Bill scam: Why you should check invoice details before paying
If you received an email invoice from a business you were expecting, would you just pay it online without thinking? Or would you call to check the bank details with the supplier first?
Fuel fight: What vehicle efficiency standards mean for you
Are you looking to buy a new car? The rising cost of fuel will undoubtedly be factored into the choice you make - a more efficient car means less money at the bowser, after all.
Smart money: How to avoid PayID scams
Do you use PayID? Hardly surprising, given that more than 15 million Australians have taken up the electronic payment system since its launch six years ago.
The attraction is simple: it’s easy to use, free, and money is transferred quickly. The unique identifier (the ID part) is linked to your bank account; you only need a mobile number or ABN to send and receive money.
According to the Australian Banking Association, it’s also one of the most important steps customers can take to prevent scams.
But the mobile-friendly service hasn’t been immune to scammers, either. Even the tech-savvy younger generation - least likely to be caught in other financial scams - has been caught out.
Buckle up: Tips to trim the budget this Christmas
Are you feeling the pinch? Perhaps you’ve already cut back on discretionary spending. Or are contemplating a much more frugal Christmas season.
You’re not alone. New research shows while Australians are tipped to spend almost $5 billion on online shopping in the leadup to Christmas this year, almost half of those surveyed are planning to spend less than the same time in 2022. And almost 80 percent said they plan to cut back on non-essential spending in the same period.
Hot property: Do you own some hidden treasure? Part 2
If you haven't read our previous article on collectibles, start there. It gives a solid introduction to what we'll discuss next: what makes certain items so special and potentially valuable. With that foundation set, you might now ask: Is diving into
Hot property: Do you own some hidden treasure? Part 1
If you’re a serious collector, chances are you’re not prepared to part with anything in your possession without good reason.
But what if you found out something that’s been gathering dust on top of a shelf or hidden in boxes under the stairs was highly collectible and therefore valuable? Perhaps it’s the coin or stamp collection you started when you were a kid and abandoned when you discovered the Xbox?
Not so super: How to avoid delays in superannuation claims
Superannuation is our retirement safety net, a nest egg no one wants to access too early. But there are many reasons why you might need to do so, not the least of which is financial distress.
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) says the number of complaints involving delays in the handling of superannuation claims has jumped in the past year, from 18 percent of all complaints in 2022 to 24 percent in May 2023.
Raising hell: Why does childcare cost so much?
More than one million Australian families used childcare last year. If you were one of them, you know how expensive it has become.
After a six-month investigation, the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) handed down its interim report into the sector earlier this month.
The ACCC found that childcare fees were rising faster than inflation and wage growth, and government subsidies have failed to keep pace.
Taxing time: Wise up to end of financial year scammers
The only people who love this time of year are accountants - and scammers.
While you’re busy trying to get your finances for the end-of-financial year tax submission, scammers are also busy trying to persuade you to part with money.
Pet insurance: What does ASIC’s crackdown mean for you?
Have you received a large veterinary bill for your pet even though you had what you thought was the right insurance? You’re far from alone.