This week we meet three inspirational CEOs of organisations helping those most in need during COVID 19.

Coping during Covid is hard enough if you’re an Australian resident but imagine being new to the country, struggling with the language, no job and no family support.  We learn how an organisation in South Australia is helping these vulnerable people.

And we talk to the head of a wonderful exchange program specifically for women, with resources and programs to help with any curveball life throws.

To wrap up the series, the CEO of Ecstra talks about the work of all associations who collaborate with Ecstra to help build financial wellbeing across the nation.

Guests:  

• Deb Stringer – CEO of Australian Refugee Association
• Julie Kun– CEO of WIRE (Womens Information Referral Exchange)
• Caroline Stewart – CEO of Ecstra

Credits:

• Presenter: Jeff Sparrow
• Producer: Anita Gibson
• Editing and Sound Design: Alex Smith
• Production Management Team: Vicky Rouse and Abe Killian
• Music: ‘Shot Down’ by Brooke Taylor

The Consumer Coach, your pandemic financial survival guide is brought to you by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, supported by the Ecstra Foundation and heard across Australia on the Community Radio Network.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this online series is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve maxed out your credit cards just paying for the basics, we have an expert with some suggestions on how to get back on track. 

And there’s a great new resource easily available from Good Shepherd – a new No-Interest Loan “Household Relief” which involves no credit check and could help you minimise those fast-growing debts. 

If you’ve found, like many city dwellers, that you can work from home, have you considered moving to a regional area?  Managing COVID seems easier outside the cities and you could save money and have a healthier lifestyle. We discuss the real cost, pros and cons of life in the country.

Guests:  

• Taylor Blackburn – financial expert at Finder.com
• Megan McAlpine – GM Economic Wellbeing & Enterprises at Good Shepherd
• Simon Kuestenmacher – Director of Research at The Demographic Group.

Credits:

• Presenter: Jeff Sparrow
• Producer: Anita Gibson
• Editing and Sound Design: Alex Smith
• Production Management Team: Vicky Rouse and Abe Killian

The Consumer Coach, your pandemic financial survival guide is brought to you by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, supported by the Ecstra Foundation and heard across Australia on the Community Radio Network.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this online series is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not everyone who has contracted COVID-19 has had a negative experience. In this episode we hear the story of a Sydney DJ who was among 42 guests at a NSW wedding who contracted the virus.

The advent of COVID-19 has accelerated the shift towards a cashless society but not all consumers have access to digital payments. We learn about the potential effects on the economy of a totally cashless society. 

And did you know about the ‘hardship’ clause in your private health cover?  Consumer experts CHOICE have looked at the fine print across the five biggest health fund providers.

Guests:  

• Daniel Rowntree – Sydney DJ
• Mark McCrindle – Social Researcher
• Dean Price – CHOICE Health Campaigner

Credits:

• Presenter: Jeff Sparrow
• Producer: Anita Gibson
• Editing and Sound Design: Alex Smith
• Production Management Team: Vicky Rouse and Abe Killian

The Consumer Coach, your pandemic financial survival guide is brought to you by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, supported by the Ecstra Foundation and heard across Australia on the Community Radio Network.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this online series is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may never have accessed your credit rating but lenders will have checked before signing you up for loans or contracts. Find out how important it is and what you may be able to do to improve it. 

For many people, flights and holidays have been cancelled or put on hold until borders open up again.  We talk to a travel agent who tells us the reality of getting refunds or vouchers and explains why the huge backlog in the industry. 

And in hindsight, what could we have done better as a nation to be more prepared for this pandemic?  Apparently, not too much.  We hear from an expert about the seven lessons for Australia’s health system following the Coronavirus upheaval.

Guests:  

• Stephen Mickenbecker – Finance expert at Canstar
• Gerd Wilmer – Co-owner Landmark Travel
• Anika Stobart – Associate at Grattan Institute

Credits:

• Presenter: Jeff Sparrow
• Producer: Anita Gibson
• Editing and Sound Design: Alex Smith
• Production Management Team: Vicky Rouse and Abe Killian

The Consumer Coach, your pandemic financial survival guide is brought to you by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, supported by the Ecstra Foundation and heard across Australia on the Community Radio Network.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this online series is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beware of some convincing scams around and how to check your workplace really is a safe place to return to.

Australians lost over $630 million last year to scammers and during times of COVID, the scams have become even more sophisticated. We hear about the current ones that many of us have become victims to. 

For many people, it’s time to return to the workplace but you need to ensure that all precautions are taken to keep you safe and we’ll chat to an expert in that field. 

Some industries have been so badly impacted by COVID that they no longer offer any employment opportunities and returning to your old job may not be possible.  Maybe now is the time to consider a new path and we speak to a careers advisor who will give you the confidence to try something new.

Guests: 

• Delia Rickard –  Deputy Chair of ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)
• Stephen Pehm – Occupational Health & Safety Consultant with Action OHS Consulting
• Kate Southam – Careers Writer and Advisor

Credits:

• Presenter: Jeff Sparrow
• Producer: Anita Gibson
• Editing and Sound Design: Alex Smith
• Production Management Team: Vicky Rouse and Abe Killian

The Consumer Coach, your pandemic financial survival guide is brought to you by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, supported by the Ecstra Foundation and heard across Australia on the Community Radio Network.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this online series is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can you and what can’t you claim for in your tax return this financial year if you’ve been working from home?

Doing your tax return this financial year may well be a very different task if, like many of us, you’ve been working from home.  We talk to a tax accountant about all those extras you can claim for. 

Choosing an Australian-made product over an imported version should be our priority and recently the interest in such products has doubled which has proved a wonderful boost for Australian manufacturers. 

And finally, some financial companies and insurers have not been so transparent during these difficult times and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority have received over 3,000 complaints. If you believe you have grounds for a complaint, then listen in.

Guests: 

• Justin Untersteiner – Chief Operating Officer at Australian Financial Complaints Authority
• Paula Hart – Tax accountant and business advisor for Hart Partners
• Ben Lazzaro – Chief Executive of Australian Made Campaign Limited

Credits:

• Presenter: Jeff Sparrow
• Producer: Anita Gibson
• Editing and Sound Design: Alex Smith
• Production Management Team: Vicky Rouse and Abe Killian
• Music:  ‘The Min Min Lights’ by Custard

The Consumer Coach, your pandemic financial survival guide is brought to you by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, supported by the Ecstra Foundation and heard across Australia on the Community Radio Network.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this online series is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going to back to the office and the gym – you may not want to do either but where do you stand legally?

Now you’ve got used to working from home, remembered your children’s names and walked the dog more regularly, going back to the office may not seem so appealing. There’s the commute, the formal work gear and you’ve been productive so why can’t you make working from home the norm.  We talk to a lawyer in this field who tells you if it’s negotiable with your boss. 

With gyms opening their doors soon, what’s the state-of-play with your membership?  Was it on hold, did you get a refund or did your gym ask you to keep paying a nominal fee?  Choice magazine explores the options. 

And we hear a wonderful story of a community group set up by a bunch of volunteers to help those struggling.

Guests:

• Nicola Martin – Principal in the Employment Law Group at McCabe Curwood.
• Erin Turner – Director of Campaigns and Communications from CHOICE magazine.
• Emma Davidson – Founder of Woden Region Mutual Aid group in ACT

Credits:

• Presenter: Jeff Sparrow
• Producer: Anita Gibson
• Editing and Sound Design: Alex Smith
• Production Management Team: Vicky Rouse and Abe Killian
• Music: ‘Older Then’ by Luke Daniel Peacock

The Consumer Coach, your pandemic financial survival guide is brought to you by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, supported by the Ecstra Foundation and heard across Australia on the Community Radio Network.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this online series is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we have some great information on how to tide you over during these difficult times.  The Government has moved the goalposts for accessing your superannuation early but will you live to regret it?  Where is that sweet spot on how much to take out and make your life easier?  Not all loans have to accrue interest and if you just need a little help to buy the basics, we have some experts to guide you through the No Interest Loan Scheme. 

And there’s a story that just isn’t getting the coverage it merits.  On any given day there are 150,000 seafarers across the world unable to disembark or embark their ships.  They can’t get home and they can’t earn money but who’s helping them? We’ll give you an insight into life at sea during Covid 19.

Guests:

• Effie Zahos – Editor-at-Large at Canstar
• Dean Summers – National Coordinator of International Transport Workers’ Federation in Australia
• Sandy Milne – National Manager Financial Security at Good Shepherd.

Credits:

• Presenter: Jeff Sparrow
• Producer: Anita Gibson
• Editing and Sound Design: Alex Smith
• Production Management Team: Vicky Rouse and Abe Killian

The Consumer Coach, your pandemic financial survival guide is brought to you by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, supported by the Ecstra Foundation and heard across Australia on the Community Radio Network.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this online series is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.