Laine Gordon

Renters priced-out of capital cities

Rental properties in Australia's capital cities have become too pricey for low-income tenants, new research shows.

What should you do with the rate cut?

It's the rate relief news many Australians have been waiting for, as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut interest rates by 50 basis points on Tuesday. But it will count for little if the banks fail to pass the cut on, and now millions of Australians are waiting to see what they will do.

Save $100K by switching home loans

If given a chance to get a better rate, eight out of 10 Australians say they would consider switching banks for their home loans, so why don't more of us do it?

Rate cut imminent

An official rate cut seems all but a certainty, with financial commentators tipping at least a 25-basis point reduction at tomorrow's Reserve Bank board meeting.

Five cars that held their value best in 2012

Most cars are depreciating assets, losing 14 percent per year on average in the first three years, then up to 8 percent after that, says consumer watchdog Choice.

Young drivers paying less to insure

Despite a long-held belief that young drivers make more claims on car insurance and pay the highest premiums, new research has revealed that the cost for young people to insure a vehicle is falling.

First retire, and then have kids

Forget retirement at age 65; a frugal group of thirty-somethings are retiring, relatively wealthy, to the envy of their peers.

House prices reshape the nuclear family

Forget the dream of having two kids, a border collie and a white-picket fence; new research shows the rising cost of living is reshaping the traditionally "standard" family structure.

Rental gone sour

Pet tarantulas, freeloading friends, amateur band practice in the living room; many of us have experienced living with a housemate from hell. Nevertheless a rental squeeze is pushing more Australians towards sharing leased accommodation to better afford a home in a convenient location, with more appeal and better amenities.

NSW considers pay-as-you-go stamp duty plan

First home buyers in New South Wales could be allowed to pay off their stamp duty over several years under a proposed scheme designed to kick-start the property market.