News Archive for November 2023

From a data breach that affected over a third of the Australian population to a nationwide outage just last week, Optus customers have been through the wringer over the past two years.

If you or someone in your household has got their heart set on a fur baby this Christmas, it’s also time to start thinking about Pet Insurance.

A few weeks before the RBA decision on the official cash rate, Macquarie Bank has notably bumped up the interest rate on its savings account of balances up to $250,000.

A home loan that rewards you for your loyalty, does away with pesky fees, and has a low variable rate that’s well below the average home loan in Mozo’s database.^^

Want the most affordable way to start share trading in Australia? We reviewed more than 70 products from 30+ online brokers in the Mozo database and found these to be the cheapest options for buying Australian shares.

Home owners across the country are feeling the bite of increased home loan repayments since the RBA began its war on inflation, and we are all looking for ways to save extra cash where we can.

Australia’s appetite for travel, while not completely in the black, has recovered impressively after the pandemic, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Aussie investors are eating up ETFs (exchange-traded funds) with more than 2 million currently invested in ETFs for the first time according to fund manager Betashares. And it isn’t likely to stop there, with the fund manager finding that an additional 310,000 can be expected to enter into the market over the coming years.

As we sit on the cusp of summer and the twilight days of 2023, some prospective home buyers might be wondering if now is a good time to get onto the property ladder.

With home values on the rise, Australians priced out of the markets where they currently live may have to consider a change of scenery if they want to buy.

Some major banks are now offering competitive interest rates on green loans due to a rising demand for sustainable home upgrades.

Australian travel is on an exciting upturn according to Tourism Research Australia. We're back to pre-pandemic levels in terms of domestic trips and spending, with a 30% and 57% year-on-year increase, respectively. The real story, however, lies in where we’re going.

Banks may have some favouritism regarding which interest rates they hike, according to the latest analysis from Mozo.

People who know about saving money swear by compound interest. They love to call it the 'power' of compound interest.

Seventy-four per cent of Aussies are actively seeking shopping bargains, deals and cashbacks right now, Westpac research shows. This is while they are experiencing financial hardship due to the high cost of living.

More and more Australians are starting to plan their shopping around sales events, with 74% saving up to spend on Black Friday, according to Power Retail.

Home loan pain is reaching a fever pitch following the November RBA rate hike. Out of all the mortgage lenders that have increased their interest rates, Mozo has recorded 7 in our database whose standard variable rates (SVRs) are now over 9%. The rest mostly sit between 6% and 8%.

Younger Australians are spending their money on experiences that matter to them as a way to ease stress during the cost-of-living crisis.

New research from Roy Morgan shows that 1,514,000 mortgage holders (30%) were 'at risk' of 'mortgage stress' in the three months to October 2023.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its 2023 September quarterly superannuation performance statistics report, which suggests that the superannuation industry is facing some challenges in the current economic environment but is still relatively well-positioned for the long term.

It can be challenging when a product or service catches your eye but you don’t have the funds to pay for it. As you start to review your options, you’ve come across personal loans and credit cards as a way to front the expense.

In a landmark move, the New South Wales government, led by Premier Chris Minns, has announced a major shift in how emergency services will be funded, promising to replace the levy on home insurance with a wider, state-wide contribution method.

Queensland is doubling its First Home Owner Grant, taking the total to $30,000 for eligible first home purchases.

Consumers have taken more than 400,000 disputes to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) over the past five years, securing a total of $1.2 billion in compensation and refunds.

The number of cashback switching incentives for borrowers to refinance their home loan has declined throughout 2023, but in good news for borrowers ANZ Bank is bucking the trend and has a $2,000 cashback offer available to new customers.

October was a slower month for Aussies and their usual car spending habits, with a decrease in motor vehicle spending across the country.

Not only has the NRMA scored numerous Mozo Experts Choice Awards in car insurance, home insurance, and travel insurance, but they’ve just been awarded the title of ‘Most Trusted Insurance Brand’ in 2023.

Ladies and gentlemen, the biggest night in Aussie music is here. Yep, you guessed it. The 2023 ARIA Awards were on Wednesday, the 15th of November, 2023 (AEST)!

Over half (57%) of Australia’s drivers report feeling stressed or anxious about parallel parking, with women and younger drivers feeling it most, according to survey data from Budget Direct .

The cost of living crisis is causing many people to reevaluate their finances and cut down on unnecessary costs. New research by Deloitte has found that one of the things that Aussies are cutting down on is streaming platform subscriptions.

Two-thirds of Aussies are impacted by natural disasters, according to recent analysis from professional services firm, KPMG.

Younger Aussies are spending less on the small stuff and saving up for big ticket items to make up for lost time during the pandemic.

The thirteenth Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cash rate hike has pushed smaller home loan lenders to raise interest rates in November. So, where do the opportunities lie for borrowers searching for a great rate?

In the 2022-2023 financial year, the ATO reclaimed $1.13 billion in Super Guarantee Charges, penalties for companies that fail to pay required super contributions on time.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has given inflation another astonishing kick with a thirteenth rate hike. The decision lifts the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.35%. For mortgage holders, November will offer no relief as the changes ripple across home loans.

Australians are becoming spoilt for choice with electric vehicles (EV), now with two new EVs that have just hit the market.

The average balanced super fund option fell by 1.6%, marking the third month in a row that super returns have declined.* However, it’s not all doom and gloom considering returns remain positive over 1 through 20 years.*

In a recent ruling, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has sided with an insurance company in denying a lost property claim, basing its ruling on the claimant's refusal to submit phone records to the insurer.

Word on the street is that the RBA may be planning one more rate hike. However, borrowers who are already feeling stretched can improve their situation by refinancing their home loan to a lower rate.

A pinch and a punch for the first day of the month! November’s here, which means the countdown to Christmas is officially on. From Christmas shopping to Black Friday sales and more, here’s everything you need to get you through the month ahead.

High inflation persists around the world, a tiring narrative for anyone simply trying to buy groceries or cover the bills. Why is it so hard to get control of this thing?

Australians not seizing the opportunity to grow their super balances might miss out on the benefits of a financially comfortable retirement.

New research shows Australians are keen to get a foot on the property ladder as soon as possible, citing the cost of rent and increasing home prices as the impetus.

Well, the rate hold was nice while it lasted. The latest quarterly inflation data has spooked economists and experts at the Big Four Banks. Now, half the market believes the Reserve Bank of Australia will increase the cash rate in November 2023 for the first time in five months.

Savings account interest rates took a tumble in October, continuing the trend of quiet cuts we saw in September.

In an attempt to highlight the importance of small businesses, credit card provider American Express has announced that it will be holding its 11th annual Shop Small Movement this November.

Money matters can cause emotional stress but some of us are afraid to confront the issue. This is understandable, though might not help in the long run. Like a good budget, handling such emotions or stresses is best looked at ahead of time.

With the end of year fast approaching, many young Aussies look forward to the school holidays or a much needed break from university.

October saw a flurry of home loan interest rate adjustments, with variable rates shifting up and down, and longer-term fixed-rate home loans bearing the brunt of rate rises.

Prospective retirees may be looking to hang up their hats as October showed online searches for retirement planning rose by 50%, according to Aware Super.

Economists are placing bets for Cup Day, and odds are home loans may have a shock in November. Inflation and the weather have started to warm again headed into summer, so now there’s a greater than none chance the Reserve Bank of Australia will hike the cash rate another 25 basis points to 4.35% – another decade high.

Not only can NRMA insure your home, but they can now help you buy one.