Originally posted by wamcdona21952:
I agree 80 years isn’t long in the big picture, if you look at the boom bust cycle of sydney over the last 20 years I wonder how my children will ever afford to buy a home here I have 5 kids the youngest is only 3 she will go through 2 or 3 more cycles before she’s even thinking about buying, what will they be…[Read more]

lifeX: yes, I was agreeing with you about the concept of ‘facts’. I could have articulated that better though. I rely on Gatsby to fill in my blanks. [wink4] Thanks Gatsby for adding the examples that I was too tired to add. [biggrin]

Thanks also lifeX for your example of when good will has not had its desired effect. I battle with this, all the…[Read more]

Hi all,

interesting to see that I don’t come across many students on here. Perhaps they are all just quiet??

I have 25 – 30 hours of classes each week, plus approximately that at home again studying (or in between classes at uni). I work 10 – 30 hours per week and volunteer at a clinic for underprivileged people a few hours per fortnight. Most…[Read more]

Thanks Kay for clearing up what you meant by ‘facts’… I went off on another tangent. It happens! The Fed Reserve interest rate certainly is a fact, no debating that!!

As for being honest – I am as you are Kay – although I wonder at times whether this puts you behind the 8-ball because other people out there are getting ahead by being dishonest.…[Read more]

Having a real giggle and sigh at all your stories!

I met my better half over the phone. We worked for the same company but at different sites. We would have to speak up to 20 times a day on the phone, or sometimes more! So within a week I made my first non-work related phone call (from work of course) and we became great friends (over the phone)…[Read more]

Wow – how great it is to read all of your opinions. Thanks for sharing.

LifeX and Kay, excuse my flat scientific approach to your ideas about proving facts, but I have always been taught that you can never prove anything, you can only find evidence to support a hypothesis. And when you look back on history, you will find that this is true. We…[Read more]

Hey Redwing,

myself and a number of people I know use the AVG Free Edition also and it seems to catch all the nasties! There are plenty of free programs to choose from really – don’t feel compelled to pay for one because odds are that you are not getting anything better anyway. See:

http://www.grisoft.com

Good luck!

Hi Kythese,

I was wondering the same thing so I jumped onto realestate.com.au and started comparing what was on offer (for sale) to what was on offer (for rent). Figure out broad approximates for the return on the properties that are for sale. Try using the 11 second rule for starters. OK – this is all *very* general, but you quickly get an…[Read more]

Hey Coldy,

Let’s be green together!! I am new to this too but have been reading on this site non-stop and it is an ever-enlightening experience. There is a wealth of knowledge here if you are keen to put in the hours to sift through it all. I’d like to echo your thoughts also – thanks to everyone for being such an informative and friendly bunch.…[Read more]

Hey Mark,

I’m no expert but I see that there are some investors making a stack of money out of students. Take this example for instance (it is true!): 19 year old guy arrives in Australia, starting uni in 2 weeks, needs a place to live. Finds out there is a place close to uni with other overseas students that live there. Thinks that this sounds…[Read more]

I use the same technique as Kay Henry, although I first try to put ‘2003’ or ‘2004’ in the search line as you are more likely then to find current information.

Once you think you may have found a region to invest in try looking at council websites. They frequently have information about population growth and often expose you to other valuable…[Read more]

Jaffa,

“I HEAR YOU!!”

I am half way through 8 years of full time study and can feel your pain!

A few (not so) quick pointers which may assist you:

1) Stay calm. The higher your stress levels, the less effective your study will be. Can’t shake the anxiety off? Laugh at yourself! Really – it is JUST an assignment/exam/whatever – what is the…[Read more]

Hi Fluffy,

I really like your style!! If I moved into one of your properties I would be really impressed. Whilst it is ultimately a gesture that works in your favour, I am sure the tenants genuinely appreciate it, and there is some idealistic value in this also. Thanks for the great idea. (Jo, your warnings are noted though! Thanks also.)

Can I…[Read more]