Protect your good name: Why you should check your credit report regularly
Jessica Meyer was excited about buying her first home with her mother. She’d saved a good deposit and was ready to sign the contract.
Until the bank contacted her to say they had checked her credit status with a credit reporting company and she was deemed a risk.
Expert tips to avoid the latest scams
Wondering why you’re receiving those misspelled SMS? It’s actually deliberate.
Scammers are bypassing the system that automatically blocks scams with a smattering of bad grammar and spelling. They are getting in front of you and hoping you click too quickly to realise your mistake.
This is just one of the more sophisticated tactics - yes, even bad spelling is sophisticated - scammers are employing to capture even the most cautious among us. Scammers are so successful that, according to the latest reports, Aussies have lost a total of $222,810,200 to scams in 2021. That’s already 26.8 percent higher than 2020, and the year is not yet over.
Take a load off with our easy guide to laundry appliances
Washing machine given up the ghost? Dodgy dryer dampening your mood? Whether you’re washing for a family of four or downsizing to an apartment for one, there are laundry appliances to fit your needs.
But if it’s been a while since you last bought one, your head may be spinning with all the new features and options on the market. Take a load off — we’ve done the dirty work for you so that you can go shopping for laundry appliances with confidence.
The art of complaining – How to get your complaints resolved fast
No one likes a whinger, but we all have legitimate complaints from time to time. So what’s the right way to complain?
Before you pick up that phone or send that email, ask yourself how invested you are in making the complaint? Is the $50 watch that isn’t working properly worth spending indefinite hours trying to get your money back? The trade-off between your effort to complain and how much you value the item is what we call the complaining value.
Still want to complain? Here are some do’s and don’ts to ensure a better chance of getting a resolution.
Are you being heard with your complaint?
It’s a weekend ritual for thousands of Australians around the country. Heading down to their local hardware store to buy anything from garden tools to a whole new kitchen.
Those home reno stores lure you in with a sausage sizzle out the front and the in-store experts out the back. Once you leave you have a satisfied belly and enough confidence to tackle everything from minor repairs to a full-on renovation.
You now have more power over your energy bill
Worried about your energy bill? You now have more power to do something about it.
As of 1 October 2021, the Federal Government requires energy companies to switch you to a better deal within 48 hours of asking for one.
Prior to this change, companies could take up to three months to switch you over — that’s three months of paying more than you should. With Christmas on the horizon, making a switch now might just put some much-needed extra money into your account.
Find the best running shoes and your ‘solemate’ this spring
Did you know that spring is the ideal time to buy running shoes at good prices?
No, this isn’t a sales pitch. It’s actually when stores start selling off their winter collection and try to lure customers in with hot deals, so you can get great running shoes at low prices.
However, with so many options available, it pays to do your homework.
Christmas shoppers need to get cracking now
The silly season is almost upon us but if you’re planning the usual last-minute shopping blitz, think again.
Consumer expert Jo Ucukalo says Covid-19 has affected not just our buying habits - with many ordering online for the first time during the pandemic - but the time it takes to get those goodies to our door.
More sustainable vehicle choices other than Tesla – Here’s your ultimate guide on switching to Electric Cars
One of the most visible and exciting developments in sustainable living are electric cars, like those released by Tesla, and soon we will be seeing a lot more of them on the road. Electric cars have been around for decades before they were popularised by Tesla and now many others. However, there are still many questions that arise when talking about them. We are going to take a look at the most frequently asked questions, myths, and facts about electric vehicles.
How to save your emotions, relationships and finances during a divorce
We step into marriage hoping for it to last forever but more than 33 percent of marriages in Australia end in divorce. The entire process of divorce is long and tiring. So taking steps to make the divorce amicable for both parties will save your emotions, relationships and finances.