The BiG Directory of money, finance and investing resources, comparison sites and giveaways

Resources and Giveaways

Here are some resources and freebies, podcasts, blogs, forums, social media groups, apps, publications
along with ancillary investment professionals you’ll come across in the money and investing industries.

Finance Podcasts, Apps, Blogs, Forums & Websites

 

Money and Investing Podcasts

  • 10 Investment Podcasts For Australian Investors Canstar 2020
  • Aussie Firebug Financial Independence Retire Early [they say] “… is the financial independence podcast for Australian’s where I interview clever people who have already reached or are on their way to financial independence.”
  •  My millennial money Sort Your Money Out (Aus) [they say] “We’re a podcast for millennials and their money. It’s like Hamish and Andy for your finances. Glen James & John Pidgeon discuss millennial money matters in a light-hearted way. With a variety of topical guests on the show, there is a great balance between practical money tips and banter.”
  • The Money (Aus) ABC Radio National [they say] “The Money explains how the Australian economy and everything in it works, and how this all connects to the global economy.”
  • The Money Café (Aus) [they say] “James Kirby and Alan Kohler discuss the biggest news in business, finance, and economics, and what it means for investors. Presented in partnership with The Constant Investor.”   (not to be confused with the websites, book seller The Money Cafe (USA) Ernie Zelinski)
  • Equity Mates (Aus) [they say] “is a finance and investing podcast, created to break down the world of investing, from beginning to dividend, to make it much more accessible for everybody.”
  • Margaret Lomas – Destiny (Aus) [She says she] “regularly shares her expertise gained from years as a property investor through these regular podcasts.” and Vidcasts.
  • MoneySmart YouTubeVideos (Aus gov)The Moneysmart website is a trusted source of financial information and provides free calculators, tips and guidance for all Australians.
  •  The Property Couch [they say] “Is a podcast hosted by two of Australia’s Property Experts, Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley. This Podcast is about helping people make smart property investment decisions.”
  • The Pineapple Project (Aus) ABC Jan Fran [she says] “The podcast that makes you better at money.” Previously hosted by Claire Hooper [who said she’s] “a bit crap with finances. And she’s not the only one. She’s on a mission. To get better at money. From smart saving, to how to earn more, demolish your debt, and invest like a boss, join her as she tracks down all the experts and learns the lessons we somehow missed.”
  • The Richards Report [he says he] “speaks with experts from the world of finance to explore and learn ways you can make smarter decisions when it comes to investing money and time. Join Ted Richards when he speaks with talented investors, athletes and professors about ways to improve your own performance. Guests include Scott Galloway, Harvard/Wharton Professors, Fund Managers and former professional athletes.”

 Money and Investing Blogs and Apps

    • Motley Fool
    • Real Estate Investar
    • Roger Montgomery
    • Your Investment Property (YIP)
    • The Financial Planning Association of Australia [they say] “If you have any burning questions about your finances, head to the Ask an Expert forum and ask a qualified expert for free.” [The FPAA hasn’t updated this function recently and the links are broken. But there’s still some useful stuff on the site.] Topics they cover are:
      SHARES
      FEES
      FINDING A PLANNER
      AGED CARE
      BANKRUPTCY
      BUDGETTING
      CENTRELINK
      DEBT
      DIVORCE
      ESTATE PLANNING
      FAMILY TRUSTS
      FINANCIAL PLANNING
      FPA
      GENERAL SAVING
      GOAL SETTING
      INHERITANCE
      INSURANCE
      INVESTING
      MORTGAGES
      PROPERTY
      RETIREMENT
      SELF MANAGED SUPER FUNDS
      SAVING FOR YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION
      SELF-EMPLOYED
      SUPERANNUATION
      TAX
      WEALTH CREATION
Media

The Australian Independent Media Network (AIMN) “is a platform for citizen journalists and bloggers to write and engage in an independent media environment.”

Mainstream media – TV/Internet/Newspapers

ABC News Business, The Business

The Australian – Business review

Financial Review

7 Yahoo Finance ‘Our experts‘ – Peter Switzer, David Koch, Michael Pascoe, Michael Yardney, Peter Boehm, Aaron Lynch, John Abernethy, Andrew Page, David Taylor, Karina May, Simon Boulton, Marcus Padley, Louise Bedford, Bruce Jackson, Magdy Marcos, Julia Lee, Dr John Demartini, Donna Brond, Ben Stein, Robert Kiyosaki, James Ramsay, Richard Quest, Kathy Lien

9 ninemsn (and Financial Review Sunday) Areas they cover:

  • Property
  • Share market investing
  • Insurance
  • Loans and credit
  • Managing money and tax
  • Super and planning
  • Planning
  • Finding
  • Selling online
  • Customer service
  • Sales and marketing

News.com.au: Finance, Money, Investing

Books, Magazines, subscriptions

Educated Investor Financial Bookshop. “Categories: Bargain Books; Trading; Technical; Psychology; Investment; Getting Started; Ebooks, Audio Books, DVD’s; Barefoot Investor Recommended Reading; CFD’s/ Contracts for Difference; Foreign Exchange/FX; Fundamentals; Options/Warrants; Superannuation; Software; Motivational Historical; Real Estate; Business/Management; Commodities; Financial Markets Futures; Leadership; Risk Management; Sales/Marketing; Newsletters”

MAGSHOP

The Adviser

Australian Broker

Australian Property Investor (API) (and see The Business Mall Property Investor’s Bookshop also has general investing, shares, superannuation, derivatives):

  • Articles on specific regions, booming suburbs and potential hotspots
  • Profiles of successful investors
    • Small property development projects
    • API Hot 100 – a list of the top 100 locations around the country hand-picked for their capital growth prospects
    • Retirement Strategies
    • Small Development Series
    • Young Guns
    • Roadmap to Wealth
    • The Interview Q and A
    • Case studies of specific projects

Austalian Quarterly

Australia’s Paydirt

Bloomberg Business Week

Business Acumen

The Economist

Forbes Asia

Fortune Asia

Gold Mining Journal

Harvard Business Review

Independent Financial Adviser

Marketing

Money “magazine helps you manage your finances by cutting through the jargon. Each month you’ll receive credible, independent and easy-to-understand financial advice from Australia’s most respected financial writers including Paul Clitheroe and Ross Greenwood.”

Mortgage Professionals Australia

SMSF Adviser

Success Business Magazine

Under the Radar Report – Small Caps

Your Investment Property “is the intelligent property owner’s choice when it comes to learning about Australia’s property market. [it] provides you with the most complete set of property data, independent commentary and thoroughly-researched articles about all aspects of investing in property in Australia and abroad. Every issue features in-depth analyses of the market trends that affect your investment. Practical tips and advice on how to manage and finance your investments are also featured regularly to help you make the best decisions. [it] carries the most comprehensive data section of any Australian property magazine, with extensive and exclusive data about every suburb in Australia to help you decide where to put your money. You also get independent expert advice on the best investment strategies for you as well as market analysis from Australia’s most trusted and experienced property experts. Plus, every month Your Investment Property carries exclusive information about Australia’s up-and-coming property hot spots; real-life success stories of ordinary, hardworking Australians who have achieved financial independence through property; and the latest and most practical legal, tax and financial advice to help you invest safely.” Free suburb reports: Newsletter.

Your Trading Edge

Major Street Publishing (MSP) “is an independently-owned publishing company that specialises in personal investment and business books, eBooks, newsletters and other publications.  Founded in October 2009, the aim is to educate readers to save, make, manage and invest their money. Experts are commissioned to write on all aspects of personal finance – from property and share market investing to taxation, superannuation and money management, as well as other business-related topics…categories:

Property & Wealth Creation

Books for Business

Super & Shares “

Fishpond “Absolutely Australia’s Lowest Prices. We won’t be beaten by anyone. Guaranteed … an online store selling books, music, movies, beauty products, toys, sporting and outdoor product, jewellery, kitchen products and homewares.”

GIVEAWAYS: Facebook posts, eBooks, Reports, Blueprints, Newsletters, Updates, Subscriptions, Memberships
Every time you Google, search, subscribe to webinars, podcasts, newsletters, blogs … your personal details are collected and used in some way. Mostly your email address so marketing and other material can be sent to you.

These eBooks, blueprints, videos, CDs, DVDs, webinars, subscriptions and trials, may contain useful tips and information, often they’re teasers to a more substantial purchase. 

Be wary of giving credit card details. Often it’s almost impossible to cancel your subscription or you just forget – good luck getting a refund!

Throughout BiG, wherever I’ve found useful free products and special deals, I’ve include direct links to them. This saves you the hassle of overfilling your own inbox.

Ancillary Investment Service Providers

These people  provide ancillary services in the BiG areas of investing (Wealth, Business, Property, Shares, You) such as:

  • accountants
  • conveyancers
  • financial planners
  • finance providers, mortgage brokers 
  • outsourcing services – IT services, virtual assistants,
  • people who source property (such as developers, and real estate agents, buyer’s agents)
  • property and strata managers
  • quantity surveyors
  • real estate agents and buyer’s agents
  • stock brokers

Providers are listed here if:

  • BiG or site subscribers have used and received great service from them, or
  • they’ve paid to advertise here

You’re welcome to subscribe to BiG Updates.

I don’t buy any Google ads. If you have a business and do great stuff,  I’d love you to advertise directly on BiG. Just contact me to discuss how (media pack is being developed). Your customers will  of course be welcome to leave testimonials.

You’ll also find ancillary service providers in these industries and sites:

General comparison sites - Canstar, Choice, Compare the Market, Finder, Flying Solo, iSelect, MoneyHound, Mozo, Product Review, Rate City and more

Better Bills – Health (inc, Overseas Visitors) Insurance; Electricity and Gas  providers. They claim:  “founded by Tim Andrew and David Ingram to provide Australian consumers with a proper ‘fair go’ at getting the best prices from the widest range of providers, all in one place.”

Canstar They claim: “[is] Australia’s Biggest Financial Comparison Site. We compare more brands.There are a number of ways you can be the biggest
We thought about what ‘biggest’ means to customers and we think it’s somewhere you can go to compare the biggest range of brands so that you can be sure that you’re seeing the whole picture. Biggest means more brands – all the majors that you would expect to see plus lots of other providers too. We only count what you can compare. We have over 775 brands on the site… ”

Choice They claim: “We are the leading consumer advocacy group in Australia. Independent and member-funded, CHOICE is here to ensure that Australian consumers like you get a fair go. We want your voice to be heard loud and clear when it comes to anything consumer-related, from saving money to choosing the best products and services for your family, and we’re constantly on the look out for dodgy or misleading practices that might stop you from getting the best deal.
We’ve been around for 60 years, so whether it’s campaigning for your rights, making shopping easier, testing products or giving unbiased advice about food, finance and health, CHOICE has the expertise to make sure you get the best information.”
see their How to find the best financial planner Before you pay an adviser, make sure they’re putting your needs first.

Compare the Market Compares: car, travel, health, life, home and contents insurance; roadside assistance; energy

finder.com.au Compares: Money; Utilities, Tech, Shopping and Travel

Flying Solo micro business directory – is a huge list of small businesses.

iSelect – Compares: Health, Car, and Life Insurance; Home Loans; Electricity; Gas and Broadband

Moneyhound, Yahoo – Compare credit cards; mobile phones; home loans; bank accounts; broadband plans; saving accounts; term deposits; personal loans; tablet plans; car loans; electricity; gas; life insurance; and car insurance.
They claim: ” helps you save money on your monthly bills… compare what you’re paying for all your monthly services against plans and prices from other providers to help you switch and save… Moneyhound will show you a comprehensive range of plans and products available in the Australian market based on your search criteria … search, compare, and fetch a better deal.”

Mozo They claim:  “Over 300,000 Australians use our comparison tools each month to cut through the marketing noise and save themselves both time and money. Our award-winning website exists to help Australians easily compare banking, insurance and energy products to find the best deals for their needs.?”

Product review They claim: “is Australia’s first and most comprehensive consumer opinion site, online since May 2003. We provide a platform where people can rate and review services and products and the shops that sell them. It is consumer response – satisfied or not! On this site you will find real-life experiences and opinions voiced by Australians. We provide our users with the tools to easily find the items they are interested in, read what others have said about them and share their own experiences.”

Rate City (see their commissions/benefits from advertisers)

Financial Planners, advisers and accountants| How to find and choose good ones

Independence, fees and commissions:

Be wary when choosing a planner that you’re getting independent advice and that their fees are reasonable, based on the returns they can get. Cheapest doesn’t mean the best. Commissions should become more transparent and more closely regulated following the Financial Services Royal Commission.

These sites and articles will help you choose and compare financial advisers:

Financial advice costs and Financial advice and you MoneySmart (ASIC)

InvestSmart including Eureka Report and Business Spectator is a paid service and free “Insights” with highly respected Alan Kohler (the finance bloke on the ABC with the charts and the fab sense of humour!)  and others. Grab a free 14 day trial of their broader services to see if they suit you.

Understanding the difference between wholesale and retail clients under FOFA MoneyManagement

Adviser Ratings (AR) “Australia’s first transparent and independent service to help you find, rate and review qualified financial advisers.”

Beddoes Institute – Most trusted advisers (App)

Canstar What is a Financial Planner & what to expect 7 Step Checklist

Choice Your guide to finding the best finanacial planner, Fixing financial advice campaign, – Lyndi’s story YouTube

MoneySmart (ASIC) Choosing a financial adviser (Especially its list of companies not licensed to give financial advice)

CPAAustralia (CPA) “Find a CPA (certified practising accountant) or financial planner”

Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) – Directory to find a financial planner

Top10 financial planners

Yellow Brick Road – “How to pick a planner”

Boutique Financial Planners – Member List

SuperGuide

Credit and Finance| Compare credit cards, Get financial information and advice

Compare Australian Credit Cards They claim: “Compare 250+ credit cards from 79 banks and brands. From low rate and no annual fee cards to 0% balance transfer and bonus points. Get the best offer for your needs and apply online.”

Money Buddy: They claim: “Based in Sydney, Money Buddy is an independent team of people interested in presenting personal finance information in a useful, easily-digested format. [It] covers home loans, credit cards, car loans, personal loans, bank accounts, tax, accounting, financial planning and calculators [and] features a local business directory for finding local business experts near you … we don’t endorse particular products or provide personal advice … We source our product data directly from institutions/providers and we keep this data as current as possible … [with our] search tool you can: Locate loan brokers or financial advisors in your area. Contact specific local businesses or allow us to match you with the best match. Search for local businesses specialising in home loans, car loans, personal loans, tax, accounting and financial planning.”

Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia  (MFAA) They claim: “The peak national body representing over 13,000 professional finance brokers.”

Insurance - Life, General, Health and Funeral

MoneySmart (ASIC) Scott’s Pape’s protect your finances money challenge (Video)

Compare the market

Health:
Private Health They say is: “a wealth of background material on private health insurance in Australia, a list of every registered health fund in Australia, the ability to search for health insurance policies and compare what is covered in each policy you have chosen.”

Info choice (includes stock brokers)

Funeral Cover:

Beware! Many funeral insurance policies play on your fear of death and guilt! Often prepaid funerals and funeral bonds are a much better alternative. Safer and cheaper and more regulated than insurance covers – suggests the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA). 

Local Tradie find a service sites

eTradesman

HomeOne – Home building and Renovation

Home Source

The Independent – Property Tradesmen (UK)

Quotify

Service

Trade Connect

TrueLocal

Word of mouth online

Outsourcing

5 Tips for Outsourcing Every Online Entrepreneur Needs

The Complete Guide to Outsourcing and The 6 Best Online Outsourcing Websites of 2020 (and how to use them) of 2020 (and how to use them) – Time Doctor :

  • Upwork
  • Freelancer.com
  • Guru
  • Amazon’s Mechanical Turk
  • DesignHill
  • Fiverr
Property (Real Estate)| Property investment professionals, Real estate agents, Buyers agents - and how to choose good ones

Property investment professionals:

Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) “Our aim is to be the peak Property Investment Industry Association. Our members subscribe to a Code of Conduct which considers all consumers and commits to disclosure and a high standard of Best Practice. All of our members must work toward obtaining the Qualified Property Investment Adviser (QPIA®) qualification which will ensure that consumers can confidently deal with them, knowing that they have a minimum level of expertise and are continuing with regular professional development.”

Real estate agents:

In the BiG Shop (below) we only list real estate agents or other ancillary provides that we, or our members, have used, or who have paid for advertising (all are subject to comments and review).

We’re not a real estate agent ‘yellow pages’ as the internet already has many directories (e.g. in the various real estate institute member sites).

In many blogs and forums investors discuss their experiences with agents and real estate issues in general, such as commissions. Some are:

Tips and Sites to help you find a real estate agent:

How to select the right real estate agent Finder

Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) Helping and protecting consumers with property investment

Real Estate Monitors “We help you choose and deal with an agent. You choose, we monitor”, 7 Questions to ask an agent when selling

Open Agent

Rate my Agent

Sell my castle – Local Agent Finder

Buyers agents:

Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA) – Why investors should consider using a buyer’s agent

Rental Properties/Landlords:

Don’t Rent Me “Review & list bad landlords, bad property managers and bad rental properties.”

Shares, Managed Funds and Superannuation

Analysis and Data: The Financial Standard and Morningstar

Shares:

Guidelines from ASIC MoneySmart

How to Buy and Sell Shares

On a share exchange

There are five public share exchanges in Australia. Four of them directly supervise the companies that issue the shares that trade on their markets. The fifth exchange, Chi-X, currently only provides the infrastructure for trading shares already quoted on the ASX.

The four exchanges:

  1. Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) – the main securities exchange in Australia
  2. Chi-X – an exchange that trades company shares already quoted on the ASX, but does not list or supervise the companies
  3. National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSXA) – a securities exchange that lists about 70 small to medium sized companies
  4. SIM Venture Securities Exchange (SIM VSE) – an exchange for innovative companies involved in the clean technology, renewable energy and bio science field

Using a broker:

Important considerations ASX

2 types of brokers:

  • online or phone broking service or ‘discount’ or ‘execution only’ broker – make your own investment decisions, or
  • full service broker – they provide advice and recommendations

Find a broker:

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) find a broker tool

Check if the broker uses dark pools or internalisation to execute trades, as this may impact on the price you pay for shares.

Managed Funds:

Choosing a managed fund MoneySmart (ASIC)

Picking a Funds Manager clearday

Superannuation:

SuperRatings

Choosing a Superfund MoneySmart (ASIC)

Choosing Your Superfund ATO

Shopping generally
Canstar Blue “Consumers for consumers”

Get price

BiG Shop

These businesses mostly come from the Investing in You section, BiG and subscribers’ personal favourites and referrals.

The Checkout TV has great consumer info (ABC satire on consumer affairs supported by consumer watchdog Choice) and it’s FU Tube lets you complain about products and post your own videos.
OzBargain “is you, the community of on-line shoppers in Australia. This is the place where we share the best bargains in Australia and share them with each other. Our goal is simple – bringing the best deals and bargains in Australia to consumers.”

Switched on Women is a new consumer movement for Australian women that aims to use the combined buying power of tens of thousands of women to unlock discounts and products and services targeted at women… [it] will harness the buying power of Australian women in order to incentivise business to:

Offer discounts to women on essential products and services such as energy, groceries and petrol. Release more products and services specifically targeted at women, such as health insurance. Women make up more than half of the population. More of us are working and more of us are the primary income earner in our households than ever before, but many products and services are not designed to meet the needs of women, many of whom work part-time, need to take time away from work, or face lower incomes than our male counterparts.

Some Favourite Service Providers [to be developed as we find good ones!]

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Disclaimer: The information and comments in this site are general in nature, opinion only and don’t take your personal financial circumstances into account. Our aim is purely to educate you and show you people and organisations in the finance and investing industries you may, or may not, choose to contact for personal financial advice. Any claims or comments of others are strictly those of the cited individual and not endorsed by Andrea or Best investment Gurus. Before you take any financial or investing action or buy any service or product - get your own independent financial advice, tailored to your specific needs.

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