Feature Article
Are you puzzled!
This site is dedicated to my choice of Australian services based on price, quality and general value for money.
These recommendations are based on my person needs or requirments and may not suit everyone. I am not a financial advisor so if your unsure seek advice from one.
Insurance!
I have just reviewed my car and home/contents insurance:
For comprehensive car insurance I have been unable to beat CGU, but you must go through a bank such as Benigo Bank to get the best rates. You can save more by removing the windscreen protection or increasing the excess. I have nominated drivers as well.
There is generally house insurance with or without accidental damage and you can also add expensive items over $2,000. However I decided we didn't need either so have just got a basic contract. I am with CGU through Bendigo however have recently discovered SGIC are considerably cheaper and provide an equal policy.
Something for Students!
www.itsnotcheating.com.au offers students discounted software from Microsoft. Office 2007 and Windows 7 Upgrade are both available for bargain prices. This is a Microsoft run deal and is legitimate to anyone with a valid educational email address.
Phone and Internet
20th October 2009
Cove (Now VentraIP) is my current web hosting service
I've been very impressed with this small web host. Domain registration and hosting is very competitively priced and of a very high standard. Management of domains and hosting is self-service making it hassle free and cPanel is always at the latest version.
I have 3 domains and 2 web presences with them and absolutely no complaints. I've tried 2 other hosts and they were terrible compared to Cove (VentraIP). Check them out!!!
If you'd like your own email address so that you never have to change it again.. send me an email and I'll walk you through it.
October 2009
Simpliciti has gone broke!
I am now changing to Telstra's $21 plan. The call rates are high but I use VOIP so it doesn't matter. I can keep my ADSL with Adam as I'm on a telstra line.
Adam internet is South Australian and provide a quality local service.
Pennytel is my voip provider, with the cheapest call rates on offer. 8c local calls and untimed STD calls.
Whitegoods
After 18 months I have completed my retaining wall. It was built with the Mini Classic blocks purchased from APC. They are cheaper than the equivalent Boral block but not of the same build quality.
The blocks are not appropriate for curves unless you want to cut each block, also be careful when laying them as some are not square like they should be.
In the end the wall looks great but it did take twice as long to build as the equivalent Boral wall.
August 2009
We recently bought a new washing machine and dishwasher.
The Washing machine was on special at The Good Guys - Fisher and Paykel 7kg upright machine without an agitator. This is a water efficient model with a $200 government water rebate available. Note: this machine has a computer LCD panel not the normal buttons or knob.
There are no rebates for dishwashers but we got cash discount at The Good Guys. This is a Bosch under bench machine which uses 12L on a normal wash. The quick wash works just as good and uses only 10L. We bought the most basic model but that still has a water safety device so you can't flood your kitchen.