Card surcharges: Are you paying too much?
Ever wondered why your cup of coffee costs an extra 15 cents at one café and not another? Or why the service station advises that you will have to pay another 1.5 percent to use Visa or Mastercard?
It’s called a card surcharge - the amount a business charges to cover the cost of an electronic transaction, typically between 0.5 and 1.5 percent. While two-thirds of merchants absorbed this fee about five years ago, the use of debit and credit cards increased, and so has the number of businesses passing on the cost.
Reality bites: The true cost of dental care
Seeing the dentist for the first time in a while? Need to take your child to the dentist? There are things you should know before you go.
Money matters: How a financial counsellor can help you
Struggling to juggle all your bills? Falling behind on your rent or mortgage payments? You may benefit from financial counselling.
We seek advice from the experts for all kinds of things in our lives – from health to education and everything in between, so you shouldn’t be embarrassed about asking for assistance in an area integral to your wellbeing.
Financial counsellors can help you navigate a very stressful time. But who exactly are these professionals? What role do they play in helping you regain control of your financial health? Let's delve deeper into understanding the invaluable support they can provide.
Debt disaster: How to ask for financial hardship help
Money – particularly the lack of it – is a sensitive topic for most of us. There's a level of embarrassment or shame that can come with the inability to meet financial obligations.
Power up: How to get a rebate on your electricity bill
Feeling the sting of yet another surging power bill? There is some relief on the way – providing you meet the eligibility criteria.
Handing down the Federal Budget on 9 May, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said more than five million households would have up to $500 deducted from their power bills in the next financial year through the Energy Bill Relief Fund.
But are you one of them?
Finding solid ground: What can I do if my home builder collapses?
Home is where the heart is. It's also the most significant investment most of us will make in our lifetime.
So, when news breaks about the collapse of a prominent builder, it's only natural to feel anxious about the security of your own home builder or to be wary about starting a new build.
Paying the price: The cost of payday loans
Picture this: It's the end of the month, and you're anxiously waiting for your next paycheck. An unexpected expense throws your budget off balance, and you're desperate for a solution. Enter the payday loan, seemingly a saving grace in your time of need, promising immediate relief.
When we find ourselves in financial strife, it's tempting to look for a short-term fix – sometimes it’s payday loans; other times it’s through wage advance apps. But whichever you choose, it can cost you big time.
New lease on life: Should I buy or lease my computer?
As we edge closer to the end of the financial year, many of us start thinking about upgrading our computer or laptop. But what to buy? And what can you afford?
With the constant advances in technology, it can be hard to keep up with the latest models and updates. This is where leasing comes into play.
Home stretch: Is it time to change your mortgage lender?
How do those monthly mortgage payments look? Feeling the pain of constant interest rate rises? You’re not the only one.
Paying a premium: What are the real benefits of private health insurance?
Private health insurance is a popular choice in Australia, with more than 13 million people, or 55.2 percent of the population, holding a policy. More than $22 billion is paid out in benefits each year, which sounds like a huge amount being returned to customers. But is it?