Infographic - Australia's Alarming Credit Card Debt

Credit cards are one of my greatest hates.  I only had one for overseas emergencies whilst on holiday. It's unfortunate that people using them can only just get themselves into extra debt. Check out this infographic from Fox Symes that has some interesting information about Australia's alarming credit card debts.

5 Important Things to Remember When Buying a Used Car

This is a guest post from Dream Loans, helpers to finance your Dream Car.

Buying a car can be an exciting experience, and a great opportunity to try something new and expand your horizons. When choosing a used car you will want to make sure that you are getting the best that you can for your money, and that you are not buying someone else’s lemon. Here are 5 important things to remember when buy a used car.

Set Your Budget

The first thing you need to do is work out what your budget is, and stick to it. Your budget should be a figure that you can comfortably afford without it leaving you short of money for the rest of the things you need in life. You will also want to factor in how much it will cost for government taxes and other things that the car will need. If you are getting a loan for the car then try and buy a car that is a little under the amount that your loan is for, so that you have some money to fall back on if anything goes wrong. Check out loans from Dreamloans to see what they can do for you.

Research

Before choosing which car you want to buy it is very important to do your research. This means not only checking out how much the make and model is for the year that you want to buy, but also going onto online forums to hear about what other people thought about that particular car. The best people to ask is the people who have driven one, and there will plenty of them talking about their experiences online, you just have to look for it. This research could save you a lot of heartache later down the line and prevent you from making a bad decision.

Check Car History

As well as researching the type of car that you are looking at buying, you also will want to know a bit about the car from the owner of the car in question. Hearing a bit about the cars story will give you a better idea about what sort of car it is, and whether it will go the distance. If a car has a small number of Km’s but has been driving all day every day for the first few years of its life then it might be in a bad way by the time you get to it. Looks can be deceiving!

Get a Mechanic to Check It

Always, always get a mechanic to check the car out before you buy it, and make sure that you know the mechanic and that he/she is on your side. You want them to be able to tell you everything about the car, and it pays to invest in this small cost to make sure that you know what you are buying. There may be things about the car that you can negotiate on to get fixed, or reduce the price.

Make Sure Paperwork is in Order

Its really important to make sure that all the paperwork for the car is in order before you hand over the cash. This will ensure that you don’t have an experience with a dodgy person, and keeps you safe!

How to Save for the Car of your Dreams

This is a guest post from the folks at Ford Melbourne, who offer a range of vehicles to suit every lifestyle.


The kids are driving you crazy.  You feel like all your stress at home and work isn't helping you move on from your current rust bucket of a car.

© Photographer: Cheryl Kunde | Agency: Dreamstime.com

You walked past the shop window and there it was, looking like something out of a centre spread of Motor magazine; your dream car. You combed through the car deals in Melbourne and although it’s not entirely in your price range, it’s do-able…. Just… In ten years’ time maybe. It’s not like you're trying to throw ol’ Betsey to the tips, but let’s be honest, she’s now struggling to get up a slight incline and she splutters for a good five minutes when you start her up. It’s time you got a new car; you deserve it. The only problem is, you barely have enough money at the end of the week let alone enough to put into savings. Don’t despair, here is a few ideas on how to pinch pennies and save for your dream car.

Do your homework

No one likes getting a raw deal or feeling like they got hustled by the dealer with the handle bar moustache. Before you head into the showroom, do some comprehensive research on your car via some good magazines and websites that offer reviews, pricing and comparison of similar models. The more informed you are, the better choice you’ll make. And when Jerry (that’s the dealer) tells you a price $5,000 more than what it’s worth, you will have confidence to knock it back and negotiate a realistic deal.

Sacrifice your spending

The most important thing to do when finding ways to save money is to cut down on your spending habits. Sure, the occasional take-away or night out with friends is essential to your sanity, but if you’ve been calling up your local Chinese take-away more than your mother, it’s a pretty good sign that you need to limit your splurges. The most effective way to figure out where you are blowing money each week is to write it down. You’d be surprised to see where all that extra change is being disbursed. Those daily coffee trips and $10 lunch deals really start to add up. Be ruthless with your spending but not to the point where you’re a living off mashed potato.

Open a special savings account

© Photographer: James Hearn | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Its two days until your next pay comes in and you’ve found yourself this must have item that’s a little bit of the pricy side. You know you have enough in your account, but that money is set aside for your car. You think that it won’t hurt to use a little bit of your savings, however after a while those impulse buys start to accumulate and you’re no longer seeing any progress. It’s for this reason that you should set up a separate online savings account with a high interest rate. Each week, automatically transfer a set amount of money from your regular account and make a pact with yourself that these funds cannot be used.

Sell everything you don’t need

Haven’t touched that guitar in a while? Got a pile of books just collecting dust? Perhaps you’ve got one too many lava lamps? If so, it’s time to have a garage sale. You may be selling clothes or books for $1, but all of that starts to tally up if you’ve got plenty of buyers. Remember, you’re saving for your car, if you don’t need things of relative value, then sell them and add that money to owning your new set of wheels.

Got any saving tips you swear by? Tell us in the comments below.

The Biggest Loser Husband Wife Weight Loss Off - Week 2

Trying to lose weight again.. blergh!  Think I'd rather lick a playground to catch the flu.  That helps you lose weight right? haha!

Ohh dear, this exercising thing has gotten hard again already.  It is our second week into the Husband/Wife Weight Loss Off and I have lost another 1 kg! So that makes it 3kgs total so far.

My wife has also lost 3 kilos!  But she has a person trainer, gym membership and a repugnance to soft drinks. Not fair!

But it's cool we are both on track to the same weight loss. So far so good!

The wife and I should be referring more to the Biggest Loser Club recipes though.  They have a bunch of daily recipes that look pretty good.  My cooking a breakfast this morning of bacon and eggs with Chirizo sausage and Cafe style toast probably isn't the world's best idea to keep doing. I swear I've seen Shannan Ponton have it for brekkie though, in moderation.

Also this week, the wife and I have been spreading The Biggest Loser word and talking to people at her gym.  There are so many people proud to state their weight loss numbers.  So many folks just trying to get in shape.  It's good to be around these sorts of people!  Very inspiring, which the Biggest Loser have plenty of inspirational folk.

Here's just an example, and maybe some inspiration for your own possible weight loss!

Cathy Whitehead’s life-long dream of winning a gold medal is now within her reach after her amazing weight loss achievement. Shedding an impressive 62kg with the help of The Biggest Loser Club, Cathy is currently training for the World Masters Modern Pentathlon Championships and she is determined to win. The 43 year old mum, and IT and Management Consultant from WA, woke up over a year ago and decided she wanted to win the next World Masters Pentathlon to be held in Germany in 2014. However, at 131kg Cathy knew that in order to undertake the gruelling training required she had to lose the weight. Pentathlon combines show jumping, fencing, shooting, swimming and running. She had to lose 20kg just to get on a horse, then learn to ride and show jump at 42 years of age.

An avid fan of the Biggest Loser TV Show, she joined the online weight loss program the contestants of the TV Show use, and felt the whole plan was geared towards success. Within 15 months Cathy dropped to 69kg and now her sights are set on glory next year.

However, Cathy didn’t always have a winning attitude. When she was a teenager, Cathy dreamed of winning an Olympic gold medal in sailing. That dream slipped from her grasp, largely due to her struggles with weight gain – something she never conquered until she discovered The Biggest Loser Club.

“I was overweight most of my life. My parents actually nicknamed me Benny the Ball from the cartoon show ‘Top Cat’. I was huge,” Cathy says. “I tried to control it. Mum and Dad are doctors so we ate healthy food, but I remember thinking it was so unfair. On both sides of my parents’ families – we are not small people. Some body types are predisposed to holding onto weight and some aren’t.”

In her early 20’s, Cathy managed to keep her weight in check. “I was around 65kg when I met my husband at 21, but by my late 20’s I was heavy again, nearly 100kg after my daughter was born.” When she was growing up, her daughter was heavily involved in youth modern pentathlon, which meant Cathy had to juggle work and daily training sessions.

“I wouldn’t eat breakfast or lunch, then I’d have a packet of chips around 3pm and dinner was often takeaway food,” she says.

“In the first week of joining the Biggest Loser Club I lost several kilos. That was incredibly motivating.” She used the online diary for the calorie counter and vigilantly monitored her charts to ensure she kept to the recommended guidelines.

“I started eating the right foods at last, keeping my protein high, carbohydrates moderate and saturated fats low. By sticking to the correct percentages on the charts, I managed to lose the weight within 15 months.”

“The guidelines and resources the Club provides are substantial. All the tools are there for success, if you want to use them!”

However, when it came to exercise, Cathy had to overcome major obstacles. “I have fibromyalgia, an auto-immune disease which causes all my joints and muscles to hurt,” she says. She was using a walking stick when she first started training. “I get up and train for the pentathlon every day, even though it hurts. The medications I take cause weight gain and my immunologist is amazed that I can lose weight at all, but I can because I’m passionate. “Now that I have lost the weight, the biggest change for me is being able to compete. It’s been my life’s dream. I’m going to win. There is no alternative.”




Cathy is a champ! Goes to show how easy it can be if you can just be bothered to all the right things, and keep on being bothered!  It's hard and probably my biggest hurdle.  Perhaps it is something I'll get the Biggest Loser folk to answer!

Stay tuned for next weeks post to the answer as well as a possibly give away! *hint hint*

- tork

How to get the Lush Green Grass you've Always Wanted

This is a guest post from Fabric Solutions Australia, an ‘All-Australian’ company with expertise in custom design, fabrication and installation of liquid containment systems and fabric products

© Photographer: Monkie | Agency: Dreamstime.com

The grass always seems greener on someone else’s yard. Don’t worry, just follow these few simple tips, and you’ll soon have a lawn worth envying.

Tip #1: Not too short

The biggest mistake people make is cutting their grass too short! Lawns that are kept quite short are vulnerable to weeds and discourage the establishment of helpful microbes in the soil. A helpful guide is to only cut a third of the grass height at one time, to make sure your lawn has the best chance of growing strong and healthy. You can change the height of your lawnmower blades to a healthier height (check the manual to change this safely).

Tip # 2: Put down the fertiliser

It can be tempting to keep fertilising your lawn expecting it to grow faster with more food, but this can cause more harm than good. Over-fertilising runs the risk of changing the chemical balance of the soil too greatly, making it a less than comfortable place for your grass to live. A good alternative is to spread the grass clippings back over the top of your lawn. This provides an organic fertiliser that will break down and feed your lawn gradually without overwhelming the soil.

Tip#3: Water right

Most people will tell you to water at sunrise or sunset, but are actually missing out on an important principle to make your lawn more resilient. When watered less frequently, but soaking heavily when you do, the grass will grow deeper roots to collect water from deeper in the soil. This deeper water will then wick upwards as the top layers dry, ensuring that the roots find enough water even if they have very shallow roots to start with. Deep roots also mean that the grass will be able to draw more water even when you don’t water it yourself. With water restrictions and cost becoming bigger factors in some areas, you can also consider watering from a rainwater tank. Using a tank can help you avoid council water restrictions and keep your grass lush and green all year round. Click here to find out more.

Tip #4: Do it yourself

They say if you want something done right, do it yourself. This is especially true of lawn care. Wherever possible, try to pull weeds by hand or a small gardening tool (dandelion weeders are a cheap and effective option). The less you interfere with the natural growth of your lawn by the use of pesticides, the healthier your lawn will be. Avoiding pesticides (where possible) along with allowing the grass clippings to act as a slow release fertiliser will keep your lawn in great health for the coming summer.

5 Clearing Tips That Will Get You Your Shed Back

This is a guest post care of Fort Knox Storage, an Australian owned and operated company that has set the highest standard in storage.

© Photographer: Eli Burak | Agency: Dreamstime.com

If your shed is like a lot of peoples then it is probably filled with junk and cluttered up with stuff that you might rarely use. Your space might not be available for you when you need to use it to build something or work on a project. It’s time to have a clean-up, and sort out the shed, so that you can go back to using it for more than just a junk yard. Here are 5 clearing tips that will get you your shed back.

Purge

A lot of us become hoarders without even realising it and end up having a lot of useless junk sitting in there waiting for us to do something with it. Have a purge! Go through everything and work out what things you need and what things you can let go of. Take whatever you no longer need to the dump, a friend or give it to a second hand store and you will feel a lot lighter and have a lot more space in your shed.

Have a Garage Sale

One way to make a few bucks and create some space for yourself in the shed is to have a garage sale. After you have worked out all the stuff that you don’t need anymore, advertise in your local paper to have a garage sale. Either lay everything out on the front lawn, or let people go into the shed and choose for themselves and pretty soon you will be sitting pretty with a few extra bucks in your pocket and a shed that you can now use!

Get a Storage Unit

If there is a lot of stuff that you think you might need again, or aren’t sure about what you want to do with it, then why not hire a storage unit in the meantime. It can be a valuable place to store tools, furniture and pretty much anything that you don’t need to use right now, and it will be well worth it for the space that you now have in your shed. There are a few different types of storage units available so check out http://www.fortknoxstorage.com.au/ for the one that is in your area.

Organise It

© Photographer: Winterberg | Agency: Dreamstime.com

One way to make more room in the shed is to organise everything a bit better. One main reason that our stuff feels like it is taking up too much room is that we are unable to actually see what we have got and therefore miss out on using stuff that might be really useful. Assess the situation and have a look at ways that you can organise the stuff so that it can be used.

Use Wall and Roof Space

The wall and roof space are often areas where there is a lot of room that is not being used. Having some shelving put in and hooks on the wall will mean that some of the stuff (especially tools) can be on display, and you will be able to easily find it when you need it again!

The Biggest Loser Husband Wife Weight Loss Off - Week 1

It's back again!  Time for me to lose some more weight.  I saw a photo of myself and even though I'm more than comfortable with my weight, the photo wasn't the most flattering..

88kgs!!!

That is what I let myself get to. Disappointing! I want to get back under the 80's. I want to get healthier and look healthier.

Last time I worked with the folks at The Biggest Loser Club I lost heaps of weight and got down to 81kgs.  That was over 8 weeks though, this time I am working for 6 weeks.

I think my problem with my weight is because I lost the weight, I thought "all good now", I didn't have to exercise and that I could eat the same old crap again and get away with it. Does that make any sense? It doesn't hey..

(fyi my local Fish & Chips shop does one hell of a smashing Fish Burger.  God give me strength to lose the weight and ignore temptations!)

So this time, I am back with the Biggest Loser Club to make sure I lose the weight and lose it for good.  I'm not going to do it myself though this time.  My wife has joined up too and is going to be the nagger helpful, nice gal that she always is.

But seriously, the wife has lost 15kgs this year!  I am very proud of her and she is also my push to inspire my own weight loss. Hopefully I will lose more than her in 6 weeks in a little side competition hehehe!

Saying that, I have already started my first week with the Biggest Loser folks.  I am 86kg already after week one!

What's my secret? My two year old boy.  Often he'd tire me out playing games. He is a non-stop ball of energy.  I decided to not stop playing until he is tired out.  Exercise and fun!  It really is a great push.

But Week 1 is always the easiest to lose weight.  We shall see how we go!

If you have any exercise and eating tips for me, please share in the comments!


If you are keen to lose weight, you can find info on the Biggest Loser Club below.   And even better, be on the look out over the next few weeks for your chance to win yourself Biggest Loser Club membership! More to come!

Here is the following from the Biggest Loser guys:

So, Who is The Biggest Loser Club?

The Biggest Loser Club is one of Australia’s leading online weight loss programs. It provides all the weight loss tools and diet tips you need to achieve your goals, including expert advice, step-by-step tutorials, delicious menu plans, healthy low-fat recipes, exercise plans and our highly regarded food and exercise diary to track everything you eat and drink. The diet plan is 100% online so you can lose weight from the convenience of your own home, work or even your mobile phone.

On joining The Club, you will receive an individualised menu plan, exercise program and daily calorie target each week.

One of the key reasons people give up on diets is that they’re too restrictive and can often leave you feeling hungry. This is why The Club has opted for a more realistic daily calorie target that will allow you to lose weight at a steady pace, about half to a kilo a week, without feeling deprived. You will also learn about nutrition and making healthier food choices in your day to day life along the way.

And if you need support, advice, or just a place to share your own weight loss journey, jump into our online forums.

What do you get with The Biggest Loser Club weight loss program?

• An interactive food and exercise diary that automatically calculates the calories you eat and how much you burn through exercise and daily activity, so that you can see if your weight loss is on track.

• A weekly menu and exercise plan to ensure steady and consistent weight loss.

• Weekly features providing weight loss tips and advice.

• Dynamic graphs and charts to track your weight loss.

• Online forums where you can learn and share weight loss tips with other Club members.

• Delicious, easy-to-cook, low-fat recipes.

• A resource of weight loss articles, providing guidance on how to manage your weight loss program with the daily stress and pressures of work and family.

On The Club program you can expect to lose 0.5 to 1kg per week in order to achieve your healthy weight. A steady weight loss offers you the best chance of getting rid of those kilos for good.

No food is forbidden – you can still eat the things you love, provided you stick to your daily calorie target. That means you’ll need to eat healthy, nutritious foods most of the time and high calorie foods less frequently if you want to lose weight and maintain your weight loss over the long term.

We have 2 payment plans on offer – $39.95 per month for 3 months or $19.95 per month for 12 months. Or if you prefer you can do one upfront payment of $99 for 3 months or $199 for 12 months.

To read more about The Club and the tools we have to offer, please visit www.biggestloserclub.com.au

Three Easy DIY Projects Your Children Will Love

This is a guest post from STIHL, who are situated in more than 160 countries with products helping people at work and are the world's leading chain saw brand.

© Photographer: Kitsen | Agency: Dreamstime.com

If you think back to your finest childhood memories, most of us can say that helping our parents build something from scratch is way up there on the list. They mostly did the hard work, but our toy hammers always put on the finishing touches. Now that we are a bit older and hopefully wiser, we realise how superhuman it was for them to create a tree house with nothing but a bit of wood and nails. If you’re anything like me, the thought of creating something fun out of a plank seems like something to put in the too hard box. That’s why we've created these super easy DIY projects. They’re simple to make and won’t cost you an arm and a leg; and I should also mention that they guarantee hours of fun.

Tyre See Saw

Why throw out your old tyre when you could make it into a seesaw? To start, grab your old tyre and cut it in half with a hacksaw. It will require a bit of muscle as the rims are lined with metal. Next step is to paint the two halves in a colour of your choice; your kids can help you out with this one. While they are drying, it’s time to make the seat. For this you need a long piece of ply wood that’s wide enough to cover the tyres when they are side by side. The ply might be too wide for the average kid’s legs so this is where you need to get crafty and saw a section where they can rest them. The next part to attach is the handles; make these out of the left over ply and attach them to structural cleats with an electric screwdriver. Once you've completed this step, give the seat a paint making sure you coat it with a primer first. The final stage is to connect it all together; for this to happen you’ll need to screw some wooden blocks into the edges of the tyres so that the seat has a fixing point. That’s it! It should only take you half the day, but it will mean years of enjoyment for the little ones.

Slip ‘n’ Slide

This is a favourite for both adults and kids alike; you can make it as steep as you like depending on how adventurous you are. All you need is painters’ tarp, garden pegs, duct tape, water and liquid soap. The first thing to do is decide on a location and remove any rocks and twigs that may hurt when sliding over. Then roll out your tarp, secure it down with garden pegs and cover it with duct tape so that they don’t rise out of the ground. The final step is to wet the slide with your hose, add the soap and get into your swimmers.

Sandpit

© Photographer: Winterberg | Agency: Dreamstime.com

When we envision building a sandbox, it usually involves putting a permanent wooden fixture into the ground. But what happens when your child grows out of it? Removing it will be hard work, so why not try a stone pit? They’re straightforward to put together and even simpler to take apart. The first step is to excavate the site buy digging a small trench and lining it with the bricks. Then cover with a weed barrier fabric to prevent the dirt and sand mixing too much. Finally, grab 10 bags of sand from your local home improvement store and unload it into the pit. Tip: You may want to use a bug repellent around the sides of the area to discourage ants and bugs.

These projects are a great way to encourage your child’s imagination and creative play. For any tools you might need, we found that stihl.com.au is perfect for the DIYer or fixer upper. Happy building!

Save on your Childrens Education Expenses

This is a guest post from Fox Symes, Australia's largest provider of debt solutions.

School is an exciting prospect for many children, as they enter those first independent years and start testing the boundaries of your authority. It may be a bit heart-wrenching, to watch them patter up the path and out of the realm of kindy-hood forever; it will be predictably quite expensive, the sudden influx of school fees and demands, from books, to time, to lamington drives, there’s a ream of hidden extras associated with schooling, even the cost effective public system hide a caveat of unexpected outlays – Excursions, anyone? Though it might sound a bit extreme, readying yourself for your child’s education through the different age groups will allow you an insight into what you have to save, what is achievable and if you should look around now for a better price, before they become too invested. Being new with thirty other students is a giddy experience; being the new kid half way through term is incredibly difficult!

Primary School: Shop Around

© Photographer: Johanna Goodyear | Agency: Dreamstime.com

How much will be due and when? Even if your child has yet to start school, asking around to potential campuses will assist you in matching the right institution to your means, without sacrificing other fundamentals, like small classes, religion (if applicable) and engaged teachers. Take the collated numbers chart and work it against your current income, allowing for inflation and fee increases over the set number of years until your child starts school. Do you have another little one coming up the ranks? Is it important that your kids attend the same campus? Do they have different talents and focuses that will be better served by different schools? Be honest about your income and only enrol when you’re certain you can meet the financial outcomes of the institution, even if your debts require consolidation and the expert eye of a company like Fox Symes.

Secondary Education: Be Prepared

Though primary education is highly important and essentially formative, high school gears budding students achieving an optimal University entrance score, securing their future livelihoods and building their self-confidence to handle real world situations. You want to invest in their schooling. Creating a savings plan now, even if they've only just entered second form, will open up a range of closed doors, as your frugality and perseverance pays off and admission into a highly sort after grammar school is well within your reach. The benefits of saving are unimaginable, as a positive management practice facilitates discussions between child and parent, emphasising the importance and value of a dollar earned. They will be grateful, when they mature and their lives are just that little bit easier thanks to your influence and sacrifice.

Create a Trust: University Daze

University can be an expensive jaunt, even with the added bonus of FEE-HELP and other assistance schemes; though financial pressures are alleviated now, they will come back to haunt your child after they make over a certain amount. If you want your kids to be free from the debilitating effects of student loans and subsequent repayments, setting up a trust will allow you to deposit and manage funds for the purposes of education, while still granting access to your child. Trusts are fantastic when it comes to crunch time and union fees roll in on top of new text books and costly accommodation.

Do you need advice? Who doesn’t? While nobody has all of the answers, and no, not even Google, financial bodies like the FSA Group can be a guiding light when planning for the future.

Tips to make your child’s first sleepover a memorable one

This is a guest post from Bunkers, Australia's specialist in bunk beds & clever bedroom furniture.


For the majority of people their first sleepover was memorable for all the wrong reasons. A night away from home is a big deal at a young age. There are few simple steps that you can take as a parent to insure that your child’s first sleepover is a blast. All you need to do is read this article.

Ready?

© Photographer: Ng | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Is your child actually ready for a sleepover? You may want to test the water with a cousin or family friend. This goes for hosting a sleepover and attending. Is your child ready to entertain a friend for a long period of time? Is your child ready to spend a night away from home? These are the kinds of questions you will have to ask yourself.

Know the parents and children

You keep your mind at peace you want to know the parents. Talking to them will get you any important information you need to know to insure the sleepover runs smoothly. This means finding about allergies, phone numbers and sleeping habits. Every child’s sleeping habits are different. Some like to sleep with a light on, the door open or music playing. As the host you need to be able to cater for this.

The rules

This is a new house and therefore there are new rules. Don’t assume the child has to follow the same rules you enforce at home. You’ll need to explain that some rules may be different to what they are used to. Rules may not seem fun but they insure that everyone gets along fairly.

Entertainment

Don’t let the name ‘sleepover’ fool you. The last thing these children want to do is sleep. There is no such thing as too many activities. It’s better to over schedule. You want to keep them busy and entertained. This will insure they remain happy.

Disasters

It’s clichéd but expect the unexpected. You can’t plan for everything. It could be as simple as the child has never seen a bunk bed in real life before, only on www.bunkers.com.au If a disaster does occur then don’t be afraid to end the sleepover, the parents will understand. Know when to throw in your cards. If all things are going swimmingly don’t be shocked to find wet sleeping bags in the morning. Try to be discrete; you don’t want to embarrass your child’s friend. Finally, keep the next day low key. A night away from home has probably insured that the children have not had much sleep. They may appear a little cranky. All you can do at this point is provide them with a healthy breakfast and send them on their way. You’ll know you've done a great job when your child asks if they can have another friend over.

Does My Bum Look Big In This? - Aussie Daddy Bloggers Kris Kringle Event 2012

I'm part of a great group of Aussie Dad Bloggers partaking in the Innaugral Kris Kringle Event.

A group of Dads asked Mums "What is the most important questions you'd like to hear answered by a bunch of blokes?".  As per your average Kris Kringle gathering, the presents/questions were handed out in random for us Dads to answer.  And also as per your average Kris Kringle we swapped our gifts that we didn't like.  HAHA!

I was happy to take on this taboo topic.  So, as the second last poster in this Innaugral Kris Kringle Event, I give you...

On the the 10th day of Kringle Aussie Mothers gave to me..

Does my bum look big in this? A Dad's guide to answering life's tricky questions

I can never understand why my wife asks me questions like "Do I look good in this?" or "Does this make me look fat?".

She could be wearing a dress made of Venetian blinds and a necklace of leftover Christmas Turkey and I will still say that she looks great.



I wonder what Kate said when Pippa asked her that question..

Every guy that has spent long enough in their relationship will always say their partner looks great for whatever they wear.  The main reasons for this are:

1. Any answer other than "You look great in anything", or similar to that, sets any guy up for ammunition in an argument (future or immediate).
2. It doesn't matter what any guy says because she will change her mind anyway.
3. He is hungry and simply wants to get out and fill his face at that local place that you like.

Don't be annoyed though gals if your man friend isn't the most helpful sod.  He is only trying to make life easier for the both of you :-)

Most guys actually have the exact same question.  We just rarely ask it or we just simply figure it out for ourselves.

So skip asking your partners because they'll answer without even looking at you! (Comment if your partner has done that. I expect hundreds of comments hehehe)
 

Best Responses to "Does My Bum Look Big In This?"

Years of dates/occasions has taught me well. I'm pretty sure I have the correct answer for every question possible.

So guys, here are the best responses to "Does my bum look big in this?" that I can come up with:

• Honey, you look great in anything!
• You still look as gorgeous as the day we first met.
• Well, there's really no point going out now. Let's stay at home for our own party!
• I think I can see a parking ticket on you, 'cos you be fiine!
• You put the purrr in perfect.
• Babe, if beauty were time you'd be eternity.
• You must be Jamacain because you're Jamacain me crazy!

Heehehehe.. made myself laugh there.

And.. just for fun.

Worst Responses to "Does My Bum Look Big In This?"

Lads, don't even try to give these responses to your partner.  Yes, they're as funny as a fart in an elevator, but just keep in mind the number of operas you'd have to see to make up for your behaviour!

Here are the worst responses to "Does my bum look big in this?" that I can come up with:

• It might look better on your sister.
• If you were a booger, I'd pick you first!
• I like bug butts and I cannot lie. Y'all other brothers can't deny.
• Girl, if I were a fly I'd be all over you, because you are the shit!
• It doesn't matter what you wear because that hottie Amber will be there tonight.
• I think the size of your hands are a good enough distraction from your arse.
• Yes it does.

Good advice there to definitely not use any of those.

Remember, sometimes jokes can go too far..

It definitely is a cracking line, but don't use it if your partner is crazy

But you want some real advice girls.  It takes a nerd like myself to tell you there is an app that will solve all your problems.  And it's an Australian app!

My Social Stylist is an iPhone app that you share pictures of yourself with friends wearing the clothes you aren't certain of wearing.  Friends can vote yes or no whether they like the outfit, with a lot more features as well!

You're welcome.

Guys, show this to your wives.  You owe me so very many beers.

- tork

PS. big thanks to the Aussie Dad Bloggers group. Been great connecting with you lads.

Melbourne Cup Winning Formula System - How To Not Lose Your Bet

If you're like me and sick of losing your Melbourne Cup bets each and every year, you want to find that bet to win you big on the biggest horse race that stops a nation. I've got the winning formula system so that you will not lose this year!

Here's what you do.

1. Take $50. Yep, lets go hard here people, you can do it! Put the $50 to the side for now on the table infront of you for incentive for the big prize.


2. Take out the betting slip with your favourite pen or pencil handy. You'll have to nominate on it that you are betting for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.


3. There's usually 24 horses (pending any scratchings), so 24 is our number of horses to choose from at the maximum. We're going to pick 4 horses in this step as a First4 bet. This can with you hundreds of thousands if an outsider gets in. Here we go!


First: the day you were born. If it's the 25th or more, add the two numbers together and that's your horse.


Second: Add up all the jewellery items you are wearing right now. Include watches and glasses on this one. If it's the same number as the first, simply add one.  If it's zero, put something pretty on.. for god's sake! hehehe


Third: Take all the numbers in your license plate and add them together until your number is 24 or lower. If the number you get is the same as any of your first two, keep minusing by one until you get a new number. If you reach number 1 and it's still not unique, got to 24 and keep minusing one. I got you covered!


Fourth: Hold your breath. Something you'll be doing just before the start of the race. Time how long in seconds you can hold your breath for. Take the seconds as the number of the fourth horse. For 25 or higher, add the two numbers together for the horse number. Keep adding 1 to the number until you get one that isn't the first three. If you reach 24, go to 1 and keep adding until you get a new number.  Phew!


4. By now you have the first four horses that will make it past the post. Aren't you clever!  You can box them to increase your chances of winning.


5. Fill out your betting slip for all your horses you have chosen.


6. Here is the special part.  Hold the ticket firmly using both hands using only your index finger and thumb, as if you were pinching the ticket.  This is known as the "Tork Good Luck Special Pinch".  Works every time.

7. Hold the
 ticket above your head, still with a firm pinch.  Take one hand and pull it down quick ripping the betting slip in half, making it useless!


8. Oh no! Now you have a ripped up ticket!  But look down on the table and see a $50 note sitting there. 

Congratulations, you have just found the Melbourne Cup system that will never lose your bet!!

Works every time..

Good luck!

- tork

The Importance of an Encouraging Father

A guest post from Joseph Kelly..

It's no secret that we live in a culture where fatherhood has become downplayed, laughed
at, and even looked down upon. TV is filled with definitive examples of "dead-beat" or "bone
headed" fathers who really aren't leading their family anywhere. But truthfully, a father's
role must go beyond these exceedingly low standards if they're going to raise children who
emotionally and mentally strong and healthy.

Now, up front, none of this is to undermine the involvement of a mother. But for this brief
thought, we're going to focus on the father.

There's an amazing sweetness that rests on a child who is secure in their father. You've most
likely seen it. It's that happy child who can be corrected, encouraged and redirected with little to
no resistance. This can be created by a solid and consistent father who sets clear boundaries for
his little ones.

A father's heart can be like a giant playground for these little ones to run around in. They know
their borders and limitations; the places they're not supposed to go and the lines that they should
not cross. But within those borders, these kids can run free and grow, learn, mess up and get
back up to try again. This stability is crucial for the personal growth of a child.

How many times have you talked through a struggle that a friend was having and it occurred
to you that they may have "daddy issues?" We laugh about it, but we also know that it's a real
thing. There's a deep security that can be imparted by a father who truly believes in his children.

Go to a playground and watch the kids run around. Look for fathers sitting on the outside being
attentive. Eventually, one of the wee ones is going to take a spill. The vast majority of the time
their first response will be to look into daddy's eyes.

They're asking him a question with that tear-filled glance. "Am I okay?"

Answering this question is the number one role of a father in a child's personal development.
A dad makes and breaks his little ones with the way he responds. They're reading his eyes, his
face. The dad who says, "It's alright, get back up. Try again," sends his child on a path toward
confidence and innovation. But the child who fears spilling a drink and saving face will lead a life
of survival and trying to get by, saving face.

Every dad can probably see a bit of both in themselves. There's no need to panic. We all head in
both directions here and there. The important thing is to look at each interaction with your little
ones anew. Look for chances to strengthen them, encourage, and build them up.

Don't waste time kicking yourself, or teaching them to kick themselves for things that they
didn't know how to do in the first place. A father can instill in a little one the reality that "life is
learning" and send them on a path to greatness.


About the Author: Joseph Kelly has over 7 years experience writing and publishing articles about
childcare education and parenting. He has 2 children aged 5 and 7. He writes on a regular basis for a Dublin based childcare provider.

Advice for Dads with Kids Struggling in School

A guest post from Nadia Jones...

Most kids struggle in school at one point in their lives as students; it’s a part of the education experience. Students struggle, they might fall occasionally, but then they get back up and figure things out—that’s the beauty of learning things in a controlled educational environment. Heck, I know I had a rough period myself around the time that I was first taught geometry in high school. But that hard class also taught me the value of earnest studying.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that you shouldn't be totally alarmed when they find out that your child is struggling in some part of their schooling. A single low grade on a test means that there’s room for improvement, not cause for a school-wide intervention. A serious of low grades in the same class, however, might be a more serious problem that could use your attention. I want to talk about these more serious school related problems today, and how you as dad can help your kid overcome them.

Be their rock, be their positive support

The first thing you should do when you learn your kid is really struggling in school is to show that you’re there for them. Voicing your support and showing your love for your little one(s) is your topmost priority as a parent—they won’t get nearly the same support in the classroom that they’ll get from you. They’re looking to you for support and guidance. So when your child arrives home from school only to show you a low test score or some sort of misconduct note, don’t fly off the handle at them. Tell them that you’re there for them and remain positive about the situation.

Help identify and solve the problem

Once you’ve established that you’re there to support your kid, ask them (calmly) exactly what happened that led to their struggle, whether it’s the low grade or the bad conduct in class. Help your child understand where they went wrong without making the process sound like an inquisition. Maybe they didn't study for the test like they should have, maybe they haven’t been doing their homework, or maybe the teacher is giving them an unrealistic amount of homework each day. Whatever the case may be, you’d have a better chance finding out if you ask your kid about it respectfully.

Have a conference with the teacher to check in on things

It never hurts to touch base with the teachers that educate your kid(s) on a daily basis. After all, why else would schools invite parents to open houses? Meeting with your kid’s teacher is one of the easiest ways to get to the bottom of any issues that you might be unaware of. A typical schoolteacher spends hours and hours every day with your child, so if anyone can give you a good reason and a helpful solution for their struggles, it’s them.


Nadia Jones is a freelancer who writes for onlinecollege.org among other sites. When she’s not writing about learning, higher education, or parenting, Nadia loves to try her hand at a host of outdoor activities such as biking, kayaking, and rock climbing. Feel free to leave Nadia some comments!

Man Guide: Shopping for Women's Clothes

Men.  Need to buy women's clothes? Then this is the how to you need to read!

No, I'm not talking about wearing them yourselves.  I'm talking about how a guy buys clothes for his wife as a gift.  Come on.. You didn't think I'm a cross-dresser did you? Married men just wear their wives clothes, we dont buy them!

*sigh*

So, your wife, girlfriend, sister might be having a birthday, or it's a mother's day gift or you've just been too late home after drinkies and you need a "I'm sorry" present.  Here is how you shop for women's clothes to avoid the embarrassment of actually doing it!

1. Strut, like you're king shit

It won't matter where you shop for a clothing gift. It won't make it convenient for you if you're driving across town to avoid being noticed. You just need to shop like you are the bees knees, like you don't care you are shopping for lady clothes.  This will give you confidence to get out there and confidence when asking for help, because you will need to.

2. Focus

Think of at least one, maybe two items that your gal pal would like. Keep that in the front of your mind. I don't need to tell you guys this, as the male species is a hunter and goes straight for the "kill". But, going into a store not knowing whether to buy a shirt or pants will only lead to frustrations and crying in a little ball in the corner.

3. Look, then ask

Can't find what you need in 10 seconds? (Yes girls, 10 seconds) Then head straight to a shop assistant and ask for help, remembering points one and two with phrases such as "I'm looking for x for my wife", immediately avoiding confusion that you enjoy wearing bras and pretending you are a hairy Mariah Carey....  I've never done that, I swear.

Asking as soon as possible will help you find what you want quickly and efficiently and see you out the door with the item you want (if you find it and can afford it).

4. Don't give up

Didn't find anything suitable in the store? Don't give up.  Keep in mind the next store you go to will more than likely have another one of those nice young shop assistants to talk to. Use it as your incentive until you find what you are after.

5. Repeat steps 1-4

6. Ok, give up.

You've done at least three stores? Well, you've tried your male hardest. Ask the shop assistant of the third store for a voucher. Congratulations, your work is complete!


Your gift buying awaits you men!

Good luck and God's speed.

- tork

please share and care if you liked this..

Check out From Boardroom to Babies

Hey there..

So I was recently contacted by a brand new blogger, From Boardroom to Babies.

Ahh, I remember being a new blogger.  Gun-ho, weary eyed and excited for future prospects.

But I was just after people to link me, to give me a bit of traffic. To tell people that I existed!

Well, I'm all about sharing and caring, especially for newbies on the scene, and this blog looks like it is going to be popular in no time.  I just want to make it clear..

..i found her first, I found her first! :-)

Check out Coming Home After a Caesarian. A guide for dads on how to look after their wife after such an operation. Very useful.

So go check her out.  If your new to blogging also, get in touch and I'd love to help you out too.

You never know your luck, I might give you a SEO love blog post too :-)

All the best Mel!

- tork

Remember To Give Her A Break

If you're a dad that works during the day, you probably already know it's hard to leave for work and say bye to your baby child every day.  I know it is.

I am a recently new father and I hate leaving for work to leave behind my wife and our little chap. You miss out on new things your kid does.  Little things like new noises, their first crawl or first step.  But don't just think about the things that you are missing, think about all the work your wife or partner is doing whilst you are away.

It's all good having a babysitter or day care service, but why not take a whole day off work?  Take a day and let your other half have a day to themselves! A happy wife is a happy life, plus you get a day spending with your kid, not letting any chance that you'll miss one of their firsts!

- tork

ps. Short but sweet post today, but thanks to asking how I am via my Twitter @Torkona3.  I've been feeling like crap beaten up lately, but yes I'm slowly getting there, and getting around to my neglected blog :-)

Organisation Skills of an Expectant Father

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Hello Strangers.  I've been well overdue for a post so I wanted to let you know just what has been happening.

I would like to let you know exactly how organised an expectant father like me can be.  

See, we currently are having some problems with our house.  We need work done on getting something fixed ASAP.  With a currently pregnant wife due in approximately 12 weeks, I said "Don't you worry hun, I will organise them.  You have a relaxing day at work and make us some dollars and I will take the day off to watch the contractors".

This may sound bad, sending my pregnant wife off to work.  However, she still wants her independence, as well as plenty of dollars for when bubs arrives.

So, low and behold, my superb organisational skills has organised the workers to come on a Monday.  A three day weekend for some rest for the soon to be daddy as well.

And, with a lucky coincidence, the Superbowl XLV just happens to land on the exact same day!  Wow, what a stroke of luck!

So a note to all those expectant fathers out there; don't forget to take some time off for yourselves.  You've got just as much to worry about with a newborn as does the mother.  Take some time off and try to perhaps land it on the same day as a major sporting event.  Also try and work it around other reasons (ie. house work needs to be done).  This will keep you in the good books for everyone.

No one will notice you ulterior motives, just like mine ;-)

- tork

PS. Go Steelers!