There are more ways than ever to borrow money, from peer-to-peer lending (potentially a good option) to payday loans (never a good option). Then you have the never-ending personal loan offers from the banks, which can leave you with that empty feeling if you're not careful. When you're in the market for some money, we'll help make sure you don't get taken for a ride.
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Personal loans
Stay afloat financially and avoid swimming with the loan sharks.
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Buy now, pay later services comparison
Compare the credit limits, fees and repayments for buy now, pay later services Afterpay, Zip Pay, Humm and Deferit.
Articles
Are there better options than buy now, pay later?
BNPL services might seem fast and attractive to many consumers, but there are better options out there.
Does buy now, pay later need tighter regulation?
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers say their new self-regulation code of conduct is sufficient. We’re not so sure.
Is buy now, pay later a modern debt trap?
Most people use BNPL services such as Afterpay and Zip with few issues, but for some the easy access to credit can lead to financial distress.
Are wage advances the new payday loans?
Profiting from people living pay cheque to pay cheque may put Beforepay and MyPayNow at odds with their lofty marketing.
CHOICE slams government wind-back of responsible lending laws
Removing credit protections will cause harm to people and the economy.
More than one in 10 Australians using buy now, pay later, just to get by
The results of our latest Consumer Pulse survey show that BNPL platforms are not just for life’s little extras’.
Predatory lender Cigno faces second ASIC intervention
ASIC used its intervention powers to ban Cigno's lending model last year. Now it's looking to ban Cigno's revamped model, too.
The risks of using Afterpay and ZipPay to fund Christmas
Financial Rights Legal Centre warns against 'buy now, pay later' loans.
CHOICE stands up to payday loan bullies
We join the call for more government action to protect Australians from dodgy payday lenders.
Why you should avoid payday loans
Fast-fix payday loans may seem like a good idea, but dodgy lenders are taking advantage of Australians.
ASIC unleashes product intervention powers
Short-term credit providers Cigno and Gold-Silver Standard Finance singled out for possible ban.
The trouble with using 'buy now, pay later' services like Afterpay and ZipPay
They may help if you're cash-strapped, but can pave the way to financial distress.
How to protect your credit record
You can damage your credit record without knowing it, even if you pay your bills on time and don't have a lot of debt.
Radio Rentals to pay $20m for bad consumer leases
More than 250,000 leases will be refunded.
Your personal credit score: what you need to know
Is your personal credit score accurate?
Fintech loans and payments
New financial technologies are gaining ground in Australia, but are they a better option than traditional banking?
Good Money shopfronts to combat bad debt
Nonprofit microfinance company sets up shop on high streets to lure customers away from dodgy debt dealers.
Best & Less stores promoting loans from payday lender
16 January 2017 | Family retailer receives a referral fee for every application.
BMW Finance to compensate customers
Poor lending practices have backfired on the firm after an ASIC ruling.
Best car loans
There are some great interest rates on offer for car loans at the moment, especially from credit unions.
Google blacklists payday lenders
Search giant bans ads from short-term lenders.
Payday lender Nimble forced to refund customers $1.5 million
29 March 2016 | ASIC investigation finds Nimble breached responsible lending laws with more than 700 customers.
Consumers favouring personal loans and credit cards over mortgages
Data reflects stronger retail market, softer mortgage market over holiday season.
Peer-to-peer lending
We weigh up the benefits and risks of this new style of lending.
Payday lender The Cash Store slapped with record penalty
Over 80 stores and millions in loans prior to liquidation.
Radio Rentals slapped with class action lawsuit
Potentially affects 200,000 consumers across Australia
Damaging cost of consumer leases like Radio Rentals
Why consumer advocacy groups are banding together against consumer leases and payday loans.
Payday lenders still cashing in with sky-high fees
Are the government's new payday loan restrictions enough to keep short-term borrowers out of trouble?
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