The Christmas tree has been packed away and the last of the ham finally eaten – yes, Christmas has come and gone for another year.  But try telling that to your bank accounts! This is the time of year when Aussies feel the festive financial stress of having to repay our over-stuffed credit card bill.  To help FiftyUps who want to pay down their debt, we asked the gurus at CreditCardCom... read more>

If you’ve ever been a little late paying a bill or like me, found yourself out of work and not in a position to pay your mortgage, you’ll understand how shameful this can feel.  Or if you’ve ever tried to negotiate a better interest rate directly with your lender, you’ll know how small and powerless a person can be. It’s at times like these that a broker can be invaluable, and that’s why ... read more>

    While travelling in the US a few years back, I picked up a copy of a foreigner's guide to Australia. I was looking forward to reading about all the great things about my country. The first line deflated my balloon. “Australians are lovely, warm people….until they get behind the wheel of a car.” What makes normally easy-going, friendly people suddenly lose it on the road? ... read more>

With Australia fast becoming an ageing nation, more and more Aussies are grappling with the anxiety that comes with retirement. While in theory retirement should be a time to be celebrated after years of hard work and providing, the reality is something entirely different. With the constantly increasing cost of living nowadays, the thought of retirement for many comes with the fear of fin... read more>

The cost of energy debate showed no signs of slowing this week with news outlets across the country covering the issue.  The dilemma of whether to “heat or eat” was confirmed by Coles Managing Director John Durkan who told Channel 9's A Current Affair that Australian families are doing it tougher than ever, with families now forced to choose between food and household bills. John Durkan’s... read more>