First home buyer warning

Would-be homebuyers are being urged not to overstretch their budgets in light of new data, which shows some lenders are loosening the belt in time for the spring mortgage season.

Australians spend billions on pets

Australians are paying as much in vet bills for sick pets as it would cost them to buy a new car, research suggests.

Super: mums missing out

If you believe the pundits, taking just two years out of the workforce to have children can leave women up to $50,000 worse off in retirement.

The perils of a small deposit

Forget mortgage exit fees, the real sting when refinancing a home loan can be a double dose of lender’s mortgage insurance.

Inertia costs Aussies thousands

A third of Australians believe it's too time-consuming and costly to switch banks, new research shows.

Bizarre treatments celebrities swear by

Ever on the lookout for ways to appear younger and even more radiant, celebrities are the pioneers of the beauty world. But in recent years the A-list has turned its attention to radical alternative medical therapies, putting health ahead of vanity.

Housing affordability getting worse

Two in five Australians believe housing affordability is an issue, according to new research from the University of Sydney.

Not all renovations add value

Australians will spend $35 billion renovating their homes this year, with kitchens and bathrooms the most popular makeovers. But not all DIY additions are guaranteed to add value, and it's important to carefully consider the pitfalls before tackling a project.

Could a smartphone replace your wallet?

If you believe the pundits, your mobile phone will soon become an electronic wallet, as we take the next step towards a cashless society.

Reverse mortgages at highest levels since the GFC

Reverse mortgages have grown to their highest levels since 2007, as 'asset rich' but 'cash poor' seniors look to their family home to finance their retirement, research by Deloitte shows.