Seeing red: How to handle debt collectors
Are you being hounded by a debt collector? Are the phone calls and texts never ending? Perhaps the debt collector is constantly calling or texting family members or friends to try to get hold of you.
No one wants to be chased for money, especially at a time they are feeling vulnerable and under considerable financial stress. But what exactly is a debt collector? And how are they supposed to behave?
Tooth ache: Are dental implants the best option?
Are you having a tooth pulled? Or lost some teeth in an accident? Or simply don’t like the way your teeth look? Your dentist may suggest dental implants.
While there are good health reasons for replacing a missing or extracted tooth (or teeth) as soon as possible, it’s important to understand what dental implants are and what is involved in the procedure.
Extended warranties: Don’t pay extra for nothing
Have you ever bought an extended warranty? Chances are you’ve been made to feel like it’s the best way to protect yourself against expensive repairs in the future. It’s not.
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.