Analysis
Debit cards
Westpac offers debit cards to eight-year-olds in youth banking push
Children as young as eight are being offered a physical debt card in an effort by Westpac to improve their financial literacy.
- by John Collett
Latest
Analysis
Financial planning
Consumers locked out of financial advice as fees keep rising
The incoming changes to legislation are not enough on their own to get costs down, advisers have warned.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Shares
Eight stocks that analysts have tipped for a turnaround
BHP and Lendlease are among analysts’ tips of good-quality Australian-listed companies whose share prices could do better.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Renting
Rental payments ‘wiping out’ incomes as costs keep rising
Renters are spending more of their income on rent, but there are signs the worst of the rent increases may be over.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Cost of living
Shoppers lose faith in supermarkets for being too profit-driven
The high regard consumers once had for big supermarkets has been tarnished by concerns over soaring grocery prices.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Income tax
Why you should wait before filing your tax return
Care needs to be taken with work-related deductions and any income earned on the side when completing tax returns this year.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Insolvency
New reforms welcomed after significant jump in bankruptcies
A likely reason for the spike, apart from higher interest rates, is the ATO’s resumption of collection of outstanding taxes after a pause during COVID.
- by John Collett
Analysis
First-home buyers
Why first-time buyers are finding it harder to get a mortgage
More first home buyers are struggling to get their mortgage applications over the line with lenders.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Superannuation
Strong year for super funds as banks, AI boost returns
Super funds have declared near double-digit returns for the past financial year, largely thanks to outstanding performances by a raft of tech companies.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Health insurance
Why you could be wasting a lot of money on basic health insurance
Those on basic hospital policies may not realise they could be getting a lot more cover by paying a few more dollars a month.
- by John Collett
Analysis
Interest rates
Mortgage holders warned to brace for higher interest rates
Higher interest rates could be on the way if inflation does not soon show signs of slowing.
- by John Collett