$5,000 AUD = $4,479.00 USD
Crazy stuff.
Back when I used to purchase my collectible model cars from Ebay, the exchange rate was about 60 cents for every one of our DownUnder Dollars (DUD money as I used to call it).
On a model car, I could pick them up for anywhere between 70-100 USD. Plus shipping (which was about 30 USD, priority air usually), so $100-130 USD.
So about $167-217 in DUD. Scary. But I was a collector 
Right now, the same car, including shipping would cost closer to $112-$145 in DUD. Which is not really so much of a dud any more
That’s a saving of $55-72 PER MODEL.
And when I have close to 20 cars.. man I was a sucka!
katie said,
October 9, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
Damn it now would be the time to visit America eh! Hmm…Maybe we could do some volunteer work there…
vanwall said,
October 10, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
Lemme know if you come over to the Left Coast - dinner for two on me.
ScottyB said,
October 10, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
PMSL @ volunteer work again Kate! This is the new fixation eh, babe?
V,
Cheers mate. Should I ever end up over there, I’d definitely be up for that
katie said,
October 13, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
Well Vanwall, I for one would love to visit America, in fact I would go anywhere! Scott, on the other hand, he needs a little more persuasion! Work on it for me??
Vanwall said,
October 13, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
I can send men with guns, if that would help.
Working your way across the Pacific on a tramp steamer might be colorful. Seriously, keep an eye on the exchange rates and you never know. AMVIV is next March in Las Vegas. HeHe!
ScottyB said,
October 14, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
Go easy on me V.. I get enough traveling pressure from Katie
A house deposit isn’t getting too much priority at the moment I gotta say! 
katie said,
October 14, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
Noo houses are so boring. They stay in the one place! Why buy a house when you can see the world!!!!! Just teasing you
In any case we have to go somewhere in November for our one year. That’s a definite. Those things only happen once a year you know!
Vanwall said,
October 15, 2007 @ 7:09 am
Don’t get happy feet too quickly. Scotty’s right about a house, as long as you buy on this downside at a reasonable rate and intend on sticking it out for while. A base of operations is a handy thing - buy land, they’re not not making it anymore.
ScottyB said,
October 15, 2007 @ 11:41 am
See Katie - V also talks a lot of sense
V - its becoming popular out here to buy parking spaces too. You can purchase parking spots in Sydney now for about $65,000. Experts are saying they are selling like hotcakes for people’s futures. And that in 5 years they’ll be worth triple that - not too shabby and believable when you consider they bought them for next to nothing 5 years ago..
Buy some space?!
Vanwall said,
October 16, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Yeah, try buying a parking space in NYC - half a million, if you’re lucky. I’m glad San Diego ain’t like that. My wife & I sucked it up and ate mac & cheese for a few years B4 and after buying a house. I’m not speculating with it, I’m here to stay, so the latest ups & downs aren’t any worry right now. I’m just glad I’ve got a yard and a garage.
ScottyB said,
October 18, 2007 @ 12:04 am
Half a million for a parking space. Yikes!