Mark Bristow

The pros and cons of comparing fixed rate home loans

Following recent cash rate cuts from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), many banks have slashed their home loan interest rates to new lows.

Cheapest rents found in Perth and Adelaide

Australia’s renters on the east coast may need to look a bit further afield to find more affordable places to live, with a new report revealing that the cheapest rents are found in Adelaide and Perth. Property investors however, may welcome news that the highest rents can be found in Canberra and Sydney.

Betting closed for Macquarie Bank credit cards

If you’ve been known to make the occasional cheeky bet, you soon may no longer be able to do so using a Macquarie Bank credit card.

Do stricter home loans mean more mortgages in arrears?

Australia’s banks have been recently taking steps to lend money more responsibly, making it that little bit harder for some Aussies to get a home loan. However, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), this tightening of lending standards may be partially responsible for a recent increase in the number of Australians falling into arrears on their mortgage repayments.

Do your research this EOFY

End of financial year is a popular time to buy cars, with many dealerships offering end of financial year sales (EOFYS). However, it’s important to be aware of the true value offered by a cheap deal, both in terms of the vehicle you’re buying and car loan you’re using to pay for it.

How could a cash rate cut affect your savings?

Speculation is building that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may soon cut the nation’s cash rate for the first time in years. While many home owners and property investors may welcome this news, what effect would a rate cut have on Australians keeping their wealth in saving accounts or term deposits?

How much will a hybrid car set you back?

Of the shrinking number of Australians planning to buy a new car over the next few years, an increasing percentage reckon their next car will be a hybrid. But how much do hybrid vehicles cost compared to petrol-fuelled models?

Lenders adjusting mortgage rates

As speculation builds that a cut to Australia’s cash rate could be arriving in the near future, several of Australia’s lenders have been adjusting their home loan interest rates over the past week.

One in three Aussies losing money on rewards credit cards

How rewarding is your rewards credit card? Possibly not very, according to a new study from ME, which found that for over a third of Aussie cardholders, rewards cards are effectively costing them money.

New financial plan to help keep couples together

With many of Australia’s romantic breakups being attributed to money troubles, can financial planning help couples stay together?