Mark Bristow

Working from home? ATO says to make your tax work right

Tax time doesn’t mean you can claim anything and everything to reduce credit card debt. If you’re working from home, you’ll want to check those claims carefully.

Which Aussie regions saw dwelling values rise or fall?

While much of the buzz around Australia’s housing markets has been focused on the capital cities in the eastern states, the nation’s regional areas have also experienced slowdowns in dwelling value growth.

New $50 notes to hit streets in mid-October

Get your wallets ready for a fresh batch of the folding stuff – Australia’s new $50 notes are rolling out from 18 October 2018, as part of a strategy to foil counterfeiters.

What is mortgage insurance?

The idea of mortgage insurance is a fairly simple one – if circumstances mean a borrower can’t afford their mortgage repayments, an insurance policy can be used to help cover the costs.

Bankwest cuts mortgage rates by up to 45 basis points

Bankwest has announced cuts to its variable interest rates for new investor home loans as well as cuts to fixed rates for owner occupier mortgages.

Petrol prices hit four-year high

Average petrol prices in Australia’s largest cities are the highest in four years, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), who are encouraging motorists to use comparison websites and apps to find the cheapest deals.

Coles and NAB launch new premium credit card specials

Big banks and supermarkets are introducing special offers for premium credit card customers, ranging from travel rewards to cashback on purchases.

Three-year minimum expiry proposed for gift cards

Losing money on gift cards with surprise expiry dates or hidden fees may become a thing of the past, with the government considering reforms to national legislation.

One in five Aussies aren't satisfied with their bank

The banking royal commission may have made an impact on what Australians think of their banks, with bank satisfaction levels declining by 4% over the first half of 2018.

Mid-year slowdown in new vehicle sales

Australians bought fewer new vehicles in June 2018 than they did at the same time the previous year, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).