Do you have to pay home loan exit fees?

In July 2011 home loan exit fees were abolished, except for any home loans that were signed prior to this date. To find out if your home loan has any exit fees contact your mortgage lender.

Spending habits

The spending habits of Australians can be defined as the amount that individuals and households spend on goods and services such as food, alcohol, clothing and health care and the frequency at which they do so.

All you need to know when choosing your first credit card

Applying for your first credit card? If you are considering taking the plunge into the world of credit cards, here are some things that you need to know to help you understand credit cards better and help you avoid the high interest rate trap.

Use your credit card and feel good for charity

If you would like to donate more to charity without straining your budget any further, using a charity credit card is a great option, letting you raise money for a good cause while you shop.

What are mortgage rates and types?

You start feeling all grown up when someone starts talking to you about mortgage rates but what exactely does fixed or variable insterest rates mean for you on a daily basis? Like all loans, we know we have to pay it off but how the rates are set and when we make payments vary from lender to lender.

What is a deposit guarantee?

The aim of the Australian government guarantee is to increase the confidence of individuals investing deposit balances of up to $250,000 per institution into online savings accounts or a term deposit for instance, by protecting their investment.

The perils of credit card skimming fraud

Two years ago while travelling in the United States I received an email from my Australian bank asking me about suspicious charges that had be made on my credit card. Luckily for me, the bank picked it up before the criminals continued on their spending spree but it certainly showed that you have to be vigilant, especially when travelling outside of your own country.

Using personal loans for a fresh start

If you're battling an escalating credit card bill, a personal loan could provide a low cost solution. A low-interest balance transfer may sound like an appealing option but a personal loan could provide bigger savings on interest.

Money saving tips for children

Teaching children how to save from a young age could help set them up for life. When you are a kid you think money grows on trees, or at least your parents have an endless supply, however the reality is quite a stark difference. Starting a savings account for your children can help them build great life habits and prepare them for the real world.

First Home Owners Boost

The First Home Owners Boost was established by the Federal Government in 2008 to encourage stimulus to the housing market during the global financial crisis and was an addition to the First Home Owners Grant.