Money disputes on the rise among young Aussies: Here’s how to better handle debts

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Amid the soaring cost of living, a new survey commissioned by bill splitting app KttiPay shows that borrowing money among friends and family is rampant, with one-third of Aussies saying that someone they know currently owes them money.

An alarming 67% of Aussies between the ages of 18 and 35 currently owe money to their family and friends, are owed money, or both. This has resulted in more than $350 billion being transferred between friends and family every year.

All this is surely hitting hip pockets at a time of higher inflation and high-price living.

Many young Aussies left out of pocket $100 to $500

Around 40% of respondents say they are owed over $100 with some being out of pocket as much as $500 or more. 

The impacts of this are being felt in negative ways. For example, many people admitted they have argued with others over what they owe after the money has already been spent.

Around 70% of respondents encountered a shared expense at least once a month, including restaurant bills, home expenses like groceries, rent, and electricity and group outings.

But many are finding that splitting costs isn't always fair, equitable, or straightforward. 

How to better handle money and debt in 2024

In light of these findings, 98% of respondents rated transparency in group spending situations such as having the ability to access receipts as important.

Sixty-eight per cent of young Australians go as far as to label transparency as either ‘important’, ‘very important’, or ‘extremely important’, as per the survey. 

“A considerable number of young Australians are in informal debt situations, either owing money to friends, being owed money, or both,” said KttiPay founder and chief executive, Iain Salteri. “As financial pressure continues to mount, money disputes have increased power to tip relationships over the edge. 

“It’s clear that Australians are exhausted from having countless unproductive and awkward conversations with people who owe them money, but without an easy solution, their hard-earned money remains out of reach.”

However, Salteri says group spending tools that keep Aussies more accountable for their debts are proving successful for tech-savvy Gen Z and Millennials. 

If you’re keen on these types of tools as well, we cover some of the best budgeting apps on the market which you can read about here

A debt consolidation loan can also provide some relief

Another way to get on top of debt is with the help of a debt consolidation loan. This is a financial product that lets you consolidate your debts into one personal loan. If you’re well organised, this allows you to have just one set of recurring repayments to make over a set term, and with just a single interest rate.

The real plus? You’re likely to be better off if the interest rate on the personal loan is lower than your existing debts, helping you get ahead in reducing your overall debt.

Once you’ve compared some of the best debt consolidation loans on the market and seen the different interest rate levels available, it’s worth considering if you’re in a position to apply. Among other things, you’ll need to think about the term of the loan, the frequency of repayments and whether or not you’d be better off securing the loan with one of your personal assets, such as a car. This approach can often lower the interest rate and fees of the loan.

Just keep in mind that like any other kind of lending, a debt consolidation loan could hurt your credit score if you aren’t responsible with meeting your repayments.

Paying off lingering debts is a good thing though, and will usually be a positive move not only for your credit history but for your finances in general. So, if you’re ready to compare debt consolidation loans, be sure to start comparing some of the top loans on the market below. 

Compare debt consolidation loans

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Last updated 13 December 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*
  • Debt Consolidation Loan

    $5,000-$75,000

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 18.99% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 19.39% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Competitive fixed rates on loans up to $75,000 depending on your credit score. Zero monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Make weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments, over 1 to 7 years managed entirely online, at any time. Fast and easy, 100% online application.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.

    Compare
    Details
  • Unsecured Personal Loan

    Fixed

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.
    6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Borrow up to $50,000 unsecured. Perfect if you earn more than $22,100 p.a. and have good to excellent credit. Multi-year winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan Award, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024^'

    Repayment terms from 2 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.75% would cost $35,430.23 including fees.

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    Details
  • Low Rate Personal Loan

    Excellent Credit, $5,000 - $75,000

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 8.39% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 8.75% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Competitive low rates for borrowers with excellent credit on 1-7 year loans from $5,000 up to $75,000, plus free extra repayments. Winner of Mozo's Experts Choice Excellent Credit Unsecured Personal Loan 2024 and Excellent Credit Secured Personal Loan 2024 awards ^. Min. income of 25k after tax, to apply.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.

    Compare
    Details
  • Unsecured Personal Loan

    Fixed

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    5.76% p.a.to 24.03% p.a.
    6.55% p.a.to 24.98% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Fast, easy and 100% online, this is a low cost loan with no ongoing fees or extra repayment penalties. It's perfect for savvy borrowers with great credit. If you’re over 18 and earn above $30,000, you could qualify (other eligibility criteria may apply).

    Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.76% would cost $35,173.52 including fees.

    Compare
    Details
  • Debt Consolidation Loan

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    5.76% p.a.to 24.03% p.a.
    6.57% p.a.to 24.99% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Roll multiple debts into one loan to streamline your finances with one set of repayments and one interest rate. Competitive fixed interest rates with no monthly or early repayment fees and flexible repayment options. Easy online application and funding in as little as 24 hours (subject to approval).

    Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.76% would cost $35,173.52 including fees.

    Compare
    Details

* WARNING: The Comparison Rate combines the lender's interest rate, fees and charges into a single rate to show the true cost of a personal loan. The comparison rates displayed are calculated based on a loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years or a loan of $10,000 for a term of 3 years as indicated, based on monthly principal and interest repayments, on a secured basis for secured loans and an unsecured basis for unsecured loans. 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.

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Personal Loan Awards

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