A thrifty mum has detailed how the Barefoot Investor helped her save tens of thousands of dollars on family holidays and cost-of-living expenses. Kirstin Edwards, 37, from Victoria, considers herself a “barefoot traveller”, and credits international best-selling author Scott Pape’s financial advice book for changing her life. “Following his methods, I became very disciplined in … Read more
Hartford, Connecticut Sean Pavone | Istock | Getty Images When it comes to improving access to higher education, each state is largely left to its own devices. Some are trying a broader array of tactics than others. Connecticut, for example, recently rolled out several programs to establish pathways to college and lower the debt burden. … Read more
Courtneyk | E+ | Getty Images Mortgages, currency exchange complicates a purchase While there may be similarities to the U.S. market when buying a home overseas, there are also unique challenges on the financial side of the purchase. Oftentimes, Americans buying properties abroad end up financing the transaction with cash outright, experts say. If you … Read more
Most Australians are planning to save any extra money they receive from their stage 3 tax cut, new data from NAB Bank has revealed. Younger Australians, women and those earning between $100,000 and $150,000 are the most likely to save their boost when the stage 3 tax cuts kick in on July 1 rather than … Read more
Australians should not expect a revival of the baby bonus any time soon but Treasurer Jim Chalmers does want to make it cheaper to have children. Ahead of his third budget as treasurer, Chalmers said more affordable childcare and expanding paid parental leave are some of the ways the government is making life easier for … Read more
Andresr | E+ | Getty Images There is $1 billion in unclaimed 2020 tax refunds up for grabs — but the last chance to file returns and collect the money is approaching. Nearly 940,000 taxpayers have until May 17 to file 2020 returns and claim their refund, the IRS said in a “final reminder” this … Read more
A City College of New York graduate takes a selfie during the school’s commencement ceremony. Mike Segar | Reuters Newly minted college graduates should feel pretty good about their job prospects. The U.S. economy just notched another month of job gains, and although the unemployment rate edged up to 3.9%, “the streak below 4% has … Read more
Epoxydude | Fstop | Getty Images A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulation that promised to save Americans billions of dollars in late fees on credit cards faces a last-ditch effort to stave off its implementation. Led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the card industry in March sued the CFPB in federal court to prevent … Read more
Household incomes are set to grow again after living standards took a hit from rising taxes and swelling mortgage repayments in recent years. Stage three tax cuts, cooling inflation and bulkier pay packets are expected to underpin a 3.5 per cent increase in real household disposable incomes in 2024-2025 — the fastest rate of growth … Read more
Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty Images As a result, federal student loan rates may increase in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to an estimate by higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. The rate could go up by 1 percentage point. “This is a fairly big jump,” Kantrowitz said. Here’s what borrowers need to know. What … Read more
