Latest news with #expenses
The Guardian
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Our obsession with spoiling pets has gone too far: your dog doesn't care if its collar is from Burberry
A delightfully fluffy expenses controversy emerged in Queensland in the past week. The ABC reported that the chair of a Queensland government-owned company 'faced questions' after billing the taxpayer for a hotel stay with a luxury accommodation package for his dog. The energy company chair, his 'fur-baby Vito' and his wife (unnamed) allegedly enjoyed a $500-a-night stay at the Ovolo hotel in Fortitude Valley when a board meeting obliged his attendance in Brisbane, 100km away from his Sunshine Coast home. The 'luxury pet-friendly accommodation' offered at the five-star Ovolo includes a 'super comfy' dog bed, treats, premium dog food, mealtime mat and water bowl, as well as a take-home dog toy 'because who doesn't love a present?' According to the report, although the stay last year was approved, the cost was queried by the company's operations director who feared it was 'above the state's recommended rate of $181 a night for stays in Brisbane'. The story provokes two immediate responses. The first is: should the people of Queensland really be subsidising some suit's puppycation when the state's youth justice system cries out for reform? The second response is, alas: 'Honey, grab the dog. Ovolo are doing a puppy package. We're going to Brisbane.' If the suit wants to move on from the story, I'd suggest they merely outline to the Queensland government the efficiency dividends delivered by choosing dogcommodation over the alternatives. The productivity impact on leaving one's dog behind for a business trip is considerable. The phone costs of being told by a partner on solitary dog duty at home that 'he keeps sniffing the door, waiting for you to come back' may be negligible, but consider the data costs of watching breed-specific Instagram videos from your lonely hotel room to make moony, sooky faces over. Forty-eight percent of Australian households own dogs; to those of us on the outlay for food, treats, toys, grooming, kennels, vets and puppy school, $500 seems like a rare bargain. While the suit declined to comment to the ABC, a company spokesperson said his travel with his dog involved extenuating circumstances related to 'personal family circumstances, which are private'. They said the trip complied with the corporation's policies and that he 'strongly rejected the assertions made against him'. The 'VIPooch' story isn't this nation's only political dog-indulgence expenses controversy. In 2016, it came out that the Victorian corrections minister, Steve Herbert, had used his taxpayer-funded ministerial car to chauffeur his dogs, Patch and Ted, the 97km between his Melbourne residence and his Trentham country home – notably, without him. Herbert insisted he'd done this only 'once, possibly twice', but the backlash at the time was enough for him to resign his ministry and, soon after, leave parliament. One wonders if he'd be obliged into such a dramatic apology now. In the almost 10 years since the 'dog chauffeur scandal', the century-long shift of pets from household roles of utility to those of companionship has ratcheted up rapidly. Australians have always been pet people, but we are now living in the wake of a post-pandemic pet proliferation that between 2019 and 2021 raised the proportion of Australian households with pets from 61% to a goggling 69%, marking the largest increase in decades. Australians are now – officially – more pets than people, with 28.7 million fluffy, furry, scaly and feathery pals spread across the population. (Notably, households own over 11 million fish. Someone really should tell the Ovolo marketing department.) Other western countries are similar; 94 million Americans owned a pet in 2024, which is more people than voted for Donald Trump. Half of European households are now pet owners. The existence of Petfood Industry magazine itself suggests an expanding 'pet economy' that's estimated to be worth $157bn in the US alone – yet the figures this august journal supplies are also a revelation: gen Z are building a pet empire. In 2024, 18.8 millions American households from this cohort were pet owners – a staggering 43.5% increase from only the previous year. It has long been observed that the size of every market spawns a proportional online influencer community to grift from it; the word 'petfluencer' has entered the dictionary. Those horrified by the concept of a dog-positive hotel stay should block their eyes here. Harrods will sell you a designer diamond dog collar for £500,000; 'pet-focused fashion' is a real term invented by real human beings to describe brands that hawk pet accessories from raincoats to jewellery made of precious gems and leather. 'Barkitecture' is now also a word, used in the 'designer dog house' biz; you can DIY or invest in 'doggy mansions' – even a dog castle – with a build that costs more than a human house. You can charter a private plane for your pet. Send them off to a spa. There's dog yoga, custom cakes and an 'aesthetic cat furniture solution' for those whose problems obliging it are truly beyond my imagination. The problem with late-stage capitalism is its indulgences are so extreme that fancier pet food, a BarkBox delivery or the odd commonwealth-sponsored dog chauffeur seem positively humble in comparison. As the birth rate continues to decline, 'pet parenting' has emerged as a household-building alternative, expanding the content of family, if not the definition, as a place of mutual love and togetherness. Problem is, we are making our pets the new projection surface for all the fucked-up materialistic status performance infecting us elsewhere – this time, in the most clownish of ways – because your dog does not care if its collar's from Burberry or its hotel really deserves its five-star accreditation. What makes it most like a human child, my friends, is that it just needs to be fed, needs to be safe – and to spend time with you. Van Badham is a Guardian Australia columnist
Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Dear Richard Madeley: ‘Should we refuse to shell out any more on this wedding?'
Dear Richard We've got a big family wedding coming up, and between travel logistics, kids' exams and getting time off work, it has been a bit of a mission to arrange everything. It's also cost us a fortune, from train tickets to clothes. Now we have had an estimated bill from the bride's mother for accommodation, which we expected, but also a share of the rehearsal dinner and various 'extras' including local transport costs, which we didn't. (Our son, the groom's first cousin, is DJing at the evening do, unpaid, so the least we expected was for him to be let off some of these costs, which he hasn't been.) The total is creeping up to a point where we would have seriously considered sending our apologies had we known. My husband says we should just not pay, or pay a 'reasonable' sum, as one is supposed to be allowed to do after a disappointing meal at a restaurant. It's been a while since we've been involved with anything like this so we don't know the protocols, but as far as we knew the bride's parents were doing the heavy lifting, in the traditional way (as we expect to do with our two girls). To return to the restaurant analogy, we feel as though we have moved to that awkward situation where everyone pays for their own food and the evening dissolves into bickering about garlic bread. It's too late not to go, and we want to support our nephew, but we feel taken advantage of. Must we simply submit? — Anon, via email Dear Anon, This is definitely one of the trickier letters I've received for these pages. I had to read it several times before I could start to work out exactly what's at play here. Even then, I consulted my wife Judy (she's something of an expert on wedding etiquette) before forming this reply. One. It is, as you say, perfectly reasonable to ask you to pay for your own accommodation costs. Two. I would suggest that the same applies to the dinner following the wedding rehearsal. It's not as if you're being asked to contribute to the costs of the wedding reception on the day itself. The rehearsal – a recently imported concept from the US, and pretty daft and unnecessary if you ask me – is very much a voluntary occasion. I certainly wouldn't bother going to one. But if I did, and joined in the dinner afterwards, I would expect to pay for my meal, wine etc. Three. Local transport – by which I assume you mean some sort of coach to the wedding itself, on to the reception afterwards, and then back to your hotel… yes, this does seem a little 'tight' but perhaps the bride's parents are as concerned about costs as… well… YOU are. But if you remain uncomfortable about these demands, and given you say you're committed to attending the wedding, here's what I suggest. Make your own alternative arrangements. Book your own accommodation. By all means go to the 'rehearsal', but have dinner afterwards somewhere else on your own ticket. Order local taxis on the day to and from all the various locations. But I'm still a bit puzzled by your letter. Are there other, deeper issues at play here? Some problem in your relationship with the bride's mother? #justasking!
Geek Culture
3 days ago
- Business
- Geek Culture
App of the Month: Splid (May 2025)
Good company makes for a good time, but it can also mean more work when it comes to calculating the bill. While some may find comfort in doing the math, others are often put off by the tedium of it all, especially with additional factors like multiple payees and uneven splits complicating matters. Taking the stress out of handling transactions is Splid, aptly conveyed through its tagline of 'Split bills, not friendships'. Designed to help users stay on top of their shared expenses and settle up in a fuss-free way, it touts a nifty slate of features, starting with a clean, straightforward interface that shows them who owes how much to whom after all the expenses are keyed in. There's no need for an Internet connection or account to reap the benefits, either. The app supports offline use and doesn't require sign-up to work, but going online will sync the group's spending. In more intricate cases where, say, not everyone orders the same serving or portion of food, the bill can be adjusted without being subjected to mental gymnastics. With over 150 currencies registered and the ability to automatically convert amounts into just one currency, Splid keeps up the convenience for travelling, allowing users to easily track their overseas spending and split costs while abroad. Those who want to download summaries as PDF or Excel files have to fork out a small sum of US$4.99, but otherwise, the app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for free. Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really. Android App of the Month iOS Splid
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Visitlex Highlights the Power of Daily Expense Tracking in Avoiding Financial Crises
Imagine needing to fix your car or pay for a medical emergency and realizing you don't have the money. You're not alone. A U.S. News survey found that 42% of Americans don't have an emergency fund, and nearly 40% would struggle with a $1,000 unexpected expense. Even among high-income earners, financial stress is growing. Some Americans consider that just $250 could make the difference in paying groceries or utility bills. Many problems with money happen because people don't track their spending. Without knowing where your money is going, it's easy to overspend and leave yourself vulnerable to financial emergencies. Tracking your daily expenses helps you take control, reduce debt, and build financial security. Let's explore why it matters and how to do it effectively. Why is Tracking Your Expenses Throughout the Month Important? Keeping track of every monthly expense gives you a clear picture of where your money goes. You see your cash flow in real-time when you record each payment—your morning coffee, a streaming service fee you overlooked, or a $255 online cash advance you used for an unexpected medical bill. This detail shows which costs are necessary and which ones you can trim before they create overdraft charges or high credit card balances. Regular checks also highlight patterns soon enough to make changes. If you notice that your grocery spending is already three-quarters of the monthly limit by mid-month, you still have time to adjust your meal plan instead of overshooting the budget. Reviewing expenses against your planned amounts helps you set practical limits for areas like entertainment or transport. Reliable day-by-day data supports bigger goals, such as building savings, reducing debt, or increasing retirement contributions. You can only redirect money when you know exactly how you spend it. Tracking expenses each month is not busywork; it is a straightforward way to keep daily decisions in line with your long-term financial plans. What Will Tracking Expenses Help You Do? Even if you don't see the benefits in the short term, they show over time, and you'll find out how to: Identify Spending Patterns Many people underestimate how much they spend on small purchases. A few dollars here and there can quickly add up. By tracking your expenses, you can recognize patterns, such as spending on drinks at a local coffee shop, subscriptions, or impulse buys. Set Realistic Budgets Budgeting without knowing how much you spend is like dieting without checking what you eat. Tracking your money allows you to set a budget that reflects your real expenses rather than just rough estimates. Avoid Debt Overspending leads to credit card debt, personal loans, or payday loans. When you track expenses, you can identify problem areas and reduce your expenses before you get into financial trouble. Save More If you're wondering why you can't save money, tracking your expenses will reveal the answer. Once you see where your money goes, shifting some of that spending toward savings or investments is easier. Common Financial Pitfalls That Lead to Emergencies Many financial emergencies happen because of poor money management. Here are some common mistakes that cause stress: Impulse buying. Making unplanned purchases leads to unnecessary expenses. Living beyond your means. If your lifestyle is too expensive for your income, you'll eventually face problems. Ignoring small expenses. A $5 croissant daily adds up to over $1,800 a year. Not having an emergency fund. Without savings, even small setbacks can turn into financial crises. How to Track Your Spending Effectively Here are several tips on how you can monitor your budget and save money in the long term: Use Special Apps Many budgeting apps make expense tracking easy. Some of the best include: Mint – Connects to your bank accounts and categorizes spending automatically. YNAB – Helps you plan every dollar to avoid overspending. Personal Capital – Tracks both spending and investments. Keep a Spending Journal If you prefer a manual approach, write down everything you spend. This will make you more aware of your purchases and help you control unnecessary spending. Review Bank Statements Check your bank statements regularly to see patterns in your spending. Look for subscription services you forgot about, random charges, or trends that need adjusting. Set Alerts Banks and credit cards allow you to set up alerts for purchases or low balances. This can help prevent overdrafts and fees. Budgeting Methods to Stay on Track Choose the option that better fits your financial needs: 50/30/20 Rule This simple method divides your income into three categories: 50% for needs. Rent, groceries, utilities, insurance. 30% for wants. Dining out, entertainment, hobbies. 20% for savings and debt. Emergency fund, retirement, and paying off loans. Zero-Based Budgeting With this method, every dollar is assigned a purpose. Your income minus expenses should equal zero, ensuring that all money is spent wisely or saved. Envelope System Use cash-filled envelopes for different expense categories. When an envelope is empty, you can't spend more in that category. This is great for people who tend to overspend. Cutting Unnecessary Expenses Without Sacrificing Comfort Making small changes can free up extra cash without making life difficult. Cooking at home instead of dining out can lead to significant savings. Canceling unused subscriptions is another effective way to cut costs, as many people continue paying for services they rarely use. Coupons and cashback apps like Rakuten and Honey can help save money on everyday purchases. Shopping smarter by planning grocery trips and avoiding impulse buys can prevent unnecessary spending. Why Emergency Funds are Important for Your Financial Stability? An emergency fund is essential for preventing financial crises by covering unexpected expenses such as medical bills or car repairs. Having one ensures you don't rely on credit cards or loans in emergencies, reducing financial stress by providing a safety net. It also helps you stay on track with your budget. You should save enough to cover three to six months' living expenses. Start by setting aside small amounts and gradually build your fund over time. Build Long-Term Financial Security Through Smart Money Management If you want to avoid stress, make money management a habit. Here's how: Keep learning. Read books, take online courses, or listen to finance podcasts. Set financial goals. Short-term (pay off debt) and long-term (buy a house, retire comfortably). Review your budget regularly. Adjust it as needed based on changes in income or expenses. Automate savings. Set up automatic transfers to your emergency fund or retirement account. Bottom Line Keeping track of your daily expenses might seem small, but it can save you from big financial headaches. When you know where your money goes, you can spot problems early, cut unnecessary costs, and build a safety net for emergencies. It's not about giving up everything fun. It's about being smart with your cash. A simple habit like tracking your spending can help you stay in control, avoid debt, and reduce stress. So, grab a notebook, use an app, or check your bank statements regularly. A little effort today can keep your finances strong and secure for the future. Media Contact Company Name: Visitlex Contact Person: James Smith Email: Send Email City: New York Country: United States Website:
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Can You Raise a Family Without Sacrificing Retirement?
Navigating retirement planning has many different avenues. One path with many unknowns is the path that includes raising a family. With the added complexity of raising children many unexpected costs arise. Medical and educational expenses easily top some of the most expensive costs a parent or guardian may face. Neither is something to ignore and costs differ greatly between individuals. Depending on the size of the family and living conditions, the cost of housing, grocery expenses, clothing and general day to day costs may increase significantly. The drain on income piles up rather quickly and sometimes, it seems, without an end in sight. Add in the cost of saving for retirement and this becomes a daunting task. Balancing Parenthood and Retirement A middle class family can expect to spend over $300,000 to raise one child to age 18. When considering the cost of raising one child, let alone multiple, foregoing retirement plan contributions seems like the quick and easy solution. In fact, this is in direct contrast with the correct path to take. When considering the financial standpoint of the parent's retirement account, continuing to contribute is paramount. If the individual does not continue to contribute, the value of time invested in the market is lost, dollar cost averaging loses its benefit, and any employer match offered is left on the table to name a few negative affects this has. These valuable tools remain unused, and the balance of the retirement plan suffers greatly. Moving beyond the initial cost of raising a child, higher education costs typically come prior to the parent/guardian retiring. With this timeline, one may consider this a more urgent cost than saving for retirement. Often the parent may stop contributing to pay for higher education or even take a loan or withdrawal from the accounts. This can be detrimental to the health of the retirement plan. Reducing the amount of contribution loses the benefit of compounding returns; the loan amount is no longer invested and must be paid back. If not paid back, the withdrawal may have high tax consequences. Keep in mind the child has time on his/her side to pay for the loan, save for retirement and enjoy an overall prosperous life, while the parent will run out of time much sooner to pay for retirement. Once retired, income mainly ceases and so does the ability to add funding to retirement accounts. If the loan is not paid, typically it will be considered a distribution. The child's education may be paid for but the parent is left eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and not by choice. Consider the benefit of having a child work. The child can help to pay for extracurricular activities or general spending money. This teaches the child important money management skills necessary for later in life. Simple tasks like walking the dog or mowing the lawn that a person may pay a company to do can become the child's task. This helps develop not only self confidence in the child, but can potentially teach entrepreneurial skills. Careful budgeting and small sacrifices coupled with ongoing savings for both retirement and potential higher education costs as early as possible will have a snowball effect on long term goals. Deviating from constant retirement savings will easily derail the happy and comfortable golden years so many people look forward to. As always, it is important to consult a tax or investment professional before making these important decisions.
