Borrowing
BASIC TRAINING
Credit cards that don't break the bank
Larissa Ham If you're disciplined, a credit card can be handy. But if you're not – and many millions of us aren't – it can be a fast track to an endless cycle of interest payments.
EXCLUSIVE
Credit card traps for zero-interest customers
![December is a time when consumers are tempted to pile purchases on credit.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/8/y/1/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl8t5y.png/1450058025016.jpg)
John Collett Credit card providers are aggressively pushing balance-transfer deals by offering dramatically longer zero-interest periods, but creaming profits from higher fees.
INTEREST RATES
Time to fix your mortgage
![The best deals on fixed interest rates are before the rate cycle hits the bottom.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/7/q/c/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl7pti.png/1448593248869.jpg)
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon It's time to fix your mortgage. Well, half of it. For three years only.
INSIGHT
Home buyers embrace benefits of bigger deposits
![Home buyers are paying bigger deposits to get the best mortgage deals.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/x/z/p/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl2kb6.png/1448363450282.jpg)
Clancy Yeates Banks are becoming more picky about who they offer their lowest interest rates to.
HOME LOANS
Perfect time to refinance your mortgage
![Janine Louden and her husband are returning to their original lender, so they won't have to set up new accounts.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/x/z/6/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkxd7r.png/1447536112819.jpg)
John Collett The big banks may be increasing their mortgage interest rates, but that's no reason for their mortgage customers to meekly accept higher repayments.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Pressure mounts for parents to go guarantor
![Families are helping adult children into property.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/w/4/7/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkw3r5.png/1447288748483.jpg)
Dianne Charman Parents need to consider all the options before becoming property guarantors for their children.
CREDIT TRAPS
New credit card traps
![Credit card providers have new traps to squeeze customers.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/m/k/8/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkwwuy.png/1448964961233.jpg)
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon We know about unconscionable credit card interest rates and unreasonable surcharges, but this is what you don't know.
Young Aussies out of financial control
![Commerce graduate Daniel Wroby didn't hear the term "financial literacy" until he was 23.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/l/p/s/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gklu6o.png/1446314237530.jpg)
Emily Chantiri Twenty-three-year-old Daniel Wroby had never heard the term "financial literacy" until this year. He is not alone.
ASSET CHECK
The magic of the mortgage offset account
![Mortgage offset accounts provide financial flexibility to homeowners.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/f/q/l/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkfqoq.png/1445488523621.jpg)
Daryl Dixon It's an excellent development for consumers that mortgage offset accounts are becoming more commonplace.
ASK NOEL
Age pensioners' guide to lending money
![<p>](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/h/8/x/2/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkfle6.png/1444717798055.jpg)
Noel Whittaker Noel Whittaker answers reader questions on loans from age pensioners, saving for funeral costs and possible changes to superannuation.
WELL-HEELED
From armchair activist to conscious consumer
![Are you a conscious consumer or a sleepwalker? Illustration: Andrew Dyson](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/b/s/2/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkan9v.png/1445337415312.jpg)
Melissa Browne Clicking to support a cause is not enough; you need to consider your investing, spending and borrowing as well.
INSIGHT
Home buyers shun fixed interest rates
![If you're feeling the pinch, it pays to have the certainty of a fixed interest rate.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/4/3/8/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gk763h.png/1449435194134.jpg)
Clancy Yeates When interest rates are this low, it can make sense to fix part of your mortgage.
HIDDEN DISCOUNTS
Big 4 in surprise $400m loan giveaway
![To get the best rate discounts, you need to pick up the phone to the banks and negotiate.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/t/9/c/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gk8lsx.png/1447017396505.jpg)
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon The Big 4 are secretly lopping a full 1 per cent on average off advertised rates for home loans.
Home owners go back to renting
![Growing numbers of Australians are jumping out of home ownership and giving renting another whirl. Illustration: Michael Mucci](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/d/s/g/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gk91m2.png/1445381488379.jpg)
Christine Long Growing numbers of Australians are leaving home ownership to return to renting.
What the Westpac loan hike could cost you
![Westpac variable loan customers could pay $63 more a month.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/u/4/r/k/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gk8jp8.png/1449794900359.jpg)
Kate Cowling Home owners with a Westpac variable loan have been encouraged to shop around after a surprise rate rise that could add more than $20,000 to a 30-year loan.
INSIGHT
The illusion of higher housing wealth
![Consumer spending is up as house prices make owners feel wealthier.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/4/w/p/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gk39dk.png/1445316996362.jpg)
Clancy Yeates Higher house prices may make us feel richer, but it's not that simple.
GETTING AHEAD
Plan on interest rates staying low for longer
![The dollar is competitive and there are signs of life for non-mining business investment, even if housing is finally slowing.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/9/e/p/y/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gk4qs5.png/1444711341603.jpg)
David Potts Interest rates will hang around where they are for a long time yet even though the market has booked a cut for March next year.
LOAN STARS
Lenders are taking too long to pass on rate cuts
![While the cash rate has dropped, consumers are still paying a high price for credit card and personal debt.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/4/3/8/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gk3yhm.png/1449435194134.jpg)
John Collett Despite two official reductions this year, lenders have hardly moved what they charge on credit cards and personal loans.
BOURIS ON MONEY
Give the mortgage a spring spruce-up
![Clean up your mortgage ready for any interest-rate changes.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/3/v/z/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gk3vsf.png/1444361608028.jpg)
Mark Bouris With interest rates stalled it's a good time to run the rule over your mortgage and make sure you can cope with any increase.
OFF THE CARDS
Five things you should never put on credit
![Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/d/o/7/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjxjey.png/1444093999548.png)
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon Some debt is good and other debt is very, very bad – especially when it is sitting on a piece of plastic with a high interest rate.
BASIC TRAINING
Basic Training: How to pay your mortgage off at speed
![Paying off a mortgage takes planning and focus.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/x/i/2/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjxi2z.png/1443751946160.jpg)
Larissa Ham Just moved in? It's time to think about paying off your mortgage – as fast as you can.
BASIC TRAINING
Basic Training: How to have a second bite at your mortgage cherry
![Cherries, like a better mortgage rate, are always good for the picking.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/t/u/5/b/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjtr4k.png/1444275386837.jpg)
Larissa Ham Getting a home loan is hard enough, so why waste time revisiting it? Simple - you could save yourself heaps each month.
CARD SHARPS
Hidden credit card fees paid by everyone
![MasterCard is keen to see Interchange fees are not reduced.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/t/u/s/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjtr07.png/1443063104941.jpg)
John Collett It is the credit card fee lurking in the background that just about all consumers, not just those paying by credit card, pay for.
CARD SHARPS
Mastercard behind 'phoney' credit card campaign
![Choice says MasterCard has been funding a "phoney" campaign against RBA plans to force down fees.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/s/3/g/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjs1j2.png/1445367089275.jpg)
John Collett MasterCard, Visa and the banks have been accused of secretly funding a 'grassroots' push to keep credit card fees high.
Why you should bank like The Bachelor
![If Sam chose Snezana, he'd also need to consider her daughter Eve.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/n/4/4/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjppsx.png/1442488755965.jpg)
Michelle Hutchison Just like your life partner, your bank should be there for you on your life journey.
RATE RISES
Do you call investment property home? Watch out
![Rising cost of investment loans has been bad news for many homeowners.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/p/i/3/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjphoy.png/1445195269774.jpg)
John Collett The big banks' move to lift investment loan rates is bad news if you've chosen to live in your 'investment' property.
HOME SAFE
Get finance sorted before you raise your hand
![Sheldon Rodrigues with his wife Michelle.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/o/i/5/y/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjo684.png/1442714828703.jpg)
John Collett Before you make a commitment to buying a property you need to know that your lender will come to the party.
YOUNG MONEY
They're not sponging, they're saving
![Ed Wall, 25, bought his first home when he was 18.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/j/c/n/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjhv1q.png/1442304418275.jpg)
Sylvia Pennington Can under-25s still manage to get under their own roof without tapping the Bank of Mum and Dad?
BASIC TRAINING
Basic Training: Moving out for the first time? Here's how to budget
![Sharing your home with others can reduce expenses.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/i/g/w/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjih0w.png/1442446910836.jpg)
Larissa Ham Here are some tips on staying in the black once you start to live by yourself.
YOUR QUESTIONS
How can I get into investment property - fast?
![A slowing economy, a rise in home construction and probable increase in interest rates all suggest this might not be the right time to buy an investment property.](/web/20151215214719im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/i/p/6/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjih9e.png/1445009942863.jpg)
George Cochrane I want to pay off my home loan and invest in property - how can I get the ball rolling?