Laine Gordon

"Hacktivism" is on the rise

Two-thirds of Australians think it's unlikely they will be victims of a cyber-attack, an Australian SCAN social trend survey has revealed. So much so, that fewer than half of us ever bother to change our passwords or update anti-virus software.

ATM fees hit indigenous communities hardest

A financial counselling organisation is calling for ATM fees to be scrapped in remote Indigenous communities after it was reported that some Aboriginal people were spending up to 20 percent of their incomes on ATM fees.

Why wait? Buy now with little deposit

Despite reports that Australians are living in some of the largest homes in the world, new research shows the average Aussie can no longer afford to buy the average house.

Rate cut could mean $55m boost for retail

Over $50 million per month of additional retail spending could be freed up if the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the official cash rate by just 25 basis points, new figures from RateCity show.

Watchdog names financial health risks

Consumers are being warned about financial products that pose the greatest risk to their financial health in a damning new report.

Dirty, filthy money

If there was ever an argument for a 'cashless society' this may be it; germs on money could be making us sick. New research has revealed that some bank notes contain more than six times the contamination levels of a public toilet.

Why Aussies are downsizing the dream

Australians love big houses, but research suggests that consumers are moving away from the great Aussie dream of the freestanding house on the large block and embracing higher-density living.

Could you go a year without shopping?

Many Australians are very good at buying and accumulating stuff and, unlike generations before us, not so good at re-using and repairing old stuff. But if it meant giving your bank balance – and the planet – a boost, could you go without shopping for one year?

Soggy heist: car buyers beware

Australians shopping on the used-car market are being warned against potential rip-offs as thousands of water-damaged vehicles flood the market.

Dodge the taxman to supersize your savings

How would you like a savings account with an interest rate 60 basis points (or more) above the best savings accounts on the market, that is not only delivered tax-free, but could also help to clear your mortgage years early?