Bought a house in 2006 and a year and a half later sold it for a profit... no talent behind it, pure luck. The profit was spent on our trip (we travelled) and on starting out in Australia.

Since then, the original house money has been invested, doing well and that is now good(ish) judgement than luck. I am renting so I haven't "spent" the house money on property. Well not yet anyway. It cheaper for me to rent and I don't need the emotional security or tie of owning my own property.

Start with a book called Rich Dad Poor Dad.. its a dead easy read (not suggesting anything by that btw! LOL!) and it can make you look differently at money issues and life in general.. There are books that follow on from it and it is great for people who are starting to look at making money by other means (ie, not just working for a living).

If that works for you or not, then try The Richest Man in Babylon. Its worth a little of your time, promise! lol!

Good luck with your move.

Em x

PS Neither are "get rich quick schemes" btw.. from my experience, there is no such thing unless you win the lotto or a rich Aunt favours you on her death bed!

Nobody really offers advice on this website, it is merely their own personal experience and point of view. If it is offered as advice, then you choose to take what you like and leave the rest.

Originally when we first contemplated emigrating, the internet wasn't even born. We wrote to NZ house in London for the 'pack' and a large document arrived with general information and lots of forms to fill and that was that. No research as such, other than books from the library. We didn't end up going on that occasion.

I love the internet, its like having a huge, mega library in my living room and I personally have found other peoples comments and experiences valuable in assisting with my own decision to move - but it was that at the end of the day - my own decision.

I have to say that we did a bit of both. Once we made the decision to move though, nothing was going to stop us. We were not great savers back then either. We really felt like we were living in limbo with the daily living and going to work was a struggle for us, when our heart wasn't in it. Ambivalence is a difficult state to live in, and it has been much easier for us to focus on putting 100% into our new lives because this is exactly where we want to be.

i think you first establish a budget you can save to

You then establish where best that budget can be spent. Some major decisions/choices require harder work but could save you $000's

The main items:

• Obtaining Visa - use agent or self
• Furniture & contents - leave or ship
• Arrival hostel/tent v short term accomodation

There was a sticky thread a few years ago about people offering assistance to new arrivals for different states/cities and what they would offer ie pickup from airport, few nights accomodation, cup of tea & chat etc.

For those on a really tight budget you need to express why it is so much of a must do exercise. Then you may find alot of people put their hands up to help out.

Some costs could be the same without moving country ie moving residence

• Rental bond first month in advance
• Establishment costs of utlities etc
• Initial shops ie house cleaning materials that you dont necessarily buy each shop but need on the first shop.

Glad you haven't regretted it.

We got a temporary visa sponsored by a multinational who gave us $8000 towards relocation and paid all our visa costs
they are now paying for our pr visa

ours is the easy way

Sold my body and made a fortune but the missus's coffers were nearly empty so she came on my profits.

I came here by myself so my expenses were a bit lower than some of the other people but still dear (international student tuition sucks! )= .) I funded my education through Canadian student loans, approximately 18k of savings, and thankfully the blessing of my immediate (we're talking parents, sibling, grandparents) family who offered to lend me the remaining amount for my studies. Living wise so far, I've managed to get by alright by usually working 2 very-part time jobs (worked at a private Uni).

I just came back from a 3.5 month holiday/graduation break where I again worked a lot of overtime to help fund my move down to Melbourne (flight tickets, drove down in a rented car and lived in a hostel). However, whatever I saved then is pretty much all poof! But I'll be able to manage hopefully. I'll be tight but not completely flat out broke

Theli, have you seen the Canadians Moving to Australia thread? There are actually quite a few of us here. Do a search and you should be able to find it.

Congratulations on your finishing uni btw.

Hi gabyjane my girls are 18, 16 and 4 my boys are 13, 8 and we have just had a new little boy, number 6 who is 8 weeks old and an illegal immigrant right now ! As we are not permanant res yet. We were told had one of us been permat the time of his birth he would have had automatic citizenship ?

Thanks Dorothy! Searching for the thread right now

I just turned 26 & with my new bride flying around July 2010. Not great savings though don't find it that hard as my other half has close relatives settled & most importantly willing to extend

Your baby is not an "illegal immigrant" right now. You simply need to contact DIAC to have him added to your visa. And yes, if you had been permanent residents then he would have been a citizen from birth.

Here you go... http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...g+to+australia

thanks for that I'll get on to it tommorrow