Barefoot Investor health insurance is Scott Pape’s tips and recommendations for obtaining health insurance in Australia. So, do you really need it? Read on..
Saving Money
Captain FI’s saving tips
Best Money and Budgeting Apps in 2024
Trying to manage your financial wellness? Budgeting apps can help! Here are the best money and budgeting apps for the year, with features, pros and cons.
Types of Insurance in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
What are the different types of insurance in Australia? There’s several categories of insurance and some will be vital while there are also many optional types.
Chemist Warehouse Review – Is It The Cheapest Pharmacy?
Chemist Warehouse is a large pharmacy chain in Australia that boasts having the best prices. So are they cheaper? Here’s my Chemist Warehouse review.
WeMoney Review: Is this money wellness app safe to use?
Complete WeMoney review and customer analysis from a long term Australian investor who has reached Financial Independence. Does this app live up to the hype?
Barefoot Investor Budget: A Template to Manage Your Household Finances
The Barefoot Investor Budget can help you take control of your finances and reduce financial stress. Let’s take a look at Scott Pape’s approach to budgeting!
ETax review – Australian tax return software
ETax is a tax return preparation and lodgement service that can take the worry out of tax time. Here’s my full Etax review..
An Interview with Derek Sall from Life and My Finances
Jump in for my interview with Derek, the founder of the Life and My Finances blog which now helps thousands of people every day with their money and finances.
Single Parenting Payment; Everything you need to know
Single Parenting Payment is a means-tested payment for families with children, and only one parent can receive it. So how much is it and who is eligible?
ASIC’s Money Smart Review
ASIC’s Money Smart is a website with info to improve people’s financial literacy. Created in 2011, it has heaps of helpful info, tools & resources.
Fun things to do in Adelaide
I have had quite a few people ask me about what to do while visiting Adelaide so I started making lists of fun things to do in Adelaide. Here it is!
Parkhound Review; Best way to find the cheapest park?
Parkhound matches renters with parking spaces. Parkhound provides the contract and organises payment. Is it really worth it? Here’s my full Parkhound review.
Estate Plan – A Folder for Managing your Wills and Estate
Estate planning is vital if you want to ensure your legacy and make life easier for loved ones. So what’s in Captain Fi’s estate plan folder?
Qantas Travel Insurance Review: Is It Worth It?
If you’re travelling, it makes sense to take out travel insurance, but there are many providers! Let’s take a closer look at Qantas travel insurance..
Biggest Waste of Money – 23 Ways to Waste Your Money Fast!
Here are 23 ways to waste your money really fast! Take a look at your spending habits. What do you think is the biggest waste of money?
Money School by Lacey Filipich Review: Become financially independent and reclaim your life
Lacey Filipich is the founder of Money School and the Author of the book ‘Money School – Become Financially Independent and reclaim your life’
Ubank Review; How does this online bank compare?
Click here to read a detailed Ubank review from a long term customer and personal finance expert who has reached Financial Independence.
Koala Mattress Review: Are They Worth It?
The Koala Mattress is an Australian-made foam mattress – they are affordable, comfortable and they get delivered free! Here’s my full Koala mattress review..
Tasmania Road Trip – Our Itinerary
My partner and I enjoyed a one-week Tasmania road trip together. Here’s our itinerary, some tips we made for next time, some of the costs and what we loved.
Jucy Van Rental Review
Jucy vans are available in Australia and NZ. They have different sizes but are fully equipped. We hired a Tarago through Jucy. Here’s my Jucy Van rental review.
What is a Budget Binder and Do I need one?
Budget binders help people keep track of their finances and to work towards financial goals. So exactly what is a budget binder and do you need one?
Turning a shipping Container into a Home; How easy is it?
Shipping container into home: it is possible, but they require permits. They’re cheaper & quicker to build than regular houses. So what’s involved? Read on..
Barefoot Investor Pillow Review; Is the Dunlopillo overrated?
What is the Barefoot Investor Pillow? Dunlopillo pillows are made from natural latex, and Barefoot Investor says they are good value. Here’s my full review..
What is the Opposite of Frugal?
Let’s look at the meaning of frugality, its synonyms & antonyms, and how it differs from ‘cheap’. So, can you still reach FI if you’re the opposite of frugal?
Save Money on Bills; Scripts to Negotiate Your Bills
There are many ways to save money on bills, but have you tried calling your provider and actually ASKING for a better deal? Here are the scripts I use..
Youi Car Insurance Review – award winning car insurance
Youi award winning car insurance can help provide peace of mind if the unexpected happens. Read on for my full Youi car insurance review..
10 At Home DIY Projects to Save You Money
There are simple at home DIY projects you can do to save you heaps of money. Here are 10 ideas – how many of these have you done, or would consider doing?
House Hacking in Australia: How to Save Money On Housing
Looking for ways to save money on your housing in Australia? House hacking is a potential solution. Read on as I explain further
AllHomes Review; Real Estate website and App
AllHomes is a real estate website and app, based in Canberra, with listings for the whole country. Read on for my full AllHomes review..
RSPCA Pet Insurance Review: Are They the Best?
RSPCA pet insurance is one of the most popular insurers in Australia, but are they the best? Here’s my full RSPCA Pet Insurance review.
Woolworths Pet Insurance Review; Is it worth it?
Woolworths Pet Insurance can be a way of protecting your bank balance against vet bill shock. But is it worth it? Here’s my Woolworths pet insurance review.
MLC Superannuation Review: How do they measure up?
MLC is a stalwart of Australian superannuation funds. Read this MLC superannuation review to help weigh up if their offerings are right for you.
Debt Recycling
Learn how debt recycling can help you pay off your mortgage, build investments and reduce your tax bill all at once. Read on as I explain further..
Family Financial Planning – The cost of raising children in 2024
From pregnancy and birth, to raising young kids, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to family financial planning. So what is the cost of raising children?
RAA Car Insurance Review
RAA provides car insurance and other services. So what are the pros and cons and is it worth it for those outside SA? Here’s my full RAA car insurance review.
Budget Direct Car Insurance review
Car insurance premiums can vary a lot! I found Budget Direct and stuck with them. Read on for my Budget Direct car insurance review..
What is Income Protection Insurance?
An in-depth evaluation into what income protection insurance is, who is most likely to benefit from it and the average price of a policy.
Budget Camping; My Frugal Vehicle Camping Set Up
There are many ways you can go budget camping. Check out how I set up my vehicle and camping gear in the most frugal way.
Top 10 Benefits of Financial Independence
Here are the top 10 benefits of financial independence and why I have been so passionate about the whole FIRE movement. Read on..
Barefoot Investor Review; Does the Barefoot Investor Work?
Does Barefoot Investor work? My Barefoot Investor review covers his steps to reach financial independence and explains how this book changed my life.
An interview with Paul Tagell from UpBank
An interview with Paul Tagell, head of marketing at UpBank, about features of this digital bank, their business model & why people might want to choose UpBank.
10 Money Saving Tips for 2024
There are some simple things you can start doing now to save more money fast. These 10 money saving tips can help you reduce your expenses and get ahead.
An interview with WeMoney CEO, Dan Jovevski
An interview with Dan Jovevski, CEO of WeMoney. We discuss how WeMoney works, how it can help you manage your money, and what the future of WeMoney looks like!
How To Use Debt To Get Richer
Not all debt is bad, so it’s important to know the difference between good debt and bad debt. Read on as we unpack how to use debt to get richer!
MyBudget Review; How does it work?
MyBudget is an Australian service that creates budgets for clients and helps them to pay down debt and to save more. Here is the full MyBudget review..
Energy Rating Calculator Review; How does it work?
The Energy Rating Calculator allows consumers to calculate the cost of running an appliance. It adds the cost of the appliance to the cost of the electricity.
Cash is Trash? So where should you actually put your cash in 2024
Do people still keep cash these days? If you have large amounts of cash on you, or in a bank account, then cash is trash! There may be better options for you..
Airtasker Review; Is it worth it?
Airtasker is a platform where people can post jobs that need to be done. So is it easy to use and how much does it cost? Read on for the full Airtasker review.
Finance broker: Can they really save you money?
A finance broker is a third party that helps to connect you to a lender, with the goal of getting you the best deal that they can. Is it really worth it though?
Bad Debt; What Is It, and How to Get Out of it!
Bad debt refers to consumer debt, whereas good debt is usually debt that refers to assets, such as a mortgage. So how do you get out of bad debt and get ahead?
Buying in Bulk to Save Money
Buying in bulk often will save you money, but there can be hidden costs. You need to look at the unit price and do your comparisons.
Wise Review; the cheapest way to transfer money overseas?
Wise is a P2P currency exchange service allowing you to hold balances in different currencies. Read on for the full Wise review, including pros and cons.
What is Life Insurance, and Do I Need It?
What is life insurance exactly? An all inclusive evaluation of what life insurance is, the different types available, who they’re for and how much they cost.
Finspo review – making home loans easier?
Finspo is an online mortgage broker with an app to help you find a home loan and pay it off ASAP. So are they really worth it and is it free? Read on..
10 Ways To Embrace Frugality So You Can Invest More
10 ways to be embrace frugality where spending is inevitable, to invest more money into your future and help you achieve financial independence.
Top 10 FIRE Blogs Worldwide
A detailed review of the 10 best worldwide FIRE blogs, including information about the authors and the content that they publish.
Top 10 FIRE blogs in Australia – retire early and enjoy life
While many aspire to FIRE, and financial freedom, following the top 10 FIRE blogs in Australia can help with tips and tricks to get you there faster.
Spriggy Review – Pocket money card and App
Spriggy pocket money app and card can teach kids the fundamentals of financial management in a cashless society. Is it worth it? Read the full Spriggy review.
Financial Abuse – What to look out for
Financial abuse: a form of coercive control that falls within the context of domestic abuse. Recognising the signs & educating yourself is the best protection.
What is FAT FIRE?
The FAT FIRE movement has caught the attention of many in the workforce, with the idea of reaching FI to RE. So what is FAT FIRE and how do you achieve it?
Tiny Houses Australia – Compact living for Financial Independence
Tiny houses are gaining in popularity in Australia. As housing affordability becomes even more of an issue, tiny houses can provide a cheaper housing solution.
H and R Block Review – no-frills tax accounting
It doesn’t have to be tax time to start thinking about tax preparation. Let’s look at H and R Block – the pros and cons of using them for your tax accounting.
Child Care Subsidy; How does it work & Am I eligible?
Understanding Child Care Subsidy in Australia is vital for families who need child care. Here is what you need to know about the CCS, including 2022 updates.
Why airport food is so expensive – 10 reasons
Ever wondered why that sandwich and coffee is so pricey at the airport? It’s not just ‘because they can’. Here’s 10 reasons why airport food is so expensive.
Starter for sourdough: Sourdough bread recipe
Find out how to make a homemade sourdough starter and bake delicious homemade sour dough bread exactly the way you want it.
How to Save While Still Being Social
How to save money and still have fun – it is possible! Even while you’re on the financial independence journey, you can still socialise and save money.
Tracking your expenses with PocketSmith
We all know the first step to Financial Independence is tracking your spending! PocketSmith is probably the best expense tracking software I have found, and since switching to PocketSmith from manually documenting my spending (on my iPhone notes and transcribing to excel spreadsheets) I have found it so much easier and less stressful
Brewing Financial Independence
Something that everyone on the path to Financial Independence should consider, is brewing your own beverages. For a fraction of the price of commercially bought drinks, you can brew amazing craft beverages that are way better than anything you could buy commercially.
Captain FI 2019-2020 Grocery bills exposed!
I talk a lot of smack on this site about how good I am at saving and keeping my cost of living down by being frugal, so perhaps its about time I put my ‘Money where my mouth is’ and fess up to my ACTUAL grocery bills.
How being my own mechanic saves me tens of thousands
Back when I got my first car at 16, I paid for the first servicing which was $400. This blew my fricken mind. I didn’t have that kind of money to spend on a bloody car every year!
The Economics of Pasta; the $1 per serve meal
Learning to cook at home is a crucial step towards Financial Independence, and is something any responsible adult needs to know how to do.
The real cost of dog ownership
Pets and other animals are great for kids development. Both physically in terms of exposure to dander, allergens and bacteria, as well as actually exercising them, and also psychologically as they provide companionship, an understanding of empathy, and an opportunity to take responsibility for looking after them.
The real cost of driving to work
Traffic jams. We have all been there, stuck bumper to bumper and awkwardly shifting between neutral and first, painfully riding the clutch, throttle and brakes
The Cost of Private health insurance vs Public Healthcare in Australia
You’ve probably heard about some horror stories when it comes to the price of healthcare and life changing medical conditions. So what exactly are the differences between private and public healthcare in Australia, and how do they impact our journey to FIRE?
Why your Saving Rate is your financial Super power!
Your savings rate is the number one factor for the time it will take you to reach Financial Independence. It is a combined measure of how fast and efficiently you are increasing your Net Worth.
DIY project | Kombucha tea
If you have never tried Kombucha tea your missing out. Its a refreshing, effervescent and yummy drink. Its also a probiotic which improves your gut health!
Shaving Years off FI
We all know that a low cost of living is crucial to maximising your savings rate and minimise your time to reaching FI, but maintaining a low cost of living is also a principle of minimalism; being mindful with your money. None of us like waste, so here are my top tips to Shave years off FI with your grooming!
Rules of Thumb and Tips for FIRE frugality
Rules of thumb are a great way to rationalise your budget and figure out if your savings goals are reasonable, or if your falling short of the mark
Should I Rent or Buy My Home?
Figuring out whether you should rent or buy is a big decision, and an incredibly personal one depending on your life circumstances
Shopping at Aldi to save money
Everyone eats right? Check out our guide on finding the best grocery store for reaching FI
The Soap Scam
Don’t be misled by the soap scam: unnecessary and wasteful cleaning products hurts your health, your wallet and the environment
How to Save Money on your Mobile Phone Plan
Mobile phone plans can be expensive, especially when the plans are linked to the latest handset. Check out my guide on how to save money on your phone plan.
Ten Things I Refuse to Buy That Keeps Me Rich
There are ten things I absolutely refuse to buy. Sure, there are other things I don’t LIKE buying, but these ten are non negotiable!
Save Money on your Gym Membership
Learn why I stopped going to the gym, how I work out at home, and how it saved me thousands which I put towards reaching financial independence
Get Rich by being Self Sufficient
I’m a millennial and I am self sustainable. Yes I enjoy my smashed avocado toast and I intend on buying several houses. Check out my guide on how you can too.
Save Money on your Auto Car Insurance
Realistically you should only insure against things which are going to destroy you financially. Here’s how you can save money on car insurance.
How to Budget for Groceries
How to set a grocery budget that lets you eat amazing food whilst saving you money towards your goal of financial independence
Get Rich with a Whole Food Plant Based Diet
Read about how a flexible whole food plant based diet will make you wealthier and allow you to reach Financial Independence quicker
How to save money on cars
Are you Driving to Financial Independence? A comprehensive guide on how to save money on cars. This guide will help you save thousands on your car usage.
How to sell your stuff online
Follow our simple guide on why you should get rid of your unwanted stuff, turning them into cash by selling them online, and decluttering at the same time!
How to furnish your apartment for under $1000
So you’ve paid your bond and got the keys… now what?! Furnish your apartment for under $1000 with inspiration from our FIRE conscious article
How to make a Budget and stick to it!
Everyone has heard of the word, but how many have actually properly sat down and given it the respect it deserves? Budgeting is a crucial financial skill that everyone should have, especially if you are managing your own or your families finances.
