BORROWING

Offset accounts can save you thousands

Mark Bouris When they're used properly they can accelerate the paying-down of the mortgage.

On a fair dinkum comparison, these rates are low

JOHN COLLETT The Commonwealth Bank’s 5-year fixed home loan interest rate of 4.99 certainly hit the headlines when it was announced on Wednesday.

GETTING STARTED

Cheaper to rent than buy? The debate continues

David Potts A recent paper suggested renting a home is now cheaper than buying. But it's not that straightforward.

Interest rates at the right setting

Mark Bouris We owe far more than we earn, but is there any need to restrict the housing market?

GETTING STARTED

No need to be negative - it's high time to fix

David Potts Economists have changed their tune about interest rates and you may not want to hear it if you're trying to save.

BORROWING

How to cut your mortgage in eight steps

Mark Bouris Could you save money on your mortgage? Ask yourself some simple questions to find out.

GETTING STARTED

Why we all need to give a damn about the less well off

Penny Pryor Helping break the poverty trap for people with small interest-free loans, will benefit the whole country in the long run.

BORROWING

Cheaper loans for the creditworthy

JOHN COLLETT A new type of lender is offering loans at rates that match the borrower's personal payments record.

PROPERTY

Taxing truth and fiction on investment properties

Melissa Browne Property investment is one of the great passions of many Australians, who may in turn find their affairs become a passion of the tax office.

Intelligent Investor: The case for selling Woodside

INTELLIGENT INVESTOR Nathan Bell Profits have never been higher. Dividends, production and cash flow have all hit records while capital expenditure and debt has plummeted; These aren’t the usual conditions to support the argument to sell a company. And yet that’s what we’re about to do.

BORROWING

Banks bet on more credit card debt

CLANCY YEATES Lenders are pulling out all sorts of tricks to boost spending on credit cards. But watch out for the inevitable catch.

Borrowing tips for self-employed, contractors

Mark Bouris Contractors and the self-employed face more obstacles than wage earners when it comes to home loans. Here's how to make the process easier.

PROPERTY

Patience suggested as property sales rush eases

Penny Pryor It's a time for wait-and-see, especially for first-home buyers - your net wealth will thank you.

INVESTMENT PROPERTY

Rising rates threaten negative gearing party

CLANCY YEATES As the typical house price rises, so does the number of debt-laden landlords.

RATES

Bond boom pulls down rates as banks sit pat

David Potts The truth is the market is becoming less convinced there'll even be a rise next year.

MORTGAGES

Beyond the big four banks

Christine Long Love to hate the major banks? Three alternatives seek to challenge the status quo.

FIGHTING BACK

Bankruptcy effects long-lasting

Christine Long At just 20, Vanessa Hall declared herself bankrupt. She's still paying for that decision.

INSIGHT

Household debt climbing, but we can take it

CLANCY YEATES Australian households have a well-deserved reputation for taking on large amounts of debt - and recent numbers show why.