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Welcome to another edition of #AusFIWeekly. It’s Michelle here from FrugalityandFreedom.com, a mid-30s semi-retiree bringing you a selection of great financial independence links, news, and events from Australia and abroad.
I’m writing from my first housesitting gig in Australia; totalling 19 stints in 18 months including USA and New Zealand. With zero cases of COVID-19 in South Australia now, homeowners are taking local trips again. I’m happy to care for their pets and have my own short getaways, with free accommodation in different neighbourhoods… plus perks like Netflix! In addition to being a good break from staying with family (love you, though), I’m building up my Australian housesitting experience to support more domestic travel later.
If you’re curious, read my post on Everything You Wanted to Know About Housesitting. Sites I use are:
- Trusted Housesitters (International) – My favourite, as it is the largest international site and your reviews can help get sits abroad too. 25% off annual membership via my link or promo code RAF216125.
- Aussie Housesitters (Australia only) – A good amount of local listings. Get $10 off annual membership of $84 via my link or promo code A94HJM. Note: This site has partners including Kiwi Housesitters and Housesitters Canada, allowing you to display the same reviews across multiple sites if you join those too.
PS. I contacted customer support at Trusted Housesitters and Aussie Housesitters recently, asking for an extension to membership while travel restrictions were in place. I got free 3 months and 6 months added respectively. It never hurts to ask!
Australian Links
Can You Make It To Financial Independence? 7 Actions To Keep You On Track – Money Side Up
“You cannot scrimp and save and avoid purchases that bring you joy for 20 years of your life. Otherwise what’s the point? Yes, you may reach FI marginally quicker but you will have lost some of the best years of your life fretting over every purchase.”
20 Cents – House of Simple
“The simple secret to having enough money is found in the humble Australian 20 cent piece… The humble 20 cent piece seems so insignificant, however this is so far from the truth. Here is the secret – take 20 cents from every dollar that comes our way and put it away for the future. Simple. Elegant. Achievable.”
Purchase Distancing – How It Works – But Wait, There’s Less
“In 2020 we all know that creating distance protects our physical health. The same things applies for our financial health. “Purchase distancing” is a time gap between an ad (or idea) and a purchase. Want to purchase something? Write the item on a piece of paper, or as a note on your phone. Come back to it later… If the item is worthwhile, you’ll still want it. If not, lose the piece of paper or delete the phone note.”
Podcast: Early Access to Super – Aussie Firebug
Interview with Sam, Financial Planner. “We’re going to be chatting about the circumstances where it would make financial sense to withdraw the money and use it in your journey towards FIRE, a deeper dive into the First home super saver scheme and… Sam’s approach to the classic dilemma of investing inside or outside of Super even when aiming for FIRE.”
Australian Events
17, 24 June & 1 July, 8pm AEST – Investing 101 Free Webinar Series with Rachel White, Vanguard Australia – Ladies Finance Club
International Links
The Perks of Being a Weirdo: How Not Fitting In Can Lead To Creative Thinking – The Atlantic (USA)
“The advantage was seen only among participants who had an “independent self-concept”—meaning they already felt they didn’t belong. There appeared to be something about being a weirdo that could uncork your mind and allow new ideas to flow.”
The Hidden Reason Why Compound Interest Is So Important to Your Life – Wallet Hacks (USA)
“But the reality is that the power of compound interest is more than math and money. The power of compound interest is not in actual interest but in what it means for you, relationships, and how to amass wealth… The reason why your relationships strengthen over time is that you accumulate memories together. You build trust over multiple instances where you need to trust one another… Over time, these moments build on one another much like compound interest. In the end, your relationship is stronger. It’s compounded.”
Voting With Your Dollars Has Never Mattered More – Half Banked (Canada)
“Voting with your dollars is the concept that every time you buy something, you’re casting a vote for that business existing. How you choose to spend your money has always mattered, but it matters even more now—both for you personally, and for the world… If you’re still working and financially safe, there’s a real opportunity to be thoughtful about how you’re voting for our new normal.”
Baby Steps to Ecofrugality: How to Slowly Transform Your Life – EcoFrugals (USA/Norway)
“If having a lighter impact on the earth is important to you (and it should be), and you are concerned with your savings account as well, then start with just one new thing. Life doesn’t change on a dime, and there’s no reason we need to either. But when you know better, do better. One step at a time.”
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for another guest curator next week. Missed one? Check out the archives here.
Yours in pursuit of FI,
Michelle @ Frugality and Freedom
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