Money Saver HQ

A little girl visits the doctor and has private health insurance cover. Picture: iStock.

Health insurance switching checklist

THERE are plenty of people considering switching health insurers as providers prepare to hike premiums, but there are five things to consider first.

Strike it rich with a start-up

NOT long ago, the world’s richest tech companies were start-ups and made big dollars for their investors. Kochie explains how to pick a winner.

Students feel university cost pain

A MAJORITY of university students are under financial strain as they concede paying for their course and textbooks brings them added stress.

‘They know what to do to get $1’

IN a world where we put nearly everything on credit cards, Marissa Schulze reveals how she rewards her children to teach them the value of money.

The real cost of smoking revealed

JUST one year off smoking could fund a home renovation or overseas trip: while five years would see savings of more than $38,000 — enough for a new car.

Customers ‘cheated’ by credit card rates

THE official cash rate has plummeted over the past five years, but credit card interest rates have inched up. Now angry consumers are ready to take action

Banks fleecing loyal customers

UNSUSPECTING home loan customers are getting fleeced by their own banks by paying variable interest rates more than four times the cash rate.

Housing horror for more retirees

THE great Australian dream of owning your own home is becoming a nightmare for retirees, with more likely to still have a mortgage.

Lenders are watching you closely

HAVING a squeaky-clean credit history is about to put consumers in the driver’s seat and deliver them better deals.

How to make housing affordable

FOREIGN buyers and negative gearing are two big issues putting housing out of reach and action needs to be taken, David Koch writes.

All you can eat data is coming

AUSTRALIA’S addiction to data has telcos preparing to roll out unlimited usage plans, in what shapes as a major shake-up of the industry.

Lender loyalty can bite you

HOME loan customers who stick with the same lender could be costing themselves big, new research shows.

How much money equals happiness?

TODAY is the International Day of Happiness and research has revealed the surprising salary sweetspot that Australians need to be happy.

How women can boost their super

WOMEN are more pessimistic than men about retirement and more than three out of five say they will battle financially after finishing work.

Tool could save thousands on hospital costs

DO YOU know how much a hip replacement costs? Neither does anyone else. A new tool helps patients make upfront decisions that could save thousands.

How to get cheaper health cover

SWITCHING health insurers is often a time-consuming and frustrating task but if you can get over that hurdle it can be well worth it.

Save thousands ditching your car

REGO coming around soon? Wondering whether it’s all worth it? Here’s how to save thousands by ditching your car and using ride-sharing services

Super house deposits a silly idea

OPINION: It sounds like a tempting idea — let young Australians withdraw their superannuation for a house deposit — but what will it cost them?

Dividend splash is on its way

MILLIONS of investors will receive more than $20 billion in dividend payments over the next two months as Australia’s biggest companies hand out profits.

Life insurance dies as premiums soar

AUSTRALIANS are ditching life insurance in droves because of huge rises in the premiums they are forced to pay. Experts advise what to do.

Aussies behind on financial knowledge

FINANCIAL information is free and more accessible than ever before, so why do we rate ourselves so poorly when it comes to money knowledge?

What US rate rises mean for you

THERE’S no need to worry that the US interest rate rise earlier today will result in Australian home loan interest rates rising. Well, not yet.

Investors stung by complacency

INVESTORS who have a ‘set and forget’ approach to the properties they own — causing hassles for tenants — may also be costing themselves money in the long run.

Save big when buying a car: Kochie

DAVID Koch explains why you should never wash your old car before going to buy a new one, along with some other handy tips.

The money mistakes couples make

MORE than half of Australians argue with their partner over who is a spender and a saver in their relationship — but it can be avoided.

Rates to stay on hold for the year

INTEREST rate rises will be on the minds of many in the world of finance this week, but Australian home buyers should be safe, for now.

Mortgage holders stressed over jobs

INTEREST rates may be low but Australians are worried poor job security could affect their ability to pay off the mortgage.

Credit card rewards get the chop

CREDIT card reward programs are being overhauled, so check your program because it may no longer be worth the money.

Smart ways to save more super

MANY of us have heard of the three Rs in education, but if you want to get smarter about your retirement savings it’s a good idea to focus on the five Cs.

Toys bring big returns for investors

TOYS may be seen as child play, but some are returning value growth of more than 30 per cent for savvy investors.

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Health cover Health insurance switching checklist

THERE are plenty of people considering switching health insurers as providers prepare to hike premiums, but there are five things to consider first.

Young investors Where young people are investing

THEY may be struggling to crack the property market but young Australians are finding innovative ways to invest and are reaping the returns.

Financial literacy ‘They know what to do to get $1’

IN a world where we put nearly everything on credit cards, Marissa Schulze reveals how she rewards her children to teach them the value of money.

Savings tip The real cost of smoking revealed

JUST one year off smoking could fund a home renovation or overseas trip: while five years would see savings of more than $38,000 — enough for a new car.

Smart investing Strike it rich with a start-up

NOT long ago, the world’s richest tech companies were start-ups and made big dollars for their investors. Kochie explains how to pick a winner.

Financial futures Kids shouldn’t be left short-changed

INVISIBLE money is increasing the pressure on parents to teach their children modern financial lessons as tap and go technology takes over.

Retirement income Costs outstripping the age pension

MILLIONS of pensioners received a payment increase this week yet it is failing to cover the climbing cost of many retirees’ largest expenses.

Home fix Borrowers should fix home loan rates

BORROWERS should look at fixing interest rates on their home loans, say mortgage experts, who claim the only way is up for variable rates.

Which bank Commonwealth jacks up interest rates

COMMONWEALTH Bank has become the last of the big four lenders to jack up interest rates out-of-cycle.

Credit cards Customers ‘cheated’ by credit card rates

THE official cash rate has plummeted over the past five years, but credit card interest rates have inched up. Now angry consumers are ready to take action

Home ownership Housing horror for more retirees

THE great Australian dream of owning your own home is becoming a nightmare for retirees, with more likely to still have a mortgage.

Exclusive story Petrol emissions cut costs drivers

MOTORISTS will have to pay up to $645 more a year for regular unleaded fuel under a government plan to reduce petrol emissions.

Omnibus savings What child care reforms mean for you

THE Federal Government’s new omnibus savings bill may strike fear into families receiving welfare or benefits. But here’s how it actually works.

Sky high Aussie cities continue to hurt the wallet

IT’S official — Sydney and Melbourne remain among the most expensive cities in the world, but things could be worse.