How making a list and checking it twice could revolutionise your finances in 2024
Santa Claus had one thing right when it came to doing things smarter, if you make a list of everything you want to achieve and check it twice, you’re more likely to achieve your goals, whether they are financial or simply life goals.
But just how do you make significant changes in your life to make your money count for more in 2024? Well, it’s time to think bigger than just skipping the pleasures of buying your soy latte on your daily commute to work.
Instead, being savvier about your financial product choices is a far better way says Mozo Money Expert, Rachel Wastell,
“Mortgage holders with a $500,000 home loan are already scrambling to find an extra $1,104 a month, so while the RBA takes a break from hiking rates, now could be an opportune time to find any money left on the table by double checking the finer details of your home loan.”
The same goes for your savings account. Keeping a $10,000 balance in a savings account with an average interest rate of 3.52%, as opposed to the leading rate of 5.70%, if you switched you could make up to $227 more in interest a year^^^.
Other common money traps to add to your checklist for 2024 include expensive broadband plans or carrying around major credit card debt, both of which could be silently draining your wallet.
See below the Mozo editor's top savvy product picks for home loans, savings accounts, broadband and balance transfer cards to add to your new year’s shortlist.
Low-rate home loans to crush your mortgage:
Unloan - Variable Home Loan
- 5.74% variable rate (5.65% comparison rate*)
- Annual rate discount of 0.01% (T&Cs apply)
- Free extra repayments and redraws
Unloan offers owner-occupiers a variable rate priced at 5.74% p.a. (5.65% p.a. comparison rate*), along with an increasing loyalty discount that shaves an extra 1 basis point off your interest every year for up to 30 years. Features include free extra repayments and redraw, and there are no pesky fees to pay. Available for refinance loans of up to $3M. Minimum 20% deposit. Awarded Best New Home Loan in the 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Awards.^
Up – Variable Home Loan
- 5.90% p.a. variable rate (5.90% p.a. comparison rate*)
- No application, monthly, annual, redraw, or discharge fees
- Free offset accounts available
With a competitive variable interest rate of 5.90% p.a. (5.90% p.a. comparison rate*), Up offers users a low-fee home loan, all accessed through their 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Award-winning app. This eye-catching home loan only needs a 10% deposit and offers free unlimited repayments with a redraw facility, and up to 50 offset accounts (T&Cs apply). They’ll also cover the first $400 of your property valuation. Up home loans are only available to owner-occupiers buying or refinancing in major Australian cities. Up is 100% owned by Bendigo Bank.
High-interest deposit accounts to grow your savings:
Macquarie Bank Savings Account
- Earn up 5.35% p.a. for the first 4 months (4.75% p.a. ongoing)
- No account keeping fees to pay
- Multiple Mozo Experts Choice Award Winner 2023^
The award-winning Macquarie Savings Account offers a cracking intro rate of 5.35% p.a. for the first four months on balances up to $250K. The ongoing rate is a competitive 4.75% p.a. and there are zero account-keeping fees. You'll need to open a Macquarie Transaction Account as a first step, but once that's done you can open as many linked Savings Accounts as you like using the Macquarie mobile banking app - one for each savings goal!
Bendigo Reward Saver
- Earn up to 5.25% p.a. on balances up to $100K
- No account keeping fee
- Only requires $1 to open
If you’re looking for a straightforward savings account where you can earn high interest without having to jump through hoops, the Bendigo Reward Saver is worth considering. You only need a $1 to open the account and you will need a linked Bendigo transaction account but as long as you grow your balance each month (excluding interest deposits) you’ll earn up to 5.25% p.a. on balances up to $100K. There’s no account keeping fee and interest is paid monthly. If you don’t increase your balance in a month, the interest rate will revert to 0.30% so it’s a good idea to set up an auto payment into your account so that you’re guaranteed to get the higher interest. The account is 100% online so you’ll access and manage your account via e-banking or the Bendigo Bank app.
Feature-packed car insurance deals to get you on the road:
ROLLiN' Comprehensive Car Insurance****
- Pay for insurance month-to-month, like a subscription, with no cancellation fees
- 24/7 online claims support
- Mozo Experts Choice Exceptional Value Car Insurance Award Winner 2023^
ROLLiN' is shaking up car insurance with a new pay-as-you-go approach that lets you pay month-to-month without any lock-ins or cancellation fees. So if you don't need to drive for a certain amount of time, you can simply cancel your cover without penalty and pick it back up when required. You'll enjoy 24/7 online claims support and a lifetime guarantee on authorised repairs, plus if you accidentally damage your windscreen, sunroof or window glass, ROLLiN' will fix them for free!
Budget Direct - Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance****
- 15% online discount on your first year’s premium
- Fast online application
- Mozo Experts Choice Value Insurance Provider of the Year - 2023^
Budget Direct is offering drivers a super easy way to save with a 15% discount on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new policy online. You’ll also get tailor-made cover, new-for-old replacement, 24/7 claims, a highly-rated claims service and a hire car if your car happens to be stolen. It takes 2 minutes to get an online quote and see how much you could be saving.
Balance transfer cards to ditch your credit debt:
NAB - Low Rate Card
- 0% p.a. for 28 months (then 21.74 % p.a.) with 2% balance transfer fee
- $0 annual fee in the first year and then $59 per year
- 24/7 emergency assistance
The NAB low-rate credit card has a 0% p.a. balance transfer rate for the first 28 months (then 21.74% p.a.) with a 2% balance transfer fee. Enjoy no annual fee for the first 12 months (then $59 per year). The standard purchase rate on the card is 12.49% p.a. Minimum monthly repayments required.
Advertiser disclosure
Killer broadband deals to boost your budget:
Superloop Home Fast nbn 100/20
- Save up to $20 per month for the first 6 months ($69.95 for first 6 months then $84.95 per month)
- No lock in Contract or Sign up Fees
- Unlimited data
A stellar option for households looking for faster internet speeds, this deal could see you save up to $120 on your home internet over the first 6 months (T&Cs apply). Comes with unlimited data, the ability to change your data plan or speed tier once per month, and in-house tech support.
Exetel Extra-Value NBN50
- $53.95/month (for first 6 months), then $74.95/month after that (same min. total cost)
- Unlimited data
- 50Mbps advertised typical evening speed
With the Exetel Extra-Value NBN50 Plan, new customers could pay just $53.95 p/m for the first 6 months ($74.95p/m after that) on a new month-to-month contract (price may vary based on your location) - (min. cost $53.95, then $74.95) plus any pro-rata charges for 30-day cancellation notice period). They could also receive a 2-month free trial of Home Secure, Extel’s wifi security subscription (after which the price reverts to $6p/m, no lock-in). This product won a 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Broadband Award in the Standard Plus (NBN 50) awards category^.
^^^Disclaimer: Interest earned on a $10,000 balance with the leading rate in the Mozo database at 8 November 2023 of 5.55% . (Virgin Money Boost Saver Account with Lock Save Feature)
^^Disclaimer: Based on an owner-occupier $500,000 variable home loan with an LVR of 80% over 25 years. Using the average variable rate in the Mozo database as at 8 November 2023 of 6.60% versus the leading rate of 5.59% in the Mozo database.
*WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards, Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards, Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards and Mozo Experts Choice Broadband Awards.
* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
*** Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
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