What will you do with your $950?

[Howard Littlejohn]

My main options are to pay down debt or buy shares. I'm considering buying a new laptop, though I doubt it's a wise option.

The laptop will have no resale value in 12 months, but at least you would be using it. The shares will have no value, and can't be used.
Paying down debt is the smart move from an individual or household point of view; but KRudd is hoping it will be used to finance even more debt (it all counts to GDP and extends a retail job by a week) - the very thing that got us into this mess to begin with.

I won't be doing anything different with mine. Not a good time to invest in anything, and I don't have any spending needs I couldn't already cover.

 

[Artie Bucco]

Paid off this semsters Hecs debt feels good to be Hecs free, not really helping the economy but considering a 20% discount on early payment was way too good to pass up

 

[Damon_3388]

I already got $1,000 in December, but I'm disappointed that I might not be getting the $950 here. I didn't put in a tax return in 2007/08, because I didn't have a job then (and still don't), so the way I read it, I'll be missing out, despite being among those that really need it IMO.

I'm a 21-year-old university student who gets only $154.82 a fortnight from Centrelink for Student Allowance (I live with one parent who earns maybe $35,000 before tax), and I have to use this for everything besides food, and it doesn't go very far really. Despite repeated attempts to get a part-time job to supplement this, I've only been successful in obtaining one Christmas Casual position this past summer in 3 years out of high school. I apply for absolutely everything that is going as well, and am very willing and able to work as well, so it's not like I'm not trying. When I notice people working at the checkouts at local supermarkets that can't even add up the correct change, it really frustrates me further that I can't seem to get a simple part-time job, despite being an intelligent and capable young person. I know that it's tough for anyone to get any job in the current state of things, but still, that doesn't ease the frustration any.

I don't drink, smoke or do drugs at all (never have, never will) so I wouldn't just be blowing this bonus on trivial stuff like that either (like you might assume most young people would). I used my last bonus to make sure I had enough money for text books for university this year, as well as saving some for a car of my own. I think I need it much more than someone who is earning $60,000 a year already, and I'm disappointed that it looks like I won't be getting it

 

[Karl Pilkington]

Will spend it on speed and weapons probably.

 

[year of the roo]

What's with all the whinging from the people who aren't getting it but apparently 'need' it? The purpose of the hand-out isn't to help out struggling Australians. It's to help out a struggling economy.

 

[Damon_3388]

What's with all the whinging from the people who aren't getting it but apparently 'need' it? The purpose of the hand-out isn't to help out struggling Australians. It's to help out a struggling economy.

I understand what the aim is, but there are many out there who are genuinely relying on this to further help them make ends meet, whether it be to pay off debts or whatever, and couldn't care less if they boost the economy with it or not. Not everyone is just taking it as pocket money to blow on booze and laptops.

 

[iDon]

JUst try harder to get a job Damon. Bar jobs, working in supermarkets etc are some of the most basic jobs that any one can get especially those in uni. Instead of complaining be productive and go and get a job.

 

[Cousin Jed]

I will do as Rudd tells me to do and spend it.....

In England, then France, then Spain if by chance I still have any left.

How do you like them apples Kev.

 

[Damon_3388]

JUst try harder to get a job Damon. Bar jobs, working in supermarkets etc are some of the most basic jobs that any one can get especially those in uni. Instead of complaining be productive and go and get a job.

I'll repeat this again - I've been applying for absolutely everything going for 3 years, and all I've gotten out of it is one Christmas Casual position this past Summer, and one other interview. I'll do pretty much anything. I'll sweep the floor if someone will pay me to do it. Short of getting on my knees and begging for a job, it's not possible to try any harder than I already am.

I don't know how everyone else seems to get part-time jobs so easily, and it trully frustrates me that I can't, seeing as I'm a capable and intelligent young person who is very willing and able to work.

 

[Artie Bucco]

I'll repeat this again - I've been applying for absolutely everything going for 3 years, and all I've gotten out of it is one Christmas Casual position this past Summer, and one other interview. I'll do pretty much anything. I'll sweep the floor if someone will pay me to do it. Short of getting on my knees and begging for a job, it's not possible to try any harder than I already am.

I don't know how everyone else seems to get part-time jobs so easily, and it trully frustrates me that I can't, seeing as I'm a capable and intelligent young person who is very willing and able to work.

Fix your resume, make sure you're presentable and work on your interview skills...if you're intelligent as you say these can be the only three things holding you back.

 

[Damon_3388]

Fix your resume, make sure you're presentable and work on your interview skills...if you're intelligent as you say these can be the only three things holding you back.

I'm not trying to make myself out to be some sort of genius (I'm just doing a regular BA at uni, nothing mindblowing), but I think I'm pretty smart overall, and when there is a number of people in local supermarkets who can't even do simple stuff like Grade 2 Maths and add up change (even when the amount is shown on the screen in front of them), it frustrates and confuses me how they can get a job and I can't.

I know there definitely wouldn't be any issues with my appearance (I'm pretty much as clean cut and innoffensive as they come I'd think), and I'm fine with interview skills as well, so it must be the resume. I think the issue with that would be that there simply isn't much on there relating to past experience, because I haven't had too many jobs in the past. I'll have a look and see if I can re-work things on that end, keep trying as always, and see what happens.

 

[Stakerz]

It will go towards my car, maybe some nice rims.

Hopefully, anyway.

 

[Artie Bucco]

I'm not trying to make myself out to be some sort of genius (I'm just doing a regular BA at uni, nothing mindblowing), but I think I'm pretty smart overall, and when there is a number of people in local supermarkets who can't even do simple stuff like Grade 2 Maths and add up change (even when the amount is shown on the screen in front of them), it frustrates and confuses me how they can get a job and I can't.

I know there definitely wouldn't be any issues with my appearance (I'm pretty much as clean cut and innoffensive as they come I'd think), and I'm fine with interview skills as well, so it must be the resume. I think the issue with that would be that there simply isn't much on there relating to past experience, because I haven't had too many jobs in the past. I'll have a look and see if I can re-work things on that end, keep trying as always, and see what happens.

Fair enough. In future, once you find out you don't have the job, ask for the reasons why you didn't get the job, or why those that were chosen did. If you're doing anything wrong or simply not doing enough, you'll find out.

Anyway good luck with it

P.S. It doesn't hurt to apply and be pesky to the businesses in the field that you're studying. Just because you're not qualified yet, doesn't mean you have to work at Coles, Maccas etc. Explain your situation, say you're keen etc and if they could give you some part time work.

 

[Reasonable]

I'm not trying to make myself out to be some sort of genius (I'm just doing a regular BA at uni, nothing mindblowing), but I think I'm pretty smart overall, and when there is a number of people in local supermarkets who can't even do simple stuff like Grade 2 Maths and add up change (even when the amount is shown on the screen in front of them), it frustrates and confuses me how they can get a job and I can't.

I know there definitely wouldn't be any issues with my appearance (I'm pretty much as clean cut and innoffensive as they come I'd think), and I'm fine with interview skills as well, so it must be the resume. I think the issue with that would be that there simply isn't much on there relating to past experience, because I haven't had too many jobs in the past. I'll have a look and see if I can re-work things on that end, keep trying as always, and see what happens.

Post a pic of yourself.

 

[Atavistic]

I'm not trying to make myself out to be some sort of genius (I'm just doing a regular BA at uni, nothing mindblowing), but I think I'm pretty smart overall, and when there is a number of people in local supermarkets who can't even do simple stuff like Grade 2 Maths and add up change (even when the amount is shown on the screen in front of them), it frustrates and confuses me how they can get a job and I can't.

I know there definitely wouldn't be any issues with my appearance (I'm pretty much as clean cut and innoffensive as they come I'd think), and I'm fine with interview skills as well, so it must be the resume. I think the issue with that would be that there simply isn't much on there relating to past experience, because I haven't had too many jobs in the past. I'll have a look and see if I can re-work things on that end, keep trying as always, and see what happens.

That's probably the sticking point, but you can get around that by highlighting your strengths and how they relate to the job you're applying for. I had no luck getting work while in uni and it took me six months from graduation to get a job. Thankfully it was a kickass job and I've been employed for the last five years.

Some TAFE teachers helped me out greatly with my resume and applications. If you want me to I can email you a basic layout of the applications and resume they had me doing. It was vastly improved on what I had been doing before and also much better than a lot of the stuff I've seen in job application how-to books.

It's definitely the quality of the applications, not the quantity, that counts.