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

Credit Score

Just as a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, an excellent credit score can begin when you’re young. Your track record of managing money can have long-lasting repercussions later in life, making it important for young Australians to start building positive credit habits as soon as they are able.

Mark Bristow -

20 Jun, 2023 -

5 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

Bank Accounts

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.

Paul Marshall -

18 May, 2023 -

7 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

Home Insurance

Insurance premiums have risen significantly over the past year, thanks to the combined effects of natural disasters and rising building costs. With pressure building on households already struggling with the cost of living, it’s becoming more and more important to compare the cost of home insurance policies.

Mark Bristow -

14 Aug, 2023 -

3 min read

Home Insurance

Australian energy experts are worried that heatwaves this summer could push the nation’s power grid to the limit. With many of us relying on air conditioners to stay cool, can we be confident that our household appliances are covered by insurance if disaster strikes?

Mark Bristow -

11 Oct, 2023 -

4 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

Term Deposits

If you're thinking about squirrelling away some of your hard-earned savings this winter, you may want to take this opportunity to explore different term deposits offering attractive rates.

Peter Terlato -

06 Jun, 2023 -

2 min read

Term Deposits

Australians concerned about how shifting interest rates could affect their savings in 2024 could consider locking in a term deposit interest rate. However, it’s essential to carefully compare term deposits before you commit to help ensure your choice matches your personal goals and financial needs.

Mark Bristow -

16 Jan, 2024 -

3 min read

Car Loans

If you’ve been on the fence about going electric due to the higher cost of many electric vehicles (EVs), MG has launched a new entry-level electric hatchback with the goal of putting electric motoring within reach of more everyday Australians.

Mark Bristow -

10 Aug, 2023 -

3 min read