Six ways to ride through life’s tougher times
Sticking to a financial plan – such as paying off a mortgage – can be a long journey that's punctuated by high…
Read MoreFarewell negative gearing and CGT discount?
You've probably seen 'negative gearing' and 'capital gains tax' in the news recently. That's because they're set to become hot topics ahead…
Read MoreChoosing the right investment ownership model
We all know that choosing the perfect investment and getting the timing right are both critical. What people often overlook, however, is…
Read MoreWhy is the bank saying I can’t service a loan?
A question we often get goes something along the lines of: 'I make all my repayments on time, and I save $1,000…
Read MoreDon’t get outfoxed: a quick guide to property valuations
Information is power. Knowing how much a property is worth can help you secure a great price during negotiations.
Read MoreMore carrot, less stick: Comprehensive Credit Reporting
Many people only pay their bills on time to avoid being slugged with late fees and a bad credit rating. But a…
Read MoreFive common reasons home loan applications are rejected
Whether it's unrequited love, or an unsuccessful home loan application, getting your heart broken is never easy. Here are five common reasons…
Read MoreThe importance of a will and a power of attorney
It's a morbid thought that many of us tend to shy away from, but end-of-life financial planning is a crucial stage in…
Read MoreHow to protect against the loss of your star performer
Just as every great movie is carried by a star performance, so too do most small businesses rely on a key performer.…
Read MoreHome loans: to lock in the rate or not?
With some of the major lenders recently lifting interest rates on variable home loans, we've had a number of enquiries this week…
Read MoreAvoiding the interest rate hike domino effect
When one bank hikes its interest rates, the rest usually follow one after the other like dominos. Here's how to avoid getting…
Read MoreConsidering investing in your child’s name? Tread carefully
We all want what's best for our children. So while investing in their name from an early stage might sound like a…
Read MoreWhy it never hurts to fork out for a pair of shoes
You've probably heard of The Barefoot Investor before. Pre-sales for his upcoming book have already surpassed the final instalment of the Harry…
Read MoreThinking about a reverse mortgage to fund your retirement?
With a reverse mortgage you can unlock nest egg funds without having to sell your whole nest. Here's how we can help…
Read MoreWhich capital cities have performed best over the past 20 years?
Sydney? Melbourne? Perth? Find out which of Australia's capital cities have performed best in the property market over the past two decades.
Read MoreDo you shop with Afterpay? Read this
We all experience times in life when we just can't wait to get our hands on that shiny new item. But as…
Read More5 Common Credit Card Traps
Credit card providers love to use all kinds of incentives to get you to put that shiny piece of plastic into your…
Read MoreWould your accounts squeeze through the tighter lending test?
It's one thing to be ready to pay off a mortgage. It's entirely another to convince lenders that you're ready to do…
Read MoreWhat is debt recycling?
We all know that recycling is great for the environment. But debt recycling? Well, if done right, that could be great for…
Read MoreIt’s all about balance: Using an offset account to your advantage
Want to avoid sinking your entire savings balance into your mortgage? An offset account could be the solution you've been looking for.
Read MoreRentvesting: have your cake and eat it too
Most Australians grow up with the dream of buying and living in their own home. But, given the difficulty of cracking into…
Read MoreHow we contribute to the Great Australian Dream
We're pretty proud of the work we do. Every day we get to help Aussie families secure finance for the home of…
Read MoreDon’t blow it. Make the most of your tax refund
Most Australians receive a tax refund, but not all spend it wisely. Here’s how to make the most of your tax windfall…
Read MoreHow to move house like a boss
Back-breaking furniture, perilously narrow staircases and chipped crockery – the idea of moving house strikes fear into the hearts of most. But…
Read MoreThe hot tip on a hot tip: How to risk profile an IPO
So your friend just gave you a hot share tip at the weekend barbecue? Before you jump straight on your computer and…
Read MoreThe top five advantages of using a mortgage broker
Shopping, watching a movie, catching up on the news – there are many things that are cheaper and easier to do online…
Read MoreFour simple ways to increase your property’s resale value
Everyone dreams of investing in a home or business that will fetch them more money than they originally bought it for. Here's…
Read MoreWe’ve got your back
It's no secret that the banking royal commission has shone a light on serious misconduct and poor lending standards by some of…
Read MorePrenup. Do you need to get one?
Rings? Check. Dress? Check. Prenup…? We make the case for and against this most maligned of agreements.
Read MoreCould you benefit from salary sacrificing?
Keen for a new laptop, car, or even an airport lounge membership? Sick of putting your hand in your pocket for school…
Read MoreAre you flushing money down the drain by putting off refinancing?
Every year thousands of Aussie families flush their hard earned dollars down the gurgler because they put off the simple act of…
Read MoreAll you need to know about changes to Family Tax Benefit payments
Family Tax Benefit changes came into effect this week. How do they affect you and your family?
Read MorePutting the property price dip into perspective
Sure, the value of the average Australian home may have fallen for nine consecutive months, but it's far from doom and gloom.…
Read MoreWhat makes your debt tax deductible?
There are two kinds of debt in this world: the kind that is tax deductible and the kind that isn't. Knowing the…
Read MoreHow to perform a credit health check
Significant changes have been made to Australia’s credit reporting rules, with a new Comprehensive Credit Reporting regime (CCR) coming into effect in…
Read MoreChanges coming into effect in the new financial year
Sure, the new financial year is never anywhere near as exciting as the New Year itself. But that doesn't make it a…
Read MorePlay on! First home owner grants extended
First home owner grants have been extended for another 12 months, which is good news for those itching to get off the…
Read MoreSnag a sizzling EOFY home loan bargain
Computers, whitegoods, furniture – they're just some of the goods you're used to seeing end-of-financial-year deals on. But did you know you…
Read MoreWhat value can a financial adviser add?
Just as a personal trainer can help you reach your fitness goals, a financial adviser can keep you on track with your…
Read MoreProving genuine savings for your home loan deposit
Saving a home loan deposit can be challenging enough. Then, lenders often will put another hurdle in your way by asking for…
Read MoreWhy you can get a better home loan deal using a mortgage broker
So you've found the ideal property and it's time to source finance? Here's how to play your cards right and get a…
Read MoreWhat to do if you and your partner aren’t on the same page with your finances
Things start out so rosy. You both like the same movies, sports teams and pistachio-flavoured gelato. Then one day you realise you…
Read MoreParents as guarantors: end your child’s first home mirage
They grow up so fast. One minute they're nagging you for a dollhouse, the next, it's for help buying a two bedroom…
Read MoreWill the new child care package put a strain on your mortgage repayments?
Families have just a few weeks before a big change to child care fee assistance comes into effect. Here's how to find…
Read MoreHow will the new child care package affect your family?
Families have just a few weeks before a new child care subsidy kicks in. Find out if your family will be better…
Read MoreDon’t get tripped up by these scams
They say a fool and their money are easily parted. But with how sophisticated scams are becoming nowadays, it's no longer just…
Read MoreDon’t fall victim to a loan scam artist
We pride ourselves on getting you a darn good home loan. So if someone calls up out of the blue with suspicious…
Read MoreForget waiting for federal budget goodies, set your own budget
Much has been made of federal budget's tax relief measures. But don't wait around for them like a chump. They could be…
Read MoreA good ol’ fashioned property news round up
Blink and you'll miss it. Well, at least that's how it feels when mustering up the effort to keep pace with the…
Read MoreGet your ducks in a row: how to make a timely deposit
So you've finally found the property of your dreams and you can't stand the thought of someone else moving in? Don't let…
Read MoreWhen the world’s your oyster, what will you do?
Fishing? Travelling? Lending your expertise to a charity? How you intend to spend your golden years is every bit as important as…
Read MoreFirst home buyers grab a bigger slice of the pie
First home buyers are finally getting a bigger piece of the east coast property pie, thanks to the availability of first home…
Read MoreLife Insurance explained, minus the sombre tones
Though the ads are often cliche, overly dramatic, and designed to provoke a sense of fear, life insurance can play an important…
Read MoreDon’t blow the budget on your next property purchase
You know how it goes. You see that dream property you've just got to have, and then next minute, the budget is…
Read MoreOpportunity cost in financial decision making
Ever heard that saying along the lines of: 'A dollar saved is a dollar earned'? Well, that's not exactly true. Because a…
Read MoreWhat you need to know before buying your first home
If you had a roadmap for life, buying your first property would fall somewhere around getting married and having your first child.…
Read MoreHow much would you need to become ‘financially free’?
How much money would be enough for you to become financially free for the rest of your life? One million? Three million?…
Read MoreHow to save for a first home deposit
So you've decided to finally take the plunge and start saving for a deposit to buy your first home? Here's a few…
Read MoreWhat to consider ahead of retirement
If you're a soon-to-be retiree, you can be forgiven for thinking you've been a little hard done by with regards to retirement…
Read MoreNegotiating a settlement period
In a perfect world you select a property to buy, complete with white picket fence, and the settlement goes through on the…
Read MoreHoliday finances checklist
Your bags are packed, your visas are confirmed, and your immunisations are up-to-date. But have you made sure you won't be charged…
Read MoreHow much does an education cost these days?
Whether you're planning to send your children to a public school, faith-based school or a private school, here's how much you can…
Read MoreWhat is a bridging loan?
Looking to sell your current property and upgrade to another? Here's all you need to know about bridging loans.
Read MoreThe truth about 0% car finance offers
Seen an offer along the lines of: 'Drive away, 0% finance to pay'? Well, like most things in life, when it sounds…
Read MoreUsing your super fund to save for your first home
For most first home buyers, the property market can seem like a tough nut to crack. But today we'll look at a…
Read MoreSaving resources of the financial and environmental kind
Whether you're moving into a new property, or looking to save for an investment, here are five things you can do now…
Read MoreThe risks associated with payday loans
We've all seen the movies where the luckless protagonist borrows money from a remorseless loanshark and is warned they'll lose a finger…
Read MoreMost homeowners spent one hour inspecting property
Purchases don't come much bigger than buying a new home. So it surprised me this week to discover that most homebuyers spend…
Read MoreAre you running yourself, and your business, into the ground?
Small business owners are risking their health and their businesses by eschewing an annual holiday. Is it time you took a break?
Read MoreCrowdfunding: Beware of the hype
'Have you heard of my new Kickstarter? It’s a combination smart phone/coffee cup. I just need $100,000 to get it up and…
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