Paul Marshall

Growing your wealth: should you invest or save?

Whether you're striving to expand your wealth or expedite your savings for future endeavours, there are various avenues to make your money work for you. Two common methods are investing in shares or stashing your funds in a savings account or term deposit. However, determining the best approach is not always straightforward.

How natural disasters hurt us all financially - what to do before one hits

Floods, bushfires, torrential storms. These are just some of the natural disasters that can sweep communities across Australia and cause catastrophic damage. While these events visibly impact people, properties, and the environment, finances can also take a major hit.

Don’t be afraid to switch

The Big Four Banks - ANZ, Westpac, NAB and Commonwealth Bank - are notorious in the Australian financial market for commanding the largest share of both deposits and mortgage lending.

How to stop your money from going backwards

Whether you’re saving up your hard-earned cash for a holiday, car, house deposit or just for a rainy day, you might consider stashing it in a savings account to help it grow. But what if this savings strategy is actually sending your money backwards?

Can Australia handle 2023 without turning to credit cards?

In an era characterised by rising prices and stagnant wages, an increasing number of Australians are turning to credit cards as a financial solution. In fact, as of April 2023, our nation has racked up a credit card debt of $17.76 billion. Debt accruing interest is up $27 million from March, and 2.5 per cent higher than April 2022 - proving that a lot more Australians are relying on credit in today’s cost-of-living crisis. 

Financial literacy - what young people need to know

The term ‘financial literacy’ describes the combination of awareness, knowledge, skill, attitude and behaviour necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial wellbeing. A key to being financially stable, building assets and achieving personal goals, financial literacy is something everybody should have and want.

Is Australia insulated from the SVB and Credit Suisse crises?

International banks have been occupying the headlines in recent weeks, with the collapse of some of America’s biggest banks, and the industry-bail out of a European one.

Can Australia avoid a recession like we did during the GFC?

With inflation potentially peaking, interest rates rising, and economic activity slowing after its post-pandemic high, many people think that Australia’s financial situation is looking bleak. So much so, there’s been speculation that if we don’t play our cards right, we could fall into a recession.

What you can do to prepare for the fixed rate cliff

When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) slashed the national cash rate to the record low of 0.10 per cent in response to COVID-19 in 2020, many Australians made the most of these low interest rates by locking in a low fixed rate on their home loan. But with many of these fixed rate deals coming to an end this year, borrowers could find themselves struck down by severe bill shock when they’re hit with multiple consecutive rate rises all at once.

Are the Reserve Bank's interest rate rises overlooking the bigger problem?

Australian interest rates rose sharply last year as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) battled to stabilise the high inflation that’s threatening the nation.