Bendigo Bank faced a significant service outage on Christmas Eve, leaving countless customers unable to access essential banking services during one of the busiest days of the year. The incident disrupted the bank’s phone app and e-banking platforms for over three hours, sparking frustration and anger among users. The Outage Timeline The disruption began just Continue reading
Sophie Wilson
Sophie Wilson is a finance professional with a strong academic background, having studied at the University of Toronto. Her expertise in finance is complemented by a solid foundation in analytical and strategic thinking, making her a valuable asset in the financial sector.
Bleak Forecast: Aussie Mortgage Holders Brace for Potential Post-Christmas Rate Hikes in 2025
Australian mortgage holders might face a challenging start to 2025 as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns of possible Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate hikes. With inflation still struggling to settle within the RBA’s target range, financial pressures could intensify in the coming year. IMF’s Grim Outlook on Interest Rates In its annual Continue reading
Last Chance to Claim $1,100 in Cost-of-Living Support for South Australians Before Dec 31, 2024
Thousands of South Australian households on low or fixed incomes are at risk of missing out on valuable cost-of-living concessions, with the application deadline set for December 31. Eligible residents can access up to $1,100 in financial relief, but time is running out to apply. Who Can Benefit from These Concessions? Roughly 215,000 households—or about Continue reading
Popular Christmas Candles Recalled Over Battery Safety Fears
A beloved range of Christmas-themed candles sold by Dusk has been urgently recalled due to safety concerns surrounding button/coin batteries. These festive candles, equipped with light-up LED features, were available in Dusk stores across Australia and online from October 24 to December 12, 2024. Why the Recall? The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) flagged Continue reading
Winter Weather Alert: Snow Advisory Issued for Southern Ontario’s Major Cities
Winter has tightened its grip on Southern Ontario, as Environment Canada issues a snow advisory for several major cities, predicting hazardous travel conditions on Monday, December 23. Commuters and residents are urged to prepare for an impactful day of wintry weather, including heavy snow, freezing drizzle, and slippery surfaces. Advisory Areas Affected The following regions Continue reading
Centrelink Payments Schedule for Christmas and New Year 2025: Adjustments & Key dates
The holiday season often affects the timing of Centrelink payments due to public holidays and bank closures. To ensure you are prepared, here’s a detailed guide to Centrelink’s payment schedule during Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025. Centrelink Payment Adjustments for Christmas and New Year 2025 Public holidays during Christmas and New Year’s season can Continue reading
Aussies: Claim Up to $1750 in Health Insurance Extras Before the New Year Reset!
As the New Year approaches, millions of Australians could be leaving significant savings behind by not claiming their unused private health insurance extras. With most insurers resetting benefits on January 1, there’s only a short window to take full advantage of these extras, which could amount to $1750 or more in value. Why You Could Continue reading
New PEI Child Benefit: Financial Boost for Families Starting January 2025
Starting January 2025, families in Prince Edward Island will receive additional financial support to ease the cost of raising children through the new PEI Child Benefit (PEICB). Eligible families will get up to $360 per child annually, an initiative aimed at making essentials like groceries and clothing more affordable. A Significant Investment in PEI’s Children Continue reading
$80,000 Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program 2025 with Low interest rate of 2%: Support for Bold Mortgage Reforms to Tackle Housing Affordability
As Canada continues to face a housing supply crisis, the federal government is rolling out ambitious measures to increase housing availability, support homeowners, and make housing more affordable for every generation. Among the highlights of the 2024 Fall Economic Statement are enhanced programs to help homeowners build secondary suites and sweeping reforms to mortgage rules Continue reading
What is FTC Tax Credit in Canada, How to Claim in 2025? Maximize Your Tax Savings and Knowledge
If you’ve paid taxes on income earned outside of Canada, the Federal Foreign Tax Credit could help you reduce your Canadian tax burden. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about eligibility, conversion rates, documentation, and how to claim this valuable credit. What is the FTC Tax Credit in Canada? FTC Continue reading