Doing it tough? Here’s where you can get genuine financial help
Opinion
Opinion

Doing it tough? Here’s where you can get genuine financial help

We are contending with a rising cost of living,together with an increase in our mortgage payments. However,those claiming to offer financial help if you are doing it tough are not always legitimate,so it is crucial that you can distinguish between the productive and the predatory.

  • byNicole Pedersen-McKinnon

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How many years does it take a WA uni graduate to pay off their HECS debt? The figure is rising
University

How many years does it take a WA uni graduate to pay off their HECS debt? The figure is rising

Rocky McGellin estimates it will take him 18 years to pay off his uni loan and that’s not even factoring in a looming change that will affect his whole generation.

  • bySarah Brookes
Perth expert delivers harsh warning to homeowners dreading rate rise
Property investment

Perth expert delivers harsh warning to homeowners dreading rate rise

Can’t afford $20 a week extra after one rate rise and subsequent rises up to 3.1 per cent? Then you shouldn’t have a mortgage at all,warns a WA property expert.

  • bySarah Brookes
Sky-high prices push potential home buyers to borrow to the max
Financing

Sky-high prices push potential home buyers to borrow to the max

Interest rates could be going up two months from now,but some buyers are taking on as much debt as possible to try to get onto the ever-elusive property ladder.

  • byElizabeth Redman
State rescue push for Victorian families’ $350m power arrears
Exclusive
Bills

State rescue push for Victorian families’ $350m power arrears

Power bill arrears are on the rise as families struggle with the spiralling cost of living and social services groups want action from the government.

  • byNoel Towell
Buy-now-pay-later borrowers rake in cash as families feel financial pinch
Exclusive
Spending

Buy-now-pay-later borrowers rake in cash as families feel financial pinch

Families borrowing from “subprime lenders” are loading up on buy-now-pay-later products and credit card debt just to cover their essentials.

  • byNoel Towell
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RBA to gradually increase rates to avoid mortgage shock,top economists predict
Exclusive
Interest rates

RBA to gradually increase rates to avoid mortgage shock,top economists predict

An increase in household debt through the COVID-19 recession will weigh heavily on any decision taken by Reserve Bank.

  • byShane Wright andJennifer Duke
‘Damn lot of money’:How households plan to spend their pandemic savings
Analysis
Consumer spending

‘Damn lot of money’:How households plan to spend their pandemic savings

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is hoping the $260 billion in cash saved by households during the pandemic will fuel the economic recovery,but many Australians have other ideas.

  • byCaitlin Fitzsimmons
Feeding the family tops voters’ cost of living concerns
Exclusive
Spending

Feeding the family tops voters’ cost of living concerns

Asked to select the cost of living pressure that most concerned them,42 per cent of voters said grocery bills. A further 35 per cent said utility bills.

  • byLisa Visentin
Four financial priorities for 2022
Opinion
Opinion

Four financial priorities for 2022

Here are some top priorities to consider when you divide up your take-home pay to help you get ahead in 2022.

  • byNicole Pedersen-McKinnon
COVID-19 surge won’t derail recovery:economists
Australian economy

COVID-19 surge won’t derail recovery:economists

Leading economists are confident Australia can continue recovering from the pandemic despite rising case numbers,provided state and territory leaders do not impose further lockdowns.

  • byJennifer Duke