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

Being mindful of your financial habits can make a big difference to how easy or hard it is to keep your credit score at the top end of the band. Here are four of the top ways to maintain or grow a good credit score:

Mark Bristow -

15 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Credit Score

If you know a thing or two about personal finance, you’ll likely be aware that typically only those who have excellent credit scores are offered the most competitive credit products.

Georgia Brown -

23 Jun, 2023 -

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

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

Home Insurance

Renting out a room in your home can be beneficial in a number of ways - it can help you earn extra income to put towards household bills or mortgage payments, and it can even be a way to make use of a space that’s sitting dormant. That said, if you are considering becoming a landlord, even on a small scale, then it’s important to understand the legal requirements and the workings of the rental market, as well as how renting out a room could potentially affect your home and contents insurance. 

Mark Bristow -

09 Feb, 2024 -

5 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

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 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

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

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

Energy

ActewAGL, partly owned by the ACT government, is among the few retailers offering both electricity and gas plans in Canberra.

Jodie Humphries -

27 Jun, 2022 -

7 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

Savings Accounts

Most Australian women are struggling to save money on a regular basis. ANZ research found that 56 percent of women do not save money on a regular basis, with 58 percent of women having less than $5,000 in their savings accounts.

Laine Gordon -

01 Feb, 2010 -

3 min read

Savings Accounts

Christmas is the time of year when our hard-earned dollars can rapidly dwindle away, leaving us short of funds for presents, work parties and an array of social events. Without budgeting and saving, for what is usually the most expensive time of year, we can end up with credit card debt that we are still paying off in the New Year.

RateCity -

09 Dec, 2008 -

2 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

Credit Cards

From 1 July 2017, new credit card regulations recommended by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will come into effect, including a cap on interchange fees _ the fees that credit card providers charge banks to cover the cost of processing credit card transactions.

Mark Bristow -

03 Apr, 2017 -

5 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

Personal Loans

Choosing between a personal loan and a credit card can be a tough financial decision. Let’s explore whether a credit card or a personal loan may be better for your specific financial goals. 

Alex Ritchie -

13 Dec, 2023 -

4 min read

Personal Loans

Big 4 Banks face government review

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

Car Insurance

Even if you buy comprehensive car insurance, some incidents may not be covered, such as breakdowns. Consider checking all exclusions when purchasing the policy.

Alex Ritchie -

14 Aug, 2023 -

4 min read

Cryptocurrency

Currently, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency exchanges are legal in Australia, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and even Dogecoin. But what legal protections are in place for crypto traders, and could that change in the future?

Alex Ritchie -

27 May, 2021 -

4 min read

Investment Funds

Before you start up an SMSF, you'll have to ask yourself if you're prepared for the responsibility, work out an investment strategy and seek out help from others.

Laine Gordon -

29 Jun, 2014 -

3 min read

Bank Accounts

Ways to slash your banking costs

bnpl

Given the lack of regulation surrounding BNPL, you may be able to open multiple accounts with different providers. However, this may not be a sensible practice as it might be difficult to keep track of all your debts and you could miss payments, potentially resulting in late fees and charges.

Peter Terlato -

14 Dec, 2022 -

3 min read

Health Insurance

When you start your health insurance comparison, here are a few simple questions to have in mind.

RateCity -

16 May, 2012 -

2 min read