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

Home Loans

The home loan market cooled in the month of January, with the value of new and refinanced home loans dropping for the second consecutive month.

Eden Radford -

07 Mar, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Loans

The RBA has kept the cash rate on hold for the third consecutive meeting, as Australia’s monetary policy settings work to rein in inflation.

Eden Radford -

19 Mar, 2024 -

5 min read

Home Loans

Looking for a cashback deal? They’re not as easy to come by as they used to be. With only a limited number of home loan cashback offers available for consideration, it's more important than ever to compare your options before deciding, so you can be confident you’re getting a deal that suits your needs.

Mark Bristow -

19 Apr, 2024 -

5 min read

Car Loans

Records were made to be broken, at least when it comes to Australians buying cars. As car purchasing accelerates, it’s important for buyers to carefully consider their finance options before committing.

Mark Bristow -

13 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Car Loans

In every month of 2024 so far, Australians have broken a record for the number of vehicle purchases. A general swing towards electric vehicles (EVs) and other greener vehicles has also been recorded, with fuel-efficient technologies becoming more and more popular.

Mark Bristow -

09 Apr, 2024 -

3 min read

Car Loans

Australians bought record numbers of new vehicles in January 2024, with most being SUVs and Light Commercial vehicles. However, with new emissions standards potentially on the cards, how could this affect your choice of vehicle, and in turn your choice of car loan?

Mark Bristow -

07 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Term Deposits

Could a term deposit help to safeguard part of your wealth from uncertainty? Selecting the best solutions to protect your assets and grow your investments isn’t always easy, but there are a range of options to consider.

Mark Bristow -

15 Mar, 2024 -

4 min read

Term Deposits

When working out where to invest or deposit your money, should a term deposit get a look-in? While term deposit returns may not be the highest of all investment options, their relative reliability and security could make them worth considering.

Mark Bristow -

12 Apr, 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

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

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

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

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

Credit Score

While it’s not that common, it is possible for your credit report to contain mistakes. If you think there’s a mistake on your credit report, there are steps you can take to make sure it is corrected.

Eden Radford -

12 Apr, 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 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

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

Household credit card debt rose by more than a quarter of a billion dollars in the month of January as shoppers struggled to clear their debts following a bumper spendathon in November.

Eden Radford -

07 Mar, 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

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

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

Home Insurance

Contents insurance is a form of insurance that covers your personal possessions in the event of loss, damage or theft. Many insurance providers sell contents insurance as part of a package deal with home insurance, offering discounts if you purchase both together, but it is generally also available to purchase separately. 

Mark Bristow -

13 Feb, 2024 -

5 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 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

Home Loans

Planning to invest in a holiday home? Consider its purpose, pros and cons, and how you can protect your holiday home against damage.

Vidhu Bajaj -

16 Oct, 2023 -

7 min read

Nbn

Learn more with this RateCity guide to your NBN connection box, including location, installation and troubleshooting.

Mark Bristow -

27 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Nbn

What is a good internet speed? Compare internet speeds to find the best speed tier for your needs with this RateCity guide.

Mark Bristow -

27 Feb, 2024 -

5 min read

Nbn

Learn the difference between a modem and a router for home internet and find out which one is right for you in our RateCity guide.

Mark Bristow -

28 Feb, 2024 -

2 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

Credit Cards

Credit cards can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Discover the five pros and cons of credit cards - and how to use them wisely.

Vidhu Bajaj -

25 Jul, 2023 -

9 min read

Credit Cards

From time to time, your lender will proactively ask you if you'd like to increase the limit on your credit card. But should you agree?

Vidhu Bajaj -

19 Jul, 2023 -

9 min read

Home Insurance

Older Australians, retirees and pensioners all have different challenges to face in day-to-day life. For peace of mind, it’s important to consider covering your home and its contents with a home insurance policy for seniors.

Mark Bristow -

17 Aug, 2023 -

5 min read

Home Insurance

Compare insurance policies to protect the possessions you have when you leave your home. Will your portable goods still be covered by your current contents insurance policy, or will you need to pay extra to give your portable valuables separate cover?

Mark Bristow -

15 Aug, 2023 -

5 min read

Home Insurance

Renters insurance may be a no-brainer to protect your belongings from adverse events. Compare renters insurance coverage to find an insurance policy that may suit you.

Alex Ritchie -

29 Aug, 2023 -

5 min read

Car Insurance

Because insurers often treat drivers aged under 25 differently to older drivers, it’s important to compare policies from different insurers and to consider the cost of the premiums and the excess, as well as whether the features and benefits will offer value to younger drivers.

Mark Bristow -

09 Nov, 2023 -

5 min read

Car Insurance

Comprehensive car insurance is an insurance policy that thoroughly covers a vehicle against loss or damage. When you have a comprehensive car insurance policy in place, you can be confident that most common accidents and misadventures should be covered, so your wallet shouldn’t be hit too hard if you run into car trouble.

Mark Bristow -

20 Oct, 2023 -

6 min read

Credit Cards

Google Pay is a convenient way to pay for your shopping with just a wave of your smart device. Not all credit cards offer access to Google Pay, so it’s essential to compare the choices available to you before deciding.

Mark Bristow -

05 May, 2023 -

4 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

Credit Cards

Compare a range of American Express (Amex) credit cards to help find one that suits your needs and budget.

Vidhu Bajaj -

01 Aug, 2023 -

9 min read