Understanding SMSF Lending & Investing: A Comprehensive Guide

Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) have gained immense popularity as a powerful vehicle for managing retirement savings in Australia. With the ability to make investment decisions tailored to individual preferences, SMSFs offer the potential for significant control and flexibility of your superannuation investments. There is much that goes into running a self-managed super fund — this…

Loyalty Tax

What is loyalty tax? Loyalty tax is the premium rate that you pay for sticking for one lender when the same lender is offering cheaper rates to its new customers. Lenders do this as they assume that once your loan has settled customers won’t continue to check that they are getting a competitive rate. But…

First Home Buyers Grants/Initiatives

Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial commitments you will make. So, there are countless government programs throughout Australia to make this process a whole lot easier. However, the tricky part is trying to work out which concession, grant or scheme applies to you and where you’re purchasing your first home. Here’s…

The promise of open banking is big

The promise of open banking is big; a new, simpler way to share your personal financial data between banks, lenders and financial companies. It started on July 1. Here’s how it works and what it means to take back control of your data to get the best rates and offers. Switching banks has long been…

With record low interest rates, a flattening housing market and repeated assertions from RBA governor Philip Lowe that a rates rise is not on the horizon, this may be the right time for first home buyers to strike.

First home buyers looking at the current low interest rates as well as government stimulus incentives, and a property market whose rise has been curtailed by COVID-19, may well be thinking the time is right to enter the market. Of course, making the call on home ownership should be based on personal financial circumstances as…

To fix or not to fix your mortgage interest rate?

Australia’s cash rate is now the lowest it has been in 23 years. As the uncharted negative interest rate zone looms, is it worth fixing your rate? Here’s what to weigh up when making your decision. The RBA has stood by its promise to keep the current rate of 0.25%, which still represents a historic…

Getting it together: what to know before you consolidate

Managing multiple loans can be difficult – and stressful. One way to simplify your financial situation and save yourself time, effort and money is to centralise your debt. But it’s not always the right answer, so here’s what to consider before you consolidate. When you borrow money, the most important thing is being able to…