Cost of living
Exclusive
Renting
Six graphs show cost of living crisis is hitting those who can least afford it
People like Emma Warren are at breaking point, according to a new survey of people who are hit the hardest by rising cost of living.
- by Max Maddison
Latest
Perth’s rental vacancies still below 1 per cent as crunch attracts east coast investors
The industry hopes the vacancy rate’s inch upwards by a tiny fraction signals that the tide is finally turning for Perth’s sustained and painful rental crisis.
- by Sarah Brookes
From silkworms to sculptures, the strange side hustles are keeping Australians afloat
Nearly one million Australians hold down a second job, but some side hustles are more unusual than others.
- by Amber Schultz
‘Almost at the edge’: What life’s like in Melbourne’s most mortgaged suburb
Seventy-two per cent of properties are mortgaged and after 12 interest rate rises, homeowners say they’re struggling to make ends meet.
- by Jim Malo
The Dine and Discover-style proposal that would raise Sydney’s road tolls
A prominent think tank has told a review into NSW road tolls that the government should consider transport vouchers rather than reduce toll prices.
- by Michael Koziol
Exclusive
General insurance
‘Perfect storm’: Soaring insurance premiums, claim delays under microscope
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones is worried the increase in premiums, combined with a rise in complaints, will result in people opting out of insurance.
- by Rachel Clun
Analysis
Home loans
New schemes helping first home buyers despite soaring prices
Determined home buyers can still find their way into the market with careful planning and the help of some new government schemes.
- by Hannah Farrow
Updated
Interest rates
Respite for mortgage holders as RBA holds rates steady for second month
Home buyers, renters and businesses could be spared any further financial pain after the RBA again left the cash rate at 4.1 per cent while signalling the economy is on track for a soft landing.
- by Shane Wright and Rachel Clun
Recession risk as RBA weighs inflation-busting interest rate rise
The Reserve Bank, ahead of its meeting on Tuesday, is being warned another interest rate rise on cash-strapped consumers could easily cause a recession.
- by Shane Wright
Discount retailers, holiday travel operators cash in as cost of living bites
A slew of data in July made it clear what the retail sector is facing – and yet, there could be some winners.
- by Emma Koehn
‘I can’t be more serious’: Albanese, Greens face off over threat of early election
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reserved the right to call an election any time from early next year if the Greens block Labor’s $10 billion housing bill a second time.
- by Angus Thompson