I was listening to an interview with the Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison recently and he was talking about managing the economy, the billions it costs in health, infrastructure, defence, education and so on. I don’t envy him the job of trying to make that budget work. But then he said something profoundly simple. If you’re spending more than you’re earning, it’s not good.  That applies to y... read more>

For the past few years I’ve been paying $300 a month to my telco. This includes 2 mobile phones, home phone line rental and data. The mobile component is $120 a month, $99 for my phone and $30 for my elderly mum. While discussing mobile plans with a girlfriend the other day over coffee, she was astounded to find I’m paying so much! I thought I was on a good deal because I do use the phone exten... read more>

Research this week by Professor Allan Fels found some households could be paying as much as $1700 more than an identical home next door for Home & Contents Insurance!  The findings have reignited calls for an independent comparison website for home and car insurance, and the industry is pushing back as always. Last November Senator Nick Xenophon put a motion to the Upper House for an ... read more>

In last week's newsletter, we brought you the Private Health Insurane hack that saved blogger Bek Day $4000. Bek's story involved using the website HealthShare to be forewarned of upcoming surgical costs and avoid over-charging specialists. Well, 70-year-old Grahame Lonnie went one step further and asked his doctor for a discount. Mr Lonnie explained that he couldn't afford to pay for anothe... read more>

1. You might not be getting any discount. Amazingly, about 1 in 4 households around Australia are getting NO discount because they have never switched. For an average home, this could mean you're paying $500 more than your next door neighbour for the same power, just because you're on a rubbish plan. 2. Already switched a couple of years ago? See Point 1. Even if you THINK you’re getti... read more>