Financial considerations for newly married couples

Getting married? Congratulations! Once you've tied the knot, though, it's important to put a little bow on your finances and set some goals.

Financial counselling: Where to get help when you need it

Whether it's keeping up with repayments on a home loan, juggling multiple credit cards or something else entirely, many Australians fall into the trap of debt.

The big guns: Super experts worth following

According to the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA), we had a total of $2.02 trillion in super funds as a nation at the end of June 2015. There was $428 billion tied up in MySuper assets, and $16.8 billion paid into funds as contributions in the three months to June alone.

Out with the old, in with the new: new cars make a comeback

A RateCity.com.au analysis of ABS data has revealed that Aussie appetite for new car loans jumped in the 12 months to January 2016, compared to the same time the previous year. Used car loans on the other hand were down 0.50 per cent in the same period, suggesting a decline in the popularity of second hand rides. Evidently, VFACTS February sales figures showed 96,443 brand new vehicles were sold. Intention to buy a new car in the next four years is also up, with 2.21 million Aussies planning on making a purchase before 2020, according to Roy Morgan statistics.

Create the home loan of your dreams

Almost every aspect of our lives can now be customised to suit our needs. From our smartphones to our cars we are spoilt for choice and rarely have to compromise on anything. So when it comes to our home loan, a commitment we lock ourselves into for up to 30 years, why wouldn’t you be picky?

Phone payment technology: how it works and is it secure?

Smartphones are now a fundamental part of most people's lives. They take our photos, help us catch a train on time and tell us when it's going to rain. Now, they even pay for things.Phone payment options have been launched by major banks around the country and are rapidly evolving to become more and more convenient. For many people, the main barrier to ditching the wallet in favour of this technology is concerns around security, but with more stringent checks and balances than credit cards, security is fast-disappearing as a roadblock for many Australians.

Should I salary sacrifice superannuation?

The average Australian needs to grow their superannuation balance to $640,000 for a couple and $545,000 for a single person for a comfortable retirement, according to industry experts - a daunting amount in most people's books.

Strong New Car Sales in February

New cars are as popular as ever in Australia with data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries this week showing car sales were up on 2015 at the end of last month.

What to do if your employer isn't paying super contributions

For many Australians, superannuation is seen as a set and forget type of scheme, where you set up your account and your employer pays your contributions. Unfourtunately, things don't always work this smoothly. Checking your payslips regularly to make sure your employer is making the mandatory 9.5 per cent super contribution is a must to ensure a comfortable future

5 things most likely to trip up your savings plans

We all know the importance of saving, and most of us have savings goals we want to pursue, but sometimes life gets in the way. Whether it's general cost of living pressures or your weakness for the latest gadgets, recognising savings barriers is an important step in overcoming them. Below are five of the most common barriers to saving and practical ways you can overcome them to become a master of your personal finances in no time.