Categories
Financial Planning

Australian Borrowers Cautioned to Curb Spending

Borrowers have been urged to stem their spending over the approaching festive season, as the world financial markets remain unstable. As the end of the year starts to approach, the Christmas holiday period is a common time to splurge on those gifts and leisure activities, without as much concern about the bank balance. This is one of the most common times to accumulate debts.

However the head of Consumer Advocacy at a mortgage corporation Lisa Montgomery, warns it is “an area of spending which traditionally tends to blow out over the last few months of the year and invariably leads to a New Year hangover.”

Categories
Debt Management

Reduce Your Debt in 2010

The end of the year is here again, and after a year of financial turmoil, now would be a good time to stop and take some time to reflect on how you spent your money this past year.  December is always a great time of year to create financial goals so you can begin them early in the New Year.  By setting yourself goals they serve as a motivational tool throughout the year to strive toward a better financial future and reducing your debts.

Click on ‘read more’  for some helpful hints to better manage your debts:

Categories
Financial Planning

The Cost of Raising a Child is now $1 Million

The cost of raising children to 18 has hit the million dollar mark research suggests.  In comparison to the days where children where entertained more simply, parents are now finding themselves forking out for expensive toys, the latest technologies and private lessons for dance, sport, music and schooling.

Considering the average child now stays at home until the age of about 24 the real cost to the Australian parent of raising children is said to be roughly $1,028,093.

Generation Z, (those born from 1995), are the most financially endowed generation of children ever.  Every child has their own set of everything. They are definitely not in the era of shared toys or hand-me-downs.

Categories
Debt Consolidation

Sub-Prime Crisis Heralds New Age of Debt

The Sub-Prime crisis is sending the international property market into recession, with property values falling significantly. However surprisingly, the Australian property market continues to rise. How long until Australia follows suit?

Australian property prices compared with income levels are the highest in the world. Our endless mortgage repayments continue, reflecting this dire need to fulfil the Great Australian Dream of owning our own property. Although as interest rates continue to rapidly ascend, we may be heading towards a crash.

Categories
Debt Management

The Unstoppable Australian Debt with No Solution In Sight

It is becoming alarmingly apparent that more and more Australians nationwide are falling into the household debt. With ever-increasing interest rates, mortgage repayments are becoming unmanageable and daily living costs are soaring.

Managing Director of the Australian Lending Centre, Chris Riotto, asserts, “We are receiving an influx of customers who just can’t afford to sustain their increasing mortgage repayments and keep up with household costs.Although these people initially had sufficient incomes to meet their repayments, because inflation is now increasing to an unmanageable point, they are now finding it virtually impossible to stretch their incomes enough to make ends meet.”

Categories
News Personal Loans

New Survey Shows Australians Falling into Debt

With inflation on the rise and living costs soaring, more young people are descending into debt. In a recent nationwide survey done by financial services company Dun & Bradstreet, the increasing range of debt receipts alarmingly fell around the 18-34 age

The survey found that more than one in five Australians expect to use their credit card to finance purchases they otherwise couldn’t afford. Livings costs are sky rocketing and as a result, young people are struggling to meet the financial demands. House hold debts have increased by 30% since Oct 2007, a mere six months ago. Credit card debt affects not only the middle age demographics but also the younger market, combining to make the nation’s current credit card bill, which stands at a staggering $42.340

Categories
Personal Loans Financial Fitness Short Term Loans

Celebrity Lifestyles Create Debt for Young Australians

Many Australians, especially the younger generations are obsessed with celebrity image, and pressure to keep up with the ever-changing style of the stars is driving an annual $8.7 billion credit card spending spree. The modern day cult of celebrity is now so pervasive that young men and women alike are racking up expensive credit card debts to copy the looks and lifestyles of the rich and famous. Matching celebrity lifestyles is creating debt for young Australians at an astounding rate!

A recent study conducted on the rise of celebrity culture in Australia, reveals that almost 90% of young Aussie woman feel that they are expected to match the idealised images and designer wardrobes of the celebrities. This isn’t really surprising when you consider that celebrities are found on every source of media, not to mention they can be intimately followed by the likes of reality television series and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

The biggest culprit of this obsession is women aged 18-34 years. Two in three women admit to using their credit cards to purchase items to mimic celebrity style. This dangerous fascination is leading to many Aussies maxing out their credit cards by spending thousands of dollars a year on clothes, accessories, hairstyles and beauty treatments popularised by the stars.

However it’s not only the women, nearly half of Aussie blokes aged 18-34 years admit to being influenced by the style of Hollywood’s leading men. Aussie men have also admitted to purchasing clothes, beauty products and even sports cars to emulate a celebrity lifestyle.

Celebrity Endorsed Debt for Young Australians

Both men and women are likely to buy the never-ending ranges of celebrity endorsed products, whether it is a celebrity promoting a company’s product or the product itself is owned by a celebrity. Just look at all of the celebrity fragrances on the market as one example.

Many young Aussies are none the wiser of the repercussions their spending habits could have on their future. Not only are they setting themselves up for years of debt and interest repayments, they are also potentially facing bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is the worst financial result to any individual’s life. By filing for bankruptcy you have instantly put yourself in a position of uncertainty, as it can negatively affect so much of your financial freedom.

Limitations of bankruptcy

If you are bankrupt, you cannot hold certain licenses, there are restrictions on employment, and you may be required to pay part of your income to a Trustee. You also must obtain the Trustee’s permission to travel overseas, some of your divisible property may be sold and any divisible property you acquire during bankruptcy, vests in your Trustee. Also when you are bankrupt you are limited to obtaining loans and credit.

Manage your debt

It is important to get a hold of your finances before they become too difficult to manage. Many young Aussie is excited by their ability to use their first credit card, and they can easily forget that every payment needs to be repaid, and due to interest you usually end up paying more for the item as a result of placing it on your credit card. Credit cards should be used as a tool for purchases such as airfares and for emergencies. You should intend to make the repayments in full as soon as possible to avoid accruing interest charges. If you find that you need to make everyday purchases such as groceries or petrol on your credit card because you lack the funds to purchase these items from your income, then you could be heading for a trouble-filled financial future.

If you are finding it difficult to make your debt repayments on credit cards or personal loans then you should speak with one of our experienced debt consultants today.