If the financial markets could talk, then bonds would probably be saying: “We’re not convinced the story is over yet”. Bond yields have been rising around the world as investors reassess the outlook for inflation, economic growth and government borrowing. The moves have been significant enough to influence mortgage rates,
Have you ever looked at a messy spreadsheet and felt like you were trying to read tea leaves in a storm? It is 2026, and the era of “gut feeling” management has officially vanished from the Australian landscape. Today, data analytics is the central nervous system of every thriving company,
From 1 October, Australians will notice a welcome change when they tap their card at the checkout. Merchants will no longer be able to add a surcharge to debit or credit card payments, potentially saving consumers around $1.6 billion a year, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia. Considering Australians
Do you want to buy an investment property but don’t have the cash readily available for a deposit? The good news is, if you already own a property, there is a way of buying a second property using equity instead. Note: Sure, values in some areas are falling, however, property
Borrowers are set for another dose of rate pain this Tuesday, with the overwhelming majority of experts tipping the RBA to lift the cash rate again, according to Finder. In this month’s Finder RBA Cash Rate Survey, 41 experts and economists weighed in on future cash rate moves and other
There’s a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from constantly trying to “make things work.” Adjusting, tweaking and compensating for situations that no longer fit. It’s the life equivalent of pouring sugar into bitter coffee. But, if you constantly have to sweeten something to tolerate it, maybe it’s not the
Against conventional wisdom, Australia’s first-home buyers are proving rate-resilient. Government guarantees, tight rental markets and shifting lender tactics are fuelling a surge in activity even as borrowing costs bite. This playbook distils how banks, brokers, developers and policymakers can turn that momentum into sustainable growth without inflating risk. The prize:
Fuel tax credits provides you with a credit (in dollars) for the fuel tax (excise or customs duty) that’s included in the price of fuel used in eligible business activities. Before claiming fuel tax credits, make sure: the fuel you acquire for use is eligible the business activities are eligible.
It’s a risky business being in business for yourself, so knowing how to identify and manage risk is an important part of running a thriving business. Anything that impedes a company’s ability to achieve its financial goals is considered a risk, and there are many issues that have the potential
Most of us like to believe we make rational decisions about money, property and our future, yet our choices are often guided by something much more powerful than logic: the desire to feel safe. We gravitate towards familiar options, follow what others are doing, and avoid decisions that make us
Australia’s housing downturn broadens The latest quarter marks a clear shift from a concentrated correction to a broad-based decline in housing values. Over the past three months national values fell 3.1 per cent, with the combined capitals down 3.7 per cent and regional values down 1.2 per cent. The downturn
Applying for a mortgage is a big step, which for many, marks the beginning of homeownership and a long-term financial commitment. While it is exciting, it can also feel overwhelming and it is often coming at a time when there is a lot going on as you prepare for a
For many of us, spring cleaning means opening the windows, clearing out cupboards and finally tackling the jobs we’ve ignored through the year. While a tidy home can certainly lift your mood, the changing season also offers something more valuable: an opportunity to take stock of different areas of your
As consumer confidence dips, inflation bites, and interest rates rise, the housing market nationally is cooling. For buyers, that can mean more opportunity for negotiation – a skill that pays off well beyond property. Not long ago, sellers were firmly in control. Properties moved quickly, competition was intense, and negotiating
Moving house can be exciting, but it is also pretty stressful. In fact, moving house is widely considered one of life’s most stressful events, often ranking up there with divorce, job loss, or bereavement. One of the reasons for the stress can be the financial impact of a move, so
If you’ve ever wondered whether where you live genuinely affects the quality of healthcare and aged care you can expect in your later years, a new national study has put some real numbers behind the question, and the results might surprise you. How the research was done Compare the Market
Recent Federal Budget announcements have introduced changes that significantly tilt the investment landscape in favour of newly built residential property. While the full impact of the measures has yet to play out, the direction of policy is clear: encourage investment into housing supply rather than established stock. This shift means
It can feel as if artificial intelligence (AI) makes its way into almost every conversation, and especially for investors. From headlines about trillion-dollar technology companies to predictions that entire industries will disappear, we are being bombarded with AI news, forecasts and investment themes every day. For investors, the challenge is
When you have a mortgage, choosing between a fixed or variable loan can feel like a big financial decision, especially during a period of rising interest rates. The headlines can create a sense of urgency, but the right decision is less about reacting to the media and more about understanding
Spring has long been celebrated as the season of renewal. Trees bud, gardens awaken and nature quietly reminds us that growth continues, season after season. Perhaps we should take the hint. It’s natural to settle into routines. We shop at the same supermarket, holiday in familiar places, cook the same
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