Debt Advice

Are you struggling to pay off one or more credit cards? High interest rates, fees and penalties can sometimes make credit card debt seem never-ending, even if you stop using the card, but there are always options. Read these 7 tips to help you pay off your plastic and break the debt cycle sooner. 1. Create a budget Having a clear idea of where your money's going can help you to cut out the less n..... Read more

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

No one likes to think about their own death or that of a loved one, but taking steps to improve your financial situation today could prevent unnecessary stress for your family during a difficult time. Family members are not usually responsible for paying someone else's debt, unless they are co-borrowers or signed a guarantee. Dying with debt could also affect someone's estate and how much is left ..... Read more

One in six Australians struggles with credit card debt, according to ASIC figures. People who miss their monthly payments can find themselves trapped in a spiral of debt with exorbitant fees and interest rates often as high as 20%. If you're burdened by credit card debt, you should compare options to help lower your interest rate and make your monthly payments more affordable. One of the most eff..... Read more

Jetting off for a new life overseas is a fresh start, but it doesn't mean you can wipe the slate clean. If you've built up credit card debt, unpaid taxes, a student loan or other borrowed and owed money you haven't paid, it could follow you to your new home or affect your finances from afar. Whatever type of debt you have, it's important to know what will happen to it and what your responsibiliti..... Read more

Many people worry that getting married, being in a long-term relationship or the death of a spouse means they will be liable for their partner's debt. This is not the case, but there can be certain situations where you agree to share or take on all the responsibility. If creditors are demanding that you pay someone else's debt for them, it's important to check what your obligations are. When am I..... 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

The downturn in Australia's housing market is causing uncertainty for many first-time buyers and existing homeowners. Whether you're entering the property market for the first time or struggling to keep on top of your mortgage, learning from other homeowners' mistakes could mean you avoid making these same mistakes yourself. 1. Not doing your research For many people, buying a home is the biggest ..... Read more

If you're already struggling with debt, Christmas can be the most stressful time of the year, especially if you feel pressured to buy gifts you can't afford and run up even more debt. According to the National Retail Association (NRA), Australians spend more than $1 billion a day on Christmas shopping over the festive period. For many, careless spending leads to a painful debt hangover in the New..... Read more

If you've heard about the changes to credit card rules that are being introduced this year in Australia, you might be wondering how they apply to you. The good news is that these reforms are designed to protect consumers by preventing banks, credit card companies and other lenders from using disreputable sales tactics that encourage people to get further into debt than they can comfortably afford..... Read more