The financial squeeze on most Australian families from higher interest rates and inflation is leading to a great focus on managing the household budget better. New research from Compare the Market has found that saving money is the top New Year’s resolution for Australians ahead of the new year… which is only the end of… Read more »
While the Federal Treasurer and PM put on dour faces and complain about how tough the impact of higher interest rates and inflation is having on the average Australian… they are quietly counting the dollars they’re reaping in the background. Yes, iron ore and coal exports have been booming and the lower Australian dollar is… Read more »
Australian household savings rates have reached lows not seen for more than 15 years. Australians built a huge savings war chest during COVID (lockdowns prevented us going out and spending) which has helped us fight inflation and rising mortgage repayments. We’ve dipped into our savings to cover the cost increases and still maintain our spending.… Read more »
The Aussie dollar has dropped sharply to a nine-month low and that impacts everyone. Our Australian dollar has dropped sharply over the last couple of weeks to a nine-month low. And the fact that our interest rate cycle is peaking while other countries are still raising rates is also dampening the value of the Aussie… Read more »
Yes, loan interest rates are going up, but so is interest paid on savings accounts. Granted many banks haven’t lifted savings rates at the same pace as loan rates, but many have. I was stunned by a survey from research group Finder which found more than 1 in 2 Aussies (53 per cent) are still… Read more »
Existing bank home loan customers are being financially screwed like never before. But it’s up to you to fight with your bank. For example, if someone took out one of the big four banks’ lowest variable rates this time just last year they would now be on a rate that is, on average, 0.44 per… Read more »
The big four are always quick to raise their home loan rates, but really drag their feet to reward savers. Here’s where to find the best savings rates. All of the big four banks have hiked their variable home loan rates by 0.5 per cent after the latest RBA increase, but not all their savers… Read more »
There are many things you can do to become a savvier saver, starting with demanding a better rate. Research by RateCity shows complacent savers are potentially missing out on hundreds of dollars in interest, as the gap widens between some of the highest and lowest savings rates on the back of the RBA hikes. The… Read more »
Kids’ savings accounts are generally horrible when it comes to features and returns – but some are better than others. As a father of four adult children and eight grandchildren, I’ve always been interested in kids’ savings accounts. Libby and I have always tried to instil good savings habits (with mixed success) into our kids… Read more »
Teens and money aren’t generally good mates, but they are actually uniquely positioned to take advantage of the power of compounding. Lucky ducks! On his 18th birthday, my son Ben asked me how he could be a millionaire by age 50. What a powerful question – one I wish I had asked at his age.… Read more »
