Money
Planning & budgeting
Analysis
Travel tips
Airlines gear up, but how much will it cost?
Domestic and international airlines are gearing up for a flood of tourists, as well as thousands of people that have not travelled to see their families in almost two years, when borders re-open.
- by Emily Chantiri
Latest
House price rises race ahead of units
It is getting harder for apartment owners to upgrade to a house as the price gap widens, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Household debt
How to get your post-pandemic finances back on track
Four ways to avoid a financial crisis and set you on the right path to being free of debt.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Opinion
Phones
Upgrade your phone plan, or risk falling behind
Competition for your mobile phone plan dollar is intense. If you have not changed providers in the past two years, there are likely many better deals now available in the market.Â
Opinion
Financial planning
Clock ticks for planners yet to pass compulsory test
Financial advisers who have failed a compulsory knowledge test twice by the end of this year have been given until next October to pass. However, is that in consumers’ best interests?
- by John Collett
Electricity prices are falling: time to switch and save
If you have been on the same electricity plan for more than a year, chances are you can now save hundreds of dollars in a matter of minutes, simply by switching providers.
Stamp duty crimps property listings, pushing up prices
An annual land tax instead of upfront stamp duty would see more properties come to market and help restrain rising prices.
- by John Collett
Cold calls to hawk financial products outlawed
New laws soon to come into effect will better protect consumers against unsolicited phone calls from those selling financial products.
- by John Collett
Opinion
Financial planners
Tangible benefits in obtaining professional financial advice
Individuals who are in low socio-economic wealth bands – those that can least afford it – gain more from getting financial advice than those who are wealthy.
- by Paul Benson
Thousands of bank customers seek financial hardship help as lockdowns bite
The number of bank customers granted financial hardship assistance has rocketed as lockdowns in NSW and Victoria see more people working reduced hours or stood down.
- by John Collett
Opinion
BNPL
Buy now pay later benefits can be illusory
Buy now pay later platforms are proving popular, particularly with younger consumers, but are their touted benefits over credit cards illusory?
- by John Collett