess otherwise. Rather than wasting a considerable measure of time & resources on training workers to execute a particular task, you can easily hire skilled workers on temporary basis. These employees will work for you as long as your require their services.

The benefits of enlisting the services of labour hire companies are quite apparent. So, with regards to your next business venture, get in touch with a professional & trustworthy firm that provides labour hire in Melbourne.

Sydney startup AppealMe helps Australians get their parking fines dismissed

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The fastest and easiest way to appeal a parking ticket in Australia.

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Founder : Matthew Malcolm

On a sunny Sydney afternoon Matthew Malcolm and Annie Gunn received a parking ticket. They had unknowingly parked in a pay and display zone which was missing parking signs. Not knowing they were committing an offence they returned to their car and found a ticket.

Unsure of how to appeal a parking ticket, they spent that weekend researching, drafting and submitting their appeal. The appeal was a success, the ticket was dropped, and they had an idea.

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Talking with friends and family it seemed this was more common than first thought.

What started as a simple side project, quickly turned into a idea to develop a platform to help all Australians contest their parking fines. With the goal of reducing the time spent researching, drafting and creating an appeal, AppealMe wanted to make it easier to contest a parking fine and to improve the chances of a successful appeal.

Video – https://vimeo.com/156070535

 

How AppealMe Works from AppealMe on Vimeo.

The service is free and helps you draft a professionally written appeal by analysing your circumstance, combining your details with the relevant State laws and providing recommendations to increase your chance of a successful appeal.

AppealMe covers numerous appeal situations such as a lack of parking signs, faulty ticket machines, medical emergencies, locking your keys in your vehicle and many more.

Of the services launch, AppealMe’s Founder Matthew Malcolm said, ‘For the women and men who use AppealMe, the platform represents a new and convenient way to access the law in Australia.’

With over 1.2 million tickets issued in NSW alone in FY14/15 (Source: http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/info/statistics) the service aims to help Australians avoid paying for incorrectly issued parking tickets and to provide local councils clearer and more accurate appeals in hopes of reducing time spent on their review process.

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AppealMe is now working on helping Australians contest speeding, red light and stop fines. Get special access to this new feature by visiting appealme.com.au and using the social buttons.

Gungahlin suburbs the top choice for Canberra home buyers

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Gungahlin’s suburbs are the fastest growing in Canberra and the most popular choice for families looking to buy homes, according to the latest figures on population growth and property sales in the ACT.

Canberra’s population is expected to keep moving north as more families abandon traditional suburban regions such as Tuggeranong in favour of Gungahlin’s new developments, affordable house prices and convenient amenities.

Population boom

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) predicted that the ACT’s population will increase by 50,350 persons in the 12 years from 2007 to 2019 – with 20,500 persons or 40.7 per cent of this increase claimed by Gungahlin alone.

Gungahlin’s own population is expected to increase by 58.6 per cent to a total of 55,450 residents by 2019. Young families are increasingly choosing the rapidly developing suburbs of Gungahlin over older, established regions in the south such as Tuggeranong, which is forecast to decrease by 0.1 per cent annually over the same period – the only ACT area set for decline.

Families head north

Residential property sales bear out these predictions, with real estate agency Allhomes reporting that 488 more family homes (25 per cent) and 276 more townhouses, apartments and other units (33 per cent) were sold in the north of Canberra compared to the south over the past year. In total, Gungahlin and northern districts saw 2,457 family home purchases and 1,104 unit sales in the 12 months to the end of March 2016.

Gungahlin also leads the rankings of Canberra’s most popular areas for family homes, with four of its suburbs – Ngunnawal, Casey, Bonner and Nicholls – being named among the top 10 in the city. Developers have taken notice of Gungahlin’s property boom, leading to an influx of new houses and apartments to keep up with buyer demand.

Why is Gungahlin so attractive for home buyers?

There is no single reason behind Gungahlin’s success. For many new and existing residents, the choice of Gungahlin suburbs for their family home is due to a combination of:

· Affordability – Gungahlin offers lower prices for family homes compared to the inner city and other established districts, particularly for buyers taking advantage of the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) scheme. With an average house price of $438,000, Ngunnawal was the fourth most affordable suburb in Canberra in 2015.

· Smaller blocks – Gungahlin has the smallest block size of all Canberra districts, at 512 square metres on average compared to 906 sq m in South Canberra, which means lower maintenance costs for residents.

· Amenities – Ongoing investment in public services and amenities means that Gungahlin’s suburbs offer access to everything families need, from schools and sports grounds to road upgrades and the proposed light rail project that will make commuting to the city even easier.

Shop and dine in the heart of Gungahlin

The Marketplace is your one-stop shop for food, fashion, health and wellness in Gungahlin Town Centre.

Discover our eclectic mix of boutiques, cafes and professional services on Hibberson Street, close to all Gungahlin suburbs and just 13 kilometres from Canberra CBD.