What's your prediction on the Australian Dollar?

[drsmithy]

Compared to what? When the AUD was USD0.48?

Parity or better than parity is where it really belongs. Just wish the Reserve Bank would stop fiddling with interest rates.

Good god no, it should be back down around $0.85 so what remains of our gutted export industries can try and recover.

 

[drsmithy]

Why didn't you book it in earlier?

Blind Freddy could see this coming John

Sure, but much like exiting before the inevitable real estate crash, timing is the tricky part.

 

[blackcat20]

US92 cents is still really good. Better than back when it was around 50 cents! And everything over there is so cheap that at 92c you're still getting a bargain.

 

[whatmeworry]

The Aussie Dollar gets the Krudd bump.
$A firms on Rudd leadership vote

 

[cove]

The currency seems to be turning around a bit and I saw 0.93 a little while ago.

 

[drsmithy]

It'd be nice to get a last-gasp bump into the high $0.90s so I can buy some more USD before it tanks.

 

[Flashback]

It'd be nice to get a last-gasp bump into the high $0.90s so I can buy some more USD before it tanks.

Pun intended?

 

[JohnK]

Yes. It's a bit like interest rates.......some people think 6% is high. LOL - try paying 17.5%

They were the good old days.

When I was saving the term deposits were a tick over 15% interest. Then I started borrowing, first at 17%, then at 11-12% and then at 8%. You see the trend?

At the same time credit card interest rates have gone from 15-16% to ~22%.

I would rather have high interest rates and feel like I am getting something for my investment. I am supposed to be retiring soon and not getting anywhere with the type of returns on offer today.

 

[Flashback]

They were the good old days.

When I was saving the term deposits were a tick over 15% interest. Then I started borrowing, first at 17%, then at 11-12% and then at 8%. You see the trend?

At the same time credit card interest rates have gone from 15-16% to ~22%.

I would rather have high interest rates and feel like I am getting something for my investment. I am supposed to be retiring soon and not getting anywhere with the type of returns on offer today.

Don't move to the UK then where 1-3% (if you're lucky!!) is considered a decent rate of return...

 

[jetlagger]

They were the good old days.

When I was saving the term deposits were a tick over 15% interest. Then I started borrowing, first at 17%, then at 11-12% and then at 8%. You see the trend?

At the same time credit card interest rates have gone from 15-16% to ~22%.

I would rather have high interest rates and feel like I am getting something for my investment. I am supposed to be retiring soon and not getting anywhere with the type of returns on offer today.

Slightly OT
I wonder the realistic inflation figure in Australia at present; if one considers a basket of staple goods & basic utilities into the equation.

 

[moa999]

Think inflation might rise with the number of imported goods, particularly fuel, in the basket.

 

[drron]

Yes. It's a bit like interest rates.......some people think 6% is high. LOL - try paying 17.5%

The good old days.NSW Govt 10 year bonds paying 19%.

 

[JohnK]

Don't move to the UK then where 1-3% (if you're lucky!!) is considered a decent rate of return...

I am happy where I am. Low interest are good for home buyers but not everyone is in the market to buy.

 

[Flashback]

I am happy where I am. Low interest are good for home buyers but not everyone is in the market to buy.

Hmmm, I'm sure I could find a few posts that indicate you're not :mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

Hmmm, I'm sure I could find a few posts that indicate you're not :mrgreen:

Don't take my words literally.

I am happy in Australia. I do not want to live in Great Brittain. Not unless she was really worth it and wanted me to move there. Then I would have to think about it.

 

[drsmithy]

Think inflation might rise with the number of imported goods, particularly fuel, in the basket.

Given the prices of most goods sold here, compared to other countries, there's clearly a LOT of fat in profit margins that can be cut into.

 

[amaroo]

They were the good old days.

I would rather have high interest rates and feel like I am getting something for my investment. I am supposed to be retiring soon and not getting anywhere with the type of returns on offer today.

As a borrower - I found nothing good about it.

The home loans back then were the size of todays average CC bill.......can't imagine the devastation if interest rates start to climb in a big way.

 

[JohnK]

Decisions, decisions.

Purchase flights for later in the year now or wait?

 

[Jleno]

Decisions, decisions.

Purchase flights for later in the year now or wait?

Buy now. Most likely by next year there'll be some sort of new tax or something that will make any FX saving (or gain) totally insignificant.

 

[Hvr]

Buy now. Most likely by next year there'll be some sort of new tax or something that will make any FX saving (or gain) totally insignificant.

I agree. Have already purchased next year's flight. Got a nice JASA AKL-SYD-LAX just before the door closed on internet bookings.