Cost of Living Secrets

What is the best way to start a discussion with your employer about getting a pay rise? In this episode we break down how to approach your boss, what type of industries are more likely to get a pay rise now, and negotiating more money when you start a new job. Dave Cawley from Hays recruitment looks at what strategies work and what strategies do not.

Streaming services, meal plans, product deliveries, gym memberships just some of the subscription services on offer. What are the ways some companies encourage you to subscribe and to what extent do they make it hard to unsubscribe?

With so many different types of insurance - car, home, health and travel - it can be difficult to know what's needed and what's not. How essential is insurance and how can you negotiate a better price? Jodi Bird is the insurance expert from CHOICE and helps us look at the current market.

The average new home loan size hit a record high in December 2024. According to the bureau of statistics that is now $666,000, making it difficult for first time buyers to enter the market. Curtin University's Professor Rachel Ong ViforJ looks closely at the pros and cons of housing entry schemes such as the first homebuyers grant and shared equity schemes.

What kind of financial planners are out there, and do you even need one? This episode looks closely at financial planning, the costs, what to do if you cannot afford one and how to spot a reputable financial planner. Ben Nash from Pivot Wealth also explains what kind of financial planning you need at different life stages.

Thinking of a side hustle or a second job? ABS data in September 2024 showed 986,400 people had multiple jobs. From mowing lawns, supplying digital services, to becoming a delivery driver, Amanda Rose from Western Sydney Women talks tax implications, promoting your services and how to charge appropriately.

Petrol is one of the biggest weekly expenses for households and while prices have come down from their recent records, they're still historically high.

With food prices continuing to bite at the checkout, more and more Australians are on the lookout for ways to save on one of life's most basic and essential necessities: food.

Rents have reached a record high in Australia as demand outstrips supply in some areas, elevating cost of living pressures for tenants. So what can be done about it?

Interest rates are increasing likely to stay high for longer because inflation is still a problem, meaning borrowers expecting a rate cut will have to wait even longer. But there are things that can be done to help reduce your mortgage rate in the meantime.

In this episode of Cost of Living Secrets with Ricardo Goncalves and Peggy Giakoumelos, we talk about saving when visiting your doctor. New South Wales and ACT chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Dr Rebekah Hoffman shares her tips on:

In the first episode of Cost of Living Secrets with Ricardo Gonçalves and Peggy Giakoumelos, we talk about saving at the supermarket.

Ricardo Gonçalves and Peggy Giakoumelos explore one area where consumers can make savings with an expert in the field.