Inflation has created a dark cloud over how everyday Americans view the economy

Grocery items are offered for sale at a supermarket on August 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson | Getty Images When Kyle Connolly looks back at 2023, she sees it as a year defined by changes and challenges. The newly single parent reentered the workforce, only to be laid off from her job at … Read more

More people using Buy Now Pay Later services for essentials including food and petrol

More people are being forced to use buy now pay later services to pay for basics such as food and petrol, as the cost of living and inflation continue to rise. A new survey of financial counsellors found more than 80 per cent said clients were using buy now pay later for general retail. However, … Read more

4 must-know changes for your 2023 taxes

Artistgndphotography | E+ | Getty Images 1. Tax brackets got wider When comparing tax year 2022 to 2023, there was a big adjustment to the federal income tax brackets, according to experts. While the rates didn’t change, there was roughly a 7% increase in the brackets, which expanded the amount of taxable income you can have … Read more

NAB bank increases fixed rates for the second time in a week ahead of Reserve Bank of Australia decision

One of Australia’s biggest banks has increased its fixed rates for borrowers for the second time in just over a week. NAB on Friday announced it would increase the fixed rates for owner-occupiers and investors by up to 0.20 per cent. Those increases follow similar hikes last Friday, resulting in some rates increasing by up … Read more

Interest rates RBA today: Reserve Bank of Australia makes major call on cash rate in August decision

Australian mortgage holders can breathe a sigh of relief with the Reserve Bank holding steady on interest rates in consecutive months for the first time in more than a year. The RBA board met on Tuesday and decided not to hike the cash rate, mirroring the July decision. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: New data shows … Read more

Woolworths supermarket wage scandal as chain accused of underpaying more than $1 million in long service leave

Woolworths faces more fines related to payroll errors, with Wage Inspectorate Victoria alleging the supermarket giant underpaid more than $1 million in long service leave to 1235 former employees. Wage Inspectorate Victoria on Wednesday said it had filed more than 1000 charges against Woolworths Group and its subsidiary Woolstar in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. … Read more

Biggest student loan updates from 2023 and what’s coming in 2024

Whether it has been a good or bad year for student loan borrowers depends on who you ask.  While a large number of borrowers got life-changing emails this year saying their loans had been forgiven, plenty of others received bills in October that they would, in fact, be expected to pay. Regardless, there has been … Read more

Last chance for eligible Victorian households to apply for $250 Power Saving Bonus

Victorians have until midnight August 31 to apply for the current $250 Power Saving Bonus payment from the state government. The new round of the payment was an election promise and was confirmed after the Andrews government’s success at the November 2022 state election. The $250 payment has been available to any household that compares … Read more

Health insurer HCF to give customers $176 million cash back

Australian health insurance company HCF has announced it is giving back an additional $40 million in health insurance claims savings to its members. Private health insurer HCF has already given back a total of $536 million since the start of the pandemic to its 1.8 million Australian customers as part of their pandemic-related savings support … Read more

Federal government scholarships worth up to $40,000 on offer for thousands of Australian teaching students

Thousands of education students will receive scholarships worth up to $40,000 as part of the federal government’s push to boost the number of teachers across the nation. The scheme will offer 5000 scholarships to teaching students who begin studying next year, specifically targeting high-achieving school-leavers, mid-career professionals, First Nations people, those from remote or regional … Read more