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

Car Loans

A salary sacrifice car loan is simply another term for a novated lease, in which you purchase a vehicle using your pre-tax salary. Car salary sacrifice loans are essentially three-way contracts.

Alex Ritchie -

20 Nov, 2023 -

5 min read

Car Loans

If you’re looking for a more competitive interest rate, or your circumstances have simply changed, it might be worth considering refinancing.

Peter Terlato -

10 Nov, 2023 -

7 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

If you’re applying for credit products you may be wondering how much your credit score comes into play. But did you know your credit score may impact the amount of money you’re approved for?

Alex Ritchie -

19 Jan, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Score

Australian credit reporting bureau Equifax has credit score system that could mean your credit behaviours are better reflected.

Eden Radford -

28 Jan, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Insurance

It’s important to determine the exact amount you’ll need to be insured for to cover potential losses. Understanding the nuances of home insurance can help ensure your property and possessions are adequately protected without overpaying. 

Mark Bristow -

19 Feb, 2024 -

6 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

Home and contents insurance are often mentioned in the same breath, and many insurance providers sell them as a package deal, but they are two different types of insurance that cover two different things. Whether you’re an owner occupier, a tenant or an investor, it’s important to know you’re covered with the right kind of home insurance - in fact, having insurance may be a requirement of your mortgage.

Mark Bristow -

22 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Savings Accounts

Earning the maximum interest from a savings account may require you to meet certain conditions, such as making regular deposits or minimal withdrawals. If you don’t fulfil these conditions, you may earn less interest on your savings, or even none at all.

Mark Bristow -

22 Jan, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Loans

Investing in Australian property can often prove lucrative for international investors, thanks to the high-quality lifestyle, and choice of locations. If you want to invest in Australian property, you’ll need to understand the rules and regulations governing non-resident borrowers. Before your application for a non-resident home loan can be approved, the government authorities will evaluate it.

Mark Bristow -

22 Sep, 2023 -

6 min read

Home Loans

What is a property actually worth? The answer may depend on if you were to ask a real estate agent or a valuer working for a mortgage lender.

Mark Bristow -

17 Oct, 2023 -

6 min read

Home Loans

Early repayment fees may be a thing of the past for variable rate home loan customers, but that doesn’t mean your lender still can’t sting you with other ongoing costs. It's crucial to be aware of the terms and conditions, as well as any ongoing fees, associated with your home loan. 

Alex Ritchie -

16 Aug, 2023 -

4 min read

Energy

Whether you’re trying to be more environmentally conscious, or are sick of paying through the teeth for your utilities, Australian homeowners are increasingly seeking ways to trim down their electricity and gas expenses.  

Alex Ritchie -

17 Nov, 2023 -

4 min read

Superannuation

You can access your super when you reach your preservation age if you’re no longer gainfully employed. And if you’re over 67, you can add to your super again if you’re gainfully employed. So what is considered as gainfully employed for superannuation purposes?

Jodie Humphries -

28 Jan, 2022 -

4 min read

Superannuation

Australian super laws require SMSFs to apply for an ABN. But before you set that up, you must first ensure your SMSF complies with all ATO regulations.

Jodie Humphries -

09 Jan, 2023 -

4 min read

Superannuation

If the deposits made in your superannuation are legitimate and it is a regulated fund, your superannuation is usually protected in the event of bankruptcy. Find out more.

Jodie Humphries -

01 Mar, 2021 -

3 min read

Credit Cards

If you’re regularly making online payments, you’ve likely been asked to choose between checking out with your credit card details, or using PayPal. But which option is better or more secure?

Vidhu Bajaj -

20 Jul, 2023 -

9 min read

Credit Cards

Whether you’re struggling financially, or just running a fiscal health check in preparation for the new financial year, you may be considering whether your credit card is still the best tool to make payments, or if you should switch to other methods, such as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services like Afterpay.

Alex Ritchie -

30 May, 2023 -

8 min read

Personal Loans

Personal lending is now a more tightly regulated industry than in the bad old days, when cowboy operators were able to exploit vulnerable Australians.

Nick Bendel -

11 May, 2017 -

3 min read

Car Insurance

No matter which car insurance policy you buy, you may be able to control the cost of the policy by agreeing to pay a higher excess.

Alex Ritchie -

16 Aug, 2023 -

3 min read

Car Insurance

Let’s explore the most common reasons why car insurance claims are denied, helping you steer clear of potential pitfalls.

Alex Ritchie -

23 Nov, 2023 -

4 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

Banks and lenders use your credit scores when deciding whether or not to approve your loan application. Learning your credit score may be the simplest way to identify fraudulent activity and may also encourage you to improve your rating in order to become a more viable candidate for financing.

Peter Terlato -

13 Oct, 2023 -

3 min read

Credit Cards

Having credit card debt may not be out of the ordinary, but if you’re struggling to pay that debt off, it’s worth taking a moment to figure out a game plan, and fast.

Eden Radford -

11 Apr, 2024 -

3 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

Credit Cards

Australians lost over $55 million to scams in the first two months of 2024 alone, according to data from ACCC ScamWatch, with investment scams accounting for the overwhelming majority of the money lost by victims.

Eden Radford -

13 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

While Australians traditionally go all-out splurging on gifts for Mum each Mother’s Day, this year we’ve had to tighten our belts, according to data from one of Australia’s Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) providers.

Mark Bristow -

16 May, 2023 -

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

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

The latest APRA data shows money in offset accounts hitting a record high, while mortgage arrears continue to climb.

Eden Radford -

13 Mar, 2024 -

5 min read

Home Loans

While the idea of pocketing a couple thousand dollars for switching your mortgage might sound appealing, it’s important to understand there are a number of different factors that go into choosing a loan.

Eden Radford -

26 Mar, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Loans

Major mortgage regulatory reform appears to be over, after the banking regulator revealed "the heavy lifting on lending standards has largely been done".

Nick Bendel -

12 Jul, 2018 -

3 min read

bnpl

BNPL companies will soon be forced to perform hard credit checks on customers. If your credit application is subsequently denied, this could negatively impact your credit score and your potential to access credit in the future.

Peter Terlato -

26 May, 2023 -

4 min read

bnpl

Not all Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) companies run a credit check when you sign up for memberships, and these checks may not always affect your credit score. However, your BNPL activity could still make an impact on your credit history, which could affect your chances of seeing future credit applications approved. 

Vidhu Bajaj -

14 Jun, 2023 -

4 min read

Health Insurance

Private health insurance is a heavily regulated industry. On balance, that's a good thing, because issues around health, and in particular health costs, are pretty important. But one of the downsides is that regulations change frequently and health insurance has lots of regulations that affect both the premiums you pay and your tax bill.

Laine Gordon -

02 Jul, 2012 -

4 min read

Home Insurance

Bushfire season is a regular occurrence in Australia, to the point where many of us can start feeling overconfident that we already know everything there is to know about the danger bushfires pose and how to keep our homes and loved ones safe. 

Mark Bristow -

04 Sep, 2023 -

4 min read

Home Insurance

In the face of Australia's unpredictable bushfire season, taking proactive measures for your home may better protect your family, property, and future.

Alex Ritchie -

30 Aug, 2023 -

4 min read

Superannuation

HESTA has recommended that family violence and financial abuse be added to Superannuation Industry Supervision Regulations as compassionate grounds.

Alex Ritchie -

20 Jun, 2017 -

2 min read

Superannuation

Employees don’t need to do anything with regards to the increase in super contributions. Your employer has the responsibility of making the necessary adjustments. However, it's sensible to regularly review your super payments.

Peter Terlato -

30 Jun, 2023 -

5 min read

Superannuation

Australia��_s pool of retirement savings grew by 10 per cent during the last financial year, according to APRA, the superannuation regulator.

Nick Bendel -

23 Aug, 2017 -

2 min read

Bank Accounts

The payment behaviour of Australians has changed significantly over the last five years prompting banks to now request customers call ahead if needing to draw large amounts of cash.

Alex Ritchie -

07 Jul, 2023 -

4 min read

Cryptocurrency

Intense volatility, reluctant real-world adoption and more has pushed consumer advocates to petition the newly-elected federal government to assess and identify ways to regulate cryptocurrency markets.

Peter Terlato -

21 Jul, 2022 -

4 min read

Cryptocurrency

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released information outlining what’s expected from finance influencers (finfluencers) in order to comply with financial services laws and regulations.

Mark Bristow -

21 Mar, 2022 -

3 min read

Investment Funds

The financial services regulator has taken legal advice on whether financial advisers can claim to be ��_independently owned��_.

Nick Bendel -

28 Jun, 2017 -

2 min read

Car Loans

After 18 months of research, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its recommendations for future changes and regulations for Australia��_s car retailing industry, to help protect Aussie car buyers.

Mark Bristow -

15 Dec, 2017 -

3 min read