Personal Debt Management

Going through divorce and separation can be a stressful experience, especially if you're worried about how your finances will be affected. Having some idea of what to expect can help you avoid common mistakes and nasty surprises. While everyone's situation is different, here are some of the basic steps to consider to protect your finances and improve the chance of a positive outcome. Revise your ..... 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

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

Australians owe around $45 billion in total credit card debt. Many people are trapped in a vicious cycle of debt with cards charging interest as high as 20%. If you're struggling under the weight of debt, paying off your credit card with a personal loan at lower interest could leave you better off, but there are a few things to consider. Advantages of a personal loan Consolidating debt with a pers..... Read more

No one likes to be in debt, but debt is a necessary fact of life for most Australians. Whether you're buying a home, going to university or starting a business, loans are often the only way to access the urgent finance you need to move forward in life. On the other hand, some types of debt can be less beneficial and has the potential to cause hardship. Knowing the differences between good debt an..... 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

While many developed countries have seen debt levels declining in the decade since the global financial crisis, Australia's personal debt is today among the highest in the world compared to GDP. According to the latest OECD data for 2016, Australians owe a combined $2 trillion of personal debt, with the average household owing $250,000. This figure has more than doubled in the last 12 years, acco..... Read more

Marriage can affect your finances beyond wedding expenses, but tying the knot doesn't mean you automatically share responsibility for your spouse's past debt. You may decide to help each other out to pay off outstanding loans and credit cards, but in most cases, credit applied for by an individual is that individual's responsibility alone. However, there are some exceptions when a husband or wife..... Read more