Is it time for property investors to start paying down debt?
The tax benefit from an interest-only loan is now outweighed by the savings on offer with principal & interest loans.
Interest-only loans keep appeal despite growing expense
APRA wants to reduce the growth of interest-only loans, which are highly popular with investors and even owner-occupiers in special situations.
Six billion Qantas points cut in credit card overhaul
A government cap from July 1 on the hidden cost of credit card transactions is going to curtail our frequent flyer points.
Why the banks should absorb the cost of the levy
I know of no other industry where the taxpayer underwrites borrowings – it's a unique arrangement and one that the banks can't characterise as "just another cost", writes Mark Bouris.
Borrowers warned to brace for across-the-board mortgage rate increases
Despite official interest rates being on hold at an historic low of 1.5 per cent since August 2016, mortgage rates have been rising over that time.
Why can't switching banks be like changing mobile providers?
You could be forgiven for getting a sense of deja vu when watching the stoush between the government and the banks.
Document loans to family and friends to protect cash and relationships
Your money kindness towards loved ones might be well meaning, but it is fraught with risk.
NAB-owned UBank launches robot to sell home loans
In a first for an Australian bank, NAB-owned UBank has launched an artificial intelligence "chatbot" for home loans.
Customers unlikely to escape the bank tax
Whenever businesses are hit with a nasty new levy, there is a predictable response: we'll pass it on to customers.
Why interest rates are unlikely to fall further
The era of abnormally low inflation is very gradually coming to an end.
I developed a fear of debt at the age of 10
A fear of debt can either serve you or hold you back – here's how to know whether you need to overcome it.
Margin loans are bad for your financial health
Borrowing to invest. The idea is almost as old as investing itself.
Banks pressuring customers to shift from interest-only
The regulator wants fewer interest-only loans to take the heat out of the housing market. So banks are trying to meet their target by pressuring existing customers.
The fake offset accounts that could make your savings vanish
Money in an offset account may not be protected by the deposit guarantee.
Personal loan applications surge as credit cards wane
Australians are shunning high-interest credit cards and turning to personal loans for large purchases.
My blueprint for buying your first property – safely
My answers to the 'Hey Nicole' questions.
How to avoid squeeze of rising mortgage rates
Despite the Reserve Bank cutting the cash rate twice during 2016, lenders have been edging-up their mortgage rates over that time.
Time to 'get serious' about interest-only loans
The longer the property boom in Sydney and Melbourne goes on, the more avenues we explore to put a cap on buyer exuberance.
Banks are lending too much to property buyers
Real estate continues to dominate the headlines in tandem with speculation on the future of the housing market as APRA's crack down on interest-only loans begins to bite.
Big banks hit home owners with $116k extra interest
The rate differential between the best and worst home loan has widened since September 2013, while the average mortgage is bigger.
Credit cards under scrutiny but personal loan rates also too high
Banks are maintaining high rates on personal loans with little scrutiny.
If you paid 17pc interest in the 1980s, you're lucky
Every generation has a sob story. These are the facts about housing affordability.
5 credit card clawbacks that hit model money citizens
It's possible you clear your credit card balance every month – and think you're pretty clever.
Why a cheap home loan might not be good value
The debate about housing affordability, and speculation about the direction of interest rates, have brought housing loans back into the spotlight.
The science of money
The Centrelink debt demands are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how data is used in your financial life.
Cash-poor Aussies letting shonky operators take advantage
There are loan sharks cashing in on 5 million savings-poor Australians, but there are more affordable borrowing options out there.
Peer-to-peer lenders lead increase in personal loans
Personal loan applications rose strongly during the December 2016 quarter, with much of the growth coming from online marketplace lenders.
Zero-interest balance transfers credit cards can have sting
Lenders promote their zero-interest balance transfer credit cards at this time of year. They know that many people return from Christmas and holidays struggling to pay-off their credit card debt.
The most effective debt reduction strategy for you
As widely expected, financial institutions have gradually been increasing their mortgage interest rates especially the longer term fixed rate offerings. This has been triggered by expectations of higher US interest rates following the Trump election victory.
Warning about new 'buy now, pay later' system in festive frenzy
There are four frantic days until Christmas and it's possible you're panicking.