How to get a free flight upgrade, according to airlines and frequent travellers
From ice-cream sundae carts to mimosas and warm nuts, the perks of first class taste better when they’re free. ADVERTISEMENT Heading on your honeymoon or travelling for a big birthday? It may have crossed your mind to ask for a free flight upgrade. But could it really result in you sipping Champagne in a sky-high […]
‘Team carry on’: How to travel with only one small bag, according to Reddit experts
Aficionados say that doing laundry becomes an ‘enjoyable’ part of the trip. ADVERTISEMENT Airline luggage allowances seem to shrink further every year, forcing passengers to choose between travelling with a tiny backpack or forking out astronomical baggage fees. Budget savvy travellers are meeting this challenge head on with innovative ways to avoid additional charges – […]
How I use ‘sinking funds’ to better manage my budget and avoid bill shock
Earlier this year, I found myself between jobs. The news came out of the blue, and I had to reassess my spending while I looked for work. The situation would have been much more difficult had it not been for my sinking funds. If you haven’t heard the term before, a sinking fund simply means […]
Is your suburb ripe for gentrification? How to tell if higher property prices and high-rises are on the horizon
Shiny cafes, designer “doodle” dogs, micro breweries. There goes the neighbourhood. Gentrification is a decades-old global phenomenon that can lead to a suburb being completely transformed. British sociologist Ruth Glass first coined the term in 1964 to describe the displacement of London’s working-class residents by wealthier newcomers. “Once this process of gentrification starts in a […]
Winter has officially arrived in Australia. Here’s how to keep your home warm and power bills low
We’re officially in winter now, so that means cranking up the heaters and bracing for an eye-watering power bill. As households deal with cost-of-living woes and high electricity prices, we spoke to experts about how you can keep your bill down during winter — while staying warm. Here’s what they suggested. Shop around for a […]
How to protect, improve your credit score amid cost-of-living pressures – National
Last month, the federal government proposed tying rent payments to credit scores, a new way to help Canadians build their credit. Meanwhile, cost-of-living pressures are impacting some people’s ability to pay down debt and keep their scores in good standing. A credit score is a three-digit number that comes from your credit report — a […]