Health Minister Greg Hunt has approved federal government plans to increase health premiums by 4.84 per cent, that will add an average $200 a year to the cost of family cover.  The latest increase comes as private health coverage is going backwards for the first time in 15 years, with 1 in 5 policyholders reportedly considering dropping or downgrading their cover. Your precise price rise... read more>

It's going to be an absolute scorcher today and this weekend. Canberra will be sweltering as temperatures are forecast to hit 41 degrees, while Adelaide is expected to reach 39 and Sydney 38.  There are even fears that soaring temperatures and electricity demand will reach an all-time high in New South Wales, putting the power grid under immense pressure. The Australian Energy Market ... read more>

On safari in Africa they talk about seeing and photographing ‘the big five’ game animals, elephants, rhinos etc before breakfast. I was reminded to this week as we launched an initiative to bag, but certainly not shoot, the big three household bills on breakfast TV. The Today Show provided the happy hunting ground for the ‘Fair Go for 50Ups’ campaign and our target --the bills you love to... read more>

While I was casually flicking through the Sunday paper last week, I came across an article by Money expert Mark Bouris that caught my eye… The headline read: 'What is the biggest asset that you have to protect?'' Like most people I thought instantly of the family home, but Celebrity Apprentice judge Mark correctly pointed out that most people forget to mention their health and ability to ... read more>

Today's news confirms that health cover will rise again on April 1 - this time by an average 4.8% or about $200 for a family or couple. And you're not alone in feeling like it's just not fair - 18 leading economists were polled this week on whether the increases are justified and many said no. Most economists believe that health insurance premium hikes that are well over the inflation rate c... read more>