News Archive for December 2014

Elbows out, game face on, it’s that time of year again when Aussies flock to their local shopping centres to bag a bargain - it’s the 2014 Boxing Day sales!

Chinese tourists spend more money than visitors from any other country to Australia, averaging $7,418 per capita per trip in 2014, according to new figures from IBISWorld.

Being a miser at Christmas doesn’t mean you have to forfeit the good stuff, in fact with so many major retailers contending for your business, there’s a great range of food and wine available at a wallet friendly price.

Parents check, kids check. But what about the perfect Kris Kringle gift for your tree-hugging co-worker, or the one that spent their annual leave volunteering overseas?

Consumer lobby CHOICE is calling on Australians to give cash not gift cards this Christmas, after their survey revealed many gift card holders don’t spend the full card balance before it expires.

Australia is projected to return to Budget surplus in the 2019-20 financial year following steeper deficits than originally expected, according to the Federal Government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) released yesterday.

Westpac customers will be able to use their fingerprint to securely sign into the bank’s new mobile app, Westpac Live.

Thinking about an overseas holiday? It may be a good idea to bite the bullet and book those flights, as the Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens has suggested a further drop in the value of the Australian dollar to US75c is needed to achieve balanced growth.

The wealth of young Australians is lower than it was eight years ago, a new report from the Grattan Institute has revealed.

Santa should be making calls to Apple and Samsung following the release of figures which reveal 8.3% of Australian mobile phone customers use a phone they received as a present.

Business confidence increased by 7% over the month of November, according to figures released today.

Are you on the hunt to snag a flight or hotel bargain? Then don’t be fooled by that “hot deal” because Mozo’s money gurus found travel extras are on the rise and it’s not only low cost airlines that are the culprits. Hotels, resorts and car rentals are “supersizing” by charging for things like pool access, extra towels and roadside assistance.

US-based electric car manufacturer Tesla has joined Nissan, Mitsubishi, Holden and BMW in the Australian market, prompting commentators to question if electric cars and charging stations could threaten Woolworths and Coles’ firm hold on the fuel retailing industry.

Australian credit and debit card users could save up to $500 million in unnecessary fees if recommendations from David Murray’s Financial System Inquiry are implemented.

In the absence of dedicated financial literacy instruction in school curricula. Australian parents are taking a hands-on approach to their children’s financial education.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has released their new consular strategy, and it’s bad news for the clueless and the rebellious.

Australians are more likely to buy from local retailers when shopping online, but the local men’s fashion industry is struggling to retain consumers.

Everyone loves an upgrade. But, very few people know that getting the most out of an upgrade is an exact science.

The peak summer holiday season is almost here and you can finally give work the flick for a good few weeks and prepare yourself for an epic overseas vacay.

Have you heard the story of the Canadian mother who gave birth whilst holidaying in Hawaii, only to be slammed with a whopping $1 million medical bill as her travel insurance didn’t cover her?

Are you going to spend your well deserved annual leave slothing around the house or will you be exploring awe-inspiring landscapes and conquering mountains?

An Australian campaign to stop Santa leaving gendered toys under the tree is gaining traction, following an endorsement from the Greens.

Australian teenagers value career success, financial independence and home ownership, but they are unsure whether these goals are achievable.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official cash rate at a steady 2.50% for the 16th consecutive month at the December board meeting today, just in time for Christmas.

Australians have been urged to check their insurance before spending big and living large at Christmas, after it was revealed only a third have life insurance.

The official cash rate is expected to remain on hold at 2.50% when the Reserve Bank of Australia make their announcement after the December board meeting this afternoon.

Heston Blumenthal and Jamie Oliver have a lot in common. Both are sharp tongued Britts with global empires to rival Oprah Winfrey and both have aligned themselves with Australian supermarket giants creating their own version of the Christmas feast.

Brisbane resident claims are being prioritised by Australian insurers, after the city suffered its worst hailstorm in over 30 years on Friday.