Buy now, pay later schemes putting young shoppers at debt risk

,

One in six customers who use payment methods such as Afterpay and Zip Pay run into financial strife – and ASIC is putting the ‘buy now, pay later’ industry under the spotlight.

ASIC’s first review of this evolving market finds that buy now pay later arrangements are having a negative impact on spending habits, especially those of younger consumers.

Six buy now pay later providers were reviewed, including Afterpay, zipPay, Certegy Ezi-Pay, Oxipay, BrightePay, and Openpay.

Over-commitment

ASIC identifies a real risk that some buy now pay later arrangements increase the amount of debt held by consumers and contribute to financial over-commitment.

It finds that 1 in 6 users (16%) believe they have experienced at least one type of negative financial impact due to a buy now pay later arrangement.

In fact, 7% delay paying other bills, 5% borrow money from family or friends, and 4% get a loan or cash advance on their credit card to pay the money back.

Those who do pay it off on time? Well, 1 in 4 users (23%) use a credit card to make their repayments anyway.

Users are young and earn less

Interestingly, 60% of buy now pay later users are aged between 18 and 34 years old and more than 2 in 5 users (44%) have an annual income of less than $40,000.

Prices sometimes inflated

Each provider in ASIC’s review contractually prevents merchants from charging consumers higher prices for using a buy now pay later arrangement.

However, ASIC has received anecdotal evidence that some merchants may be charging consumers significantly higher prices for using a buy now pay later arrangement for purchases over $2,000, or where the price is less transparent and ‘negotiable’ (eg. solar power products, services).

More expensive, spontaneous purchases

Buy now pay later arrangements result in 81% of consumers buying a more expensive item than they would have otherwise been able to afford.

Seven in 10 users are now also making more spontaneous purchases.

As a result, as of 30 June 2018, there was a whopping $903 million in outstanding buy now pay later balances across Australia. That’s $37 for every man, woman and child in Australia.

Potentially unfair contracts

Finally, in ASIC’s view, each buy now pay later provider includes terms within their standard contracts that are potentially unfair to consumers.

They also provide a very broad range of circumstances under which a consumer will be regarded to be in ‘default’ and hold consumers liable for unauthorised transactions, even when the provider knows or suspects the transaction may be unauthorised.

What next?

Given the potential risks to consumers, ASIC has supported extending proposed product intervention powers to all credit facilities regulated under the ASIC Act.

Basically, this would provide ASIC with a much more flexible tool kit to address emerging products and services such as buy now pay later arrangements.

It could also ensure ASIC can take appropriate action where significant consumer detriment is identified.

What you can do in the meantime, however, is only shop for items you can afford through better budgeting so that your important debts, such as your mortgage, don’t become stressed from a flow-on effect.

That’s something we can help you with.

And if you do really want something that you need to take out a loan to purchase an item such as a car then give us a call.

There are a number of reputable and responsible lenders to choose from that operate under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act, unlike buy now pay later providers.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

How much does it cost to own a pet?

We thought we’d have a little fun this week and look at how much it costs the average Aussie family to own a pet. After all, two in three households have one and very few budget for them!

Let’s be honest, owning a pet goes hand-in-hand with the great Australian dream of property ownership.

So let’s be clear here: we’re definitely not making a case against pet ownership. However as Christmas time usually coincides with a spike in pet purchases, it’s a good time to look at the monthly cost factor.

Because if you’ve decided to take on the responsibility of welcoming a pet into your household, then it’s something you oughta plan for and do right!

First, how many of us own pets?

Believe it or not, but two in three Australian households own a pet.

Yet how many of them do you think run a proper budget for it? Probably very few.

And when you consider that more than $12 billion is spent on pet products and services every year, that’s a lot of unallocated money!

So if you’re looking to get a pet for your family, here’s the most common options available, listed from most expensive to cheapest.

Dog

If you’re looking at adding a puppy or rescue dog to your very own wolf-pack as 38% of Australia households have already done, expect to pay about $1475 per year.

Basically, you’re looking at an average of $123 a month for food, vet care, health products, grooming and boarding.

To avoid any vet bill blow outs, it might also be worth considering pet insurance, which will cost an extra $293 per year. Or $25 per month.

And while we’re at it, here’s a fun fact: the number one thing that dogs eat that makes them sick is underwear! So be sure to keep them out of reach!

It’s also worth noting that the above figures don’t factor in upfront costs, which can range from $1000-$5000 to purchase a select breed, or $300-$500 to adopt an RSPCA dog.

Cat

If you’re more of a cat person, like 29% of Australian households, expect to pay $1,029 per year. That’s about $86 a month.

Pet insurance is slightly cheaper for cats, coming in at $20 a month, but then again – cats probably aren’t underwear connoisseurs!

It costs between $100 and $300 to adopt a cat from the RSPCA – depending on their age – while a select breed will cost you between $1,000 and $2,500, and sometimes even more.

Bird and fish

If you’re looking to ease yourself into pet ownership, welcoming a bird or fish into the fold is a much cheaper option.

It costs just $115 per year on average to own a bird, while fish are even cheaper at $50 per year.

Final word

As you can see, purchasing a pet is unlikely to cost you an arm or a leg (so long as they have adequate play toys!).

However, you can minimise the impact it has on your bottom line by including the monthly amount in your family budget, and protecting against vet cost blow-outs with pet insurance.

If you’d like to know more about budgeting, get in touch. We’d be happy to help out.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Having a managing agent vs doing it yourself

,

One of the biggest milestones you’ll encounter on your climb up the property ladder is becoming a landlord. Which means that one big decision you’ll face is whether to hire the services of a managing agent, or take on the responsibility yourself.

I want to preface this article by saying that there’s no wrong or right answer here. Well, generally speaking there isn’t.

Basically, it will boil down to your individual situation.

Do you have the time (and patience!) to manage the property? If so, you can probably save a good chunk of your rental income each year by managing it yourself.

However, if you’ve already got quite a few balls up in the air, then you’re probably going to want to offload the ‘managing the property’ ball to someone else.

Now, there’s a lot to weigh up here, so we thought we’d simplify it by breaking it down into two simple lists.

The main advantages of having a managing agent

If you’re the sort of person that likes to sit back and let someone else do all the hard work for you, then a managing agent will:

– Know exactly how to advertise the property to maximise the number of applicants.

– Help you determine an accurate amount you can charge in rent.

– Vet applicants through tenancy database checks, call references, and create a shortlist.

– Undertake regular property inspections on your behalf.

– Be across all the legal and legislative requirements that are in place. If you decide it’s time to evict a tenant, knowing these legal requirements is crucial.

– Act as a middleman to resolve misunderstandings or disputes.

– Chase up any overdue rental payments.

– Inform the tenant if the property is not being kept to reasonable standards.

– Organise for a handyman, electrician or plumber to undertake necessary works on the building, and may have access to bulk discounted rates.

– Arrange all important documents, such as the lease agreement.

– Allow you to live in an area not near the property.

– Finally, time is money. And it can take a lot of time to manage a property yourself.

The advantages of doing it yourself

Don’t forget, however, that there’s a certain level of satisfaction and freedom of choice that comes with doing things yourself. Here are some advantages of the DIY approach:

– Most importantly, it’s cheaper! You don’t have to pay a property agent 7-10% commission, plus other fees such as a letting fee (one to two weeks’ rent).

– You can get a Lease Pack from your local newsagent for $10-$20.

– If you are retired, or nearing retirement and working part time, the extra money you save might be crucial when it comes to your retirement.

– You get to decide how and where you advertise the property.

– You get to vet, shortlist and interview all applicants.

– No one knows your property as well as you do, so you can diligently inspect it for damage.

– A property manager doesn’t just act on your behalf. They also represent the tenant’s interests. You primarily act on your own behalf.

– If you find a great, low-maintenance, long-term tenant who you build mutual trust and understanding with, your required involvement can drop significantly.

Finally, it’s worth noting that yes, it is your property. But don’t forget it’s also their home or office.

Therefore it’s important you know how to tactfully liaise with a tenant if there’s a misunderstanding or dispute. Emotions can easily become involved for both parties so you need to ensure your workload and mediation costs don’t blow out as a result.

Final word

As you can see, there’s a lot to weigh up.

In fact, there are also many other issues that you’ll need to address, including landlord’s insurance, whether to pay for a cheap managing agent or fork out for an expensive one, and reading through the managing agent’s fine print to see exactly what they’ll do to earn your commission.

So if you’re still undecided, or simply want to know more about the pros and cons from a team that’s done all this before, give us a call.

We’d be happy to discuss it with you so that you can pin down exactly what will suit your individual situation.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

6 Christmas tips to help you save this silly season

,

Most of us roll our eyes when we start seeing shopping centres spruik Christmas merchandise in November. While it’s important not to get caught up in the festivities too early, now’s actually a great time to start prepping to ensure a budget blow-out doesn’t derail your mortgage repayments over the silly season.

The best bit? By following some of the below tips, you can turn the retailers’ early mind games against them and save money instead!

1. Buy food ahead of time

Christmas time tends to lead to a lot of socialising. Even if you aren’t the one catering, requests to bring a plate can add up over time.

Make a point of keeping an eye out for food and drinks specials ahead of time and buy items like boxes of chocolates, long life snacks and drinks when they are on special. That will make it much easier to stretch the food budget over Christmas.

2. Opt for Secret Santas

For people who have a large family or friendship circle, Christmas can lead to a long list of presents to buy. Many people prefer not to get extra clutter for their kids, so suggest a Secret Santa arrangement instead of buying for every person.

This way you can put more thought into each gift as well as not creating more stress.

3. Homemade wrapping paper

If the end of term results in your kids bringing home sheets of artwork, why not recycle these and use them for wrapping paper for the extended family?

Not only does this mean that the kids get to see their artwork being passed on to loved ones, but it also saves you money on buying wrapping paper that will be in the bin by Christmas morning.

4. Shift the focus

Rather than dwelling on social media posts of the perfect Christmas morning with matching pyjamas, shift your focus to the true meaning of Christmas: helping others who are less fortunate.

For instance, instead of getting new books for Christmas Eve story time you could choose books from the library and make a donation to charity that helps literacy in at-need communities.

5. Keep a track of your spending

With a large percentage of Australians overspending at Christmas (and feeling guilty about it), it’s important to keep a budget for Christmas and any associated events – like holidays – over that time.

By following a budget, and starting now, you can spread out your spending – $200 a week over five weeks is much better than $1000 in the week before Christmas.

6. A final few tips

– Create a list of who you need to buy for and brainstorm present ideas before you go shopping.

– Make your own gifts.

– Buy online when sales specials are on. This can help you avoid pressure from sales staff and impulse purchases.

– If hosting a Christmas day event, organise it early so attendees can help out with the food and drinks.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Under the microscope: your micro-transactions

, ,

When it comes to paying off your mortgage, many of us are in the dark as to where we should be making significant savings. A good place to start? Cutting down on ‘micro-transactions’.

The lure of micro-transactions – purchases that are low in cost and trivial in nature – can be a real obstacle for those trying to pay off their mortgage faster.

Indeed, while the cost of these transactions may seem infinitesimal in the grand scheme of things, they can add up to the equivalent price of that trip you always wanted to take, or the sophisticated new piece of technology you’re desperate to try.

Of course, there are a myriad of ways to pay of a mortgage sooner, including refinancing or downsizing.

For many of us, however, addressing our penchant for micro-transactions is surprisingly effective. Here are a few examples.

Takeaway coffee and bottled water

Picking up a hot cup of takeaway coffee in the morning is an irresistible slice of luxury for many of today’s busy workers.

However, while a cup only costs a few dollars, transactions can easily add up for caffeine addicts.

One $4 cup of coffee costs you $28 per week. Over one month that’s almost $120. Over a year it’s almost $1500.

Consider switching to home-brewed coffee in a flask. As well as saving you a lot of money, you’ll be saving the environment by avoiding disposable cups. The same can be said for bottled water.

The gym

Having a gym membership can make you feel virtuous and healthy, but how often do you actually make use of it?

If the answer is “not as much as I should” then you need to reconsider your membership.

The daily cost of a gym membership is about the same as a cup of coffee. That’s another $1500 each year right there.

The great thing about exercise is that it can be done for free – throw on some jogging shoes and think about all the cash you’re saving!

Household bills

There are plenty of possible ways you could be overpaying on household bills.

Many people still pay for a landline, for example, but the rise of the mobile has made domestic phones almost redundant.

And do you really need high speed NBN? Most of the Telcos are offering BYO mobile phone plans with endless data for about $60-$70 a month – with unlimited calls and texts.

Once you go past a 40GB cap your internet speed is reduced to 1.5Mbps – which is still fast enough to stream Netflix in standard definition, browse the web, and listen to music.

The best bit? Your smartphone can double as a hotspot modem to your other devices.

Other common ways of overspending on household bills include failing to set a thermostat correctly, leaving electrical items on standby, using inefficient light bulbs or failing to obtain accurate meter readings.

Dig a little deeper into where your money is going on household bills and you could save a significant sum – enough to reduce your mortgage significantly each year.

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out other ways you can save on your mortgage – get in touch – we’d love to help out.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.