From no-grounds evictions to limited leases, we learn that long-term rental security is almost non-existent for Australian tenants.

We look at your rights when it comes to receipts that have faded and what you can do to prevent them from fading.

We investigate the problems associated with buying tickets through agents, cinemas, and from scalpers.

The government regulator has been making moves that could not only straighten out the finance sector but also make life easier for consumers.

Rebate services return a portion of the commission made on the purchase of insurance policies that would have otherwise gone to a broker to you.

Consumer sharing is growing in popularity to meet today’s buyer demands. It’s energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective, and it’s now easier than ever.

We look into the trend of a rising debt-to-income ratio in Australia. What's behind it, and what can you do to minimise your own mortgage debt?

CHOICE found that most loyalty programs offer such poor rewards you generally save less than a dollar per $100 spent.

Find out which multinationals own the brands sitting on the shelves of your local supermarket.

Purchasing funeral insurance too early can be costly in the long run.

Unexpected fees and a poor exchange rate could cost you hundreds of dollars in the course of an international money transfer.

As health insurance premiums go up by 5.6% on average, now’s a good time to check that the amount you’re paying is justified by what you’re getting in return.

Celebrities have been spruiking products for years. We look at the persuasive power of these endorsements, and whether they're all just hot air.

We review 44 car insurance policies for each state and territory.

The fundraising industry says personalised pens, pad, and address labels are an effective marketing ploy for inspiring generosity, but potential donors tell a different story.

As of 18 March, surcharges applied to credit cards will be capped at a reasonable cost for the retailer.

We check out how you can outsource various household chores, such as cleaning, dogwalking and general home maintenance, to ease the squeeze on your work-life balance.

With a trend towards high-density living, more Australians are turning to self-storage as a short- or long-term solution for lack of space.

Some types of packaging are impossible to open for certain consumers and may even inflict injury. We've uncovered the main offenders.

Whether you’re doing the grocery shopping or looking a mobile phone deal, get the best value for money every time avoiding top pricing tricks.

Premium hikes over the last year have often come with the addition of mandatory flood cover, but it’s not clear flood risk has anything to do with it.

While consumers like to buy things that have been reviewed and recommended by others, we find you can't always trust the recommendations you find online.

With Australians living longer and often facing a drawn-out decline, being clear about your future healthcare plans is more important than ever.

Consumers have a lot to gain from understanding how ombudsman services operate and how the complaint process works.

We pit a low-, medium- and high-end moisturiser, hair dryer and pair of men's underpants against each other in a user trial, and speak to experts about the results.

In what appears to be a widespread pattern, self-funded retirees are having their credit card applications knocked back.

Choose a wrap fund that will comply with FoFA requirements, or charges fees for specific services that are clearly outlined in the agreement between you and your adviser.

Some private car park operators have been slapping motorists with bogus “fines” and threatening legal action if they don’t pay up.

Despite the advances in equitable pay, women face a number of hurdles if they want to grow their superannuation independently.

How do Australia's bricks and mortar retailers stack up when it comes to customer service? We shadow shop Australia's 10 most popular retailers.

Scent marketing is increasingly being used to draw consumers back into bricks-and-mortars stores.

Exchange rates say Aussies should be picking up a nice little bonus on overseas transactions this year. Research by a savvy CHOICE member says otherwise.

By using a debt consolidation business you could end up paying more in the long run than you would dealing directly with the creditors.

How can some products look, taste and function the same, yet vary so markedly in price from their mainstream, retail counterparts?

Third-party rent payment schemes force tenants to pay for rent collection, and the fees can really add up.

If you have a speech impediment, disability or an aversion to technology, call centres can cause you a lot of grief.

In 2011, Fair Trading NSW received 300 complaints about removalists – more than one every working day on average.

We decided to give our lab testers the day off and asked CHOICE member (and mum!), Monique Brunello, to be our home tester and look at some gift ideas for mums.

We outline some concerns around imported cut flowers that might make you re-think that beautiful bouquet.

From July 1, health insurance premiums will increase for high-income earners. Pre-pay your annual premium now and any rebate reductions will only apply in 12 months time.

Short expiry dates and restrictive terms and conditions are just some of the traps to watch out for.

The travel card market has expanded in the last couple of years, with a range of new products released to the market, but the fees can still pack a sting.

Plus-size clothing is limited and expensive for Australians despite there being a demand.

We've all got stuff we no longer want, need or use taking up space around the house. So how do you get the most of your useless junk?

With the Euro zone and US economy looking shaky, what’s left of your super nest egg may once again be out on a limb.

While most of the institutions we visited do provide key fact sheets on their websites, overall it seems that bank staff have little or no idea the fact sheets even exist.

The newly introduced Australian Consumer Law gives consumers better protection when purchasing than ever before.

Our survey finds, a whopping 21% of items purchased as Christmas presents fall short on performance.

Long-term payment deals can cost you hundreds of dollars in fees alone, even if you pay everything off within the interest-free period.

CHOICE looked at some interest-free payment offers available with six major retailers, and sent a shadow shopper to the stores.

We pick fun and handy products that will make great Christmas presents for anyone who loves to travel.

Many gold and platinum credit cards offer travel insurance, but the cover can vary.

Most participants in our survey have long-term relationships with one of the big four banks, but the loyalty has yielded very little satisfaction.

Work-from-home offers can be tempting, but they can make you vulnerable to identity theft. We reveal the top five scams, and explain how to protect yourself from them.

CHOICE picks the kitchen gadgets that will make great Christmas presents for anyone who loves to cook.

The amount of packaging material in the postal system is piling up as more and more people do their shopping online.

We round up the best technology buys, from tablets, to televisions, to MP3 players, to eBook readers.

CHOICE looks into reports of dodgy dealings in online penny auctions, where you may win items for low prices.

From digital cameras to kitchen gadgets, our gift ideas cater to all budgets.

Where does advertising end and editorial begin in the murky grey area between the glossy snapshots and auction listings?

CHOICE has been calling for an overhaul of the financial services industry for more than 20 years. The federal government's Future of Financial Advice(FOFA) reforms will hopefully resolve some of the issues.

Switch and save and take a fresh look at the interest rates on your home loan. We take you through the basics and present some easy options to put you on the fast track to a better deal.

Australians appear to be paying more than consumers in NZ, the US, UK and further afield for staple services such as international postage.

We expose the top five types of junk insurance and suggest some smarter alternatives.

Online shopping is often quicker and cheaper, but bricks-and-mortars retailers have a few tricks that keep us coming back.

With movie ticket and candy bar prices continuing to rise, is a night at the movies still an affordable outing?

Buying from foreign retailers has netted Australians big discounts. We look into the current state of play for online shopping.

Tall consumers are getting the short end of the stick in everything from buying clothes to travelling on planes, trains and in cars.

Retailers are increasingly imposing surcharges on credit card transactions – but the RBA may finally be taking action.

The government says the changes will require financial planners to prioritise the interests of their clients.

These websites can be used to explore many products, from bank accounts to home loans, but CHOICE recommends you approach sites with care.

Chain, independent or online book retailers – we size up the options.

To determine the winner, we looked at 150 savings accounts and the rates they've been offering over the past 12 months.

Penalty fees, or lack thereof, became the ultimate decider of this award.

Dealing directly with banks and other financial services providers to resolve disputes is usually more effective than taking the matter to court.

$153 billion worth of Australian money currently sits in everday transaction accounts that earn little or no interest.

The report marks a major milestone in our campaign for fairer banking.

Consumers continue to pay up to $4 when they visit “foreign” ATMs.

CHOICE found that funeral costs fluctuate wildly. We highlight ways to get a fair deal.

CHOICE takes a closer look at the high-tech devices in supermarkets now, and those on the way.

Our busy mums are faced with a myriad of decisions every day. We believe they should have the best advice at their fingertips this Mothers' Day.

Some of the best consumer bargains can be found online through coupon websites.

The latest in the war on plastic.

Buying direct from the charity is often a better way to get your money direct to the good cause.

CHOICE visited 10 gold-buying shops in Sydney with a ring and two necklaces, and was offered between 39% and 89% of the gold value for the items.

Inaccurate care labels could be at the heart of many drycleaning mishaps.

Hidden fees, faulty products, endless phone menus - Australians' biggest complaints are consumer and/or product-related.

If you're not getting an interest rate saving of at least 0.7% then you're probably paying too much.

Current labelling laws are broad and inconsistent even within the same industry. Country of origin and other claims, mixed with marketing hype, are confusing shoppers.

We outline the benefits and pitfalls so you can find which way saves you money.

See which funds have the most satisfied members for fees and performance and read our tips for switching.

Our price guide takes you through the confusing array of extras and options to explain exactly what you need to look for when shopping for specs.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's annual bank fees report reveals there has been a shift in banks' household penalty fee income from deposit accounts towards loans.

See our CHOICE price comparison of wine, beer and spirit prices at a number of different outlets.

If you get financial advice from any of largest six financial planning groups, there’s a good chance you'll end up with investment products offered by the adviser’s parent company.

With the average life expectancy increasing, the risk of running out of your savings during retirement is very real.

You can no longer press “CR” after swiping your debit card at Woolies. We look at the reason for this change, and its potential impacts.

The RBA increased interest rates by 0.25% in April 2010.

An up-to-date, detailed will is essential for protecting your loved ones. We look at the basics you need to have covered.

From the sixties through to the noughties, CHOICE TV captures all the highlights.

It may give you a breather, but it could also lead you to one of the worst traps set by card companies.

We compared our banks' standard practices with consumer protection for UK credit card customers, and found Australian consumers are treated far less fairly.

We review term life insurance policies from 20 providers and policies from 10 large industry super funds.

Switching to a new transaction account with no monthly fees and low transaction costs may save you more than $200 per year. CHOICE selects the picks of the crop.

The account isn't completely fee-free and it doesn't pay interest, but most everyday transactions are free and there are incentives that will be attractive to many customers.

Following in the footsteps of major retailers Myer, Woolworths and David Jones, Jetstar has launched its own branded MasterCard and Platinum MasterCard.

CHOICE reveals which providers are bucking this trend to treat their customers fairly.

The new Bankwest Zero account refunds its customers the fees that the big four banks charge when you use their ATM machines.

What can you do when you know you’re getting a raw deal, but don't know what to do about it? Read on.

We expose the hidden costs.

The regulator claimed that Westpac breached the The Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 by sending unsolicited debit cards to consumers, but the Federal Court has taken a different view.

You can choose who receives the sales and advice kickbacks from your investments. But weigh up the pros and cons before making any changes.

This year Australian couples are expected to spend an estimated $3.7 billion on their big day - but can you be sure you're paying what you should?

We save you time and effort by bringing you a list of the best online sites for books and CDS, clothes, electronics, as well as as cosmetics and fragrances.

Over the past year, ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac have increased market share but our survey reveals they haven't increased in popularity.

Extra costs, such as “service” fees that gobble up credit even when you’re not making calls are often not advertised on the posters or phone cards.

We analysed 63 reward credit and charge cards, looking at frequent flyer points, shopping vouchers and cash rewards.

Retail and manufacturing marketing execs are certainly onto a winner with cashback schemes, but consumer benefit is not as guaranteed.

For most of us, minimising the cost of 'staple' financial services like bank accounts and insurance is important. Here's how to save.

Follow this six-step guide to improve your chances of getting a high standard of service and advice from a financial planner.

Duty-free shopping was one of the perks of travelling overseas. The introduction of GST saw a whole raft taxes phased out, so is still good value?