As we all try to navigate our way through uncertain times, whether natural disasters, the Covid-19 pandemic, or just the uncertainty of rising living costs and interest rates, G&C has a range of products and services designed to help.
We’ve put together a few tips and some information to help you make the most of your finances.
Refinancing
Whilst interest rates have remained at historically low levels for some time, the market and competitive environment is shifting. There are ways that you can manage your way through this with G&C. If you haven’t given us the opportunity to service your borrowing needs, now may be a good time to think about switching your home loan to us.
It may seem a hassle to refinance, but we try to make it as stress-free and simple as possible. You could get access to a whole range of new product features and benefits along with the excellent service you have come to know.
Our award-winning home loans offer great flexibility. We have a range of home loans from basic to fully-featured products that allow unlimited redraw and an offset account feature that can help you reduce the amount of interest you pay on your loan. Some of the benefits of refinancing with G&C include:
- The ability to switch between fixed and variable interest rates and vice versa
- Consolidation of debts into one easy-to-manage loan repayment
- Accessing the equity that you have built up in your home
- Making the most of the various loan features and benefits we can offer
Take a look at our comprehensive "Refinancing your home loan guide" for more details.
Save for a rainy day
During the various lockdowns of the past years, many of our members found themselves working from home, and their lifestyle changed which delivered some unexpected savings. Now could be the time to lock those savings into a higher interest term deposit account. A term deposit provides a higher interest return for your savings than an everyday transaction account, while still providing a source of emergency funds for the future.
Or, if you have a home loan with an offset account, parking your savings in the offset account will reduce the interest you pay on your home loan, while giving you the flexibility of 24/7 access to your funds when you need them. We have a number of home loan options that have an offset feature available.
Deal with debt
If you have credit cards with other financial institutions and the level of debt is a concern to you, check the features and interest rates attached to those cards. A G&C Low Rate Credit Card could offer a lower interest rate option or a debt consolidation personal loan can be used to consolidate multiple credit card debts. You'll have one manageable payment each month and have the added comfort that you are reducing your debt month by month.
Taking a close look at your expenses could also help you to identify costs that you may not need anymore. Browse your statements or transaction history as a starting point.
To discuss a debt consolidation personal loan or our low rate credit card, contact us or one of our Mobile Lenders who are here to help you with your financial needs.
Establish an emergency budget
An emergency budget is not the same as emergency savings. When your income is significantly reduced, as has been (and may still be) the case for many members due to the pandemic or natural disasters, you’re essentially creating a plan for how to manage the little income and cash you have left. Having a plan will make you feel more in control and your preparation will replace panic with patience.
Start with the most important expenses, which include your housing, medical costs, and reasonable amounts for food and transportation. Remember that during lockdowns these amounts were different than what you were used to because everyone was spending a lot more time at home than out and about. For instance, transportation and eating out costs might have been less, but your groceries might have cost more because you were cooking at home.
Other expenses that will likely be impacted include entertainment, recreation, daycare, eating out, parking, fuel, bus/train passes and personal care expenses. Any that come with a monthly subscription, contact those companies and ask them to put your monthly fees on hold. Save on groceries by cleaning out your fridge, freezer, and pantry before shopping for more.
An emergency budget should look and feel pretty bare-bones, but that’s what will help you avoid getting into trouble with credit.
Tip: our budget planner calculator could help you assess your income and spending so you might identify where cuts can be made and reset your household budget accordingly.
Any advice or information provided in this article is general advice only, and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any general advice you should consider its appropriateness given your personal circumstances. You should consider the Terms and Conditions and Fees and Charges for a product or service before acting on any advice to acquire it. Please consult with a financial adviser for personal financial advice.
