Consumer protection laws are certain laws put into place to protect the consumer from fraud or unfair practices. Of course it is only fair to go to the trader with your complaint at first. But if you cannot get satisfaction after speaking and writing to t...

Many investors buy into property rather than shares when investing. The downside of having property for an investment is that it usually requires fairly high maintenance to keep its value. You don't have to paint and repair shares and stocks; you must if ...

When looking for cheap entertainment you can't go past museums, especially if you have a family. Most museums are free, though some of the larger ones charge a small admission fee. In some cases it is only for part of the exhibition, so you can miss that ...

The three basic rules of investing in property are to maximise your yield, maximise your capital gains and reduce your risk. If he does certain renovations to his property, then he may be able to rent for an even higher price, so maximising his yield agai...

Biking to work is a great way to save money. For a start, you don't have to fill up a thirsty tank with liquid gold - not as much, anyway. All that extra energy used will see the weight fall off and fitness take over. That means you are saving both fuel c...

Living on a budget doesn't mean that you have to dress in sackcloth and never visit the hairdresser. You can cut down on these expenses and still look - and feel - beautiful. The trouble is that people who party don't like to be seen in the same party fro...

You don't have to make your home resemble a monk's cell to live cheaper. But be sure you can do a good job - and have the time to spend on the project - otherwise it could look shoddy. Extra storage need not cost the earth and your home will look so much ...

There are many potholes and pitfalls for the unwary homebuyer. Simply believing the agent when he tells you what the price is could cost you heaps. Easement and boundary checks are vital. Sure, that might be the price the seller wants, but is it the true ...

Home ownership is a dream for many, but it is costly. Ongoing costs for owning a home are for insurance and council rates, and for any maintenance that needs doing. If the home is in good repair, this may not surface for a couple of years, but there i...

When you are buying your first home it is possible to get so carried away by excitement that you rush in without the proper research. And make a pre settlement inspection just in case there has been damage done that was not visible while the furniture was...

A floor plan is virtually a map of a home or other building. It is divided into and shows the position of all the various rooms in the building. This includes bedrooms, lounge, dining room, kitchen, hallways, foyer, sunroom, verandas, porches and any othe...

House plans contain a number of elements needed for the construction workers and others to know exactly how the house is going to be built. There will also be a section that cuts through the building and explains certain points in more detail. The positio...

Buying off the plan is when you purchase a home that is not yet built, by looking at the style, finishes, aspect and layout of a floor plan. When buying off the plan you will be expected to sign a basic domestic building contract. This will have a descrip...

Knock down and rebuild is just what the name suggests. You knock down your house and build another one on the same site. The only thing you cannot do is live in the old home while the new one is being built, so accommodation costs must be figured into the...

Owner-builders do not need to be trades-qualified to build their own home, but licensed professionals must do certain aspects of it, an owner-builder is the stress factor, as the work is hard and if you must do it along with your day job, you don't get an...