Are you owed hundreds or thousands of dollars in refunds for junk insurance or unfair financial advice fees? We’ve got your back! The Banking Royal Commission revealed that banks and insurance companies have used pressure tactics to sell billions of dollars worth of junk insurance to thousands of Australians and many financial advisers have also charged fees for services they never provided.... Read more

The initials BNPL sprout up regularly in newspapers resembling an awkward alphabet soup. It's hard to miss the proliferation of platforms such as AfterPay, Zip Pay, Klarna and others who offer their services in shop windows, websites and other channels. 'Buy Now, Pay Later' is a consumer revolution causing quite a stir. It claims to take the quaint shopping tradition of lay-by into the digit... Read more

I’m on assignment, consigned to pick up bargain goods and highlight the thrifty tradition and enticing experience of opportunity shops. While much shopping is predictable and pricey, the op shop combines the unexpected, the unnecessary and the cut-price indulgence of consuming, all in one. And what better place to start than Ballina in northern NSW - known as an ‘op shop capital’ - comple... Read more

Along with the pandemic we are said to be facing an epidemic of loneliness, in part caused by the ‘connectedness’ of digital communications which still manages to divide us and can be a poor substitute for the real thing. Alongside the all-consuming buzz around everything COVID, a greater concern is emerging about this condition of loneliness, its prevalence and the questions of what we can ... Read more

The one quickest and simplest ways to save money on your private health insurance may be to uncouple yourself from the extras but it’s advice many chose not to follow. You can easily do away with the part of your policy which covers dentists, physios, optical and a range of other allied health professionals and at a stroke save hundreds of dollars. While it might make financial sense for ... Read more

The imminent increase to most private health fund premiums on Oct 1 is a ‘trigger’ moment for us consumers to review costs, compare cover and hopefully find greater value. This year’s average 2.9%, which means some funds will charge more and some less than this figure, has been held over from the usual April 1 annual hike because of COVID-19. A bit of good news is that those with cover, w... Read more

Gas is generating an awful lot of heat right now - and not just in your own home and hearth. We’re being asked to decide if it’s a dangerous fossil fuel or the key to our transition to a cleaner energy future. This volatile debate is hardly going to be resolved anytime soon, so in the meantime how should we feel about using natural gas in the home? I value the gas we use responsibly for h... Read more

How sensitive are you about revealing your true age when applying for a job? And is any reticence about the number due to vanity or a well-placed fear of age-discrimination? The question was raised in my mind after hearing one of the more energetic and richest of Australians, who turns 80 this week, was not keen on any celebratory hullabaloo from his staff. It’s not to suggest businessman... Read more

I have a new proudest possession. It’s a tool of my trade which - while making work a bit harder - can also mean the labour is more creative and even fun. As such it’s a minor symbol of the pendulum which seems to be swinging slightly away from the digital revolution which has overwhelmed our lives. Take some examples. Music: the vinyl LP is selling big time. Cinema: Directors like ... Read more

With energy usage soaring thanks to Winter and Coronavirus, every cent counts. So to get your home running as efficiently as possible, see if you've already tried all of these 101 ideas for saving on Energy bills. 1. Switch retailers! Average households can save $300-$400 below the Government-set 'Reference Price' for Electricity in just a few minutes by shopping around, according to the ... Read more