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While many of us would have spent recent years in angst over money, research suggests that the number of Australians with more than $US1 million in investable assets, excluding the family home, has hit a high.
Plastic surgery gives the economy a lift
Forget tough economic times; Australians will spend around $850 million on cosmetic surgery this year, research suggests.
You can buy a pair of jeans, a designer watch, and even a flat-screen TV on lay-by. In fact, there are not many large purchases you can't put on a payment plan these days.
Millions of dollars remain unclaimed
Australians could be $636 million richer if they came forward to claim their missing money. That's the size of the pool in unclaimed bank accounts, share dividends, deceased estates, lost life insurance and more, currently awaiting collection by their rightful owners.
How much should you spend on a ring?
Jennifer Hawkins' engagement ring cost a reported $200,000, while Brad Pitt forked out a whopping $500,000 for Angelina's diamond, according to reports.
How to cut your grocery bill in five ways
A $5 punnet of berries left moulding and forgotten in the back of the fridge, a lettuce languishing in the crisper and half of your famous lasagne now destined for the trash.
Beat the carbon tax and avoid rising power bills
Household power bills are set to rise by hundreds of dollars per year in time for winter, according to reports. And while the federal government insists that household compensation more than covers the additional costs imposed by a price on carbon, why wait for that?
Some celebrities work their way up to a life of fame and fortune, but others are born to be stars.
Savers may be the winners in the bank funding wars; with interest paid on cash accounts continuing to outstrip returns from the share market. But new research shows that many loyal customers, who have long held savings accounts with a single institution, may be coming off second best.
Where are the savings rate hikes?
Banks have failed to pass on interest rate increases on savings accounts, despite lifting mortgage rates independently of the Reserve Bank move earlier this month, new research shows.
When saving too much is a bad thing
You may have heard the advice, "the more you save, the more you earn", but is that necessarily true? Can putting too much into your savings account be a bad thing?
How to avoid the trap of living pay-by-pay
For some it seems that as soon as we receive our pay it isn't long before we see our bank balance rapidly decline and we can't wait for our next payday to come. But if you look at where your money goes and what you can cut back on, you may be surprised. And what's more, it's simple and will help you reach your savings goal sooner.
Get back in the black this party season
We are well and truly into summer and fast approaching the party season. With the endless Christmas parties and New Year's Eve, these are undoubtedly the year's busiest months on the social calendar.
Say goodbye to debt: six tips for a clean slate
For most of us, our mortgage is the biggest debt we'll carry through much of our adult life. But debt comes in all shapes and sizes – furniture or appliances bought on interest-free loans, mounting credit card debt and massive car loans are all symptoms of our buy now pay later consumer mentality.
Hate paying fees? Here's how to avoid them
Bank fees are one of the certainties of life. They come under various names and guises, across pretty much every aspect of banking, so it's no wonder Aussies often cite fees as the primary reason for their mistrust of banks.
A parent’s guide to raising savers not spenders
Our money habits begin young. Learning the value of saving at a young age can help children grow into regular savers as adults. But instilling a savings mentality into your children isn’t always easy.
Australians have weathered the global financial crisis, rising interest rates, and staggering debts over the past few years and despite this, frugal savers have come out of winter with more savings than ever. For those wondering how you can best put your cash to work for the new season, here’s a handy guide that your wallet would love.
Savings goals and how to kick them
With almost $500 billion in our collective bank accounts, according to Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Australians are serious savers.
Fancy a discount on your taxable income?
Saving money may soon become easier if a proposed Federal tax incentive gets the green light. It’s a timely initiative for Australians, which are saving more of their income now than in the past 24 years, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.
The ins and outs of pocket money and saving
Teaching your children financial literacy at an early age creates behaviours that will carry them throughout life and effective lessons can be as simple as managing pocket money or a savings account.
Savings accounts: the little guys make a comeback
When considering a new savings account from a field of lenders, the majors often stand out from the pack while the little guys barely get a look-in. But increasing competition means these smaller lenders are vying for your attention, offering unbeatable deals.
RBA urges Australians to save during mining boom
The governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Glenn Stevens, is urging Australians to keep their funds in savings accounts while the domestic economy adjusts to the mining investment boom.
The art of saving and how to do it right
Saving might seem an almost impossible task in the face of constantly rising consumer prices, but mastering the art of saving is easy when you are armed with handy tips and a good online savings account.
Don't get trapped by your savings plan
In a society where credit is easily available, saving can often be neglected. Having a good savings record, however, is crucial when it comes to securing a loan or even applying for a credit card. While as a nation we are now saving more than ever, your savings plan can be derailed if you don't pay attention to common traps when trying to save.
Don't let your savings account leave on a honeymoon
When the internet started an online savings account revolution, it changed the way we saved. Interest rates on these accounts have gradually increased, so it's not surprising that recent Reserve Bank of Australia data reveals household savings mimics that of the mid-1980s.
