Record financial comfort levels, the Oscars & Dora the Explorer’s insurance claim: This week’s best banking news

• Aussies pessimistic about the future, despite reporting record levels of financial comfort
• Where to stream the 2022 Oscar nominees in Australia?
• Aussie households favouring high-speed NBN plans
• Slowing auction rates indicate red-hot Australian housing market might be cooling down
• Why Dora the Explorer’s travel insurance claim would’ve been denied
• Aussies paying off their debts? Credit score increases suggest they are
  

All in this week’s best banking news recap: editor’s pick.

Aussies pessimistic about the future, despite reporting record levels of financial comfort

While still recovering after a rough couple of years due to the pandemic, ME Bank’s latest financial comfort report has revealed that Aussie households are financially comfortable as ever.

“Taking into account 11 different measures including income, living expenses and debt levels, the report put Australian household financial comfort at 6.04 out of 10 in December 2021 — up by 3 per cent in the last year and 8 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels,” explained Mozo Money writer, Niko Iliakis.

Of the households surveyed, a solid 27% reported their financial comfort levels had improved mainly due to increased cash savings and improvements around jobs, income and spending.

Read the full article: Aussies pessimistic about the future, despite reporting record levels of financial comfort for the full scoop.

Where to stream the 2022 Oscar nominees in Australia?

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s nearly time for the event of the season. That’s right. The Oscars are almost here! Now, who doesn’t love a good award show? 

And if you’re wondering where you’ll be able to catch a glimpse at all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s finest, we’ve got you covered.

Read the full article: Where to stream the 2022 Oscar nominees in Australia? A genuine guide for the full rundown.

Aussie households favouring high-speed NBN plans

This just in: The latest ACCC NBN Wholesale Market Indicators Report (December quarter 2021) has revealed that Aussies are favouring high-speed NBN plans over alternative broadband services.

According to the report, there are nearly 8.6 million residential broadband services currently on the NBN, with 58% using high-speed services of 50 Mbps and an extra 15% on speeds above this.

Read the full article: Aussie households favouring high-speed NBN plans for the rest of the story.

Slowing auction rates indicate red-hot Australian housing market might be cooling down

In 2022 the Aussie housing market continues to stay extraordinarily busy, following 2021’s massive property price and sales boom.

Recent CoreLogic data revealed a hefty 36% increase in the number of homes up for sale compared to the same period last year, with a whopping 2,898 auctions going down across Australia’s capital cities this week alone. 

Read the full article: Slowing auction rates indicate red-hot Australian housing market might be cooling down for the whole shebang.

Why Dora the Explorer’s travel insurance claim would’ve been denied

What do you get when Swiper swipes Dora’s unattended backpack at the airport luggage carousel? A denied travel insurance claim!

Travel insurance can be a drag - but it’s just one of those things that shouldn't be overlooked. So, to help you learn the ropes, let’s take a look at some (almost) real-life examples of travel insurance gone wrong inspired by some of your favourite flicks. Vamonos!

Read the full article: Why famous movie characters would get their travel insurance claims denied for a good laugh!

Aussies paying off their debts? Credit score increases suggest they are

According to credit bureau Experian, there’s been a steady increase in average credit scores across every demographic in Australia (regardless of age or gender) since the start of the pandemic.

Credit scores generally sit between 0-1,200 and help lenders determine whether you’ll be a good borrower. The higher your score, the better. Between March 2020 and December 2021, overall credit scores in Australia jumped up from 710 to 734 (a 3.4% increase). 

Read full article: Aussies paying off their debts? Credit score increases suggest they are for more information.

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