Your Hip Pocket

Public Defender Close look at credit-card rip-off

John Rolfe Public Defender columnist THEY didn't stop rip-offs in the $2.5bn gift card industry, so will 'experts' probing big credit card surcharges protect us?

Travel Jetsetters blow holiday budgets

Sophie Elsworth AUSTRALIAN jetsetters know all too well how to blow out their holiday budgets, forking out hundreds of millions of dollars. Been there before?

Your Hip Pocket Household bills go ballistic

Karina Barrymore BILL shock! I've got more than bill shock, I've got slow death by bill.

Rates ANZ exceeds RBA interest rate cut

Stephen McMahon ANZ has slashed rates by more than the Reserve Bank to the lowest level among the majors with a standard variable rate of 6.13 per cent.

Jobs Unemployment drops to 5.5 per cent

Stephen McMahon THE national unemployment rate dropped to 5.5 per cent with more than 50,000 people finding work last month with the majority in full-time jobs.

Dream come true Lucky ladies win nearly $1m each in Lotto

Jennifer Crawley A DREAM has come true for two women who have played Lotto for years and won close to $1 million each in TattsLotto and The Pools prizes.

RBA More relief for homeowners 'in sight'

Jessica Irvine - National Economics Editor GOOD news homeowners, some economic experts say the Reserve Bank should cut interest rates more often to support economic growth.

The data says pressures are easing; families say otherwise The cost-of-living conundrum

Daily Telegraph - Keith Darley is an electrician and is pictured with his wife Lence Darley and children Amity Darley (8 femal

John Rolfe, Cost of Living Editor

EXPERTS say the numbers show the cost of living is no longer the source of stress that it once was. But try telling that to families.

Your Hip Pocket Financial planners' image failing

Karina Barrymore IS it that we are just more cynical these days, or perhaps our trust is completely burnt out? Whatever the reason, it's a good thing.

New battle between online auction websites Let the bidding war begin

John Rolfe, Cost of Living Editor

AUCTION site quicksales has abolished its selling fee in a bid to lure eBay users angered by its commission increase, which kicks in today.

Credit crunch No, really, you can get a better deal

Sophie Elsworth AUSTRALIAN credit card users could be saving themselves hundreds of millions of dollars each month in interest charges by simply taking stock - and switching to a lower rate card.

Report says Staff not carbon tax pushes bills up

Natasha Bita, National Social Editor POWER giants are employing too many desk staff, driving up household electricity bills by more than the carbon tax, a new report claims.

Your Hip Pocket S-word strikes fear in many

Karina Barrymore SUPERANNUATION is rapidly shaping up to be the finance world's weapon of mass destruction - real or imagined.

Shonky Help expose fake online reviews

John Rolfe, Cost of Living Editor CONSUMER protection authorities call for help with a crackdown on fake internet testimonials and the removal of negative reviews.

Interest rates Fixed rates fall to all-time low

Sophie Elsworth FIXED interest rates have fallen to an all-time low - but most home loan customers are failing to take advantage.

Saving Aussies $160bn ahead on mortgages

EXCLUSIVE Sophie Elsworth AUSTRALIAN families are now $160 billion ahead on their mortgages, squirreling away an extra $30 billion since the start of the GFC.

Politics Coalition commits to Labor's super deal

Lanai Scarr THE Coalition says it will maintain Labor's commitment to boost employer superannuation contributions as speculation swirls around the Budget.

Exclusive Australia's cheapest petrol days

EXCLUSIVE John Rolfe AUSTRALIAN motorists could save as much as $200 a year on fuel by boycotting the bowsers on Thursday and Fridays.

Treatment war Costly drugs anger cancer patients

Sue Dunlevy CONSUMER groups have hit out at chemists charging more for chemotherapy drugs and threatening to cut services as they push for a $65m handout.

Cost of living RBA tells homeowners to resist loans

Stephen McMahon HOUSEHOLDS are being urged to continue bolstering their saving and resist the attractive loans on offer from the major commercial banks by the RBA.

Careers Men want toys, women seek options

Ben Pike BLOKES want to work with fighter jets and big trucks while women value job security and flexible conditions, a new survey has revealed.

Carbon tax Voters feel over-taxed and ripped off

Stephen McMahon AUSTRALIANS are increasingly concerned they are over taxed and not receiving value for their dollar in public spending by government.

Rip-off How you gave big banks an extra $3.7bn

Stephen McMahon BY refusing to pass on falls in official interest rates, the four major banks have pocketed an additional $3.7 billion in profits in a year.

Cost factor ANZ leaves its rates on hold

Stephen McMahon ANZ has left its mortgage rates on hold despite admitting that funding pressures have eased since the start of the year.

Costs Hard-up parents put childcare on credit

John Rolfe, Cost of Living Editor NEW evidence has emerged of the growing financial burden caused by childcare, with total fees placed on credit cards set to rise 10 per cent this year.