Laine Gordon

Falling fixed rates a sign of what's to come?

A further drop in some fixed interest mortgage rates has fuelled speculation that the Reserve Bank will slash the cash rate when it meets on Tuesday (August 2). But consumers are being urged not to become complacent with debt levels and continue to pay down debt where possible.

The $1.3 billion credit card bill

Australian households whittled away $1.3 billion on their credit cards last year - and much of that was before they even purchased anything or paid interest. That figure is the amount Australians paid on credit card fees in 2010, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

Fancy a discount on your taxable income?

Saving money may soon become easier if a proposed Federal tax incentive gets the green light. It's a timely initiative for Australians, which are saving more of their income now than in the past 24 years, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

Is your lender trying to supersize you?

Next time you go into your mortgage or bank branch to conduct some day-to-day business, beware the smiling customer service operative behind the counter. According to a new survey, they might be out to sell you a shiny new financial product you don’t want or need but that they’ll have you thinking you just can’t live without!

Property bubble set to burst?

Whether or not you believe the ‘housing bubble’ a) exists, and b) is set to burst,

Investment property hotspots

As property investors return to the market, the Gold Coast in Queensland and Newcastle in NSW, are emerging as potential hotspots for those looking at an investment loan, according to real estate mogul John McGrath.

Government scheme helps property investors

Would the promise of $100,000 paid to you in 10 tax-free annual installments help lure you into investing in property? If the answer is yes, then maybe the government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is the right home finance service for you.

Online mortgage wars gather even more steam

Australians are embracing online mortgage products with gusto, resulting in heated competition from lenders for a bigger share of the .com lending market.

First homebuyer alert How to accelerate your deposit

There are some key ways to give your savings power a boost. Save regularly, not just here and there, make your money work, earn more than you spend and government programs and grants.

Bank gimmicks fail to win new customers

A new report from Loan Market reveals that, in spite of the Big Four banks offering everything from cash incentives to paying competitors’ exit fees, the mortgagees of Australia are largely reluctant to change lenders in their search for the best mortgage.