Victor's Handy Tips - by an Australian Mortgage Broker

Global Warming The Missing Science by the geologist Professor Ian Plimer was a shock bestseller and reached number one in book sales in Australia.and I had the privilege of chairing a lunch time and evening launch of the book on behalf of Connor Court Publishing owned by friend Anthony Cappello.




Professor Plimer came and spoke brilliantly, taking the audience on a journey through tijme as he outlined the history of climate change on earth. He was introduced at the lunch time launch by veteran Senator Ron Boswell the man who campaigned against Pauline Hanson and kept her out of the senate. In the evening it was the turn of another well known and outspoken parliamentarian, Senator Barnaby Joyce.

Despite the onset of heavy rain in Brisbane both were well attended at the old time Brisbane Pub the Pineapple Hotel. But it is not surprising because this book has sparked weeks of debate and articles in the pages of our national newspaper The Australian. It has also received praise from one of the nations most widely read columnist, Andrew Bolt.

This is always a good question to ask if you carry more than one credit card. If you don't need more than one ( there are still some people who don't need any ) is having extra working against you financially ?

If you are considering a refinance of your mortgage then debt consolidation is an area to explore, often dealing with credit cards comes into play here along with personal loans.
Personal loans and credit cards can mean paying extra interest using your hard earned money. Are you paying too much unnecessary interest ? Could that money be put to better used elsewhere, for example paying off your home ? A refinancing can be about more than just sorting our your home loan and it doesn't have to cost you anything to find out if this the case for you.. Remember, every credible mortgage broker gives an analysis and consultation that is free.

Simple question, but it's surprising how many people don't seem to ask it.

Encouraging Children to Read


The Education Queensland publishes an annual magazine called Schools and Parents.

In 2008 there is a one page section on hints to help encourage children to read. While parents must make the final decision about what is appropriate to buy for their children to read at home it might be of interest to know there is also a grid detailing in age groups the books and authors that are popular with children, and it even denotes our local Queensland authors. If your thinking of buying a book as a gift for a child, or just looking for material they would enjoy reading then it could well be worth a look.

If you haven't noticed the magazine before why not have a quick browse online?

That old suburban ritual of the Garage Sale is a bargain hunters haven but if you're the host are you getting good value?

Here are some possible ideas from different sources that might be worth a try,
once you check the calendar and do the obvious thing of avoiding holidays and big events that either having people attending them or in front of the television watching.

Look at placement and appearance. Have your big ticket items out front were passers by can see them and be attracted to come in and look. Also take the time to arrange everything in tidy and neat piles. Make sure things work, for example if an item runs on
batteries have them available, and try and have electricity available for other items to run on. A demonstration could clinch the sale. What about working with others on a group sale, to make the whole thing look bigger and better?

Oh yes, and don't forget to have correct change, so easy to do everything else and make the early morning start and forget that one.

Do you like Japanese cuisine? Or would you like to try something a little more exotic but not too wild or spicy?

The Koh-Ya restaurant in Fortitude Valley might be a nice start. Yes, it does serve sashimi and sushi for those who like it, but those who say "yuk" to "raw fish" don't worry this is a yukiniku style restaurant. That means it's a bit like Korean BBQ, you get to cook your own food on a little BBQ plate at a specially designed table, making for fun dining in a group setting. So, as you can see it is different to your usual Japanese restaurant.

Koh-Ya isn't the cheapest tip around for dining but it's good value and quality. You can find it on Ann Street in Fortitude Valley just before the Chinatown Mall.

Now some of you may know this but sleeping with two pillows might be a health hazard. For this writer years of finding it "more comfortable" just might be why my neck is out of place and my chiropractor now has another customer. Nice guy, but good for his wallet not mine!

It's a simple thing but it can over time, according to medical experts, cause spinal problems. Does anyone in your family have this habit? Certainly, if they are experiencing stiffness or soreness anywhere along the back it is of course wise to seek medical advice.

Can't say for sure if two pillows were too much for me, but it is something worth noting don't you think?