Mark Bristow

The benefits of downsizing your home

Senior Australians may find that the family home is bigger than they know what to do with, and may be costing a lot to maintain. Downsizing to a smaller property may not only better suit your changing lifestyle but come with financial benefits for your household budget.

What to expect from the RBA October meeting

Three out of Australia’s four big banks are tipping another 50-point hike to the national cash rate when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board meets on the first Tuesday in October 2022. With another hike of this size likely to exacerbate pressures on household budgets around the nation, the next question is: when are Australia’s mortgage holders likely to see some rate relief from the RBA?Change

How to choose a car loan

The best car loan for you may not always be obvious. Car loans from different providers may better suit some households than others by fulfilling different needs. When choosing a car loan, it’s important to compare a variety of different options so you can be confident that you’re getting the best value for your money.

How to compare to find your best car insurance quotes

Because every Australian household is different, there is no single car insurance policy that will be the best choice for everybody. To get the best car insurance policy for you, it’s important to compare different quotes and consider which offer may best suit your needs.

5 things to consider before Australia's third La Nina

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecasted that for the third year in a row, Australia will experience a La Nina weather system. With Australia’s eastern states likely to cop an absolute drenching over the summer months, there are a few steps you could consider taking to get ready for La Nina sooner rather than later.

Some of the best home loans for investors and refinancers in September 2022

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may continue raising the national cash rate at its upcoming meetings to help combat the “scourge” of high inflation. This could make it harder for some homeowners and investors to afford their mortgage repayments, though there are still competitive home loan deals available.

Why are cars so expensive in Australia?

Most Australians are familiar with having to pay a bit more for some goods and services than they would elsewhere around the world. In the case of cars, this can be partially attributed to the higher cost of importing and manufacturing, but also to tougher regulatory and environmental conditions, as well as taxes and tariffs.

Will emission ratings affect your property value?

The Australian government’s plan to reduce carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 is set to shake up a range of businesses and industries around the country. But could this target also affect the value of your home, and what can you do to plan ahead for it?

Can you use a personal loan to buy land?

If you’re buying a block of vacant land with ambitions to build your own property on the site, you may be able to pay for it with the help of a personal loan. But there are also other land finance options available that may better suit the financial needs of some borrowers.

How much does a carport cost?

A carport can provide your car with more protection from the elements than parking on the street, in your driveway, or on your front lawn. Carports may also be less expensive to install than a garage, though their cost can vary depending on your property.