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?
Pay dirt: The battle for your digital dollars
The digital world has transformed the way we live, work and play. Transactions that used to take place in cash or with paper cheques are now completed online, using digital payment platforms.
In Australia, there are a number of different digital payment platforms available, each vying for a share of the market. In 2021, the industry processed about 55 million payments. That is worth about $650 billion each day, according to The Australian Financial Review. But behind this progress are growing concerns not only from banking institutions but governments.
Future proof: Staying on top of insurance innovation
Ever thought about taking out alien abduction insurance? Curious about ‘you are not the father’ insurance? Is your golf club ever likely to need hole-in-one insurance?
Weird as these policies may sound, they are an indication of how much the industry has evolved - although not always for the better.
Safety net: Getting the most out of your insurance
We've all been told we need insurance for our car, home and health — and a few other things — to protect ourselves from a big financial hit if something goes wrong. But how much do you really know about it? And is it really the safeguard we all hope for?
Is pet insurance worth the money?
Australians spend more than $33 billion a year looking after their furry friends and pet owners know that trips to the vet can chew through a large chunk of cash. So is pet insurance worth the money upfront to ward off potential financial pain in the future?
According to Animal Medicines Australia’s Pets in Australia Survey, dog owners spend about $3200 a year on their animals, while cat owners spend about $1700 per feline.
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.
Credit Card or BNPL: Which Offers Better Safety and Protection for Your Money?
These days, cashless is the way to go. But with other services like Buy Now, Pay Later available in Australia, is it still smart to get a credit card? Let’s talk about that hot piece of plastic and what it can really do for you.
Ways to decide to get or keep Private Health Insurance
COVID has made us appreciate how important it is to care for our health. At the start of the lockdown, restrictions meant we had to cancel our checkups. Now, we are making bookings for our vaccine injections. It is also that time of year when the price of Private Health Insurance increases. You are probably wondering how the latest changes will affect you and your family.
Why you are spending more with Buy Now, Pay Later services like Afterpay and Zip
The use of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Afterpay and Zip are gaining in popularity. After many years of debate, BNPL is still not considered a loan and there are no laws to protect customers. Instead of laws, a Code of Conduct created by the industry for the industry has been released in Australia. We examine the mechanics of these guidelines, what it means for your purchasing power and the things you can do to prevent mishaps.
Top tips to combat credit card fraud
Checking our card statements should be an easy and hassle-free process, but what if a transaction you see surprises you? The suspicious amount might be a low value ride-share transaction you do not recognise. Or it might be a seriously large purchase that you know you definitely did not buy. Either way, your heart will skip a beat when you realise you have been stung by credit card fraud.