Laine Gordon

The savings account checklist

You may have made the decision to move your extra money into a savings account but don't congratulate yourself just yet. At first glance it may appear that all savings accounts are created equal, they all help you work towards your goal by providing interest payments on your total.

Five smart room fixes to boost your home sale

If you’ve ever inspected a home to buy, you know that a fuss-free well-presented property is a far more attractive proposition than one with wonky guttering or musty old carpet. So if you’re on the selling side of the equation, making cosmetic improvements and smart repairs can help you sell your home faster at a higher price.

Credit card rewards: are they right for you?

In the age of online shopping and what seems to be becoming a cashless society, it would be hard to get by without a credit card. But what about credit cards that offer a rewards program? Are they as valuable as your lender would like you to believe?

How to retire gracefully

With the May 13 government budget announcement looming, there is lots of speculation surrounding retirement as Treasurer Joe Hockey casts an eye over the age pension, retirement age and superannuation – so what can you be doing to set yourself up for retirement?

How to sell your home while buying a new one

Whether you are upsizing or downsizing, the process of selling your home and juggling home loans, while buying a new one, can be fraught with stress and unwelcome costs.

Negative gearing update

There have been calls for its abolishment in the past, and now reports suggest the federal government is at least considering changes to negative gearing.

How to use credit cards the smart way

You'd be hard-pressed trying to book a holiday or make a purchase online without a credit card. Even in the offline world, credit cards are wonderfully convenient and allow you to carry around less cash. But there is a not-so-smart and a smart way to use them. These are the smart ways.

Is now the right time to fix?

To fix or not to fix? Latest inflation figures have changed the outlook for interest rates in Australia.

Are these the world's wackiest ways to save?

From reusing tea bags to freezing credit cards in a brick of ice - these tips could help you save money, and even win some!

Fixed rates rise further in November

A growing number of institutions are increasing the interest rates on their fixed home loans - a move that shows their hand on where they think the market might be heading.