Giving Makes You Feel Great 17 Jun 2009 by Johan Kriegbaum in Getting Ahead Blog

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When an economic crisis hit, the first sector to make noise is the business sector.  Less sales, shrinking profits, budget cuts, and massive layoffs are the buzz words everywhere in financially hard times.  But there's another sector that takes a major hit and that?s philanthropy and charities.  With less cash to spend, people tend to cut the things they think are non-essentials or things that is less of a sacrifice.  During financial hard times, charities are very much affected, with fewer donors and corporate sponsorships. 

Recently, the Australia Council for the Arts gave a negative forecast for this year.  Since the worldwide financial crisis is still without let-up, even though it?s looking better, it predicts that people will stop or lessen their donations and contributions, especially to the arts.  However, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Australia?s most admired philanthropist said, ?We all have a responsibility, I think, to our fellows, and everyone?s gift is important.? For those who love the arts... Read More »

Credit Cards - Do You Have The Self Discipline? 21 May 2009 by Sean Teahan in Getting Ahead Blog

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I had a bit of a shock a couple of days ago.

My girlfriend saw an unopened statement from my credit card when she was having a bit of a de-clutter and just put it on the side for me to see.

Now I paid my credit card off and cut it up in September last year from the proceeds of selling my house in the UK, so it was a surprise to see a statement. Surprise turned to horror when I saw a balance of $21,000 on it!

Now, fortunately, I then noticed the statement date was July last year. I (unsurprisingly) regularly check all my statements online and keep the unopened posted statements for the sake of good order. I quickly hopped online and checked that, yes, my account was dormant.

But it led me to think about credit cards and the credit card culture.

There was a huge furore in the UK in October 2003, when Matt Barrett, the Chief Executive of Britain?s largest credit card provider, Barclaycard, admitted steering clear of credit cards because they were ?too expensive? and that he actively ?advised his children against using them?.

You see, in principle, ... Read More »

The Affili@Syd Event in Sydney 15 May 2009 by Johan Kriegbaum in Getting Ahead Blog

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This week I had the pleasure of attending the first edition of the Affili@Syd event and for a first time event I thought it was ok. I didn?t come home with major new insights or ground breaking ideas but I did enjoy meeting great people from the Australian online industry.

I got the chance to speak to some of our own affiliates in person which was great. I normally only communicate with them on email or talk to them on the phone, so finally being able to put faces to the voices was good. 

A lot of the talks were focussed on social media marketing, which was interesting but a bit loose. I would have preferred some more numbers and stats but I guess the presenters were more excited about the future possibilities than sharing the actual effect it has on their businesses now.

Three of the major players from the online gaming industry did talks and they certainly knew their stuff. It was good to hear from people who are in an industry with legislation issues and how they deal with that. Being in ... Read More »

Working Sunday To Bring Your Next Innovations 19 Apr 2009 by Greg Ellis in Getting Ahead Blog

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Being the best means doing what others aren't prepared to do.

That's why we've got another big innovation in the works for you.

The short history of online loans in Australia reveals that Cash Doctors was the first to do paperless applications back in October 2006. One or two other sites have finally caught up - but most still ask you to find and fax reems of paperwork just for a little loan.

We also pay first time clients in 60 minutes and, since July 2008 we've had 24/7 loans - paying members in just seconds, 24 hours a day seven days a week. Other sites don't pay members for 1-2 days.

No one else comes close.

Have you ever seen or tried a lender who says you 'may' get paid the same day, or that you will be approved in an hour?

That just means they'll make the transfer - the cash isn't actually available until the next day. When we say you'll be paid in 60 minutes, that's how long it will take for the cash to reach your hands.

Cash Doctors is also the only online short term lender to voluntarily... Read More »

What To Do With Your Government Bonus Money 24 Mar 2009 by Greg Ellis in Getting Ahead Blog

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K.Rudd's stimulus package went out last week and there's just one thing on our minds...

What are we going to spend it on?

While it was the $900 Single Income Family Bonus and the $950 Back to School bonuses that have started to be handed out, most Cash Doctors clients eligible for the $900 tax bonus won't be receiving their cash until early April. That means most of us have a bit of time up our sleeve to think about it.

The aim of the game is to keep the money in the country by buying Aussie goods and services, but also to keep ourselves afloat through these hard times.

So if you're stuck in a bit of a financial rut, it's best to use the dough to pay off expenses. Things like paying off a chunk of money on your credit card bill will reduce your future monthly payments.

However, if keeping the money in the country is more your concern, you might not want to go out and buy the plasma screen that was manufactured and shipped in to your local Harvey Normans straight from Japan. Although we do love a good Hitachi.

S... Read More »