Mark Bristow

One in three Australians on struggle street

A recent report from ANZ has revealed that while 45% of Australians feel like they’re on top of their money, around 36% of Australians are struggling with some degree of financial stress.

Few lenders offering 10 year fixed rates

While uncertain economic times can lead borrowers to look into home loans with fixed interest rates, the number of lenders offering decade-long fixed interest rates can be counted on one hand.

Small inflation increase over 2018's first quarter

Back to school costs and rising wholesale gas prices are among the factors that have impacted Australian household budgets over the first quarter of 2018, though inflation rose relatively little, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Small business roundtable asks how to make loan comparisons easier

A recent roundtable hosted by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) looked at issues facing Australia’s small businesses, including challenges such as comparing and switching business financing products across different lenders.

More Aussies choosing to renovate than relocate

The number of owner-occupiers renovating their homes has risen by 21 per cent since 2015, according to research by Westpac. The research also found that the number of Australian homeowners considering selling decreased by 11 per cent compared to last year, dropping back down to the same level as 2015.

How changes to Capital Gains Tax could impact housing affordability

Newly released research from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) suggests that an increase in Capital Gains Tax would raise the cost of renting and make housing affordability even more problematic.

A confident start for 2018

Both everyday Australians and the nation’s business sector are enjoying the strongest level of confidence since the end of the mining boom, according to research from Roy Morgan.

Falls felt for February housing finance

The latest Housing Finance figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate that while Australian home buyers are committing more money towards owner occupied housing and less towards investment properties, the overall number of housing finance commitments are falling, including the number of first home buyers.

Aussie cash rate will rise, but not yet, says RBA

Investors may want to start bracing themselves for the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) first increase to Australia’s cash rate in seven years… though this increase could take some time to arrive.

American Express cuts credit card interest rates

The latest change to credit card interest rates from American Express could see Australians clear their card debts a year and a quarter sooner, saving hundreds of dollars in interest payments, according to RateCity calculations.