Mobile thinking: How to save money on your phone bill
If you’re with Optus, chances are you have bigger concerns about your mobile plan than how to slice dollars off the next bill.
The telco is under pressure after it revealed that hackers had stolen data, including names, birth dates, passport and Medicare details, from about 10 million past and present Optus customers, putting them at risk of identity theft and fraud.
Seven dining dates worth your dollars
Aussies love to dine out and with such a wonderful array of cuisines and venues to choose from, who can blame us?
But the rising cost of living is making many consumers think twice about how much we fork out for food and where.
Buying a car? Take the driver’s seat at the dealership
You've decided you want a new or near-new car. How exciting. So exciting, in fact, that it’s easy to get carried away and spend more than you intended. Especially when the smooth-talking salespeople at the car dealership know all the right things to say to help you do just that.
Don’t be tempted by all the extras they promise to throw in for a “great deal”. For most of us, a car is the second biggest investment we’ll make (after our house). It’s money you should be spending wisely. Chances are you don’t need those extras. Even if the dealer says they will take your driving experience to the next level.
Taking the stress out of complaints
Romantha Barron is in tears as she shares how much Handle My Complaint’s help meant to her.
The Perth disability carer was facing the prospect of forking out thousands to fix a collapsing ceiling in her home and garage. This is after RAC insurance rejected her claim for storm damage.
Car servicing: Go the extra mile with the right mechanic
Cars are a big investment and, like any other valuable item, you want to take care of them to ensure they go the distance.
When it comes to car maintenance, there are a few schools of thought. Some people swear by regular service appointments, while others prefer to only service their car when something goes wrong.
Baby boom: Is private health insurance necessary if you’re planning for pregnancy?
Planning to have a baby? Pregnancy is an exciting time but also a nerve-wracking one. There is so much to think about, not the least of which is where to have your baby.
Australians are fortunate to have access to good health care. And most women will give birth in a public hospital, where the charges will be limited. But many opt for private hospitals because they believe it will be a better pregnancy experience, including the promise of a private room after the birth.
It’s one of the reasons women who are thinking about getting pregnant take a closer look at private health insurance. This might mean updating their existing policy to cover pregnancy and birth. Or taking it out for the first time specifically for that reason.
Dying to know: Is life insurance worth the premiums?
What is life insurance? It is basically a contract between you and an insurance company under which you pay a regular amount of money in return for a lump sum benefit.
Pay attention: Your guide to online payment platforms
Online payment has certainly made our lives easier. It's become more convenient for us to shop online, pay for bills and send money to family and friends.
So it’s probably no surprise that the FIS Global Payments Report predicts the use of cash will drop from 7 percent to 2 percent of all point-of-sale transactions by 2025.
FIS, a payments technology company, says the pandemic has only accelerated our move to digital wallets and other e-commerce, or online payment platforms.
Unlucky break: Will travel insurance protect you when you need it?
Australians are big travellers — at least we were before Covid hit. Now that we’re getting back out on the road and into the air again, should we protect our hard-earned money with travel insurance?
Some people might say that travel insurance is a waste of money. After all, what are the chances that something will actually happen to you while you’re on holiday? But the truth is, anything can happen when you’re away from home. And if something does go wrong, travel insurance can be a life saver. But is it really worth the extra expense? And how has Covid changed things?
Dead loss: Is funeral insurance worth the money?
Dying isn’t something any of us like to think about it, let alone discuss, but it might be worth asking exactly what funeral insurance is and whether it’s for you.
Funerals can be very expensive. According to Canstar, it can cost anything from $4,000 to $15,000, depending on the ceremony, and insurers know you won’t want to leave your loved ones with a hefty bill as well as a heavy heart. But is funeral insurance worth it?