Helping those most in need during COVID 19

This week we meet three inspirational CEOs of organisations helping those most in need during COVID 19. Coping during Covid is hard enough if you’re an Australian resident but imagine being new to the country, struggling with the language, no job and no family support.  We learn how an organisatio…

Moving forward when your credit cards have reached their limit and a new interest-free loan “Household Relief”

If you’ve maxed out your credit cards just paying for the basics, we have an expert with some suggestions on how to get back on track.  And there’s a great new resource easily available from Good Shepherd – a new No-Interest Loan “Household Relief” which involves no credit check and could help you…

Cashless payments, hardship clauses in your health insurance and what it’s like to have COVID

Not everyone who has contracted COVID-19 has had a negative experience. In this episode we hear the story of a Sydney DJ who was among 42 guests at a NSW wedding who contracted the virus. The advent of COVID-19 has accelerated the shift towards a cashless society but not all consumers have access …

Why travel refunds are taking so long and why your credit rating matters

You may never have accessed your credit rating but lenders will have checked before signing you up for loans or contracts. Find out how important it is and what you may be able to do to improve it.  For many people, flights and holidays have been cancelled or put on hold until borders open up agai…

COVID Scams and Workplace Safety

Beware of some convincing scams around and how to check your workplace really is a safe place to return to. Australians lost over $630 million last year to scammers and during times of COVID, the scams have become even more sophisticated. We hear about the current ones that many of us have become …

Claiming tax due to COVID-19 Home Working

What can you and what can’t you claim for in your tax return this financial year if you’ve been working from home? Doing your tax return this financial year may well be a very different task if, like many of us, you’ve been working from home.  We talk to a tax accountant about all those extras you…

Going to back to the office and the gym – where do you stand legally?

Going to back to the office and the gym – you may not want to do either but where do you stand legally? Now you’ve got used to working from home, remembered your children’s names and walked the dog more regularly, going back to the office may not seem so appealing. There’s the commute, the formal …

Lost at Sea: superannuation, bank loans and seafarers who can’t get home.

In this episode we have some great information on how to tide you over during these difficult times.  The Government has moved the goalposts for accessing your superannuation early but will you live to regret it?  Where is that sweet spot on how much to take out and make your life easier?  Not all …

Back to Basics

Not being able to pay your rent doesn’t necessarily mean eviction. On this episode of The Consumer Coach we'll show you ways to negotiate staying in your home and avoid finding new accommodation and we'll bust the myths around food relief.  Some of our international students are needing to access f…

Navigating Government Agencies

So you’ve unexpectedly lost your job, joined the ranks of the unemployed and need to know what happens next in these unprecedented times.  You may never have been in this situation before and you need help, after all you still have to put food on the table and pay your household bills.  All these i…