Fantastic plastic, Aussies leaving cash behind

If fishing through your wallet for notes and coins drives you up the wall, you’re not alone. According to a new report, one in four Aussies would be happy to live in a cashless society.

Aussie car sales on the increase

Aussies are buying more new cars, with four wheel drives and similar vehicles leading the pack, according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Record scam numbers recorded

Australians are reporting a record number of scams, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s annual Targeting Scams report showing a 47% increase from 2015 to 2016.

Stats show slowdown in new dwelling approvals

Figures recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate that Australia’s total number of new dwelling approvals shrank significantly in March 2017, after having risen over the previous two months.

What the new bank levy could cost you

One surprise to come out of Australia’s 2017 Federal Budget was the introduction of a new 'budget repair' levy on Australia’s big banks.

Good debt and bad debt, how to consolidate and save

Even if you didn’t pay much attention to the 2017 federal budget, you may remember how it was presented a little differently. Rather than focusing solely on surpluses versus deficits, the federal government sorted its borrowing into "good debt" and "bad debt".

Credit card interchange fee changes, winners and losers

From 1 July 2017, new credit card regulations recommended by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will come into effect, including a cap on interchange fees – the fees that credit card providers charge banks to cover the cost of processing credit card transactions.

What is a Mortgage Discharge Fee? | RateCity

Also known as a termination or settlement fee, a discharge fee is paid when you finish paying off the balance on a loan, or refinance with another lender.

The Trump Factor, Will fixed rates protect you from volatility?

When US President Trump was first elected, a wave of uncertainty washed over the world of finance, causing investors to seek safe havens for their wealth. The 45th president’s election victory led to the price of gold breaking through the US$1300 an ounce mark, while US treasuries rose 10 points. There was also speculation that investors could start moving their money from shares to property – specifically Australian property, generally considered to be one of the safest markets in the world – as they wait to see the fallout.

Will US rate rises affect Australia?

Last night’s meeting of the US Federal Reserve increased America’s benchmark interest rate from 0.75% to 1%. Leading up to this widely-forecast increase, finance industry experts predicted that rising US interest rates may influence Australia and other countries where lenders could struggle with increased overseas funding costs, and raise their own interest rates to compensate.