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Centrelink Online Services: Everything You Need To Know

centrelink online services

Struggling to access Centrelink online services? You’re not alone! The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has severely affected the financial situations of thousands of Australians. Many have lost their jobs or have found themselves working significantly less. With over 5 million monthly searches on Google for myGov alone, we figured a quick guide on how to use Centrelink online services was in order. 

There is a regular surge of people rushing to their screens to set up a MyGov and Centrelink account to reap benefits or check on when their next payments are due. The bad news is that a lot of us aren’t exactly professionals in the digital realm. With everything shifting online, including our government, knowing how to access services like Centrelink is incredibly important.

To help you out with all of the digital lingo, we’ve has put together a guide to using Centrelink’s online services and creating a myGov account, in case the online resources you’ve found have left you unsure of how to get started

Getting started with Centrelink online services

What is myGov?

Let’s begin with the basics. myGov is a platform set up by the Australian Government that allows citizens to access a wide range of government programs, including Centrelink online services. The best way to think of myGov is as a portal that unlocks access to all of your personal services with only  one login and one password. 

The services you can link to your myGov account include:

  • Medicare
  • Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
  • Centrelink
  • Australian JobSearch
  • My Health Record
  • My Aged Care
  • Child Support
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme
  • Victorian Housing Register Application

6 Steps To Create A myGov Account

If you haven’t already created a myGov account yet, follow these simple instructions to get started!

Step one: Create an account

Head over to the myGov login page and you’ll find an icon that says ‘create an account’ under the login form.

Step two: Enter an email address

Enter your active personal email address, which you will use to sign in to your myGov account each time. Once you’ve entered your email, you’ll be emailed a code that you will need to enter on the next screen.

Step three: Enter your mobile number 

Now, you’ll be asked to enter your mobile number and click ‘next’. However, if you do not have a mobile number, you are able to skip this step.

Step four: Create your password

We’re now at the password creation stage. Your password can be at least 7 characters long and include at least 1 number. Once you’ve entered your password in twice, click ‘next’ – you will also be able to change your password anytime. 

Step five: Create six questions

We all know the frustration of forgetting your password. In the event that this or a suspected security breach does happen, you will be asked to answer a series of security questions that only you would know. 

You will be able to select questions from the options provided, or create your own. Once you have entered in your answer, select ‘next’. 

Step six: Your myGov account has been created!

By this stage, your myGov account will have successfully been created. You should be able to see your myGov username on screen. Remember, you can log into your myGov account with both your myGov username or your email.

Step seven: Link your services

Once you’re all set and signed in to your account, you can now link services! This means you can link Centrelink. To do this, go to the ‘Account Settings’ tab, and follow the prompts from there. 

What can I use myGov Centrelink for?

One of the key features of myGov is that it enables you to access Centrelink online services and manage any payments. Here are some of the most commonplace things you can use Centrelink online for:

Claim a payment

Through Centrelink online accounts, you can claim a payment, apply for an advance payment, as well as keep track of your claims and requests to transfer carer payments. In addition to this, if you prefer to have someone else handle your Centrelink matters, you can authorise them to act on your behalf. 

Update your personal details

You are able to update your personal details, such as your bank details, work status, and your status as a student. Additionally, you have the ability to report mutual obligation requirements, view or change appointments and complete your rent assistance review. 

Send and request documents

Your myGov Centrelink account allows you to easily access your Centrelink letters and submit and request documents. You can also request replacement concession and healthcare cards, along with view your payment and transaction history. 

Report your employment income

You can also report your income and confirm to Centrelink whether you are meeting your requirements. You will also be able to receive reminders for your reporting dates.  

Setting up the apps: myGov and Centrelink 

myGov – myGovAccess

The myGov mobile app is named ‘myGovAccess’. It’s free to download from the App Store or Google Plus. When you first download and log into your myGov Access app, a one-time access code will be created on your mobile device. This is a more secure alternative to simply sending you a code via SMS. 

Centrelink – Express Plus Centrelink

To access your Centrelink online services, you can use the Centrelink mobile app, ‘Express Plus Centrelink’. Just like the myGov Access app, Express Plus Centrelink is available to download for free from both the App Store or Google Plus.

There are a few features available through the Express Plus Centrelink app that allow you to do the following:

 

  • Track your claim
  • View payments and transaction history
  • View and print your letters
  • Upload or request documents
  • View your digital concessions and healthcare cards

 

Keep in mind, you cannot make a claim through the app. So, you will have to do this through Centrelink online services. 

 

You can view and update the following details on the app:

 

  • Your employment income
  • Family income estimate and payment choices
  • Personal details including your bank details
  • Your work status if you’re a student 

Lastly, you can download all documents to your Vault – Centrelink Express App’s cloud – along with share and print documents. 

You can find out more information on Express Plus Centrelink and its capabilities here. 

Am I eligible for Centrelink payments?

Gone are the days of waiting hours in a queue the length of the Nile at a Centrelink branch, only to be told you’re ineligible for a certain payment or service. Now, you can save time by using Centrelink’s Payment and Service Finder. This handy tool will find, estimate, and compare payments and services that you may be eligible for. You just have to answer a few basic questions and you’ll have the answers in minutes.  

What payments can I claim online? 

Centrelink offers a range of different payments. So, it can get confusing when you’re trying to figure out which ones are better suited to your personal needs and situation. To make things easier, here’s a list of all the payments currently available:

 

Group Payment Type 
Carers
Families
Job Seekers
Older Australians
People with disabilities
Students and trainees
Rural and remote Australians
Concession and healthcare cards

More helpful reads

We hope this guide to using Centrelink online services cleared up a few of her questions! We also cover a range of helpful topics on our blog, including everything from expensive car brands to bad credit loans. 

Pocket Cash is an online lender-finding service helping everyday Aussies to connect with lenders. For more information on what we do, check out our How it Works page. 
Last updated: 12 September 2020

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Expensive Car Brands – What Drives Consumers to Look for Them?

Expensive car brands

Do you know what kind of car you would buy if money wasn’t an issue? You’ll need pretty deep pockets to get your hands on any luxury vehicle in Australia. But one can dream, right? An expensive, luxury car can offer speed and comfort but most of all it represents a lavish lifestyle to most people. 

You’ve probably landed on this page because you have a taste in expensive cars. And we get that! That’s why this blog will be devoted to explaining what lures people to buy expensive cars. We’ll also cover the best luxury cars on the Australian market and how much they cost. Interested? Let’s get started. 

Why do people buy luxury cars? 

Attention

Those who own a luxury car know exactly what we’re talking about. The feeling of having everyone eyeball you in envy is a special feeling, to say the least. There’s a large percentage of people who are not impressed by luxury or expensive cars. Although this may be true, when a Porsche or a Ferrari speeds past anyone, their attention is immediately drawn to that car. 

Reputation

Owning an expensive, luxury car is, for some, also a symbol of wealth and success. The high-end features of expensive cars go beyond the average necessities. luxury vehicles are equipped with better interiors, performance capabilities and all of the latest technology and safety features. 

Expensive car brands have a higher perceived value than lower-end cars. Consumers are willing to pay more for a car when they feel the price reflects the value they are getting in return. For some, the value of the car lies in the design, the limited production volume, superior quality parts, and the fact that they’re made from more expensive materials.

Adrenaline rush

Car enthusiasts are typically drawn to expensive cars because they offer a unique experience and top-level performance. These car enthusiasts are not looking for a car to get from point A to point B, but rather how the car contributes to the way they enjoy their free time. Additionally, some people look for high-end car brands as a way to boost their self-esteem. Furthermore, the status symbol some people feel they get when purchasing an expensive car may increase confidence. For many people, there is a lot of emotion connected to the purchase of not only expensive cars but also other high-end, luxury items. 

Some fun facts about luxury cars

Did you know that the engine in a Ferrari car is upgraded to bring ‘music’ to the ears of owners by synchronizing the sounds from the air pipe to create a flute or organ-like hum? We certainly didn’t! But that’s nothing compared to this next one. 

If you buy a BMW in South Africa, drivers are given the option to add flamethrowers under the doors as a defence to carjackings. Unfortunately, because of the high costs, only a few hundred people ended up purchasing the additional feature. 

Expensive car brands – an investment or just a costly hobby?

Is buying a luxury car or fancy additional features worth it? It really depends on the buyer. If you want to splurge on a car, who can tell you to do otherwise? However below we have listed a number of additional features that are worth the extra expense:

  • Knee airbags;
  • Curtain airbags for rear passengers;
  • Brake assist and seat belt tensioning;
  • Adaptive cruise control as well as;
  • Collision warning;
  • Automatic braking.

Of course, adding all of these safety features would be extremely and most likely a bit unnecessary. 

Things to keep in mind

The value of a car depreciates with time and mileage, however, the resale value of expensive car brands depreciates at a slower pace than average cars. Nevertheless, people are happy to invest in expensive cars because they are convinced that it will give them value in the form of status and accomplishment. Also, consumers have a lot of trust in expensive car brands like, for example, BMW and Audi. This trust creates significant added value to these expensive car brands.

Looking for expensive car brands?

If you’re dreaming of prestige, elegance, comfort and speed all rolled into one, there are a number of available options of luxury cars in Australia. Here are the top five most expensive cars in Australia:

  1. Bentley Continental Supersports: $626,474
  2. Ferrari 812 Superfast: $610,000
  3. Rolls-Royce Ghost: $595,000
  4. Ferrari GTC4Lusso: $578,000
  5. Bentley Mulsanne Speed: $569,522

Despite increasing economic pressures in Australia, the luxury car market is outperforming the moderately priced car market. Sales of new cars have fallen approximately 10% in 2020. However, there is a different pattern among expensive cars. Ultra-luxury brands have done well and are increasing sales. Maserati went up 21%, Ferrari up 21% and Rolls-Royce up 150%!

Apply for a car loan

There is only a small percentage of people in Australia who can afford to purchase luxury car brands outright. However, with the help of a car loan, you could be driving away in your dream car in no time! 

However, finding the right lender can be a struggle and car loans can be confusing to wrap your head around. This is where a lender-finder service like Pocket Cash comes in. When you apply with Pocket Cash, we’ll show your application to a range of lenders to give you the best chance of approval. 

All you have to do is scroll up to the top of this page to apply now! If you have questions about what we do, visit our FAQ page for more info. Alternatively, you can get in touch with the Pocket Cash team directly. 

If you’re looking for a car loan to finance either a new or used car, you can look to Pocket Cash! Want to learn more about car loans or car loan interest rates? We have the low down. Read more today!

Use a car loan repayment calculator to estimate your monthly repayments.

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How To Get a Loan With Bad Credit

How to Get a Loan with Bad Credit

Looking for a loan?

Are you looking for a loan but worried you’re less than perfect credit score is holding you back. It may be true that traditional lenders like banks and credit unions consider a bad credit score a huge red flag. But it’s 2020! These lenders aren’t your only option. Fortunately, there are several online lenders on the market that can look past a bad credit score. So, if you’re wondering how to get a loan with bad credit, we’ve got all the details you need to read! 

What is bad credit?

Bad credit refers to a bad credit score. Your credit score is a numerical representation of the information in your credit report. Your credit score gives a strong indication to lenders and credit providers of your credit creditworthiness and reliability in paying your bills. It also allows them to preview future performance. 

Often, having bad credit can damage your chances of accessing competitive interest rates. Either that or it could hurt your chances of getting approved for a loan at all. Therefore, it’s recommended that you stay on top of your bills and credit repayments. 

Do I have bad credit? 

Do you know your credit score? If you don’t, don’t stress! You can access a free annual credit report from each of the following credit agencies:

The following table shows Equifax’s rating scales from an ‘excellent’ to a ‘below average’ credit score. 

Credit Score Rating
833 and above Excellent
726 to 832 Very Good
622 to 725 Good
510 to 621 Average
510 and below Below Average

How can I get a loan with bad credit?

Good question (and we’re glad you asked)! Despite what you might think, you can get approved for a loan with bad credit. How? Well, these days, there are many online lenders that can look past your credit score. Instead of rejecting you solely on the basis of a credit check, lenders can now look for other reasons to approve you. If you’ve been staying on top of your finances recently, this could show your potential lender that you’re responsible with money. 

Pocket Cash can do the hard work of finding a lender for you! Instead of submitting multiple loan applications hoping to get approved, apply with Pocket Cash’s lender finding service! We submit your application to multiple lenders to give you the best chance of approval – bad credit and all! 

What affects my credit score?

There are several factors that contribute to calculating your credit score. We’ve listed some of these below:

Payment History 

Payment history is the most important factor that affects your credit score. Lenders look at your credit history to see how you have managed your previous debt. They want to see how reliable you have been with your repayments. If you have missed some of your repayments or failed to pay back your loan on agreed terms, your credit history will be negatively impacted. This is not just for loans however, you should be consistent with paying all your bills- credit cards, utilities, telco etc. 

Credit history length

Credit history length includes the age of your oldest credit account. The history length accounts for approximately 15% of your credit score in total. The longer your credit history length is, the better your credit score will be. 

Credit utilization

If you divide the total revolving credit you are currently using by the total of all your revolving credit limits, you will have your credit utilization ratio. Your credit utilization ratio plays a big role in calculating your credit score. Examples of revolving credit are credit cards and personal lines of credit. Your ability to repay these on time indicates how reliable you are with on-cash funds. You should not use more than 30% of your available credit. 

Credit mix

Ever heard the saying ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket?’ of course you have. Well that phrase can be used to describe credit mix. The more diverse portfolio of credit accounts you have, the better your credit score will be. This could for example be, a car loan, credit card, mortgage or student loan. the more the merrier! 

New credit

When you apply for new credit or a loan, a hard inquiry is created on your credit report. Several hard inquiries will cause your credit score to drop. Additionally, the number of your current credit accounts will indicate to lenders that you may be a higher risk, because you are managing too many outstanding balances at once. 

Why is it hard to get a loan with bad credit?

If you have bad credit or no credit it can be tough to get a loan application approved, especially with traditional lenders and big banks. Bad credit indicates the likelihood that you will default on a loan obligation. Because of this, lenders will see you as a riskier borrower than people with higher credit scores. That is why many lenders will reject you for a loan with bad credit, because they assume there is a higher chance that you’ll not make the repayments on the agreed terms. However, it is possible to get bad credit loans, but first you should consider improving your credit score for a higher chance at approval. 

Easy tips for improving your credit score

Although some lenders can offer bad credit loans, it definitely won’t hurt to improve your credit score. Not only will this improve your chances of approval but it also means you could be offered more competitive interest rates. Check out this handy Pocket cash guide to improving your credit score. Unfortunately, there is no ‘quick fix’ when it comes to improving your credit score. However if you implement these tips below and change your financial behaviours, your score will begin to rise over time. 

  1. Know your credit score: You can access a free annual credit report from the following agencies: Illion, Experian and Equifax. Make sure there are no inaccuracies on your credit report. If there is, you need to rectify these immediately. Knowing your credit score will give you an idea of your general financial standing. Additionally, it can help you determine what to look for in a loan offer.
  2. Pay off your debt: Your level of debt, expressed as your credit utilization ratio, is an important factor contributing to calculating your credit score. A low credit utilization ratio will tell lenders you haven’t maxed out any credit cards and you likely manage credit well. 
  3. Don’t apply for too much credit: When you apply for new credit, whether it be a loan or a credit card, it will create a hard inquiry on your credit report. Too many hard inquiries will cause your credit score to drop and these inquiries remain on your credit report for up to 2 years. 
  4. Pay your bills on time and focus on paying off your debt: When you apply for a loan, lenders want to see your reliability at repaying your bills as this is generally a good indicator of future performance. Your credit utilization ratio is a number that reflects your level of debt and also plays a large role in calculating your credit score. The more outstanding debt you have, the higher ratio you will have. People with the highest credit scores will typically have the lowest credit utilization ratios. You should either start by paying off your smallest account or the account with the highest interest rate.

Get help from a lender-finder to find bad credit loans

If you are looking to apply for a loan, but you’re worried bad credit will hold you back, it can be hard to know where to start. A quick Google search for ‘how to get a loan with bad credit’ will show you pages and pages of Google results. The market is flooded with lenders – far too many to choose from. 

That’s where Pocket Cash can help! Our lender finding service does the hard work for you! Simply submit an application and we will show your application to a number of lenders to give you the best chance of approval. Not only is this super convenient, but it means you won’t have to submit multiple applications before getting approved – benefiting your credit score! 

If you’ve got questions, head to our FAQ page. Alternatively, you can get in touch with the Pocket Cash team for more information.

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Wedding loans for Your Big Day

Wedding Loans

Looking for affordable wedding loans?

Your wedding is meant to be one of the best days of your life. It’s a magical occasion spent with your family, friends and most importantly your husband/wife! However, making your big day an extravagant success certainly doesn’t come cheap! In fact, the average Aussie wedding costs a $36,000. Fortunately, Pocket Cash can find you affordable wedding loans. We’ve here to cover the costs, so you can focus on the more important things like the dress, the tux, the cake, the venue and more!  

What are wedding loans?

A wedding loan is a personal loan that can cover some of the costs involved with your wedding. Despite what people might think, personal loans are not only associated with emergencies. Personal loans can cover a variety of expenses, including your wedding, your honeymoon, or treating yourself to an extravagant wedding gift. Wedding loans can be helpful for when you accidentally go over your budget or when unexpected expenses pop up and you need a financial boost right before your big day.

With a wedding loan, you can focus on the more important things such as where you’ll host the ceremony and reception, what you’ll wear and who you’ll invite. A wedding is just one day – and it should be planned out to perfection. 

Get started with your wedding plans

Whether your wedding is in 3 months or two years, the key is to start planning as soon as possible. Additionally, by starting early it is easier to plan for the costs that come with the wedding. To ensure you’re staying within a reasonable budget, make a list of the things you might want for your wedding in order of importance. Figure out how much each thing will cost and then save accordingly.

The wedding venue is usually the biggest cost you’ll have for your wedding. The average venue cost for weddings in Australia is $14,500. Most couples spend 45% of their entire budget on the venue alone. On top of that comes catering, entertainment, dress and suit, car hire and much more. So, wedding loans may assist with covering what you can’t afford up front. Nevertheless, you can have a simple but amazing wedding with just a bit of planning. 

Things to consider when planning your wedding 

The planning involved in coordinating such a memorable day can be extremely stressful and demanding. So, focus on the most important parts that will make your wedding beautiful, but not overly expensive. Some important details you should prioritize are:

  • Location of the ceremony;
  • The Bride and Grooms court;
  • Dresses and attire;
  • Tuxedos and attire;
  • A photographer;
  • Florist and decor.

How can you find the best wedding loans?

When you begin your search for lenders that offer wedding loans, you will find that there is an endless list of lenders out there. A quick Google search for wedding loans will show you pages and pages of results. This can be confusing and downright overwhelming. How are you supposed to know which lender is right for you? This is especially true if it is the first time you are borrowing or the first time applying for a loan. This is when a lender finder like Pocket Cash can be very helpful. 

Pocket Cash could help you find wedding loans from $2,100 to $10,000. A lender-finder service like us will do the hard work for you in finding a suitable lender based on your individual and financial circumstances. The advantage of using our lender-finding service is that we know what we’re doing. Our application process is 100% online, that means no paperwork and you can apply anytime, anywhere. 

The benefits of using Pocket Cash 

Saves you time and effort

Pocket Cash is a lender finder. That means, although we cannot lend the money to you directly, we can find a lender who will. This will potentially save spending hours submitting multiple loan applications to multiple different lenders. 

Can be beneficial for your credit score

When you apply for a loan, a hard inquiry is created on your credit report. Several hard inquiries will damage your credit over time. Therefore, applying with Pocket Cash could be beneficial for your credit score as we’ll do our best to match you with a lender willing to give you a loan. 

Fast application 

When planning your wedding, you can’t afford to wait days or even weeks to find out if you’ve been approved or not. The best thing with an online lender-finder like Pocket Cash, is that our application is super fast and simple. Submitting an application can take you just a few minutes, and we’ll do our best to match you with a lender that very same day! If that’s not fast we don’t know what is! 

Ready to apply? 

Wedding loans with Pocket Cash up to $10,000! 

Are you up to speed? If so, you can scroll up to the top of this page to begin your application! If you’ve got any questions, feel free to visit our FAQ page, or alternatively get in touch with the Pocket Cash team!

Check out this Pocket Cash guide for how to get a loan with bad credit!

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Looking for a reliable source of news Australia? We have the breakdown of the best newsrooms.

news

What’s the best Australian news website? 

  1. ABC
  2. The Australian
  3. News.com.au
  4. Nine.com.au

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

Having been around since 1932, the ABC is certainly the longest-standing outlet in Australia. From their beginning with just a single radio station to their current multi-platform operation, the world-renowned and has even stretched across the aisle to produce some original fictional work such as Glitch, Frayed, Janet King, Rake and the beloved Bananas in Pyjamas – to name just a few. 

The Australian

Since 1964, The Australian and The Australian Saturday Edition has been printed on broadsheet has filled homes with the latest headlines and opinions. These days, Aussies head to The Australian’s news website for the latest on local, global, business, sports and art news. 

9News

Nine has been delivering news to Australian homes since 1956. The national news network has a daily broadcast at 6 pm, owned-and-operated channels in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. National bulletins also air on weekday mornings and weekend afternoons and a hugely popular news website that gets in the region of 2.5 million organic visitors each month, in Australia alone. 

10 Best News Apps Australia

The best news app will likely always come down to the device and operating system of choice for the user. 

Android News Apps

The top app for Android users is Google News, followed quickly by ABC NEWS. 

  1. Google News
  2. 9News
  3. ABC News 
  4. Microsoft News
  5. News.com.au
  6. BBC News
  7. The Guardian
  8. Australia Breaking
  9. Sky News
  10. Flipboard

Apple News Apps

Apple’s own app is hugely popular in Australia. Here are some other apps worth taking a look at: 

  1. Apple News
  2. The Guardian
  3. 9News
  4. The Sydney Morning Herald
  5. ABC
  6. The Australian
  7. The New York Times
  8. The Age
  9. News.com.au
  10. BBC News

Tips for spotting fake news

“70% of Facebook users only read the headline of science stories before commenting.” –

With the prevalence of fake news and viral social media snippets amidst the rise of the ‘click and share consumer’ who rarely verifies information, it’s more important than ever to be able to spot fake news and verify news sources. 

Verify the credibility of the source.

Interesting headline? Catchy caption? Great – head off to the website and make sure that you can verify that the source is both reliable and credible. 

  • Does the domain look correct? 
  • Does the author look legitimate? 
  • Is there information available about the publication and contact details that work? 
  • Does the website have a security and privacy policy?

Is the information in the article substantiated? 

  • Were credible sources quoted or cited? 
  • Are you able to verify any of the cited sources?
  • When was the article published? Does the timeline match the stats or information? 

What is the quality of the article? 

  • How well written is the article? 
  • Are their typos or spelling errors? 

How to report fake news

Most platforms have a procedure which allows consumers to report fake news. Here are some of the popular ways of reporting fake news:

  1. Facebook offers a simple 4 step process
  2. You can report fake news on Instagram
  3. Whatsapp is working to stop the spread of fake news
  4. StopFake.org works to highlight commonly shared fake news.
  5. Report it with Google

Viral Fake News Stories

FactChecker.org is a nonpartisan non-profit organisation aimed at advocating for consumers, reducing deceptive political agendas in the US. Despite them being focused on the US, their fake news feed debunks some popular social media ‘sharables’. 

The Corona Virus outbreak stirred up many miracles cures and outlandish tales that make it hard to differentiate fact from fiction. The Guardian published a podcast explaining why we’re getting so much fake news from our parents around the spreading of COVID-19.  

Websites like the ABC, BBC, Buzzfeed and Wired also frequently publish breakdowns of fake articles that have gone viral in any given week. 

Take a look at some of them here: 

How do you verify your news? Contact us or talk to us on social media.

Check out this Pocket Cash guide for how to get a loan with bad credit!

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How Much Pocket Money Should You Give Your Kids?

Pocket Money

Do you have children between the ages of 5-15? Then you might consider giving them pocket money. Giving your children pocket money is a great way to teach them about the basics of money. Kids and teens need to learn about the value of money to develop good spending habits. When your children are given pocket money, they have a choice of spending or saving it. They need to learn the consequences of their decisions – like spending their money on sweets instead of saving for a new cricket set – is part of the learning process. Also, teaching your kids about money from an early age enables them to be independent and confident in themselves, as well as being responsible.

When is it suitable to give your kids pocket money?

There is no specific time or age to start giving your kids pocket money. However, you could start giving pocket money as early as five years old. Teach your kids to understand that you need money to buy things you need and want. They also need to understand that money needs to be earned by work and that making money takes time and effort. If your kid can manage small chores and tasks, you can start giving them pocket money for the jobs they do. This will help them to understand what it takes to earn money, and that work and money go hand in hand.

Start by giving them small chores, like taking out the rubbish or cleaning their room. Encourage them to save the money they earn and set saving goals. When your children are earning their own money, they learn to think for themselves and make the right decisions. Besides, managing things on their own boosts their self-esteem, motivates them and gives them a sense of achievement.

Why should you teach your kids about money?

Teaching kids about money from an early age allows them to build good spending habits and learn the importance of saving. Setting saving goals together with your kids teaches them to work for something that will be extremely beneficial in the long term. A good starting point is to save 20% of their pocket money. The 20% could go into a different saving jar to make them understand the difference between a savings account and spending account. Setting goals and working to achieve them also applies in many other aspects of life. It teaches them a good mentality and facilitates growth and maturity.

Make your kids see that hard work pays off, literally. Start small and give your kids chores that suit their abilities and age. Learning about reward via effort is a fantastic mindset. In addition, you could withhold or reduce their pocket money if tasks or chores are not done. This teaches them that they’ll only get paid if they do their work properly and sticking to your agreement.

Give your kids options. They could either spend their money on something small and short term or save it for something they want even more (sweets or cricket set?). If they choose to spend it and then realise they have no money left, it teaches them that decision has consequences. Also, discuss the difference between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’, and encourage your kids to think about these before spending their money.

Managing money on their own can build good self-esteem and sense of achievement. Money management and independency is a part of preparing your kids for adulthood.

How much pocket money should your kids get?

How much pocket money you should give your kids is dependent on your family’s situation and finances. There’s no right or wrong amount of money you should give. The point is to teach them money management and principles. You could determine how much they should get by their age, the tasks they are doing and what the pocket money should cover. You could, for example, give them $1 per week per year of age as a starting point. This means, the older they get the more money they’ll have, and with more money comes more responsibilities. Starting at a young age makes you kids more capable of making good decisions and reinforces the importance to prioritise their money correctly. The older they get, the more money they need. A good foundation of financial education facilitates them to handle the money they receive in a sensible manner.

What should it cover?

Pocket money could cover various things. You and your children can figure out together what the money can and should be spent on. Some examples of what you can use the money for are:

  • Transport – for example to and from school or other activities
  • Lunch bought at school once or a few times a week
  • Saturday sweets
  • Savings for new shoes, games, toys or other things they might wish for
  • Gifts – like birthday or Christmas presents for friends and family
  • Fun outside school activities

Tips for teaching your kids about money

The foundation of money management and financial education is learnt within the family. However, it can be challenging in our increasingly cashless world. The good news is there is plenty parents can do to teach children the value of money.

Give your kids a visual idea of the value of money. Use a clear jar for your kids’ savings to show them how money can grow and disappear just as fast.

Talk about money and the importance of controlling, managing and saving money. Teach them that they can spend money on fun things, but most importantly, it should provide security if something happens. For example, if something gets broken, it’s important to replace it – and for that you need money.

Set an example! Your kids look up to you more than anyone else. Make sure you exhibit good spending habits and the importance of saving.

Teach them that everything has a cost. They might not know that everything they do and see has a price. Tell them about bills and taxes or perhaps how you manage your monthly payments and how much each thing costs. Be transparent about your own spending and expenses.

Tips to save for big things to come – like a car or a holiday.
Show opportunity costs. This is a way of saying “if you buy this, you can’t afford this”. It would teach them to make better decisions with their spending.

Learn by experience

Nothing teaches like experience, and they’ll learn as they go. Give them room for mistakes and give them choices and responsibility. Give your children an appropriate amount of pocket money and let them decide how to spend it. Poor decisions and regrets can teach them valuable lessons. Offer guidance, but don’t control their spending. If they lose money or waste it, think of it as a valuable learning experience for your kids!

The increased use of credit cards, internet banking, and online shopping, means children often don’t see money being exchanged for purchases. By using coins and cash, your kids can see money is a tangible asset rather than swiping away a ‘magic’ card.
It’s harder for kids to understand the value of money and where it comes from if they can’t visualise it.

How to visualise money in a digital world

We have gathered a few tips from the MoneySmart website.

  • Explain what ATMs are and how they work – Take a trip to the ATM to explain where the money comes from. Children can help to push the buttons and withdraw money. Explain that the ATM holds the money you have saved and that you can check how much money is in your account.
  • Visit the bank – Taking your kids to the bank and watching bank transactions helps them understand what cash is. Let them be involved as much as possible. You can also let your child hand money to the teller.
  • Shopping lists and trips to the supermarket – Ask your kids to help you compile a shopping list and set a budget. When buying items, you can explain how items are priced and that you can get cheaper or more expensive versions of the same product.

​Too old for pocket money?

Unfortunately, adults don’t get pocket money, but when you need a financial boost, you can turn to Pocket Cash. Pocket Cash is a lender-finder. We can help you source loans between $2,100 and $10,000 with a repayment term of 12 to 24 months, subject to the loan amount.

Do you need a cash loan to get on top of your finances again? Our application process is easy, fast and 100% online. Apply now and let us do all the work. Don’t waste time sifting through lenders, we’ll match you with the best lender for your unique situation so you don’t have to!

Apply with Pocket Cash today and see yourself!