A little-known change by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has put property sellers at risk of having 15% of their sale price withheld, a mistake that could cost over $122,000 for the average property owner. Since January 1, 2025, anyone selling property in Australia must obtain a clearance certificate before settlement. If they fail to…
Let’s have a chat about Aussies and their savings habits. It’s a topic that often comes up, especially when we’re thinking about financial security and future planning. Average savings across the board On average, Australians have about $37,408 tucked away in their savings accounts. However, this figure can be a bit misleading due to the…
ANZ has brought forward its forecast for the first rate cut to take place in February, however, it maintains the view that borrowers will only see two rate cuts in the coming cycle. The news follows better-than-expected results from November’s monthly CPI Indicator released on Wednesday. ANZ now joins CBA in expecting the first RBA…
We often hear about rising interest rates, skyrocketing housing prices, and inflation biting into household budgets, but there’s another more personal cost emerging from the current economic climate—our social circles are shrinking. A recent survey by Finder highlights that around 4 million Australians have cut back on their social interactions simply to save money. While…
Western Australia (WA) continues to lead growth in owner-occupier loans, while Queensland (QLD) has become the second-largest market for investor loans, surpassing Victoria. Money.com.au’s latest Mortgage Insights report highlighted some interesting trends that reflect shifting buyer preferences, tax advantages, and affordability considerations across different states. National loan growth insights The average new loan size in…
It’s been a tumultuous week for global markets and geopolitics as the US election came to a head, and we had a very predictable outcome from the RBA in their November policy meeting. And there’s some good news ahead for Australia, according to David Robertson, Chief economist of Bendigo Bank, who, in his latest report,…
I’ve heard the phrase “If only I knew that back when I was younger”, time and time again over the years. While it’s too late for many of us, understanding the personal finance tips we all wish we knew at age 18 might help the younger generations who are just starting out on their financial…
As we increasingly embrace digital transactions, the convenience of tapping, swiping, and entering our card details online also brings significant risks. A recent report from Finder has uncovered a worrying statistic: 1 in 6 Australians have had their credit or debit card skimmed in the past year. This is a stark reminder that, despite the…
Like the rest of Australia, New South Wales is in the grip of a housing crisis that has been years in the making, driven by a combination of population growth, inadequate housing supply, and skyrocketing property prices. The latest recommendations from the Productivity and Equality Commission aim to address these challenges head-on with a range…
Australians have long prided themselves on enjoying the good life—sun-soaked holidays, sparkling new cars in the driveway, freshly renovated homes, and indulgent weekends out. But underneath this polished surface, a troubling financial reality is emerging. A recent report from Finder paints a worrying picture: over 6.3 million Australians are falling into debt just to keep…
