Mark Bristow

Aussies spend more on bare necessities

Australians are seeing basic expenses gobble up a larger share of their household budgets, but are experiencing less financial stress, according to new figures released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Super priorities require rethink

Industry Super Australia (ISA) has called for the government to get its priorities straight and fix the superannuation system’s grassroots issues rather than revising governance models in favour of bank-owned super funds.

Do I need security to take out a personal loan?

Looking for a personal loan to help you afford that holiday, buy that car or start that business? As well as thinking about how much you plan to borrow, and whether you can afford the repayments, it’s important to consider the security requirements of different personal loans.

Are Australia's highest-value properties also the most at-risk?

Australia’s most expensive properties may have recorded the greatest value growth over the past year, but are also the most vulnerable to the effect of a potential housing crash, according to CoreLogic stats.

What is mortgage stress?

Mortgage stress is not the worried feeling you get when the news is constantly filled with speculation around housing affordability, property bubbles, or interest rate rises. Instead, mortgage stress can be broadly defined as when your household’s income doesn't adequately cover the cost of your mortgage and other expenses.

ASIC bans flex commissions to encourage fairer car finance

A formal ban on car finance flex commissions has been introduced by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), to help protect financially inexperienced consumers from excessive interest charges on their car loans.

Housing affordability declines, rental affordability improves

While Australia’s home buyers continue to struggle with more challenging income requirements to afford housing, the nation’s renters are seeing conditions easing slightly across much of the country, according to a new report.

How can I pay my loan off faster?

Whether you have a home loan, a personal loan or a car loan, it’s likely that you’d prefer your debt to be paid off as soon as possible. The longer you owe money to a bank or lender, the more interest you’ll be charged, until the total cost eventually exceeds any benefits offered by the loan.

What are the pros and cons of having multiple bank accounts?

They say you shouldn’t keep all your eggs in one basket. But does this “tried-and-true” advice still hold up when you replace “eggs” with “money” and “basket” with “bank account”? When can having multiple accounts with one or more banks be beneficial, and when can it be problematic?

Is it safe to get a home loan with a small lender?

While there are certainly benefits to getting your mortgage from a major bank like Australia’s Big Four, it’s the smaller lenders that tend to offer the more competitive interest rates, fees and charges that give the big banks a run for their money.