Melbpom

You know how some users are "Junior Member", "Senior Member", "PIO Chatterbox" etc. How do these categories/types get allocated? Age, number of posts, time on the site? I can't see a pattern.

When I made the decision to move back, George Ezra's Shotgun was playing a lot on the radio. It seemed so apt and still is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_B3qkp4nO4 Congrats on your decision.

Can I suggest exploring other areas of the country, just like you would have done when you first arrived in Australia? Pick random locations, get in the car on the weekend and ask yourself if you envisage life there?

Hi Jemvin, I really feel for you. I can only suggest moving to another town/part of the country where your partner has better job prospects and where you might find cheaper housing. I'm certain others will be along shortly to offer wise advice. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Yes, maybe it was because I hadn't had a UK passport for 20 plus years, so it was a new passport rather than renewal. I remember posting it with application form and feeling rather vunerable without any passport. It might be different for OP given her son has previously been issued with one.

When I applied for a UK passport I had to send my Australian one to the UK with my application. I'd be wary of being without a passport if travel date is close.

Go to a couple of auctions before hand just to get familiar with the process. I'd also watch the auction sold prices of comparable properties and compare these to the previously advertised selling range. Know your bidding limit and be aware of the additional costs such as stamp duty. Have your cheque book ready for the 10% deposit. You can ask the agent prior to the auction if a 5% deposit if acceptable if that suits you better. Good luck, let us know if you're successful.

I agree that buying a house is more important than saving for super but the danger is that it's used for a wage top up. Better to have a scheme where people can access super to make a verified home purchase. Imagine the scenario of couples with unequal incomes. Money is tight because of low wage growth and one person's super is accessible.

New Liberal senator Andrew Bragg is proposing that super should be voluntary for low income workers and suggested that by ticking a box on their annual tax returns they can get a refund for contributions made during the year. Can you imagine the temptation, rather than save and reap compound interest, take the cash now and spend? IMHO a bad idea. https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/make-super-voluntary-for-low-income-earners-new-liberal-senator-says-20190724-p52aer.html Years ago, a large employer I know ran a subsidised canteen for it's staff. Management thought the canteen too expensive so they gave their staff a choice, canteen or $2000 on your pay. Staff took the cash of course but over time the $2k canteen component got absorbed. After a few years no canteen and no increase in pay. I only mention this because I could imagine that employers would treat the super bonus in the same way.

Just curious, what happens when people don't have enough NI contributions for a pension? Surely there's a government benefit of some kind?

Can anyone recommend a resume writing service in Melbourne? I've googled a bit but I'm wary that the end result might be a fancy template. I was hoping to find a small/solo business rather than a CV mill.

I'd second that and if he/she returns to Australia they will know it was their choice.

You mention buying a tiny place if you were to stay in Australia. Could you buy something before you go and rent it out? You could sell when you decide where home is and in the meantime be building equity.

And the fact that Australian Gross debt has doubled since 2013 doesn't make you question this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_government_debt

Sorry, I misunderstood the question. Maybe try Aussie Broadband. They are smaller and based in Gippsland.

Can you get by without a home phone/ broadband? I'd be wary about making too many applications because they will affect your credit rating adversely.

I just don't understand how cutting income equates to good economic management.

Maybe because there was a chance of change and new positive policies. I can't name a single new policy that Morrison put forward during the election. The whole campaign was negative on his part. Let us hope that he adopts some of Labor's policies.

At the moment a lot of properties are "off market" which means that to even get to see these properties you'll need to have shown some interest in the area previously. Also the sales price isn't always set and expressions of interest (EOI) are asked for, so you have to have a good idea of the market and that takes time.

I've just googled them, like the lack of maintenance but nor sure about feeling a bit enclosed.

Whenever I see a house with a pool my heart rate rises. I'd love to own a pool. However I've seen too many pools that have been neglected and turned green and others that have been filled in. So the question is, head or heart, pool or no pool? I've heard people comment that they're too much work but on a hot summer day maybe it's worth it.

I was told by one of the shippers not to use the vacuum bags because small amounts of water are trapped in your clothing and it can cause mold during the long sea voyage. However I ignored that and used them for a couple of large quilts. Won't know if that was a good idea or not for a couple of months. Shipping companies like to have everything boxed so either you will have to do so or they will. Best to talk to them.

Withdrawn comment

Each generation has it's challenges. When we bought the interest rates were 17% and the ratio of house price was still around 4 times the average wage. We bought as a couple because by pooling resources we could buy on the very edge of the city. This was at a time of recession, something that Australia hasn't seen for almost 30 years. House prices will drop if interest rates increase but then so will affordability. You can't have it both ways.

Exactly. When I visited Dubai even the bus shelters were air conditioned. Environmentally unsustainable.