Mark Bristow

Home & Personal Finance Editor

Mark Bristow is RateCity's Home & Personal Finances Editor, and an experienced analyst, researcher, and producer. Mark’s expertise includes home loans, energy and both home and travel insurances. Mark has been a journalist and writer in the financial space for over ten years, previously researching and writing commercial real estate at CoreLogic. In the years since, Mark has worked for the Winning Group, Expedia, and has seen articles published at Lifehacker and Business Insider.

486 articles written by Mark Bristow

/deposit-money-somebody-else-s-bank-account
Bank Accounts

Can you deposit money into somebody else's bank account?

One of the easiest banking tasks in the world is depositing money. You can even deposit money into someone else’s bank account if you wish.

/best-home-loans-december-2022
Home Loans

Some of the best home loans in December 2022

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the cash rate for the last time in 2022, though more rate rises could follow in 2023. As Australians strap in for the post-holiday financial hangover, it’s important to check if your home loan is a good fit for your evolving financial situation.

/debt-collectors-money-bank-account
Bank Accounts

Can debt collectors take money out of your bank account?

If you find yourself struggling with an outstanding debt, at some stage you could be contacted by a debt collector. In this situation, remember that both debtors and debt collectors have rights and obligations. For example, a debt collector cannot take money directly from your bank account or salary without a court order.

/does-homeowner-s-insurance-cover
Home Insurance

What does homeowner's insurance cover?

Home insurance covers the cost of repairing your property if it is damaged or destroyed in an insurable event. These events could include natural disasters such as storms or fires, unfortunate circumstances such as falling trees, or criminal activity such as break-ins or vandalism.

/will-car-loan-affect-mortgage-application
Car Loans

Will my car loan affect my mortgage application?

A car loan may positively or negatively affect your mortgage application. Successfully managing your car loan repayments could help improve your credit score, which may make a better impression on mortgage lenders. But if your car loan would push your debt-to-income ratio too high, a lender may be less likely to approve your mortgage application.

/superannuation-age-40
Superannuation

How much superannuation should you have at age 40?

The amount of superannuation you should have at age 40 will depend on how much money you want to have at retirement. That, in turn, will depend on how much money you expect to spend each week during your modest retirement or comfortable retirement.

/easy-credit-card
Credit Cards

How easy is it to get a credit card?

For most Australians, there are no great barriers to applying for and getting approved for a credit card. Comparing credit cards to learn more about their eligibility criteria could give you a better idea of how easy it may be to see your credit card application approved.

/car-loan-disability-benefit
Car Loans

Can I get a car loan if I am on disability benefit?

Not every lender will accept pensions or government benefits as income when assessing loan applications, though some lenders will. Borrowers on disability benefits can still apply for a car loan, though it’s important to calculate if you can comfortably afford the loan before you apply. 

/budget-for-a-home-loan-with-a-repayment-calculator
Home Loans

How to budget for a home loan with a repayment calculator

Most Australians dream of owning a home. Even if this dream may seem out of reach, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start saving and researching how to reach your homeowner goal.

/best-home-loans-investors-refinancers-november-2022
Home Loans

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

The interest rate rises announced following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) November 2022 meeting have come into effect. While new lending has reportedly plummeted, with the year’s combined rate rises knocking $214k off the average home loan budget, existing homeowners and investors could find themselves in a position to refinance to a mortgage that offers greater value for their financial situation.