THE OBSTACLE IN OUR PATH In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. 1. One in four work from home: ABS
'Catching up on work' was the main reason given, by over one-third (34 per cent) of people who worked at home in their main or second job, followed by 'wanting an office at home/no overheads/no rent' (22 per cent of people). Almost a quarter (2.4 million) of people employed in November 2008 worked some hours at home in either their main or second job, according to figures released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 'Catching up on work' was the main reason given, by over one-third (34 per cent) of people who worked at home in their main or second job, followed by 'wanting an office at home/no overheads/no rent' (22 per cent of people). Men who worked some hours at home were most commonly managers or professionals (both 31 per cent), followed by technicians and trade workers (18 per cent). Women who worked some hours at home were most likely to be professionals (39 per cent) followed by clerical and administrative workers (23 per cent). The figures show that around one in every twelve employees (764,700 people or 8 per cent) worked more hours at home than any other single location in their main or second job. Of these people:
The proportion of employed people who worked only or mainly at home in their main or second job remained unchanged from November 2005 to November 2008 at 8 per cent. People who were owner-managers in their main job were much more likely to use their own home for their main location of work (27 per cent of the 1.9 million owner-managers) than employees (1.4 per cent of the 8.2 million employees). Women who were owner-managers in their main job were more likely to use their own home for their main location of work than male owner-managers (45 per cent compared with 18 per cent). The survey collected further information about the number and types of locations of work. Of the 10.1 million people at work in November 2008, 41 per cent worked at two or more locations in their main job. 2. Drop in land prices improves affordability New homes are becoming more affordable, with median land prices across Australian capital cities falling 1.5 per cent in the December quarter, according to the latest residential land report from building association HIA and property information and analytics provider RP Data. HIA Chief Economist, Dr Harley Dale said the modest drop in median land prices in a number of markets across Australia was playing a part in making new homes much more affordable. New homes are becoming more affordable, with median land prices across Australian capital cities falling 1.5 per cent in the December quarter, according to the latest residential land report from building association HIA and property information and analytics provider RP Data. HIA Chief Economist, Dr Harley Dale said the modest drop in median land prices in a number of markets across Australia was playing a part in making new homes much more affordable. The HIA-RP Data Residential Land Report shows the price of raw land in Australia's capital cities was slightly higher than regional areas. The capital city median price fell 1.5 per cent to $182,718. The most expensive city was Sydney with a median price of $250,000. The most affordable capital city was Hobart, with a median price of $135,000. "The price growth in raw land for new residential development was unsustainable and it is pleasing that we have had some modest reductions," Harley Dale said. "The recent decline follows an appreciation of 111 per cent over the past eight years, so we are hardly talking about a major correction." RP Data National Research Director Tim Lawless said that despite the modest fall during the December quarter, Australian land prices have been resilient to any material falls. "Over the 12 months capital city land prices have actually risen, which is in contrast to the housing market where values fell by 2.9 per cent over the 2008 calendar year," Mr Lawless "The improvement in housing affordability together with a demonstrated stabilisation of housing prices during the first quarter of 2009 should boost confidence among both buyers and developers. Australian population growth is at record levels while housing construction remains constrained creating a widening gap between housing demand and supply." HIA expects that further easing in median land prices combined with very low mortgage rates, stable construction costs, and the boosted First Home Owner Grant will continue to make house and land packages an appealing option for some months to come. 3. $564 million just waiting to be claimed
In the current financial year to April 2009, Australians have made their claim on over $40 million. But over 645,000 Australians could claim their part of a lot more than that right now, according to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. As difficult economic conditions continue around the globe, there has never been a better time for Australians to make their claim on a share of $564 million. In the current financial year to April 2009, Australians have made their claim on over $40 million. But over 645,000 Australians could claim their part of a lot more than that right now, according to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. ASIC said the money currently owed to individuals and businesses ranges from $1.00 to over $990,000, which is the amount sitting in an unclaimed Commonwealth Bank account in Western Australia. The largest amount already claimed this financial year was more than $3.1 million from a deceased estate. ASIC's Senior Executive Leader - Consumers and Retail Investors, Delia Rickard encourages people to search for their unclaimed money which could be found from banks, credit unions, building societies, life insurance companies and friendly societies. `Searching is free and there's no cost involved in claiming your lost money - the only thing you need to do is provide proof that the money is yours or you are the beneficiary', Ms Rickard says. Australians searching for forgotten money can do so by logging onto ASIC's free online database at www.fido.gov.au and typing in their name. ASIC encourages anyone who thinks they might be entitled to unclaimed money to contact the Infoline directly on 1300 300 630 or email infoline@asic.gov.au during business hours. `However it is important to remember that there is some information we're unable to publish They will be able to conduct a comprehensive search for forgotten funds, including unclaimed money from shareholdings where the company has been unable to contact a shareholder, old bank accounts and forgotten insurance policies. For more information about unclaimed money, go to http://www.fido.gov.au/unclaimedmoney. 4. Never enough tradies The latest HIA-Austral Bricks Trades Report indicates that despite the drop in building activity skill shortages for many trades remain across Australia. The latest HIA-Austral Bricks Trades Report indicates that despite the drop in building activity skill shortages for many trades remain across Australia. According to the report, trade availability improved in the March 2009 quarter, from -0.06 to -0.05, meaning trades were still in short supply. 5. I've been framed!
With functionality and cost effectiveness in mind, a Dutch designer has come out with Do Frame Tape, a self-adhesive vinyl tape with an ornate picture frame design printed on it. The generous roll means you can easily and cost effectively frame paintings, photos, artwork and posters, create a grand feel by framing light switches and power points. Or maybe even give your home an original boost by framing an empty space in which the kids can put up art or pose creating their own living installations. 6. Unpaid bills thorn in Mafia princess's paw Crime never pays, so someone else usually ends up footing the bill. This is a lesson that Mafia princess Victoria Gotti - daughter of mob boss John "Dapper Don" Gotti - is learning, as she faces losing her palatial home in Long Island, New York over unpaid loan repayments, the New York Post reported recently. The former reality-TV star owes nearly NZ$1M for a mortgage loan on the $6.8M mansion that became famous in the show "Growing Up Gotti." Victoria took possession of the home during divorce settlement with her ex-husband in 2005. She claims her ex secretly took out a near $1.4M loan in 1997 without her knowledge and has left her to foot the bill. The home is currently on the market for over $2.5M less than the previous asking price. |
Almost a quarter (2.4 million) of people employed in November 2008 worked some hours at home in either their main or second job, according to figures released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
As difficult economic conditions continue around the globe, there has never been a better time for Australians to make their claim on a share of $564 million.
There's no doubt that pictures look better when framed - whether it is photos of loved ones, an expensive masterpiece or the kids' artwork - yet current economic conditions have left many of us with little spare cash for such luxuries. 
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