Unclaimed money: Do you own a slice of $1.5 billion?
We’ve all dreamt of winning the lottery but you could already have a tidy sum — a small fortune, even - in your name and not know it.
According to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), there’s about $1.5 billion of unclaimed money just waiting to be returned to its rightful owners. This money may be tied up in forgotten bank accounts, life insurance policies, superannuation, or other financial accounts. If you think you may have some unclaimed cash, it’s worth doing a little digging.
Know your LED: How to buy the right TV
Buying a TV used to be straightforward. You'd simply pick a model with the largest screen that you could afford, and you’d be home on the couch with the remote in no time.
Now, there's a whole new vocabulary with bewildering terms like 8K, HDR and Quantum Dots. What does any of it mean? And how do you determine whether that $3000 television really is worth more than the one half its price?
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.
Taking credit: Don’t pay for your credit report
We’ve all seen the ads encouraging us to find out our credit score or check our credit report, but how much do we really know about the process?
According to Choice, one in three Australians have no idea how credit reporting works and have never seen their credit report.
A credit report, also known as a credit file, helps financial institutions determine whether or not to lend money to an individual. A good credit history indicates that you are likely to pay your debts on time and in full. Poor credit history could make it difficult - even impossible - to get approval for loans, car leases, mortgages, or other forms of financing.
Curious about cryptocurrency? Do your homework
More than four million Australians, or almost 20 percent of the total population, own a crypto asset. And the number is rising every day. You may have read about people like Regan Gallagher, who got into the crypto game early and did very well indeed.
On the flipside, there are those who have lost everything to cryptocurrency scams. In August last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Watchdog reported Australians lost more than $70 million and predicted that amount to double within six months.
So what exactly is cryptocurrency? Is it the currency of the future or just another way to make, or lose, money? We take a closer look.
What to wear: Finding a fitness tracker fit for purpose
If you’re a fitness fanatic, it’s likely you have already invested in the modern tool for monitoring your efforts. And you’re not alone - according to Deloitte Consumer Trends 2021 report, one in five Australians own a wearable fitness tracker.
But if you’re kicking off 2022 with an action plan that includes a whole lot more exercise, you may be curious about their benefits. Is it worth adding a fitness tracker to your get-fit arsenal? What do they actually do? And how will they help you reach your goals?
Home buyers tips: From search to sold
Buying a residential porperty can be a long, tedious process. And if you’re not ready, you could easily fall into a hole of home buyers stress and frustration. But don’t lose hope. Armed with the right knowledge and a solid plan, you’ll be a homeowner before you can say ‘sold’!
Let’s walk through the key steps you need to take (and prepare yourself for) to score the best home.
The right fit: Finding the workout that works for you
As we emerge from the season of indulgence and look ahead to the new year, we all know what’s next.
We can see the advertisements to ‘lose those Christmas kilos’ before they even arrive, luring us into gyms, booking sessions with a personal trainer or signing up to the latest fitness app.
And, because we all want to start the new year on a good note, we’re even more likely to sign on the dotted line than usual. But is it worth it?
Buying a home? Budget for all the extras, not just the house
There’s more to buying a home than just the asking price. Now that you’ve got your deposit and secured any available government grants, prepare yourself for the other charges and expenses that come with becoming a homeowner.
Research is vital to help you identify the associated costs. Setting aside a budget for these fees will save you a lot of time, and hassle. It also helps ensure there are as few unexpected nasty surprises as possible.
Ready to travel? Here’s how to see Australia without blowing the travel budget
If you’ve been feeling trapped within your own state, you’re probably more than a little excited at the thought of the country opening up. But you may be worried about blowing your travel budget with unexpected expenses.
Travelling in this Covid recovery period is not without its challenges. The pandemic has brought unpredictability to almost everything we previously took for granted — from border restrictions and other new travel requirements to the inevitable price rises, there’s a lot to catch you unawares.
So how do you plan an affordable getaway in this era? We’ve rounded up some top tips from budget travel experts.