Season’s Greetings! Here’s to a prosperous 2020!
With 2019 drawing to a close, we hope you're shifting into holiday mode and getting ready to relax and unwind (or, at…
Read More2019
How to spread some free Xmas cheer these holidays
Did you know there’s around $1.1 billion owed to Aussie families in unclaimed shares, bank accounts and life insurance? With the festive…
Read MoreCould you flick Netflix? ASIC updates responsible lending guidance
Could you say goodbye to Netflix to take out a loan? That’s one example corporate watchdog ASIC has included in its responsible…
Read MoreSwipe right to buy your first home
A new web platform described as a ‘dating app but for home-ownership’ says it can help users enter the property market in…
Read MoreBanks ‘too cautious’ on SME loans: financial regulators
The country's top financial regulators are concerned banks are ‘too cautious’ when it comes to loans for small business borrowers.
Read MoreThe ‘Airbnb of pools’ splashes into Australia
Got a pool you’re constantly scooping leaves out of but never use? Or perhaps you’re looking to cool off this summer in…
Read MoreGreater protections for borrowers under new debt collection guidelines
Borrowers struggling to stay afloat will be offered greater protection from debt collection agencies under new guidelines being applied by Australian banks.
Read MoreSMEs in financial trouble urged to seek a helping hand early
Small business owners experiencing financial difficulties are often leaving it too late to seek help from a trusted adviser before going bust.
Read MoreGovt moves to free-up lending for SMEs
SMEs are set to have better access to finance, with the Australian government making two key moves this month to free-up lending…
Read MorePredatory payday lenders debt-trapping vulnerable Aussies: report
Predatory payday lenders are profiting from vulnerable Australians and trapping them in spiralling debt, according to a collaborative report by 20 consumer…
Read More6 tips to prepare your property for valuation
Looking to refinance your home loan? A valuation is a vital part of the process. So today we’ll look at some ways…
Read MoreCaps for new first home buyer scheme revealed
The property price caps in each state have been revealed for the federal government’s new first home buyer scheme. Read on to…
Read MoreAre you a spender or a saver?
Are you paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly? New research indicates that how often you’re paid has a pretty big bearing on whether…
Read MoreCrunch time: tax debts can now be reported by ATO to credit agencies
Got a large, overdue tax debt with the Australian Tax Office? Then best listen up, because certain tax debt information can now…
Read MoreFrustrating bank habit triggers probe into home loan pricing
You know that infuriating habit the big banks have of failing to pass on the RBA’s cash rate cuts in full? Well,…
Read More7 ways you can use a reverse mortgage
Got retirement on your radar? A reverse mortgage can help you improve your standard of living during your golden years. Today we’ll…
Read MoreSMEs need more support from lenders to grow: RBA
The ‘pendulum may have swung a bit too far’ when it comes to the tight lending standards currently imposed on small businesses,…
Read MoreRBA cuts cash rate, but will the banks pass it on?
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points to a new record low of…
Read MoreBusiness loan rejection causing SME cash flow issues
More than one-in-five SMEs are having cash flow problems due to business loans being rejected, according to new research.
Read MoreFour ways to dive into the property market with a smaller deposit
Three-in-five prospective first home buyers intend to buy soon with a smaller deposit, rather than wait until they have saved a 20%…
Read MoreHome-ownership within reach: will you qualify for new buyer scheme?
Imagine buying your first home with only a 5% deposit and not having to pay lenders mortgage insurance. Well, that dream is…
Read MoreHas the tide turned? Household lending surges
Lending to Aussie households spiked 3.9% in July, the strongest growth seen since October 2014, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics…
Read MoreIs the housing market drought finally over?
Marge, Marge, the rains are ‘ere! Home prices have recorded their first rise since October 2017, with national dwelling values increasing 0.8%…
Read MoreEver dreamed of starting your own business?
Ever been tempted to tell the boss you’re leaving to start your own business? You’re not alone. In fact, more than nine…
Read MoreBuy now, pay now: the importance of budgeting for gifts
How much do you think the average Aussie spends on gifts each month? $20, $50 or 100? (hint: we’re a generous bunch).…
Read MoreNew code to protect Aussies buying solar panels
Ever thought about investing in solar panels for your home? If so, you’ll know it’s a big decision and there’s a lot…
Read MoreCaviar and wine, anyone? What a court ruling means for you
Indulgences such as caviar, wagyu beef and the finest bottles of wine shouldn’t count against you when lenders assess your application for…
Read MoreOn the hunt for a new loan provider?
One in 10 consumers have switched credit products in the past year, according to new research, with Millennials and women in particular…
Read MoreTime’s ticking: ATO to report overdue tax debts to credit agencies
Businesses that put off paying large tax bills for too long may soon find that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has notified…
Read MorePlanning ahead: RBA says expect long-term low interest rates
Good news for mortgage holders this week, with the RBA saying “it’s reasonable to expect an extended period of low interest rates”.
Read MoreHave your smashed avo and eat it too!
One of the most annoying myths for young homebuyers has to be the smashed avo breaky one. You know - to buy…
Read MoreHow criminals steal your identity to steal your money
Scams involving identity theft have cost Australians at least $16 million this year, and that figure is likely to be just the…
Read MoreGot a spare pineapple? Pay off your mortgage faster
Reckon you could scrounge together an extra $50 each week to pay off your mortgage? If so, latest modelling shows the average…
Read MoreHousing affordability the best it’s been since 1999: HIA
Great news for home buyers - housing affordability is the best it’s been since 1999, according to new data released by the…
Read MoreWhat the cash rate cuts mean for other areas of your finance
Whenever the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) changes the official cash rate we all hear about how it will impact home loans.…
Read MoreRBA goes back-to-back with cash rate cuts
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points to a new record low of…
Read MoreGranny flat could boost your property value by 30%
Backyard cricket pitch not getting much of a workout these days? Sick of your weekends being taken up with mowing and gardening?…
Read MoreHow to find a bank with strong corporate social responsibility
Yes, we’re well aware that this may sound like an oxymoron to some! But cheeky jokes aside, this is a question we’ve…
Read MoreIs the housing market finally about to reach rock bottom?
‘Are we there yet?’ That seems to be the million dollar question on everyone’s lips. Today we’ll take a look at whether…
Read MoreA Super heads-up before the EOFY
Superannuation changes are afoot, and time is running out this financial year to take action. Here’s what you need to know about…
Read MoreGetting hounded by ATO impersonators? Don’t get scammed this tax season
Tax time is just around the corner, which means ATO impersonators are pulling out their bag of tricks to try and scam…
Read MoreWill lenders pass on the RBA rate cut to you?
The RBA has cut the official cash rate to a new record low of 1.25%. But hang on a sec… Will lenders…
Read MoreWant more control over your future? The lowdown on SMSFs
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have become an increasingly popular choice in recent years due to the control and flexibility they can offer.…
Read MoreYour home is not perfect: the value of pest and building inspections
They say that home is where the heart is. And it’s true that we spend so much of our time, money and…
Read MoreWhat the re-elected Coalition government has promised
No doubt, like most, you’re suffering from a bit of election fatigue. But stick with us - here’s one last article that…
Read MoreAPRA suggests banks relax key lending criteria
Here’s a bit of good news: you may be able to borrow more for your next home loan after the prudential regulator…
Read MoreHow the new govt scheme could give you a head start on property
Did you know that it takes four to seven years for the average household to save a 20% deposit for their first…
Read MoreAdulting: mapping out your financial road to retirement from your 20s
‘Adulting’ is a real thing. It has even made it to the Oxford dictionary where it’s defined as “behaving in a way…
Read MoreFound an account transaction error? Don’t foot the bill
Most of us have found ourselves in a sticky situation where we’ve spotted an unauthorised or mistaken transaction on our bank account…
Read MoreInterested in increasing your rental returns by up to 30%?
What would you say if we told you that you could potentially increase your rental returns by up to 30% simply by…
Read MoreThe dangers of chasing investment returns
It can be a hard temptation to avoid; you sit there and watch while other investments outperform your own, and you begin…
Read MoreWill the RBA cut the cash rate this month?
We don't like to dust off the old crystal ball and speculate very often, but there's been so much noise about whether…
Read More5 ideas to help first home buyers break into the property market
While housing affordability is improving across the country, for many young first home buyers cracking into the property market can feel like…
Read MoreWith home loan interest rates dropping, is it time to pull the cord?
Fixing your home loan while rates are dropping is a bit like pulling the ripcord on a parachute. If you do it…
Read More7 simple ways to protect your home these Easter holidays
The Easter holidays are a great time to get away with the family. Unfortunately, this means they're also a prime time for…
Read MoreHow to welcome a baby into the family and stay on budget
Welcoming a baby into your family is one of the most joyous occasions of your life. But just like anything worth celebrating…
Read MoreMaking the most of the instant asset write-off
Cash flow is like your daily hit of caffeine. You don't really notice how important it is for your business until you've…
Read MoreWhat the 2019 federal budget means for your family
With a federal election due in May, the 2019 Federal Budget is more a series of election promises than it is a…
Read More6 ways to bridge the Super gender gap
The superannuation gender gap has narrowed over the past decade, but more work still needs to be done. Here's how you can…
Read MoreThe many hats we wear
Actors act. Cleaners clean. Taxi drivers drive taxis. Mortgage brokers? Well, we don't just do mortgages. Here are the other aspects of…
Read MoreTop 5 tips for standing out on Airbnb
The short term rental market is booming. Each year, tens of thousands of Australians list their properties on Airbnb to make a…
Read MoreBlack Swan events: never try to predict the unpredictable
Hindsight is 20/20, right? The Global Financial Crisis, Trump's election and the rise and fall of Bitcoin all seem obvious enough in…
Read MoreHow to choose your default Super fund
Choosing the right superannuation fund can be like navigating a maze. Just when you think you're onto a winner you run into…
Read More12 reasons you should see a broker for car finance
We've all heard the horror stories about a mechanically-challenged friend buying a car and it turning out to be an absolute lemon!…
Read MoreA huge thank you for all your support
What a rollercoaster month it's been for the mortgage broking industry and our customers. The good news for the both of us…
Read MoreHow to avoid getting bamboozled by a pesky salesperson
We've all done it. In a moment of weakness, a dodgy salesperson has persuaded us to hand over our hard earned money…
Read More5 ways to combat current property market conditions
Australia's housing market might be on a bit of a downward trajectory, but that doesn't mean the value of your home can't…
Read MoreMortgages not holding Aussies back from travel
It's no secret that Australians love to travel. The thing is, we also love to own our own home. Can you do…
Read More3 ways to kick your gambling habit this footy season
When it comes to footy, Australians love a punt – of both the kicking and betting varieties. The thing is though, one…
Read MoreTechnological budget killers to watch out for in 2019
As technology continues to evolve, so too do the challenges of keeping your family budget in check. This week we're going to…
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