Home Loans

The value of refinanced home loans staged a small comeback in February, with ABS Lending Indicator data recording a $478 million bump.

Eden Radford -

09 Apr, 2024 -

5 min read

Home Loans

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that Australia’s annual inflation rate is continuing to decline. But will it be enough for a long-awaited interest rate cut to arrive before the year’s end?

Mark Bristow -

24 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Home Loans

The Reserve Bank of Australia is forecast to make at least one cut to the cash rate this year. Here's when the experts predict it could happen.

Eden Radford -

24 Apr, 2024 -

5 min read

Savings Accounts

How long will you be able to make the most of the interest on your savings account? With economists forecasting interest rate cuts later in the year, the days of making maximum interest returns on your wealth may be numbered. There are a few different savings strategies you could consider, which could better suit some household budgets than others.

Mark Bristow -

10 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Savings Accounts

How big a difference does your savings account interest rate really make? You may be surprised by the effect that a high-rate savings account could have on your wealth, depending on your saving strategy. Just make sure that the account you choose is one that suits your needs and can help you reach your goals.

Mark Bristow -

15 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Savings Accounts

Australia’s inflation may be falling faster than previously predicted, which could make it easier for savers to grow their wealth. However, it’s important to consider more than just interest rates when comparing savings account options.

Mark Bristow -

07 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

Australians are reportedly moving away from personal loans, in a partial reversal of an earlier uptick in lending activity earlier in the year. While new data shows a decline in personal lending overall, there are still competitive personal loans available for borrowers who know where to look.

Mark Bristow -

09 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

Data shows Australians are increasingly looking to personal loans to secure finance. However, before committing to a personal loan, it’s important to compare the available options and consider your needs to make sure you’re selecting a loan that offers the most value for your needs.

Mark Bristow -

13 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s the time of year when a lot of money gets spent on everything from grand romantic gestures to elaborate weddings. While a personal loan could offer the financial support you need to splurge on your loved ones when the cost of living is high, it’s important to consider your budget and your credit score, and to carefully compare personal loan options before you apply.

Mark Bristow -

08 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Credit Score

In Australia, only a very specific list of businesses and lenders can access your credit report - and they must only do so for specific reasons.

Eden Radford -

15 Mar, 2024 -

2 min read

Credit Score

Having bad credit may make applying for loans and credit cards feel impossible. But it is possible to recover from a bad credit score, though the length of time it will take may vary. Checking your credit report is often a good start, as is demonstrating your financial responsibility.

Mark Bristow -

28 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Bank Accounts

Do you know that lipstick sales are considered a way to know if we’re in a recession? It’s called the lipstick effect, or the lipstick index, and it’s regarded by some as a helpful way to understand how consumers are responding to an economic downturn.

Eden Radford -

25 Mar, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Cards

Credit card debt attracting interest charges has risen for the third month in a row in a sign an increasing number of households are struggling to get on top of their debt in 2024.

Eden Radford -

09 Apr, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Cards

Navigating a tough financial situation can be tricky - so to help provide some guidance, RateCity spoke to Joanne Edwards, Chief Operating Officer of Wisr, a neo-lender and fintech that is focused on improving the financial wellness of all Australians and helping them make smart decisions.

Eden Radford -

24 Apr, 2024 -

6 min read

Credit Cards

Australia’s total credit card bill attracting interest charges crept up in the month of December, hitting a total of $17.31 billion, an increase of almost $21 million.

Eden Radford -

07 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Superannuation

Gender pay gaps for nearly 5000 Australian private sector employers have been published for the first time. Whatever their industry or employer, Australian women may be able to take steps to manage the effect of the gender pay gap on their personal finances, from their savings to their superannuation.

Mark Bristow -

27 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Insurance

It may surprise no-one to learn that Australia’s cost of living has increased over the past quarter. However, it was higher insurance premiums across house, home contents and motor vehicles that contributed to some of the largest price rises. Which could mean now is as good a time as ever, to be looking carefully at your current policies and comparing some alternatives to see if you could be getting better deals.

Mark Bristow -

08 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Term Deposits

Has your term deposit been effectively losing you money in the past? With Australia’s inflation falling faster than expected, it may be getting easier to find term deposits that can keep your money from going backwards. But it’s important to compare the available options and choose a term deposit that will suit your needs and help you reach your savings goals.

Mark Bristow -

12 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Home Loans

Choosing your mortgage provider can sometimes involve as much research as locating your ideal property. After all, you wouldn’t purchase the first property you saw without looking inside, so why would you treat your mortgage this way?

Alex Ritchie -

05 Mar, 2024 -

6 min read

Home Loans

Getting your first home loan doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds. With just a little preparation, you can confidently calculate how much you can afford to borrow, what support you may be able to get, and how to make an application that’s more likely to be approved by the bank.

Mark Bristow -

29 Feb, 2024 -

11 min read

Credit Score

Shoppers find the buy now, pay later services quite attractive but before you jump in, you should know how these services work and if they impact your credit score.

Vidhu Bajaj -

15 Mar, 2024 -

5 min read

Credit Score

Is there such a thing as 'good debt' and what could it mean for your financial future?

Mark Bristow -

16 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Score

The frequency at which your credit score changes will depend on how often a bank, lender or service provider offers this information to credit bureaus, and how often a credit bureau assesses your individual credit history and payment behaviour. 

Eden Radford -

30 Jan, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Insurance

Many apartments are already covered by strata insurance, so you may not need to apply for a traditional home insurance policy to cover damage to the property. However, strata insurance may not always offer the cover you need. If you’re one of the 10% of Australians who live in apartments, it could be worth comparing contents insurance policies and other options.

Mark Bristow -

26 Apr, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Insurance

Whether you're the owner of a luxury watch or a collection of prized timepieces, you may want the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered in the event of loss or damage. Knowing some key facts about watch insurance, and being aware of some important limitations, can help make sure you’re not left high and dry.

Mark Bristow -

20 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Home Insurance

Leaving your home unoccupied beyond a certain length of time can have consequences for your home and contents insurance coverage. If you are planning on spending an extended period away from home, or know in advance that your house will be empty, then unoccupied home insurance may be worth considering.

Mark Bristow -

09 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Car Loans

If you want to keep your car running smoothly and avoid costly mechanic bills, then choosing the right fuel is important. In Australia, regular unleaded petrol (91), premium unleaded (95 and 98) and E10 are among the most common petrol choices for motorists. If you’ve seen these names on the petrol bowser without fully understanding what they mean, here are the basics to help you make a more informed choice the next time you fill up your car.

Mark Bristow -

20 Feb, 2024 -

5 min read

Home Insurance

Fire damage is typically included in most home insurance policies around Australia. If your home catches fire by accident and is damaged or destroyed, your insurance policy should cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding the property.

Mark Bristow -

24 Aug, 2023 -

6 min read

Home Insurance

Strata insurance is a legal requirement across Australia covering common property and shared areas in a building or complex. If you need strata insurance, learn all about what it is, and find and compare strata options.

Peter Terlato -

10 Oct, 2023 -

7 min read

Car Insurance

Learn more about car insurance options for seniors and Australian pensioners. Compare a range of car insurance policies all in the one place.

Alex Ritchie -

09 Nov, 2023 -

6 min read

Car Insurance

Compare car insurance options and learn more about third party property damage car insurance options in Australia. Discover how it may protect you from financial liability for damage to others' property in accidents where you are at fault.

Alex Ritchie -

17 Nov, 2023 -

6 min read

Credit Cards

Find credit cards that offer Samsung Pay with RateCity. View all product details to find the account that suits your needs and allows you to make digital payments.

Peter Terlato -

04 May, 2023 -

5 min read