mark-bristow

Mark Bristow

Personal Finance Editor

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306 articles written by Mark Bristow

Savings Accounts

Some of the top-rated savings accounts in March 2024

How big a difference does your savings account interest rate really make? You may be surprised by the effect that a high-rate savings account could have on your wealth, depending on your saving strategy. Just make sure that the account you choose is one that suits your needs and can help you reach your goals.

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Mark Bristow -

15 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Car Loans

Some of the top-rated car loans in March 2024

Records were made to be broken, at least when it comes to Australians buying cars. As car purchasing accelerates, it’s important for buyers to carefully consider their finance options before committing.

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Mark Bristow -

13 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Personal Loans

Some of the top-rated personal loans in March 2024

Data shows Australians are increasingly looking to personal loans to secure finance. However, before committing to a personal loan, it’s important to compare the available options and consider your needs to make sure you’re selecting a loan that offers the most value for your needs.

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Mark Bristow -

13 Mar, 2024 -

3 min read

Home Loans

What to expect from the RBA meeting in March 2024

According to many economists, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is unlikely to change the national cash rate at its upcoming meeting on 18 and 19 March 2024. The real question is whether recent economic updates could affect when the RBA is likely to announce its first rate cut.

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Mark Bristow -

12 Mar, 2024 -

5 min read

Home Loans

How to apply for a home loan

Getting your first home loan doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds. With just a little preparation, you can confidently calculate how much you can afford to borrow, what support you may be able to get, and how to make an application that’s more likely to be approved by the bank.

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Mark Bristow -

29 Feb, 2024 -

11 min read

Credit Score

How fast can you fix a credit score, and how do you do it?

Having bad credit may make applying for loans and credit cards feel impossible. But it is possible to recover from a bad credit score, though the length of time it will take may vary. Checking your credit report is often a good start, as is demonstrating your financial responsibility.

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Mark Bristow -

28 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Superannuation

Employer gender pay gaps released: How can you save your super?

Gender pay gaps for nearly 5000 Australian private sector employers have been published for the first time. Whatever their industry or employer, Australian women may be able to take steps to manage the effect of the gender pay gap on their personal finances, from their savings to their superannuation.

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Mark Bristow -

27 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read

Home Loans

ANZ and Suncorp Bank merger back on – what does this mean for refinancing?

The merger between ANZ and the banking arm of Suncorp is set to proceed, with a previous block from the competition watchdog being overturned. But what does this mean for Australian mortgage holders? 

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Mark Bristow -

22 Feb, 2024 -

3 min read

Car Loans

E10 vs 91: Navigating your fuel choices

If you want to keep your car running smoothly and avoid costly mechanic bills, then choosing the right fuel is important. In Australia, regular unleaded petrol (91), premium unleaded (95 and 98) and E10 are among the most common petrol choices for motorists. If you’ve seen these names on the petrol bowser without fully understanding what they mean, here are the basics to help you make a more informed choice the next time you fill up your car.

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Mark Bristow -

20 Feb, 2024 -

5 min read

Credit Score

How good debts and bad debts can affect your credit score

With political commentators discussing whether the latest Federal Budget has put Australia into too much debt (we’ll leave that debate to the experts), some everyday Aussies may be concerned about the debts in their own household budgets, and what they could mean for their financial futures.

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Mark Bristow -

16 Feb, 2024 -

4 min read