Australian personal finance news, tips and advices.
by George
Compensation for this post was provided by Choosewell.
The private health insurance industry has found itself in a bit of a pickle after customer advocacy group Choice recently ousted several major providers as proponents of ‘junk’ health insurance policies. Arguing that these policies represent a complete waste of money for consumers, Choice has demanded attention from the Federal Government. ... (read more)
by George
Anyone who has ever borrowed money knows it can be hard to pay back at times. However, borrowing is a bridge most of us need in order to quickly get ahead in life. Personal loans are the fastest means of acquiring funds for a range of purposes, but the first criterion is your ability to make the loan repayments on time.
If your earnings or income are high and you have a clean credit history, a personal loan will usually be approved. People on lower incomes need to tailor their approach to repayments that are make-able. You will need to provide evidence of current and ongoing expenses, revealing enough disposable income to furnish the loan and thrive . There are other stipulations, including Australian residency requirements, that will affect the application. ... (read more)
by George
This post is a response to Saundra Latham’s great article about the best home equity loan rates for 2016 (US), posted on the The Simple Dollar.
Paying off a mortgage results in more than just owning a home. The value of your home is a form of savings that provides negotiating power for other loan arrangements or investments. For many people, the downside of making regular mortgage repayments is the lack of ready cash or additional savings potential. A home equity loan can provide the solution, by allowing home owners to borrow money against the value of their home. This money can be used for any number of home improvements or other purposes. ... (read more)
by George
Taking out a personal loan can be a positive step toward achieving your goals. It is a real commitment, with long-term financial accountability required, and patience is a must. Successfully paying off a personal loan is character-building and also provides valuable advantage for further loan approvals at a later date. In fact, there are several scenarios where taking out a personal loan is a good idea. ... (read more)
by George
Australians are keen to get the best return on their money. Many of us are enticed by the incentives of reward credit cards offering cash back, frequent flyer miles or points that can be dedicated toward purchases. Coupled with good money management, a rewards credit card will pay dividends. However, in the hands of a whimsical spendthrift the card can become a further drain on financial resources. ... (read more)
by George
In essence, it would seem that getting a credit card is easy. After all, credit card company representatives are out and about on the streets and in shopping malls signing up new customers all the time. However, filling out the form is only the first step, and your credit score will be used to determine if you are actually wanted as a customer. So, what credit score is actually needed to get a credit card? ... (read more)
by George
In 2014, changes were introduced into credit score reports. History regarding personal loans is now scrutinised more thoroughly by lenders, meaning that if you have successfully paid off a personal loan on time and on schedule it will positively affect your credit score. On the other hand, defaults or recurring late payments will reflect badly on your credit score.
The changes to the system provide a more comprehensive overview of an individuals capacity for sound money management. Rather than only negative ‘black marks’ showing up on the credit report, positive information is also taken into account. Lenders and service providers will take previous financial management into consideration. ... (read more)
by George
Free tertiary education is an ideal that promotes societal equality, and is especially attractive to students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. As a nation, Australia relies on human capital that generates wealth and improves the overall standard of living for everyone. However, in reality there is no such thing as ‘free’ education as the funding to maintain huge universities has to come from somewhere. This leads to the actual question. Should the government (taxpayer) or student foot the bill for higher education? ... (read more)
by George
Home contents insurance gives the home owner or renter peace of mind by covering the financial cost of replacing or repairing possessions. Almost everything you own can be covered by contents insurance, including furnishings, computers, white goods, electrical appliances, equipment, toys and even collections such as stamps or coins.
As we accumulate possessions it becomes imperative to protect our investment with insurance. Home contents insurance covers items belonging to every family member, and can even include items belonging to visiting friends as long as their name is also listed on the insurance policy. Items that are not covered include permanent building attachments. These will need to be part of a separate ‘home insurance’ policy. Many people combine home and contents insurance to cover both the house and possessions. ... (read more)
by George
Being in debt from time to time is a fact of life for most people. Whether purchasing a home, car, or planning a vacation, borrowing at least some of the money is essential and scheduled repayments are the norm. However, it’s no secret that some people are not careful with their money, and the tendency to borrow too much or pile up credit card debt can soon lead to an out of control debt spiral. Desperation for some respite can lead to further bad decisions that only increase the woes. At this point, expert guidance is essential and a debt consolidation personal loan could be the answer. ... (read more)