Borrowing

Innovation isn't just about looking different, it's about delivering real value to the customer.

MIND OVER MONEY

Celebrate innovation that puts the customer in charge

Caitlin Fitzsimmons   The word innovation is in vogue, but what does it mean anyway - and is it worth all the fuss?

MONEY MENTOR

Property options for the priced-out

The Great Australian Dream of property ownership is not dead, but it needs to shift away from the white picket fence.

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon   It's not going to be much consolation to frustrated would-be first-home buyers, but monthly repayments on the average new mortgage are $254 less than they were at Australia's borrowing peak in November.

TIP OF THE WEEK

5 ways to pay off the mortgage super quick

Owning a home can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with a fair amount of financial responsibility.

Heidi Armstrong   Stories about people who pay off sizeable home loans in record time are always talked about – but what are some of the tricks to making this happen?

CREDIT CARDS

Dissatisfaction with rewards cards widespread

Cheryl Williams is unhappy with the value of her reward credit cards.

John Collett   Most rewards credit card holders believe that their rewards program delivers poor value.

TIP OF THE WEEK

When to fix your mortgage

Even if the RBA reduces the cash rate again this year, that is no guarantee mortgage rates will fall.

John Flavell   One of the most common questions mortgage holders ask their broker is: "when is the right time to fix my loan?"

WELL HEELED

Save yourself from drowning in debt

Programs such as Nippers train young people to become excellent performers in the water. We need to adopt the same ...

Melissa Browne   The number of Australians wallowing in credit-card debt, mortgage debt, car loans and other forms of debt is a real issue, so perhaps it's time we paid the same level of attention to financial safety as we do to being waterwise.

HOME LOANS

How to find a mortgage bargain

Chris Reid and his wife Kathryn found a better home loan deal for their Brisbane home.

John Collett   Are you the "ideal" mortgage borrower? If, so, lenders want your business.

Millennials, step away from the credit card!

Beware the credit rating credit card.

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon   Millennials snapping up credit cards in order to get a credit history should be aware that credit ratings are now warts 'n' all.

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TIP OF THE WEEK

Help for those who can't repay their debts

To qualify for the National Hardship Register, you need to meet with a financial counsellor.

John Collett   The National Hardship Register can help the vulnerable have their debts waived.

INSIGHT

Banks ramp up credit card loyalty scheme push

Amex cards can reward holders with up to 3 points per dollar spent whereas it is typically 0.5 to 1 point per dollar for ...

Clancy Yeates   Banks are busily spruiking a growing number of promotions that promise you thousands of frequent flyer points for taking out a new credit card.

CREDIT CARDS

Credit cards a 27-year debt sentence

The government is considering mandating minimum repayments of both principal and interest on credit cards.

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon   The average bad marriage lasts 12 years, but the average bad debt on credit cards lasts 27 years.

UNIVERSITY COSTS

Student debt cheapest debt of all

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John Collett   There is not much point in repaying student debt early, especially after the removal of discounts at the end of this year.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Tackle bad debt before good debt

More Australians are worried about their finances than two years ago.

John Flavell   Australians are increasingly worried about their finances, but there is a simple technique that everyone can use to become debt free faster.

INSIGHT

Beware sting in zero per cent credit card deals

If you've racked up a large credit card debt, the zero per cent balance transfer deals look tempting.

Clancy Yeates   Here are some of the traps in banks' zero interest credit card offers.

MIND OVER MONEY

What The Big Short movie can teach ordinary people

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Caitlin Fitzsimmons   It's exciting watching the traders short the US mortgage market before the global financial crisis, but it's not something the rest of us can emulate.

INSIGHT

Debit cards more popular than ever but Aussies still hooked on credit

The abstract nature of credit means consumers feel less emotionally connected to the money and are more prone to the ...

Sally Rose   The use of a debit card to limit reliance on credit is being undermined by consumers keeping a credit card for 'emergencies'.

Aussies turning to fast cash this Christmas

Kim Kardashian is a role model for many.

Michelle Hutchison   At this time of year many Australians are taking out small loans in the lead-up to Christmas.

BASIC TRAINING

Credit cards that don't break the bank

If you are getting a credit card for the first time, tread carefully.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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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

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.

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.

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon   The Big 4 are secretly lopping a full 1 per cent on average off advertised rates for home loans.