According to the latest news coming from various economists, there is the increasing likelihood that the Reserve Bank may announce another rate cut in early February.
And this is more great news for many mortgage holders. (more…)
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Another rate cut – what could you do with that money?
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012Making financial improvements for 2012
Thursday, January 12th, 2012Sticking to twelve simple financial resolutions in 2012 can potentially save you thousands of dollars each year as well as the opportunity to redefine your financial plans.
And much of this is really just a matter of working with what you already have, by restructuring your existing arrangements so they work more effectively for you. (more…)
Tis the season to be savvy
Friday, December 23rd, 2011I love Christmas.
I love the trimmings, the trappings, the ribbon and the wrappings. So at the risk of not wanting to sound like the Grinch who stole Christmas…..
While you’re contemplating how much turkey/seafood/pudding you’ve consumed over the Christmas period – why not use some of that downtime to do an audit of your personal finances? (more…)
When interest rates were eighteen percent
Friday, December 16th, 2011Talking to some older folk over the last week about times when interest rates were around eighteen percent and I am reliably told that there are many watching with almost amusement at the goings on in relation to the continued will they/won’t they pass that rate cut onto borrowers guessing game.
Because it was back in their day that a bank not passing on a rate cut was almost the rule, rather than the exception.
And with interest rates getting up to eighteen percent around that time, that was a whole lot of sweat going on!
So that generation can certainly add some perspective to what’s happening in the current times.
But there is one difference now. Thanks to competitors such as non-bank lenders, credit unions and building societies continuing to be a force in the mortgage marketplace, rate cuts are now more routinely passed on in full to borrowers.
And the reality is, this pattern now is largely due to the continuing existence of alternative lenders, combined with people exercising their right to choose.
After the 1990’s, benchmark rates came down by almost two percent after non-bank lenders such as Resi entered the market and have remained lower largely because our sector of the market continues to be around.
Sure – the big banks will continued to be pressured, whether it’s by government, borrowers or through the existence of other alternative lenders to more carefully consider their decision on rates, so that won’t change.
But at the end of the day, borrowers are now in a position where if they don’t like what’s happening, they can take their bat and ball and… move.
Are we heading back to the future?
Thursday, November 24th, 2011With continued reports of consumers becoming more conservative with their spending and making a concerted effort to pay down debt, could we be heading back to the future? (more…)
The World According to Ric
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011The Reserve Bank Deputy Governor, Ric Battelino, delivered a speech today at an investment conference on the latest economic and financial developments – and the news wasn’t all doom and gloom (more…)
What else does the unemployment figure say?
Thursday, October 13th, 2011With the latest seasonally adjusted unemployment figure released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing 5.2%, there is now (well – for this week at least) speculation that an official rate cut by the Reserve Bank is less likely.
But apart from the potential impact a jobs figure has on inflation figures and their subsequent interpretation by the Reserve Bank, what else does that figure actually tell us about what’s happening here in Australia?
What it does tell us is that if we look at what is actually trending in the job market, the situation is actually quite static.
And for those with mortgages, a static job market may also provide additional evidence that people are exercising more conservative financial behavior so they can knuckle down and try to better manage their situation with what they have.
After all – we’re no longer in the same job market that we were even five years ago before the GFC when many people felt comfortable changing jobs just to chase a bit more money.
Times have since changed – and it’s still very much a moving feast for committed consumers, most of who are keeping their cards very close to their chest indeed.
Why cheaper is the new black
Friday, October 7th, 2011There’s a change in dinner party banter occurring around many dining tables in Australia.
Gone are the conversations which centre around property prices and interest rates – only to be replaced by what good deal you can get on your internet, utilities, phone, groceries, petrol, car, insurances and basically anything that constitutes household spending.
In fact, it’s routine for someone to talk up which company or website they found their bargains through and how much they have saved in the process.
How times have changed. (more…)
Putting mortgage stress into perspective
Friday, September 23rd, 2011Forget mortgage stress – it’s household stress we are suffering from!
This was highlighted recently in the latest Genworth Homebuyer Confidence Index (HCI) which shed some light on how borrowers are managing their financial obligations – particularly in light of various media reports about mortgage stress. (more…)
Resi gets behind Cas and Jonesy’s next epic adventure
Friday, September 16th, 2011Many will remember those two young Australian adventurers that kayaked from Australia to New Zealand a few years ago.
After overcoming treacherous conditions, sickness and fatigue, they eventually came ashore across the Tasman on very wobbly legs to great fanfare – even from the Kiwis!
Well – they’re back at it again – except this time they’ll be on terra firma attempting another adventure that’s destined to have people shaking their heads and saying “What the??”.
And just as we have been over the last 10 years, Resi will be along for the ride – figuratively speaking – as we lend our support to those two global roamers affectionately known as ‘Cas and Jonesy’.
In just under one month’s time, childhood friends and adventure junkies, James ‘Cas’ Castrission and Justin ‘Jonesy’ Jones will attempt to walk the 2200km from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back again – something that’s never before been completed single handed.
At the moment they’re in NZ, training and acclimatising themselves in a dedicated program which will prepare them for the gruelling challenge ahead. And launch day for ‘Crossing the Ice’ is fast approaching.
You’ll be able to keep up with the progress of their ice crossing through Resi’s website at www.resi.com.au where you’ll find information about the boy’s latest adventure challenge in the About Us section under our Sponsorship and Events page.
There you can also read about Cas and Jonesy’s most recent extreme achievement, affectionately known as ‘Crossing the Ditch’ from Australia to New Zealand.
In 100 years of polar exploration no-one has EVER walked from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back without assistance. Many have tried, none have succeeded.
But this year, these two Aussie Adventurers will attempt to achieve the impossible during the Centenary Anniversary of Scott’s and Amundsen’s now famous expedition.
For three months and over 2200km they will drag 160kg sleds with everything they need to survive in the harshest environment on Earth.
And why?
Not just for the sheer challenge, but also because they will be using this expedition to raise much needed funds and awareness for ‘You Can’; a national fundraising campaign to build specialised youth cancer centres across Australia.
And because, just like Resi – they want to Own their Dream.
Cas and Jonesy have a history with Resi that spans back to 2001 when Resi sponsored their first expedition.
Since then, Resi has been involved in three of their major expeditions – this is probably the most stable relationship Cas and Jonesy have had in their lives!
So with 29 days left before take-off – we wish Cas and Jonesy all the best.
Boys…..three words. Own your Dream.