Quicken Personal Finance Software Review

By Sandy Naidu | May 15, 2009














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Federal Budget 2009 - Winners and Losers

By Sandy Naidu | May 14, 2009








Here is a gist of the winners and losers in Budget 2009:

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Budget 2009 - First Home Buyers Boost

By Sandy Naidu | May 14, 2009








Back in 2000, the Federal Government announced a $7000 first home owners grant to help the first home buyers enter the property market. In 2008, the Federal Government announced a $7000 first home boost - So since 2008 September buyers of an established home/apartment receive $14,000 and buyers of a new home/apartment receive $21,000. This boost of $7000 was supposed to end on June 30 2009.

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Budget 2009 - Tax Cuts

By Sandy Naidu | May 14, 2009








Last year the Government promised a two part personal income tax cuts. The second part of this tax cuts was due to be announced in this budget. There was a lot of media speculation that the Government will scrap these cuts - but the Government kept its promise. The tax cuts were announced in budget 2009. The cuts across the board - Employees on $40,000-$60,000 a year will receive an annual tax cut of $300, while higher-income earners on $120,000 will receive an annual cut of $950.

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Budget 2009 - Changes To Private Health Insurance Incentives

By Sandy Naidu | May 14, 2009








To reduce burden on public health system and to encourage more people to take up private health insurance the Government currently provides us with a 30% rebate on the premium paid and fines the high income earners who don’t take up private health insurance with a medicare surcharge.

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Budget 2009 - Paid Parental Leave

By Sandy Naidu | May 14, 2009








Budget 2009 has a bright spot for would-be parents - From 2011, the primary carer will receive paid parental leave. To be eligible for the parental leave, the primary carer has to be earning less than $150,000 - so if a mum is a primary carer then she has to be earning less than $150,000 - if a dad is a primary carer then he has to be earning less than $150,000. The paid parental leave is for 18 weeks at minimum wage - $540 per week. These parents will not not get the baby bonus and also during these 18 weeks they will not be eligible for any family tax benefits.

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Budget 2009 - Changes To Superannuation

By Sandy Naidu | May 14, 2009








A couple of significant changes to superannuation were announced in the 2009 budget. The first one was the reduction in superannuation caps (for concessional superannuation contributions). The second was the reduction in co-contribution amounts. Here is my detailed review about these changes and how they will affect us:

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Budget 2009 - For Carers

By Sandy Naidu | May 14, 2009








The carers are winners in the budget 2009. Those who receive a carer payment will receive the pension increases of $32.49 a week for singles.

Also ,a permanent carer supplement of $600 a year will be introduced for carer payment recipients and an extra $600 a year for carer allowance recipients for each person in their care.

The supplement will replace the Government’s one-off bonuses.

Other Budget 2009 Posts:


Pension Income and Pension Age Changes


Superannuation Changes


Paid Parental Leave


First Home Buyers Grant Boost


Tax Cuts
Budget 2009 Winners and Losers







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Budget 2009 - Pensioners & Pension Age

By Sandy Naidu | May 14, 2009








On May 12th, Wayne Swan, our federal treasurer, delivered 2009 Federal Budget. In a series of posts I am going to write about how this budget will affect us all.



Aged Pensioners


Single aged pensioners will receive $32.49 more a week; couples will get an extra $10.14. 2009 Budget replaces the current pension incomes and assets means tests with a broader income test.

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Sydney Airport Parking

By Sandy Naidu | May 12, 2009

Last month we went to Phuket on a holiday for a week. We live around 70 kms from the airport. Usually we take a cab to the airport. This time we decided to investigate the Sydney Airport Parking. And our hunch was right - Airport parking would cost us less than the to and fro cab charges.

Book online and in advance at the sydney aiport parking website and you will be eligible for some huge discounts. For a week Sydney Airport Parking would cost us $132 (less than cab charge). The parking is safe and secure.

So next time you have a flight to catch, look at Sydney Airport Parking and find out if you save any money.

Topics: Cuppa Time | Leave Your Comment »

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