Debt Management Tips

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

If you've got a low credit score, or you haven't built any credit, this can limit your options if you need to borrow money. Improving your credit score will improve your prospects, but this takes time. If you need money more urgently, you can compare non-conforming loans to find the best deal. What is bad credit? Your credit score is a number that tells lenders how likely you are to repay money y..... Read more

Keeping a credit card active, even if you're not using it, can impact your credit score. But if you want to avoid annual fees, switch to a better deal, get out of debt or your card's been lost or stolen, it's important to make sure you cancel your card properly. Otherwise, you might still be charged fees and penalties. Follow these steps to close your credit card account and stop making more cred..... 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

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

Most Aussies use their credit cards unwisely, according to a recent survey of 1,000 credit card holders by Members Equity Bank. 70% of people admitted to at least 3 out of 7 common bad habits that can lead to expensive charges, higher interest rates and spiralling credit card debt. For Millennials aged 25 to 39, the figure was even higher at 85%. If you're worried that you might not be using your..... 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

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