Bank wars: take advantage of new competition

With the home loan market heating up, the banking war can mean big savings for your home loan and other financial products.

Australians look toward first home buyers for growth

January Demand for newly built property has been leading the growth of home loans at the end of 2010, echoing the initial damage of the Brisbane floods. But with interest rates expected to climb this year, there are high hopes first home buyers will boost the market back into more lively days.

Don't settle for average: save $36,000 on your home loan

Despite the lure of an ever-enticing $7000 First Home Owner Grant coupled with up to $19,500 worth of other grants on offer, the number of new Australian owner-occupier mortgages hit a 10-year low in 2010.

Aussies consider locking home loans before rate hikes

After a year filled with consecutive rate hikes, many Australians are turning to the old staple of fixed home loans to bring them relief in 2011. With the floods staving off more aggressive rate rises in the near future, many are predicting more hikes later on. So is this the perfect time to lock yourself in?

Don't get trapped by your savings plan

In a society where credit is easily available, saving can often be neglected. Having a good savings record, however, is crucial when it comes to securing a loan or even applying for a credit card. While as a nation we are now saving more than ever, your savings plan can be derailed if you don't pay attention to common traps when trying to save.

Is your bank too greedy? Get the right advice

If you thought your home loan repayments stung you harder last year than previously, then you were right. Research by RateCity revealed Australians paid a whopping $3.86 billion in higher interest charges in 2010 for home loans, credit cards, car loans and savings.

Don't let your savings account leave on a honeymoon

When the internet started an online savings account revolution, it changed the way we saved. Interest rates on these accounts have gradually increased, so it's not surprising that recent Reserve Bank of Australia data reveals household savings mimics that of the mid-1980s.

Get your new year's saving resolution on!

At the top of many lists of New Year resolutions will be to save more money. The results of a recent survey by RaboDirect, however, show we're far from a nation of savers The good news is it is easy to turn around. Nearly half of the population put their money into a transaction or savings accounts.

Don't let your credit card sting you after your Christmas spend

In the aftermath of Christmas spending, credit card holders should brace themselves for sneaky interest rate hikes, gracing the pages of statements due out this month. The silly season could leave many credit card holders stung after it was revealed by RateCity that 23 institutions upped their rates on 113 cards by an average of 25 basis points in December 2010.

If you drive less does your car insurance cost less?

On average it is estimated that a typical car travels 15,000km each year. However if you drive less than this how does the price of your comprehensive car insurance compare to someone who drives more?