How I paid off my home by 36
Money Columnist Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon confides the way she worked the system, leveraged lucky breaks and, yes, economised to get debt-free in seven years.
Mortgage pre-approval is a smart move but avoid these traps
Pre-approval can be your best friend, or your worst enemy.
Low rates are a chance for mortgagors to get ahead
Many economists think we're in for another interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank in 2017.
The 'bank of mum and dad' has risks too
Buying a home has become so tough for many young people in the past few years that more and more are relying on the "bank of mum and dad".
NAB credit card customers risk bad credit record
NAB credit card customers who do not update their direct debit arrangements when they are issued their new Visa credit card risk damaging their credit records.
Nicole helps… beat a $20,000 credit card debt
How to avoid bankruptcy with smart credit repair and a good 0 per cent balance transfer credit card.
More parents helping children onto property ladder
Sarah Hopkins and her husband did not have to think too long before agreeing to go guarantor for their son’s mortgage.
Nicole helps ... with a mortgage masterclass
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon has a new column tackling consumer finance issues.
Beware the $61,282 remortgage mistake everyone makes
Money educator Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon tackles readers' consumer finance problems in a new column.
Be a power user of credit card rewards programs
Anthony Bianco maximises the rewards points for his credit card but diligently pays off the balance every month.
How to choose your first credit card
Choosing your first credit card is equal parts daunting and exciting.
Why using a mortgage broker gives borrowers more power
At a time when the finance industry has become too complex for most Australians, there is also a low awareness of what finance or mortgage brokers do, and how they can help the borrower.
Forget unstable super, attack your mortgage while it's dirt cheap
Superannuation offers tax advantages but it can't beat the security of a fully paid off home and the time to tackle the debt mountain is while rates are cheap.
The push to reward good borrowers with cheaper loans
Should you be rewarded for always paying your bills and loans on time with lower interest rates on loans?
Big-bank mortgage holders can easily do better
Why big-bank customers should pick up the phone and ask for a bigger interest-rate cut.
The cheaper debt product Aussies forgot. Hint: it's not plastic
We're in love with credit cards, but that costs us more than it needs to.
Why the best home loan may not be the cheapest
Many homeowners are shopping around for a cheaper mortgage but features such as offset accounts are worth holding on to.
Should you move or renovate?
As a person who has both moved and renovated, let me assure you that both create major disruptions in your lifestyle.
Mortgages for older Australians
Young first-home buyers have been big news lately, but people in their 50s or 60s also face trouble getting into the property market.
Odds of a rate cut on Tuesday?
Most - but not all - economists expect the Reserve Bank to keep interest rates on hold despite Britain's referendum to leave the European Union.
How to repair a broken credit record
Now is a good time to get financial priorities right.
Cheap debt drives refinancing boom
The rush to refinance is on but don't fall prey to common mistakes.
The $4.3b a year we waste
What do credit card companies have to do to get us to abandon them for a better deal?
Celebrate innovation that puts the customer in charge
The word innovation is in vogue, but what does it mean anyway - and is it worth all the fuss?
Property options for the priced-out
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.
5 ways to pay off the mortgage super quick
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?
Dissatisfaction with rewards cards widespread
Most rewards credit card holders believe that their rewards program delivers poor value.
When to fix your mortgage
One of the most common questions mortgage holders ask their broker is: "when is the right time to fix my loan?"
Save yourself from drowning in debt
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.
How to find a mortgage bargain
Are you the "ideal" mortgage borrower? If, so, lenders want your business.