Ouch! Interest rates at 7.25% may make finances a bit tight for many Brisbane households. But we want to help you as much as we can so take a look at what we've got...information about loans and real estate plus a few easy and enjoyable ways to save cash on entertainment, food and petrol.
Interest rates
With rates at a 14 year high it's bound to cause concern for anyone with home repayments to make. Extra money needs to be found in the household budget.
Look at consolidating your debts.How much is your mortgage? Or other loan repayments? Maybe you need to look at consolidating your debts or refinancing your mortgage. We have a useful page full of free mortgage tools. For example, you could use the split loan simulator to investigate the impact of splitting your loan into variable and fixed rates. Which one would be better for you? Or learn how much you can borrow based on your salary and expenses.
Perhaps the current level of interest rates (following on from recent rises) will prompt you to make a move to a more affordable property. Search online for houses for sale within a defined price range and location. And if you want to stay out of the housing market altogether, look at what's available to rent in Brisbane.
Ways to save money
Meeting interest repayments may mean spending less in other areas. But how?
What about fuel costs? Take a look at our fuel savings page to find short term and long term ways to reduce your fuel consumption. Plus there's updated information about where to find Brisbane's cheapest petrol.
Just because you've had to tighten your belt doesn't mean you can't still enjoy yourself a little. Our freebies page gives you details about all sorts of free events and exhibitions around Brisbane. And there's no financial reason you can't take the family to the great free movies in the park, run by Brisbane City Council.
You might be able to save a few pennies by shopping wisely at Brisbane's fresh food markets. Find one near you to feed the family for less.
Or, maybe you need to get a better paying (or second) job? There is historically low unemployment at the moment, so at least that's good news.
Do you have some simple money-saving tips to pass on?
