Getting it together: what to know before you consolidate
Managing multiple loans can be difficult – and stressful. One way to simplify your financial situation and save yourself time, effort and (hopefully) money is to centralise your debt. But it is not always the right answer, so here’s what to consider before you consolidate. When you borrow money, the most important thing is being able to stay on top of your repayments. But there are many factors that contribute to this, such as your interest rate, how much you…
Get Out Of Town: Are rural areas the new Australian property hotspots?
2020 has seen a serious slowdown in city property markets, but some rural real estate agents say they’re busier than ever. So, is this simply a result of the pandemic? Or a trend that’s set to keep growing after COVID-19 is gone? The fact is, most of us have spent a lot more time indoors this year than ever before, and now that lockdowns and travel restrictions have started to ease across the country, it seems that’s got a lot…
Now you own your data: the new world of ‘open banking’ explained
The promise of open banking is big; a new, simpler way to share your personal financial data between banks, lenders and financial companies. It started on July 1. Here’s how it works and what it means to take back control of your data to get the best rates and offers. Switching banks has long been something that Australians put in the ‘too hard basket.’ More than 40 per cent of Australians are with the same bank they started with as a kid,…
Budget 2020: What’s included for SMEs?
The federal government had handed down one of the most anticipated budgets in history, outlining its plans to help the country rebuild post-coronavirus, despite also revealing the grimmest economic conditions since the Great Depression. Here’s a breakdown of what’s in store for small and medium businesses. READ MORE(Source : www.mybusiness.com.au）
Around the Grounds: How COVID-19 has impacted on Australia’s property market
The RBA’s September announcement that the interest rate remains unchanged comes as no surprise. After all, RBA Governor Philip Lowe told parliament last month that he expects the current record low 0.25% interest rate to stay in place for three years. Low rates have long-term implications, but in the meantime, let’s go ‘around the grounds’ and look at how low interest rates and a global pandemic have impacted property markets so far this year. As we enter what is traditionally…
Low rates, high risk? Is it time for first home buyers to enter the market?
With record low interest rates, a flattening housing market and repeated assertions from RBA governor Philip Lowe that a rates rise is not on the horizon, this may be the right time for first home buyers to strike. Following the August Reserve Bank (RBA) meeting, interest rates remain at 0.25% for August. As recently as July, RBA governor Philip Lowe reasserted that “there has been no change to the board’s view that negative interest rates in Australia are extraordinarily unlikely.” First…
Getting a Foot in the Door: What you need to know about the new HomeBuilder grant
As part of the economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government’s HomeBuilder program provides eligible owner-occupiers – including first home buyers – with a grant of $25,000 to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home before the end of 2020. It can pay to check if you’re eligible and what you’ll need to do to apply if you are. HomeBuilder is designed to complement existing state and territory first home owner grant programs, stamp duty…
As low as it could go: is now the moment to fix your mortgage rate?
Australia’s cash rate is now the lowest it has been in 23 years, a reaction initially to stunted economic growth and now to the impact of COVID-19 on the local and global economic landscape. As the uncharted negative interest rate zone looms, is it worth fixing your rate? Here’s what to weigh up when making your decision. The RBA has stood by its promise to keep the current rate of 0.25%, which still represents a historic low. RBA governor Philip…
Full stop: taking a ‘mortgage holiday’ when rates are low
Taking a short-term break from paying off your mortgage isn’t a new idea, but as the bite of the COVID-19 pandemic grips harder and harder, more Australians are applying to do so. With the RBA’s cash rate held at a record low of 0.25%, what are the implications of pushing pause on your repayments? In some ways, you could say April’s decision just came a little early. The RBA made an out-of-cycle decision to drop the cash rate to 0.25%…
Future focused: apps and tools to track your finances
It’s never a bad idea to have a little help managing your money – and when you’ve got monthly mortgage repayments to make, balancing the books is extra important. There’s a great range of apps and tools designed to help you budget, save and track your finances. And we’ve put together a list of some worth checking out. Budgeting and Tracking The formula is pretty simple. To balance your budget, you need to know how much you’re spending and what…
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