Budgeting

More than 1 in 3 people in Australia live from paycheck to paycheck, according to UBank research. If you feel like there's never any money left at the end of the month, the 50/20/30 budgeting rule could help you to take better control of your finances. This rule of thumb was popularised by Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi in their best-selling book, All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime M..... Read more

Having a baby is an exciting time, but it can also bring stress and worry if you haven't got your finances in check. On average, it's estimated that Australian parents spend around $10,000 in their baby's first year alone, but this can be reduced significantly with good planning. The earlier you prepare your baby budget, the less of a shock it will be once they arrive. Calculate your current inco..... Read more

Whether it's paying for a holiday or Christmas gifts, Aussies are prone to reach for their credit cards when they need some extra cash. According to data from the Reserve Bank of Australia and Finder.com.au, the nation spent a total of $29.7 billion on credit cards in December 2018 alone, or $1,863 per person. This number is up $1.8 billion from the previous December. Credit card use has increase..... Read more

For many Australians, a relaxing holiday is followed up by stressful debt repayments when they arrive back home, as they struggle to pay off the loans and credit cards used to fund their trips away. If you don't want your holiday spending to spoil the rest of your year, following these 5 tips could help you avoid 'debt lag' or minimise its effects. 1. Stick to a budget Work out how much money you..... Read more

Having a child is a life-changing experience, and that extends to your finances. New estimates from the Australian Institute of Family Studies put the cost of raising a child at $170 per week for a low-income family ($680 per month) when you add up food, clothing, school and other expenses needed for healthy living. Kids may be expensive, but they don't have to be a burden when you plan ahead and..... Read more