Australia has gone into recession for the first time in 28 years. What effect could it have on you? Australia has had a very good run when it comes to continued economic growth. Twenty-eight years without a recession is a record achievement, with the previous one in 1991. So what is a recession, and what […]
Some tips and tricks to paying off your home loan sooner. Buying a home is likely the most significant financial transaction you’ll ever make. So it stands to reason that your home loan will be your largest ongoing financial obligation. Imagine what life would be like without that monthly or fortnightly strain on your income?
Hide in a cupboard, launch an escape pod or retreat to the garage – you may have more options than you think to create a peaceful home office. If we’ve learned anything in the past 12 months, it’s that study nooks no longer cut the mustard. They may be great for paying a few bills
A new way to quickly and securely share your banking data could help you take more control of your finances. With all the news about Covid last year and its financial impact – interest rates, loan repayment pauses, financial relief packages, government building incentives and so on – you may have missed the news that
It may be an admirable trait in personal relationships, but in financial matters, loyalty can come at a cost. Sticking with the same loan longer than three years can cost borrowers thousands, with competition to win business resulting in new customers paying lower rates than existing ones. This so-called loyalty tax has become such a
Navigating the dos and don’ts of investment property returns. Rental properties and holiday homes are once again in the sights of the Australian Tax Office, which has had growing success identifying erroneous claims. Last year about 70 per cent of returns related to investment properties audited by the ATO had to be amended, most often
Renovating for profit can be a tricky business in a cooling market. But it’s more a science than an art if you know the pitfalls. Here are six common mistakes to avoid. 1. Not having a plan This obvious but common error is responsible for a host of renovating sins, from paying too much in
Who knew selling eggs at the garden gate could void your home insurance? Apparently not many people, including the Victorian homeowners who have found themselves at the centre of an insurance nightmare that should prompt everyone with a side hustle to check their coverage. It seems having an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered to your
2023 will ring in changes to stamp duty and home-buyer schemes around the country. Here’s a quick fly-over of shifts at national and State level set to kick in this year. NATIONAL Help to Buy The Albanese Government’s flagship housing policy Help to Buy is expected to launch in July this year. But legislation has yet
It’s the ultimate property conundrum – buy or rent? The answer is: it depends. Annoying, right? But don’t be discouraged. It’s not an impossible question to answer. It just means the key factors you need to consider – prices, rent, interest rates – are constantly shifting. It’s worth diving into the data, however, because choosing
