Property
Overcome the Deposit Barrier With These 6 Tips
In Australia, the deposit barrier is a significant challenge for many people who wish to buy their own homes. Saving up for a deposit can be a daunting task, especially for first-time homebuyers. The good news is that there are various strategies and resources...[Read More]
‘Cold comfort’ for households with energy prices rising
Households and businesses will feel the squeeze of rising electricity prices this year despite federal government intervention in the energy market. In a speech to the Sydney Institute, Energy Minister Chris Bowen outlined how the government’s decision to take action...[Read More]
Home loan discount for sustainable builds and renos
Australians building or renovating their homes with solar panels and no gas will benefit from a $125 million investment to improve access to sustainable housing. Under a new agreement between the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and the Commonwealth Bank of...[Read More]
Smart homes: benefits and how to have one
While smart home technology has been around since the 1990s, people are just beginning to appreciate having it. The devices in a smart home are interconnected and accessible from a single hub, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or gaming console. A smart home...[Read More]
Being married may help prevent type 2 diabetes: study
Being married may help prevent type 2 diabetes, regardless of whether the relationship is happy, research suggests. Previous studies have found that happy marriages confer a range of health benefits compared with being single, including a longer life, fewer strokes and...[Read More]
Top 10 financial New Year’s resolutions to achieve in the new year
The new year is a perfect time to reflect on your achievements from the ending year and to plan for the new year. While you can also make resolutions for other aspects of life, financial success should be at the top of your list. Check if you achieved your last...[Read More]
5 Ways to Live Your Best Life After Retirement
Have you ever thought about life after retirement? If you have, you most likely think about the best things in life: a happy family, good health and wealth. The only way to make this dream retirement a reality is to have the right retirement plan. Below are some tips...[Read More]
Caravan Life: 3 Key Considerations to Live Off the Grid for Longer
One of the best things about Australia is that it offers avid caravanners plenty of opportunities to live off the grid and be one with nature. And with so many camping spots in the country, you might even be lucky enough to find an inexpensive or totally free...[Read More]
New building activity slows as rates bite
New home building starts have plummeted by more than 20 per cent in 12 months as labour and material shortages continue to weigh on the construction industry. New building activity fell further in the September quarter after softening moderately in the three months to...[Read More]
Helping kids with living expenses
There’s a family event of sorts that gives parents mixed feelings of sadness, apprehension and relief — and children a lot of excitement: when a child leaves the proverbial nest. Now, this can happen early during your child’s teenage years or much later in life....[Read More]
Top 5 advantages of home ownership
Your decision to purchase a new house is a significant life event, and the thought of becoming a homeowner might be a little intimidating. However, homeownership brings with it several advantages, including the freedom to design your home as you wish, the capacity to...[Read More]
Big focus on food waste ahead of Christmas
As Christmas approaches, millions of Australians are turning their minds to what to feed family and friends. But for many people, the amount of food wasted is just as important as what dishes are served. On a December morning in the Illawarra region of NSW, driver Sage...[Read More]
How to help your child with their first home
In today’s economic climate, it’s increasingly common to help your child with their first home. In this article, we’re going to look at three options to help you do this. Why not take a look at the pros and cons of each and choose the one that’s the best fit...[Read More]
Household living cost crisis not over yet
Sky-high living costs continue to crush household budgets, with a monthly inflation gauge picking up pace again. The one per cent lift in November recorded in the Melbourne Institute’s monthly inflation gauge follows smaller increases in October and September. In...[Read More]
Tips to save money this Christmas
5 Tips to Save Money This Christmas Christmas always brings with it a certain warmth and cheer, and yet these days, a lot of people are feeling the pinch financially. As Christmas approaches, people consider all the items they need to buy for friends and family....[Read More]