Posts

Loyalty Points One Year Later: What’s Actually Worth It? (Australia)

Image
Last year, I wrote about rewards and loyalty points that you can actually feel (Read here: Reward and Loyalty Points You Can Feel ). After spending a year trying to maximize the benefits from these programs, I’ve realized that many of them are much harder to earn from once the initial sign-up bonuses and promos wear off. Take Woolies Everyday Rewards , for example. Despite our family shopping regularly at Woolies for household needs, we haven’t even hit the points needed to redeem a $10 reward after several months. Sure, they offer “boosts” to earn more points, but the catch? You often have to buy specific items that we wouldn’t normally get—too much effort for too little return. So, what loyalty programs are still worth keeping? 1. Costco: Still a No-Brainer Even if you don’t bulk-buy, the fuel savings alone justify the membership cost. I wrote about our decision to commit to Costco here: Why We Finally Committed to Costco . No gimmicks, no hoops to jump through—just solid savi...
Post a Comment
Read more

My Quest for the Best Wines Under $10 (Australia)

Image
Disclaimer: I’m not a wine connoisseur, just someone who enjoys a good glass of wine with a meal. My approach to wine is straightforward: it either falls into the category of “will drink again” or “will not.” In 2024, I embarked on a quest to find my favorite wines under $10. Surprisingly, it hasn’t been easy. While there are plenty of decent options in this price range, most have left no lasting impression. A Taste of Perspective I’ve been fortunate to try some very expensive wines, thanks to the generosity of my social circle. While I could taste the difference in quality, it’s hard for someone like me to justify the price versus the taste. That’s why I set my sights on finding hidden gems for under $10. My Top Pick of 2024 So far, my favorite find has been Dan Murphy’s Cleanskin No 49 Soft Merlot , priced at $7.99. For those unfamiliar, Dan’s cleanskin wines are unbranded but surprisingly good value. This Merlot has hit the sweet spot for me—it’s smooth, enjoyable, and pairs well w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why We Finally Committed to a Costco Membership (Australia)

Image
Disclaimer: This post isn’t about promoting Costco or bulk-buying culture. It’s simply my family’s take on why we decided to sign up for a $65/year Costco membership, despite not being fans of buying in bulk or freezing multiple portions of the same food item (we don’t have much storage space anyway). Here’s why we think the membership is worth it—especially if you live near a Costco (in our case, the Coomera warehouse). 1. Petrol Savings Costco’s petrol prices are a game-changer. While other servos can be competitive, there are swing-up days when prices spike unpredictably. Costco typically doesn’t do that. I’ve saved as much as 20–30 cents per litre—those savings add up quickly and make a big difference. 2. Affordable Eggs We’re big fans of eggs in our household. At Costco, a tray of 30 cage-free eggs costs around $10–$11. By comparison, a tray of 12 at Woolies or Coles goes for about $6. That’s amazing savings for a staple we regularly use. 3. Unexpected Finds Costco has a knack fo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Yummy Bánh mì in the Gold Coast (Australia)

Image
Disclaimer: This post is not about comparing or recommending restaurants or eateries. I am using this post to note down establishments that I have patronized and personally loved. I am sure there are many, many great Bánh mì that I have yet to try, and I hope someone will leave a recommendation or two in the comments. :) Bánh mì – I knew and enjoyed Bánh mì even before moving to Australia, but it was just one of the delicious offerings in Vietnamese eateries. However, Bánh mì seems to be an institution in Australia – people search high and low for the best Bánh mì around the country. Case in point – check out this FB group, I had a chuckle upon discovering this: Vietnamese Banh Mi Appreciation Society I will update this post as I encounter more delicious Bánh mì. Pickle n Pinch Cafe Address: 6/8 Grice Ave, Paradise Point QLD 4216 ( Google Maps ) This might seem like an unlikely place for a Bánh mì, but this cafe serves limited yet authentic Vietnamese delicacies alongside the typi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2024: Tips (Australia)

Image
If you’re an aviation enthusiast, this event is not to be missed. Without much planning, my wife and I decided to attend the airshow today (Friday, 16th August 2024). It turned out to be one of our best decisions! We originally intended to visit tomorrow or Sunday, but we had other events to attend to. Since we didn’t have tickets, we decided to park at Main Beach and walk along the beach to find the best spot for viewing the acrobatics and flybys. Official website:  https://pacificairshowaus.com/ Where to view? For free viewing, we found that the sweet spot was right in front of Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise, which is perfect as it’s just outside the fenced paid area. Where to park? Parking along Main Beach is recommended; it's free, with either 2P or 3P limits. However, you need to arrive early as many others might have the same idea. We walked about 700 meters from our car to the viewing spot, but if you’re lucky, you may find parking closer. Since the first event starts aroun...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discovering Authentic Indonesian Food in Brisbane or the Gold Coast (Australia)

Image
Disclaimer: This post is not about comparing or recommending restaurants or eateries. I am making use of this post to note down establishments that I have patronized and feel fit my definition of "Authentic" Indonesian food. I am sure there are many places that I have yet to try, and I hope someone will leave a recommendation or two in the comments. :) If Google searches and restaurant blogs are to be believed, there seems to be a great variety of options (i.e., different styles of Indonesian food) in Sydney and Melbourne, but not as many here in Brisbane or the Gold Coast. I will update this post as I get the opportunity to discover new restaurants or eateries. Sendok Garpu by Bunda Alicia Address: Shop 6/97 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City QLD 4000 ( Google Maps ) Website:  https://www.sendokgarpu.com.au/ I love this restaurant for its Nasi Padang (pick and choose dishes; they are displayed near the cashier), which is typically only available during lunchtime. The experience of...
Post a Comment
Read more

Weekend Trip from Gold Coast to Melbourne: Convenient Transport Options (Australia)

Image
This was the very first time my wife and I took a short weekend trip from the Gold Coast to Melbourne. During our planning, the questions that popped up were: How should we travel from home to Gold Coast Coolangatta Airport? How should we travel from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Melbourne Central? While Uber was the simple solution for many, we checked and realized it was rather costly. About $80-$100 for a one-way trip to the Gold Coast Airport (this was from our home in the Helensvale area, so your cost may vary depending on distance and timing) and about $60-$80 for a one-way trip from the Melbourne Airport to the city center. Thankfully, we discovered that the following solutions were both practical and economical for us. Gold Coast Airport Parking Website:  Gold Coast Airport Parking Since many of us may own cars when living in the Gold Coast, driving your own car and parking it at the airport for a short-term trip is very convenient. Don’t fret if all the pre-booking slot...
Post a Comment
Read more