Raiz launches a messenger chatbot

My favourite investing app, Raiz, has launched a Facebook messenger chatbot.

You can use the bot for things like:

  • Ask what your Raiz balance is
  • Ask how much you spent on shopping last week
  • Ask the total of your roundups for the week
  • Ask if you can afford to go out tonight

This is a really nifty idea.  When I first heard about the chatbot, I didn’t think anyone would need it, but looking into how much it can actually do, it really does seem useful.  As well as questions about your account, you can also ask support questions on how to use Raiz and even general finance questions like “what is a stock”.

Read moreRaiz launches a messenger chatbot

Get $20 free to start investing on Spaceship Voyager

Spaceship Voyager is a great little app that lets you invest small amounts in “futuristic” companies.  Why invest where the world has been when you can invest in where the world is going?!

Read on to find out how you can get $20 to start investing on Spaceship Voyager.

How to Get $20 Free on SpaceshipVoyager

Here is how to get a $20 bonus on SpaceshipVoyager:

  1. Sign up through this link
  2. Link your bank account and transfer $5
  3. $20 will automatically be added to your account

Read moreGet $20 free to start investing on Spaceship Voyager

How to build an Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is money set aside in a bank account to cover unexpected expenses.  Here is why you need one and how to setup an emergency fund quickly.

Unexpected Expenses

At some point in life we are all going to face unexpected expenses.  These might include:

  • Hospital Visits and emergency care
  • Car repairs
  • Home appliance repairs or replacements
  • Unemployment

These expenses can be in the thousands of dollars.  In a worst case scenario you could be faced with both unemployment and an unexpected expense.  

Read moreHow to build an Emergency Fund

Why you shouldn’t book your flights on Flight Centre

This week ABC News published a report into some very dodgy practices by popular travel agent Flight Centre.  To be honest, I haven’t used a travel agent before They’ve always been more expensive and it has felt like a rip off.  I’ve gotten quotes from travel agents, but have always managed to find better prices online.

So if you’ve been thinking about booking some travel through Flight Centre or another travel agent, maybe you should rethink your approach.

Read moreWhy you shouldn’t book your flights on Flight Centre

How to save your first $100,000

Guru investor Charlie Munger once said “The first $100,000 is a bitch”.  It sure is.  When you start out investing and saving, your money will gain very little from compounding.  Most of your growth will come from putting aside money from your salary and other side income.

Once you hit $100k though, things will start to become a little easier.  For many people $100k seems completely unreachable.  But there are countless stories of people who have been dilligent with their finances and managed to overcome that barrier.  Here are some tips you can use on your journey to ammassing your first $100k.

Read moreHow to save your first $100,000