SmartyPig

SmartyPig Blog

26 August 2010 • Posted by Phil Simpson

SmartyPig Upgrade

The saying goes, a change is as a good as a holiday. For those of us not going on a holiday any time soon, we've made some changes to our website. You can get back to us on what you think of the changes.

So what have we done? Well we've listened! Yep, we've taken on board the feedback we receive from our SmartyPig customers (thanks!) and made some changes. Here are some highlights, we hope you like them.

Site makeover
We've given the homepage a bit of a makeover, updated some of the names and labels we use on the site and hopefully made it easier to find the information you're looking for.

More savings options
Making regular contributions to your savings goal is a great way to stay on track and reach your goal sooner. Now, you can set up automatic transfers from your nominated bank account to your SmartyPig goal(s) once a month, twice a month or every fortnight.

If you want to use SmartyPig for a fundraising event or as a gift registry, that's now even easier, as you can select to not make regular contributions at all while still allowing others to contribute to your goal!

Get social
New Twitter and Facebook features expand our existing social media options. You can now securely connect your existing Twitter or Facebook profile to a savings goal that you've chosen to share with friends and family. SmartyPig will then automatically post updates to your Twitter or Facebook account every time funds are added toward meeting your goal.

Share money between goals
If you have more than one savings goal underway you can now transfer money between your goals. This could come in handy if your goal deadline is fast approaching, say for a winter holiday, and you need to top up this up from another goal you have which is just about saving for savings sake.

Cant choose where you'd like to shop?
The fun bit. Can't decide which retailer to redeem your goal with? Don't fret, you can now choose to split the money you've saved between retailers and nominate how much you want to redeem with each. So, say you're saving to buy your Christmas presents this year, once you reach your goal you can choose to redeem your gift cards across multiple retailers like Myer, JB Hi-Fi and Target. How good is that?!

New to SmartyPig? You can complete your registration in more places
If you're signing up to SmartyPig for the first time (or want to encourage someone you know to do so) and for some reason our online verification doesn't work as planned, you now have a number of ways to complete your application:
• If you're an ANZ customer you can call the SmartyPig customer service team and they'll register you over the phone
• If you're new to ANZ, print out the PDF feel free to visit any one of our branches
• You can continue to send in your paperwork to us

We love feedback so please send us yours at support@smartypig.com.au.

Until next time

Team SmartyPig

 

Tags: upgrade

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6 April 2010 • Posted by Samantha Robinson

Tapping The Savings Motivator

We do love a bit of research here at SmartyPig so here's the latest to hit the inbox.  Apparently 55 per cent of Australian households rank travel as their number one motive for savings.  HOLD THE FRONT PAGE!!!!   Who would ever have imagined that more than half of us are dreaming of going on holiday? Just extraordinary.  Now, you're probably wondering why we're getting even the slightest bit excited about what appears to be the bleeding obvious (in fact, we thought the stats would actually be higher because seriously, isn't everyone dreaming of that next trip away from the everyday?). Well, what's really captured our attention here is that people actually have "savings motives".  And if that's not music to our ears, then we don't know what is. 

Of course, having the motivation to save is one thing; actually doing it is quite another.  The same research that told us about our number one saving motivator, also reveals that our household finances have deteriorated in 2010.  No surprises there. What with interest rate rises, the housing affordability crisis, and the ever-increasing costs of the basics of life - like food, petrol and electricity - it's been hard to find a spare dollar or two to put aside for anything.  (Just as an aside, did you know that 23 cents out of every dollar we actually spend apparently finds its way to our Woolworths or Coles? That's a lot of groceries! Take a look at the ABC's Hungry Beast to find out more.  It's fascinating stuff but alas, we do digress.)  So the fact that people actually have a motive to save is in itself, pretty encouraging.  And if there's one lesson we probably all learned during the recent GFC (that's Global Financial Crisis to the uninitiated), it's that cash really is king.  There's nothing quite like having money in the bank (or wherever you may choose to have it!) for the all important rainy day, however that may manifest in your life.  

So once you've started to squirrel away a few coins, the real challenge comes in maintaining momentum and the all-important motivation to keep going.  (Just think back to the ghosts of 'New Year Resolutions' Past' if you need convincing. Gym membership anyone?)  Anyway, you know the best intentions will definitely get you into the starter's blocks and may even have you off and racing, but actually making it to the finish line? Now that's probably going to take some serious effort and a whole lot of willpower.   But it's like a bloke called Maslow worked out back in the 1940s in his "Theory of Human Motivation": we all have needs which motivate our actions, some more important and powerful than others.  So your savings motivator could be a house to call your own and provide security and safety for you and your family.  Maybe it's a wedding to celebrate the love of your life.  Or simply a holiday to restore health, vitality and, ok, even your sanity.  Regardless of your end game, one thing becomes clear - learn how to tap into your savings motivator and it may just keep you going all the way until you really do reach that great big, beautiful goal.  We feel motivated already.

'Til next time

Team SmartyPig

 

 

Tags: savings   •  motivation to save

2 Comments | |

19 February 2010 • Posted by Samantha Robinson

February Giftcard Giveaway - The Results!

Sadly, this giftcard giveaway will be our last. It's been real. 

Congratulations to all our winners, both today and over the course of our giveaways. We've had fun!

The video of the draw with our winners is below:

 

If you're a lucky winner, please DM us your details (real name and address) or comment below (we won't publish the comment) so we can get your giftcard in the mail!

RIP Daredevil Rob. You will be in our memories always. 

Tags: february   •  giftcard giveaway   •  winners   •  results

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15 February 2010 • Posted by Sarah Robotham

Housing in Australia - Affordable or Not?

With average house prices in Australia rising by an unbelievable 11.3 per cent in 2009, and expected to rise again by 4 - 6 per cent in 2010, it's not looking good for first home buyers.  That piece of the Great Australian Dream always seems just out of reach.  The more money we save for a deposit, the more expensive houses become which means we need more money for a deposit. And so it goes.  So the question is have we become a nation of two halves, the "have houses" and the "have-no-houses"?

While you're weighing up the pros and cons, here's a thought to ponder which may provide some explanation.  In a recent ranking of international housing markets, Australia scored the worst housing affordability in the world by taking out six of the top ten spots.   For the statistically minded, the ratings were calculated by dividing median house prices by annual median household income.  But before you crack open the bubbly in celebration of topping yet another list, you should know that our Canadian pals actually beat us to the punch and the number one spot.  Yes, if you really want to know what it's like to live in a city where you can't afford to live, then head to Vancouver.  Not a bad time to go, mind you, but be warned, accommodation may be at a premium at the moment. But perhaps if you wait until the post-Winter Olympic euphoria has vanished into the thin mountain air, there might be a bargain or two on offer.  Or not.   You could always look for property a little closer to home, but just be selective about your preferred location.  According to the list, if you want to actually live within your means, you probably should try and avoid Sydney (where you'll be spending around 57 per cent of your income on the mortgage), the Sunshine Coast, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Wollongong too - they've all proudly ranked right up there in the top ten.   Lucky for us, it is a big country, but if you're really looking for that place to call home that you can really afford, best pack the bags and head east, way east, to the city of ten-gallon hats, cowboy boots, George W and black gold.  Ah Dallas, Texas: beautiful one day and apparently, affordable the next.

So next time you rejoice at the news that housing prices have risen again or more to the point, that your interest rates haven't, spare a thought for those of us out there trying desperately to join the party.  If only we could afford it.

Until next time

Team SmartyPig

Tags: affordable housing   •  houses in australia   •  first home buyers   •  vancouver   •  house costs

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31 January 2010 • Posted by Sarah Robotham

Beating the back to school blues

Finally, the kids have returned to school...and not before time! Keeping your kids entertained and amused for what seems like an eternity can be challenging but you've made it through another summer holiday.  Bravo.  And now that the fees are sorted, uniforms purchased and text books acquired, surely all the big school expenses are ticked off for another year.  Surely? Hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but best you think again.  This, as they say in the classics, could be just the tip of the iceberg. 

Now's the time to start thinking about those unexpected expenses that will almost definitely creep up on you during the year.  The ones that make your mouth go dry as you stare in disbelief at yet another request that, inevitably, has a cost attached.  Like the school excursion.  If you're lucky, the class will just be heading down the street to check out some icon of historical significance.  Perhaps it's the school ski trip to another state.  Or heaven forbid, the French class is jetting of to Paris for an intensive few weeks embedded within the French culture. Mon Dieu!  How about the school formal?  If you've been keeping up with the Jones', you'll be well aware of the expectations of all those lovely young things who've got their hearts set on the perfect dress, shoes and hair.  And don't forget the transportation....(did someone mention a stretch Hummer)?  Then there's every parent's nightmare, Schoolies Week.  Yes, before you know it, November will be here and you'll be desperately seeking funds for airfares, accommodation and, well, let's not think too much about it.  And who could forget the bond you may have to put up before Junior takes up residence in high-rise luxury on the Gold Coast for that must have, cannot miss week of partying.  And what about the costs of all those extra-curricular activities?  Whether it's the maths tutor, swim squad, piano lessons or acting classes, it all adds up. And up. And up.

You've got to admit, having kids is an expensive exercise!  But there is a way to avoid some of those unexpected surprises throughout the school year by taking a little pre-emptive action now.  Do some research about what's likely to crop up during school term and start planning now.  Search online or ask other parents and teachers for their experiences so you can get the big picture of what you might be up for and when.  Then draw up a budget and see what you can feasibly put aside on a regular basis, just to help lessen the financial blow when the time comes. 

Finally, don't think it's all up to you.  This is a great chance to get the kids thinking about all things financial, what it takes to set a goal and start saving for it.    So whether it's a new pair of footy boots in time for the season, a pair of designer shoes at Formal time or a trip to Schoolies Week, give your kids the opportunity to make a contribution.  They'll get the satisfaction of knowing they saved hard for something they really wanted...and you won't have to chip in as much!  See, everyone wins.

Until next time
Team SmartyPig.

Tags: back to school   •  smarty pig   •  school expenses   •  children expenses   •  kids expenses

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