Tax effective: Top up your SUPER contribution

There are two methods of making additional contributions to your SUPER:

•   Before-tax : employer sontribution + salary sacrificed contributions
• Ask you employer if they can do salary sacrifice so they will automatically deduct a certain amount on your salary(how much you want to salary sacrifice) and they will deposit directly to your SUPER.  It is taxed at 15%
•   After-tax / technically referred to as ‘non-concessional contributions’
•  You may be eligible for the Government’s superannuation co-contribution scheme whereby the Government pays additional money into your superannuation account(if you meet the criteria)   https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/super/in-detail/contributions/super-co-contribution/ 

Research on "salary sacrifice" and "Government’s superannuation co-contribution scheme"

What I do:
- I use before tax contribution to lower my accessible income and the portion I contribute is only tax at 15%.
- I use after tax contribution for my wife (not working) since she is eligible for the Government’s superannuation co-contribution scheme (the Government deposit additional $500 on her SUPER)


Caveat: I am not a tax expert or financial advicesor. Please consider if it is appropriate on your personal objectives and needs.

Boy Kuripot: Summary of Tips and Tricks

Sharing information about savings, tips and tricks.

- I will keep adding on the list for new saving tip and tricks.


Haircut:

• Boy Kuripot tip of the day: Cheap Haircut from $6.00 for men / $8.00 for women

Bank accounts: 

• Highest kids savings interest --> bankwest Kids' Bonus Saver
• Ubank Usaver online account - 5.71% interest (including bonus interest) - posted in 2012

Credit card:

• NEVER pay annual fees on your credit card

Train Fare:

• How to save on Train Fare (MyZone) - Obsolete

Phone:

Start earning BITCOINS the easiest way

What is bitcoin ? - answer in wikipedia
- you could als ogoogle bitcoin to know more information.

What I want to talk about here is on how to start and earn bitcoin the easiest way.


One way to have a bitcoin address is to register in one of the Digital Currency Exchange.

One example of Digital Currency  Exchange is CRYPTSY.

I register myself at Cryptsy to have my bitcoin(BTC) address or to have other digital currency address and be able to trade digital currency.

1. Register in Cryptsy.
Please use my referral code: https://www.cryptsy.com/users/register?refid=237131

2. Login in Cryptsy

3. Search for your Bitcoin deposit address
The (BTC)address is required to known where to deposit your Bitcoin.

Click "Balances"(found on top of your screen) -> Bitcoin  ->  Drop down list shows up and click "Deposit BTC" -> Look for the "Generate Deposit address" (this is your BTC address)
NOTE down your Bitcoind "Deposit address" as you will use that address a sa reference to deposit your Bitcoin.

--- You can look around later on how to trade digital currency in Cryptsy.

I  just want to know on how to earn bitcoin to start with as it seems to complicated if I want to mine digital currency and I don't want to buy digital currency using my own money for now if I am really serious about trading digital currency. I just want to have a starting point.


One way is mining digital currency but it is another whole topic to discuss and not as easy to explain .

What is the easiest way to earn bitcoin?
- the easiest way I found was to play captcha (enter random number / letter) to earn Bitcoin.
- Just enter the random number or letter and it generates number and earns you bitcoins.

The website is freebitco



Required to register:
- enter your BTC deposit address (from Cryptsy)
- create password
- email addres
- Referer code: 407612 (please add me as your referrer if you appriciate this information in my blog)


Start playing captcha in freebitco:
- play/enter captcha (random letters/numbers) every hour to earn BTC.
- Payouts will be sent to your Bitcoin wallet or Cryptsy weekly "IF" it reach your account balance is over the minimum of 0.00005460 BTC
- If you did not deposit, please enable Auto-Withdraw by clicking the appropriate button to get paid next week.

You can also use your winning in freebitco for betting to increase higher winnings. Even if you bet the bitcoin you earn and lost, still no money that comes out of your pocket.
What I do is I just play the regular captcha for now when I have free time or I remember to access the website (freebitco.in)

Once you accumulate more than 0.00005460 BTC by the end of the week, check your Cryptsy account to make sure it was deposited else maybe wait for another week.

Earnings may be small but at least it gets you started the easiest way to earn bitcoin without spending your own money. It only requires your time to browse and enter the captcha.


To check current bitcoin price: http://bitcoinprices.com/


Let me know if you have any inquiries from the information I provided.


Reminder: I do not promote gambling. Gamble/trade at your own risk.

Dental Fee Examples in Australia

 

 Check-Up & Cleaning (withX-Rays & Fluoride) / Guide only (NSW)

	Dental Service	Estmate price
	Oral Exam - Comprehensive	$60 - $98
	X-Rays	$80 - $110
	Calculus Removal	$107 - $159
	Topical Remineralising	$36 - $109
	Total Cost	$283 - $476

Reference for other state/procedure: http://www.smile.com.au/dental-fees/nsw

Boy Kuripot tip of the day: Hungry Jack's Voucher (ACT/NSW)

Hungry Jack's Voucher Expires Oct_06_2014 

 

Hungry Jack's Voucher download (jpg)

Print out the voucher (download the image above) or save it in your mobile phone.
They "sometimes" allow you to claim the promo by showing the voucher from your mobile phone.

You can try visiting their website for available vouchers -->  Hungry Jack's


You can also install their apps on your phone and do the shakey thing and see if you can get any free item.


Tip:
- Buy "small" size drinks only as it is refillable. Refill it before you leave.

NEVER pay annual fees on your credit card

I tried Coles Credit Card and Bankwest Gold credit card
- both no annual fees.

I use Coles it card to buy at Coles that earns flybuy points and claim $10 once it reach 2000 flybuy points at Coles.
I use Bankwest Gold credit card to buy airfare ticket as it covers free travel insurance.



* Citibank Signature Card or Platinum card — No Annual Fee for Life
http://www.citibank.com.au/familyandfriends/

* Coles Credit Card – no annual fee
http://www.colescreditcards.com.au/

-- earn flybuy point
-- convert 2000 flybuy points for $10 credit when shopping at Coles

Note:
- Pay your balance in FULL monthly before the due date.
- Set an alarm on your phone or calendar for the payment

Get $10 Gift Card when you buy BabyLove JUMBO Box at ToysRUs -Ends Sept-11

Ends 11 September

One box per person per day.

If you're shopping with your partner or a friend...

You can buy 1 box and take the $10 gift card and then give it to your partner so that he can buy another box using the $10 gift card.
Repeat the next day if you need more.....


Catalogue download link for more information:
http://catalogues.toysrus.com.au/portal/catalogueoffer/toys-r-us-catalogue-babies-r-us/13442296524505?pageview=two

Australia Post Express Post Tracking summary

Website: http://auspost.com.au/track/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tracking summary

Tracking ID: <tracking number>     Status: Delivered

Product/Service: Express Post

Tracking details

Date/Time	Activity	Location
16/02/11 17:00	Delivered during the day	<Address>
16/02/11 01:12	Scheduled for delivery today	<Address>

Bluebottle jellyfish

If a tentacle attaches itself to a human, it releases a poison (through the use of nematocysts), and if you continue to rub the skin after the tentacle has been removed more poison or venom will be released. If you are stung, it is best to wash the area without touching. A cold pack should be used to relieve the pain.




bluebottle at Maroubra beach

Types of automotive fluids and its color

It will help you identify the posible cause of leak by looking at the color of the fluid.

----------------

Automotive fluids and its color :

1. Radiator fluid - neon green / neon orange

2. Break fluid - clear color (new) / used - amber / change fluid - dark amber

3. Power Steering fluid - clear color (new) / used - amber / change fluid - dark amber

4. Motor oil - dark amber / used - becomes black

5. Automatic Transmission fluid - red

----------------

DIY: How to check the emergency break of your car

1. Step on the break
2. Shift gear to neutral
3. Release emergency break
4. Release your foot on the break slowly and notice the car begins to roll
5. Pull the emergency break and the car should stop (foot off the break)

If the car doesn't stop and continous to roll slowly, inspect the emergency break for possibly issue.

Best day to buy petrol - Thursday

Tuesday is used to be the cheapest day to buy petrol.

Since Dec 2009, petrol companies change the cheapest petrol price to THURSDAY and most people are not aware about the change.

Reference: (Fuel price)

http://motormouth.com.au/pricesearch.aspx

https://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/petrol_watch_search.htm

Universal Studio Hollywood

Parking fee: $10.00

Preferred Parking fee: $15

Pizza at COSTCO ($10).... cheap and huge

Pizza at COSTCO cost only $10 USD and it's HUGE.....

Everything seems HUGE in USA.

How to save on Train Fare (MyZone)

The new MyZone train fare technically increase to most number of people than those who were able to save if you are going to analize the changes closely.

Before MyZone:
I pay $139.00 - monthly ticket (28 days)

With MyZone:
I pay $148.00 - monthly ticket (28 days)

Increase by $9.00 monthly expenses.

Here is a tip to save for your train fare if you don't want to buy quarterly or annually.

* Buy single trip when going to work and buy weekly train when going home (after 3 pm).
- Buying weekly train ticket after 3pm covers your train faire going back home and the ticket officially starts the next day.

Example:

Travel from Oatley to Chatswood:

***
MyTrain    Adult
Single    $4.60   <--------
Return    $9.20
Weekly    $37.00  <--------

***
MyTrain            Adult
Monthly (28 days)    $148.00
Quarterly (90 days)    $407.00
Yearly (365 days)    $1,628.00

No savings made when buying monthly (28 days) ticket: $37.00/weekly x 4weeks = $148

MyTrain            Adult
Monthly (28 days)    $148.00     <--------
Quarterly (90 days)    $407.00
Yearly (365 days)    $1,628.00

Note: you have to pay some admin fees if you lost your weekly/quarterly/monthly ticket that is why quarterly and annually is not advisable to use.

Technically, train ticket is used when going to work (5 days a week)

$37.00 / 5 days = $7.40 per working day is the total cost of a return trip.

* If I buy single trip on Monday(19-Apr) going to work: $ 4.60
* Then I will buy weekly train ticket when I go home (after 3 pm): $37.00
Note: Weekly tickets bought after 3pm can be used on the same day and the official start date will be the next day.

- I can use the weekly ticket going home (19-Apr) and the official validity of the ticket is from 20-26Apr (7 days).

Total cost for 6 working days: (19-26Apr / Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri,Mon) / exclusing Sat and Sun
$4.60 single + $37 weekly train fare = $41.60 (cost of train fare for 6 working days)

$41.60 / 6 working days = $6.93 per day.

There are about 20 working days in 28 days.
$ 6.93 per day x 20 days = $138.60 train fare for 20 working days.

Comparison per working day :
$ 7.40 per day - If you are going to buy weekly train ticket
$ 6.93 per day - If you are going to buy single + weekly train ticket
------------
$ 0.47 savings per day.

Comparison per Month (28 days):
$148.00    - buying monthly (28 days) train ticket
$138.60 - buying single + weekly train ticket (28 days)
---------
$ 9.40 savings per month

Compare my fare from previous and new MyZone ticketing system:

http://www.myzone.nsw.gov.au/fare_comparison.html#myTrainFare

Fare calculator:

http://www.cityrail.info/tickets/fare_calculator.htm

Train and Bus fare increase by 3.5% starting January 3 2010

Distanceup to (km)	Single (adult)		Off-peak return		7 Day RailPass
	Normal return is double the single fare		Available after 9.00am		14 Day RaillPass is double the 7 Day fare
	Current fare	New fare	Current fare	New fare	Current fare	New fare
5	$3.20	$3.20	$4.40	$4.40	$24.00	$25.00
10	$3.40	$3.60	$4.80	$5.00	$27.00	$29.00
15	$3.80	$4.00	$5.20	$5.40	$30.00	$31.00
20	$4.00	$4.20	$5.60	$6.00	$32.00	$34.00
25	$4.40	$4.60	$6.20	$6.40	$36.00	$38.00
30	$4.80	$5.00	$6.60	$7.00	$38.00	$40.00
35	$5.00	$5.40	$7.00	$7.40	$40.00	$43.00
45	$5.60	$6.00	$7.80	$8.20	$44.00	$47.00
55	$6.60	$6.80	$9.20	$9.40	$47.00	$49.00

Visiting Bondi Beach

Catching the 5:14AM train($6.40 return trip) to Bondi Junction and then take a bus to Bondi Beach ($2 one way)

 

Bondi beach map

 

Freebies (plastic bottle and recycl bag) given at Bondi Beach by their local council.

Train fare to work - $ 9.20 (return trip) = Php 382.26/day

I was surprise today that the train fare had increase by more than 3.5%

I bought a train ticket (return) today for $9.20. Previously, it only cost $8.80

It is an increase of about 4.5% but city rail claims that the increase is only about 3.5% overall.

Weekly train ticket is now $38.00, previos weekly train ticket cost $36.00

$ 9.20 = Php 382.26  (return train ticket)

$ 38.00 = Php 1,578.9 (weekly train fare)

---

Note: Current exchange rate:  $1.00 = Php 41.55  (reference: Forexworld)

Claim medical receipts to your Private Health Fund

You may be able to claim back a portion of your medical expenses to your private health fund.




Example scenario:

Vaccine for Hepa(Engerix) comprise of 3 shots for the span of 6 months

- 1 shot cost about $26.75

- 2nd shot scheduled on the 3rd months cost $26.75

- 3rd shot scheduled on 6th months cost $26.75

$26.75 x 3 = $80.25

----

According to health fund (NIB), they can give back only in excess of 36.90(Government PBS).

$80.25 - $36.90 = $43.35 claim back from Private health fund (Not bad).




This is one of the benefits in getting a private health fund but again it probably depends on the cover you chose.

Buying Badminton Racket in Sydney

Found this website where to buy cheaper badminton racket in Sydney:

Comparison between Rebel Sport and StrungOut


StrungOut:
Yonex Muscle Power 5 Badminton Racquet (cost $56.50)
http://www.strungout.com.au/p/888914/yonex-muscle-power-5-badminton-racquet.html

Rebel Sport:
Yonex Muscle Power 5 Badminton Racquet (cost $79.99)
http://www.rebelsport.com.au/ecom/rebel/product_detail.aspx?id=29947&cat=229


I find the badminton racket at StrungOut is cheaper than in Rebel Sports.Maybe you can checkout the StrungOut website/shop and compare sporting goods prices before buying.
You may get lucky if you can negotiate the price with Rebel Sport once you tell them that you found another shop that is selling at a cheaper price.
- Make sure there is stock with the same model that you are planning to buy.
- Get the phone number as Rebel Sport need to call the shop to confirm the price and if they have current stocks.

StrungOut Information:
Ph: 02 9360 9905
137 Bayswater Road
Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2011
AUSTRALIA


Let me know if you know other shops that sells cheaper badminton racket ot sporting goods.