Category Archives: Budgeting

Romance doesn’t have to be expensive. In this article, we discover cheap dates that won’t break any budgets OR hearts.

So, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, but you don’t quite have the dough for a bottle of chardonnay, an extravagant bouquet, or breakfast in a hot-air balloon.

That’s OK!

There are plenty of ways to treat your special someone to a magical date night (or day) without cracking open your piggy bank or maxing out your credit card.

These 7 cheap date ideas prove the best things in life really are free – or at least affordable. We’ve categorised them into 3 categories to help you find the right fit for you and your significant other:

• Cheap date night ideas
• Cute cheap date ideas
• Fun cheap date ideas.

Cheap Date Night Ideas

1. Boardgames by Candlelight

Do you and your partner have some interests of the nerdy variety? Treat yourselves to a pleasant date night at home with a boardgame you both love, or try one of these titles that work well for couples:

• Fog of Love
• Onitama
• Codenames Duet
• Monogamy
• Our Moments.

Co-op videogames are also a solid option if that’s more your thing. Either way, turn off the lights and set up some candles to establish the mood – this isn’t any old games night, after all.

2. Moonlit Road Trip

Find a scenic route or a panoramic lookout nearby and go for a quiet night-time drive. Put your favourite tunes on during the trip, take some cute selfies with the landscape or cityscape behind you, and embrace the chance to catch up and spend some quality time together. Cheap date night ideas aren’t always about the destination – sometimes the journey is more important.

Keep your romantic road trip cheap with these fuel-efficiency tips.

3. Movie Marathon in Bed

Is there a franchise you both love? Or a series you’ve been meaning to catch up on together? Build a pillow fortress on your mattress and get comfy with some popcorn and/or ice cream.

This is one of the most inexpensive date ideas around, and it requires minimal preparation. Plus, nobody can judge you for binge-watching the Harry Potter films (again) if you’re doing it with your SO on Valentine’s Day.

Cute Cheap Date Ideas

4. Picnic in the Park

• Sandwiches with your partner’s favourite spreads.
• A bottle of cheap wine and some fresh fruit.
• And a picnic blanket laid out in your local park.

What more do you need for a cute cheap date idea? Bonus points if there’s a lake with ducks or even swans to watch.

5. Getting Artsy, Crafty or Hands-On

Are you and your partner creative types? There’s no better time than Valentine’s Day to embrace your artistic sides together.

Depending on your passions, you might like to try:

• Drawing portraits of each other
• Creating a meaningful mosaic together
• Upcycling an old piece of furniture
• Writing poetry for each other
• Taking on that DIY renovation project you’ve had on your to-do list for ages.

Fun Cheap Date Ideas

6. Museum Crawl

Pub crawls are fun, but they’re not cheap – and the aftermath of all those beers isn’t always romantic.

Instead, why not explore some of the museums, art galleries and other cultural venues that you’ve neglected to check out? Most museums and galleries have free areas to discover, or you may stumble upon a limited exhibit that’s worth spending a little to see.

Acting like a tourist in your home city can also make you feel like you’re on a mini holiday, which is always a nice feeling.

7. Op Shop Extravaganza

So, you’re a couple on a budget. Op shopping combines a fun cheap date idea with a chance to get some serious bargains – it’s a win-win.

Enhance the romance by including some antique stores. There’s something undeniably charming about browsing vintage items as a couple.

Need a proper holiday with your significant other rather than a date night? We’ve got you covered with these 5 cheap holiday ideas.

And if you’re really due for a fancy Valentine’s Day that requires a little extra money, a short-term loan from Cigno could help. Because love may be priceless, but chardonnay sure isn’t.

Shopping for new wheels on a modest budget? The good news is you can get quite a decent ride without breaking the bank – you just need to know which mid-range cars provide the best value for money.

Let’s take a look at some of the best budget cars to help you hit the road in style (and hopefully with some cash leftover in your pocket).

Category: Best Cheap Family Cars (Small)

Yes, it’s possible to spend less than $20,000 on a decent small car that’s suitable for couples and new parents. Shopping in this category, you’ll most likely land on a small hatchback such as:

• Suzuki Swift
• Mazda2
• Toyota Yaris.

Technological advancements have made cars like these safer and tech-savvier than they once were, so your driving experience won’t feel that cheap.

Category: Best Cheap Family Cars (Medium)

If you’ve got 2-3 kids to fit in the back, you’ll need a little more breathing room for family trips. These are some of the best cheap family cars that should be on your radar:

• Ford Mondeo
• Hyundai Sonata
• Toyota Camry.

There’s a significant price jump from small to medium cars, but you’ll still find plenty of options (such as those listed above) beneath the $60,000 line.

Category: Best Budget SUVs

Does your family play footy religiously or love regular camping trips? An SUV could be the ideal vehicle for you. And while this category greatly increases your storage space, there are still models available around the $25,000 mark. Some of the best budget SUVs include:

• Honda HR-V
• Mazda CX-3
• Suzuki Jimmy.

Category: Best Budget 4X4s

Got your sights set on some off-terrain travelling? The 4WD world can be an expensive one to dabble in – especially if you’re looking to buy a new vehicle. If you’re constrained by budget, you might be better off looking for a well-maintained used 4WD. Look for brands that have been tried and tested with positive recommendations from other 4X4 enthusiasts, such as:

• Land Rover
• Mitsubishi Pajero
• Nissan Patrol.

The best budget 4X4 is a pre-loved model with reasonably low mileage and still in good condition, so it may take some hunting to find one that suits both your budget and your needs.

Category: Best Entry-Level Convertibles

You’ll rarely hear “convertible” and “budget” in the same sentence. Unfortunately, very few convertibles could be considered cheap, and you wouldn’t expect to see them on a list of the best budget cars. But if you’ve got your heart set on having your hair blow in the wind while you cruise down the street, there are some entry-level convertibles that cost less than you might expect.

Some moderately priced convertibles include:

• Audi A3 Cabriolet
• Fiat 500c
• Mazda MX-5 Miata.

As this is a higher-priced car category, it’s worth considering how much you truly want a convertible – especially if your budget is a little restricted right now.

Is your preferred car just a little bit out of your financial reach? A small cash loan might help you cross the line and get onto the road. Apply today for a cash advance up to $1,000 and take one step closer to buying one of the best budget cars available.

We all know what they say: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. But is this the case for interest-free purchases?

Unfortunately, yes.

In many cases, an interest-free purchase isn’t really the retail miracle it looks like.

Join us as we reveal the darker side of no-interest offers and how they can actually cost you more in the long run.

What is an interest-free purchase?

This term refers to a retailer’s offer of letting you own an item now while paying for it later. Sometimes you’ll be required to pay an initial deposit for the purchase, while other deals will let you take it home without any upfront payment.

As the name suggests, this type of purchase comes with a repayment window in which you won’t be charged any interest on the credited amount. However, what seems like a buy-now-pay-later dream can quickly turn into a nightmare once that interest-free window closes.

Excessive Interest on “No-Interest” Purchases

Most interest-free purchases are only interest-free for a limited time. If you pay back the full amount within that timeframe, you might escape the deal unscathed. But if you’ve still got credit owing when time is up, be prepared for an exorbitant interest rate (potentially up to 30%) to come into play.

Even if you intend to pay back the full amount within the terms of the contract, be sure to check the fine print to find out what kind of interest they will charge if things don’t go according to plan.

It’s also worth doing some calculations when deciding how much of the purchase to pay off each week/month to ensure you accrue the entire amount comfortably in time. Interest-free purchases are often designed with minimum repayment instalments that won’t cover the whole expense within the set time, so sticking to the minimum isn’t a good idea unless you’ve done the maths to make sure it’ll work out.

No Interest, But Plenty of Fees and Charges

Your no-interest arrangement might come with a range of fees and charges such as:

• Late payment fees
• Establishment fees
• Monthly service charges (which can really add up over long contracts).

Everyone’s guilty of occasionally ticking the “I have read the terms and conditions” box without actually doing so, but this is one situation where it’s vital to check the terms thoroughly. Understanding the potential costs of your interest-free purchase can help you decide if it’s really worth it.

Interest-Free Credit Card Offers

Some interest-free offers come with a store card, which essentially functions as a brand-specific credit card. These cards often carry a higher interest rate than standard credit cards, and they won’t have the same interest-free window as your actual purchase. In most cases, you’ll be better off using your regular credit card for additional purchases – compare the interest rates to confirm this.

Alternatives to Interest-Free Purchases

If you’re considering a no-interest offer, it’s likely because you can’t afford to buy an item outright at the moment. An interest-free arrangement is rarely the ideal way to purchase the product sooner.

Instead, one of these alternatives may be more suitable:

• Enquire about lay-by if the store offers it and you don’t need the item immediately
• Open a separate savings account to build up funds for this specific purchase
• Get a small cash loan to cover the expense.

Whatever path you choose for your purchase, it’s important to research all your options and read the terms carefully to ensure you’re making the right decision. Feel free to contact our friendly team to explore the option of taking out a small personal loan up to $1,000.

The price of petrol is constantly fluctuating, which means a trip to the service station is usually more expensive that you’d like. Luckily, there are several ways to save petrol, so these costly detours to the servo can have a smaller impact on your budget.

Feel like you pour too much of your money straight into your petrol tank? Give these 6 fuel-saving tips a try and see the difference they make.

1. Use an App to Find the Best Prices

Technology today can do a lot of things. One of those things is telling you in seconds which nearby petrol station has the lowest price per litre right now.

Driving extra kilometres to a servo further away may not sound like a brilliant petrol-saving tip, but it works well when the price there is significantly cheaper.

Handy links: 7-Eleven has a dedicated app for this purpose, or you may prefer a less biased app such as MotorMouth or GasBuddy.

2. Reconsider Alternative Transport

Let’s get this obvious one out of the way – just in case all you need is a small nudge to take the train more often or properly investigate your other options. If you’ve previously dismissed public transport as not being worth the effort, high petrol prices might inspire you to think again.

For example, some quick maths could reveal that scootering around the city will be cheaper than driving. Similarly, saving money could be great motivation to get back into cycling.

Top tip: Carpooling to work isn’t just one of the best ways to save fuel – it can also cut your parking expenses. Grumpy Greg may not be your favourite co-worker, but he lives nearby and drives to work too. There’s no harm in asking.

3. Keep Your Car as Light as Possible

If your boot or backseat has become a storage space for sporting gear or a graveyard for half-empty water bottles, it’s time for a clean-out.

Unnecessary weight can put a burden on your fuel efficiency, whereas a light car gets better mileage.

4. Don’t Be Idle

Leaving your car idling for longer than 30 seconds wastes fuel. It may be better to turn off the engine in some circumstances (such as waiting for a notoriously long red light or if you’ve pulled over to take a call).

Warning: In some cars, safety features only work when the engine is on. If this is true for your vehicle, ensure your environment is completely safe before following this fuel-saving tip.

5. Avoid Hills Where Possible

Taking the long way around a hilly suburb might not always be the fastest or most fuel-efficient route. However, it’s worth finding a way to dodge steep slopes when possible. Keeping up with the speed limit when fighting against gravity will take a toll on your petrol consumption.

When forced to drive uphill, try to avoid speeding up – doing so only drains more fuel.

6. Choose an Efficient Car

This may only apply to you if you’re currently on the market for a new vehicle. But if you are looking to buy a car, this is the most important petrol-saving tip on the whole list.

Purchasing a fuel-efficient car may cost a little more on the day, but the savings will start adding up as soon as you get behind the wheel.

Handy link: Is the model with the better fuel economy slightly out of your price range? A small cash loan could help you make up the difference so you save in the long term. After all, the best way to save fuel is to drive a car that uses fuel sparingly.

If you’re thinking about taking out a personal loan and know that you’ll need an extended time to pay it back, or are requesting a large amount, then a long-term loan might be the best choice for you.

What is a long-term personal loan?

A long-term personal loan is usually defined as a loan that is between 5 to 7 years long. Long-term personal loans generally allow higher borrowing amounts and they may have lower interest rates than regular loans as they will take into account the extended loan period.

Long-term personal loans are usually secured loans, meaning your home or another asset is used as collateral in case you can’t continue to pay the loan. You can find long-term loans that offer either fixed or variable interest rate options. Fixed rate loans mean consistent repayment amounts, but variable loans give you the flexibility to pay back more when you are able to.

Why take out a long-term loan?

Due to the higher loan amounts, long-term personal loans are suitable for a variety of reasons including:

• Weddings
• A car
• Ongoing education costs
• Renovations to existing homes
• Long holidays

Pros and cons of long-term loans

Like any loan, a long-term loan has both positive and negative aspects. One positive aspect is, because the monthly repayments are smaller, long-term loans are suitable for people who can’t afford to make large monthly payments. Due to the extended term, the minimum monthly payment will always be lower than a standard loan.

One of the drawbacks of long-term loans is that, over the term of the loan, you will pay more in interest overall than you would have with a shorter term. Also, paying the loan off early can attract fees. However, in certain situations, it is sometimes still worth considering.

When choosing a loan provider, you should still do your research and look for one with lower fees. Whichever loan you choose, you always need to consider your personal financial situation and what will be right for you. Some things to consider include:

• What monthly payment can you afford?
• How long do you want to commit to a loan?
• How much do you want to borrow?

All of these aspects are things that you need to take into account before committing to a long-term loan.

Drowning in debt? There are solutions.

If you are looking for a way to manage your debt more effectively with lower repayments, lower interest rates, or a shorter term loan, debt consolidation may be the right choice for you.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to consolidate debt in a way the benefits you now – and in the future. Let’s get started.

What is debt consolidation?

Debt consolidation is the process of rolling all of your current debts into one single loan. People use a debt consolidation loan to achieve a variety of financial goals, such as increasing cash flow or paying off debt faster.

For the most part, this debt management strategy can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you are dealing with high-interest debt, such as credit card debt. It’s essential, however, to remember that some debt consolidation loans can make your situation worse. For example, if your new loan has a higher interest rate than your existing debts.

How to consolidate debt in three steps

Here’s our three-step guide to consolidating your debt. Follow this to determine which – if any – debt consolidation solution is right for you.

Step 1: Get a clear picture of all existing debt

Managing your debt effectively starts with gaining a clear picture of your existing debts. You’ll want to uncover the following information about each of your debts:

• How much do you currently owe?
• What interest rate are you paying?
• What are the monthly repayments?
• Are there any break fees? If so, how much do they cost?

Step 2: Determine how much can you afford to pay each month

Now, it’s time to work out just how much you can realistically afford to put toward your debt each month. This may be less or more than you are currently paying – either way, be honest with yourself.

You can use this information – as well as any other financial goals – to decide what you’d like to achieve from consolidating your debt.

If you can afford more than you are currently allocating to debt repayments, your aim may be to rid yourself of debt sooner. If you are struggling to meet your repayments, your aim will more likely be to reduce repayments with either a lower interest rate or longer-term loan.

Step 3: Explore debt consolidation loans

At this point, you should have a solid understanding of how much you owe, how much you can put toward your debt repayments each month, and what you hope to achieve by consolidating your debt. It’s time to explore debt consolidation loans.

A personal loan is a great option to consolidate debt for many individuals. Personal loans have fixed terms, meaning that repayments are calculated to ensure that all outstanding debt is cleared at the end of the loan period.

Opting for one, easy-to-manage personal loan may deliver the following benefits:

• Lower interest rates
• Fewer fees
• Streamlined banking experience

Consolidate your debt today

Now that you know how to consolidate debt explore how our personal loans can help you achieve financial freedom. You can even apply online today – we promise it only takes a few minutes!