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The article presents the author's insights on supermarket loyalty programs. It says that a report on loyalty cards exposes that the information obtained from the customers through the loyalty programs help fortify the relationship between the customers and the retail chain and deter the shoppers to buy elsewhere. It states that loyalty program data gives the companies ideas on how to improve marketing. It adds that loyalty programs will cost consumers if they change their shopping behaviour.

The article discusses the flaws of the do-it-yourself (DIY) kit in the protection of loved ones in terms of the management of the will. Topics discussed include the distribution of the estate will to the family if a person die without a will, the rules which must be considered in drafting the will, and the importance of assuring the validity of the will.

The article provides information on the coverage that gives the best value for money in line with the analysis of more that 750 hospital insurance policies. It briefs tax changes like the increase in health insurance premiums. It suggests taking out a policy with an excess/co-payment to save on hospital insurance. It notes a survey that 42% of private patients in 2007 had to pay a gap which means that out-of pocket fees reduce benefits. Tips on how to minimise out-of-pocket costs are offered.

The article rates several electricity retailers in Australia on their green certifications based on CHOICE's Green Electricity Guide which include Powershop, Diamond Energy and Momentum Energy. Topics discussed include how clean is the electricity generated or buy by the retailers, their position on renewables and fossil fuels and their support for solar households and the GreenPower scheme.

Before setting off, closely check the requirements of airlines, transit and destination countries (see smartraveller.com.au), as well as return arrangements to Australia. Travel insurance is essential, especially since some destinations require compulsory insurance cover. Since 1 November 2021, fully vaccinated Australians can depart Australia without seeking an exemption. [Extracted from the article]

Pet ownership experienced a boom during the COVID-19 pandemic. They reported financial difficulties, concerns about COVID-19 transmission through pets or their pet passing away. Only 4% of pet owners felt negative about owning a pet during the pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

Q Do private health insurance policies all cover the same item numbers if they are the same level (e.g. Bronze, Silver or Gold?) Or can there be a difference between the insurers - and if so, do I need to worry about the differences? A Health insurance expert Uta Mihm: Yes Gold, Silver and Bronze cover exactly the same services and item numbers for all insurers. The older you get the closer you get to the average life expectancy so the greater the risk for the insurer that they actually need to pay out your life insurance, therefore life insurance premiums become very expensive. [Extracted from the article]

In the event of a total loss, you are entitled to the amount it would cost the insurer to replace your home and contents, up to your sum insured. A Health insurance expert Uta Mihm: You are absolutely right, Medicare covers part of your medical costs if you are a private patient. To be exact, Medicare covers 75% of the fee outlined on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (or MBS, the list of Medicare services subsidised by the Australian government). [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on restricted health funds that provide private health insurance to people in specific sectors including teachers, police and military in Australia. These funds benefit family members including parents, partner and children. Some of the funds mentioned are ACA Health Benefits Fund, CBHS Health Fund and Doctors' Health Fund.

The article presents answers to questions related to households including salt in dishwasher, costs of switching lenders and coverage private health insurance for public hospital.

As well as causing respiratory and other physical health problems, COVID-19 can also affect mental health. Through the plan, you can also access Medicare-subsidised visits to a mental health professional. If you or a loved one are experiencing mental health issues, it's a good idea to visit your GP who can assess and diagnose conditions, and make a mental health treatment plan with you. [Extracted from the article]

With lockdowns becoming a part of life in large swathes of the country, it's a good idea to consider if your extras insurance is giving you value for money. So if your extras insurance doesn't pay out more than your extras premium, switching to a better policy or dropping it altogether could be better value. Although health funds usually promote combined hospital and extras insurance policies, you may only need hospital health insurance, or extras cover - or even no health insurance at all. [Extracted from the article]

If you're under 30 years old and not a high-income earner, and you don't actually need hospital cover for the foreseeable future, then there's no benefit to taking out health insurance. Discount: If you do decide to take out your own hospital cover before you turn 30, insurers can offer you a 2% discount off your premium every year that you're under 30, up to a maximum of 10% for people aged 18-25. Surcharge: The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) is applied by the government at tax-time to high-income earners who don't have hospital cover. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the flight rewards cards. Topics discussed include travel cards of financial services company American Express, such as the Velocity Escape and Qantas Discovery, financial services brand Virgin Money's Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Visa card which suits for low spenders, based on money saving website Mozo's data research manager Peter Marshall, and Citibank Citi Prestige Visa.

The article discusses findings of a September - October 2014 survey on gift card features and problems observed by Australians. Topics covered include 60 percent of 735 respondents who received gift cards and experienced various problems including expiration of cards before use of the full value, difficulty of checking the balance and stores not accepting the card. Also mentioned are features of a good gift card including no expiry date, unlimited transactions and no issue fees and charges.

Basic hospital policies offer the lowest tier of health insurance at the lowest price point. Covers rehabilitation, psychiatric in-hospital treatment and palliative care in public hospitals. Covers rehabilitation, psychiatric in-hospital treatment and palliative care in public hospitals. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents the right way of paying credit cards, including the better options offered by big banks in Australia, the recommended strategies when dealing with more than credit card with a balance and the truth behind the savings realized when switching to cheaper credit cards. Also mentioned are statistics on paying credit card debt, the benefits associated with consolidating debt and a list of the top 20 credit cards in Australia.

The article investigates the disadvantages of bank accounts aimed at children. It reveals the interest rates and tax cuts on children's bank accounts. Highlighted are the advantages and disadvantages of the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) Youth Saver, Suncorp Kids Savings Account, ANZ Progress Saver, Westpac Reward Saver, Bankwest Children's Savings Account and the Credit Union Australia (CUA) Youth eSaver.

The article focuses on the risks surrounding home loans in Australia. It is noted that in the wake of the financial crisis that happened to be set off by home loan defaults, lending standards were tightened. It is mentioned that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) warned about the possibility of a fall in house prices as the combination of high-risk loans and a housing bubble is especially dangerous.

The article offers insights into a new credit-reporting and privacy regime in Australia effective March 12, 2014. It notes that the new repayment history information covering credit cards, loans and other types of credit is held by credit-reporting agencies like Veda and Dun & Bradstreet and can be accessed by banks when assessing borrowers' creditworthiness. It talks about the consequences of late payments, highlights of the credit report and fixing an incorrect listing on one's credit report.

The author explains how Australians can maximise their benefits from extras insurance. A poll conducted in 2013 about how extra insurance offer value for money is also discussed. A diagram that shows average claim and payout for health extras is provided. The three levels of extras and their differences are also outlined.

The article focuses on the risks of buying in an online optical stores. It says that patronizing an online optical retailers may result to wrong prescription of eye wears. It states that incorrect fit of eye glass lenses and frames may be obtain upon buying in internet stores. Moreover, it mentions that eye wears offered in an online store are not recommended by eye experts.

The article offers information about several ethics of health insurance policies. Topics discussed include dental and annual check up limits are consider under extra services of the insurance; awareness about lifetime and annual limits of physiotherapy, natural therapies, and chiropractic; and talks about discount on several services by direct debit and according to annual premium.

A new investment scam, dubbed "romance baiting", targeting mainly under 35-year-olds, is making the rounds on dating apps. Scammers meet their victims on dating apps and ask them to move their conversation to an encrypted chat site. If you find you have been scammed, contact your bank as soon as you can. Report what happened to the dating app and the platform you used to communicate with the scammer. [Extracted from the article]

Your ambulance cover options depend on where you live: Tasmania and Queensland: Ambulance trips are covered by state governments. Most health insurance policies cover emergency ambulance only, which means you may not be covered for: ambulance officers treating you "at the scene" if you don't need to get taken to hospital non-emergency transfer to hospital - for example, for ongoing treatment. Other restrictions can include: no more than one trip per person or two trips per family per year road ambulance cover only - evacuation by air or sea ambulance isn't covered. [Extracted from the article]

In the past, term deposits offered higher interest rates than high-interest savings accounts, particularly over longer terms. Today, you'd be hard-pressed to find a term deposit rate higher than the best rates offered by high interest savings accounts. [Extracted from the article]

South Australia has become the first Australian state or territory to ban single-use plastic products such as straws, cutlery and beverage stirrers. The state plans further bans of single-use plastic takeaway containers, coffee cups, and fruit and vegetable bags. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the cost of hearing aids in Australia. A survey found that overcoming social disconnection or isolation is a key reason for buying hearing aids. The government subsidised hearing aids sold in the country through the Office of Hearing Services (OHS). Australian Hearing's Janette Thorburn says that a person with severe hearing loss is entitled to a mid-level aid for free. A comparison between top-end aids and the basic ones is also presented.

The article warns consumers about the pitfalls of lay-by payment mode, especially for Christmas shopping. ILay-by payments is compared with making interest-free purchase. A number of big department stores, as well as smaller stores including bookstores offer lay-by. Lay-by has a number of drawbacks in terms of service fees, cancellation charges, original price of a product, and receivership.

The article reports on the increasing cost of children to school in Australia. For children born in 2012, education expenses from preschool to their final year can reach up to 400,000 Australian dollars. There are two available education savings plans (ESP) in the country, The Education Fund (TEF) and the Australian Scholarship Group (ASG).

The article offers the author's insights on faulty joint prosthesis in Australia. The author states that 13% of patients who have implanted with two recalled hip replacement devices from DePuy Cos. need revision surgery to replace the faulty prosthesis. It states that the Senate asked the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in 2011 to change the way it lists new prostheses in the country.

The article offers advice on finding good and affordable child care in Australia based on a survey of 200 parents on accessibility, affordability and quality as of February 2012. It mentions the government's launch of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care program to raise the standard of care throughout the country. The National Childcare Accreditation Council reportedly found many centres failing in areas like supporting children's rest, sleep and comfort needs.

The article discusses a review of the interest-free payment offers of major retailers in Australia in 2011. It reports the range of fees charged from 22.3 percent up to 87.6 percent of the minimum purchase price. Types of long-term payment offers mentioned include buy now pay later, interest free installments payable, interest free with minimum payment required, and no deposit four years to pay. Examples of conditions that apply to the offers are upfront deposits and minimum purchase amounts.

The article discusses the significant factors to consider before deciding to move to a retirement village in Australia. One of these is the type of contract arrangements like strata title, loan and licence and leasehold. Entry fees for a two-bedroom unit in a retirement village could range from 200,000 to 400,000 dollars to between one and two million dollars according to Peter McMullen of Jones Lang LaSalle. Exit fees or deferred management fees are another aspect to consider as they may include one-off and/or annual charges over a period of time.

The article explores the findings of a diary survey on credit card surcharges in Australia conducted by the New South Wales Fair Trading and the magazine "Choice." Results show more than half of respondents paid a surcharge between one and five times. Among the top companies that add surcharges are Telstra, Aldi and Qantas. Participants complained about inadequate surcharge disclosure.

The article looks at several extras and combined health insurance policies in Australia that offer cost-savings. The different types of extras cover are the top cover, medium cover and health singles cover. Companies that offer the best combined hospital and extras insurance are Mutual Community, PeopleCare and HCF. PeopleCare, AHM and Health Partners are best for providing extras insurance.

The article offers tips on how to ensure the safety of a will of testament while at the same time protecting its beneficiaries in accordance with the rules in the U.S. It advises that the full name of the beneficiary should be stated in the testament to avoid ambiguous wording that may create costs and delay. It suggests that a will should be updated in accordance with the changing circumstances. Moreover, an executor should be informed on where a will can be found.

An inquiry by the ACCC has found that people in Australia are overcharged by the major banks when sending money overseas. For example, people who used the big four banks to send money overseas in the United States dollar (USD) and the British pound sterling (GBP) during 2017-2018 could have collectively saved about $150 million if they'd instead used the lowest priced international money transfer supplier. To get the best price for an international currency transfer, shop around and ask for: an estimate of the amount the recipient will receive any fees the recipient's bank will charge. [Extracted from the article]

Now that most of the COVID-19 restrictions have lifted, a trip to the dentist is possible again. Each year, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) surveys dental practitioners to get hold of average price data for more than 100 dental treatments. [Extracted from the article]

In late March, the government cancelled all elective surgery, except for category 1 surgery and priority category 2 (defined below). Elective surgery is non-emergency surgery that isn't immediately needed to save your life. There are three categories of elective surgery: • Category 1 (urgent) - admission within 30 days, for example: urgent cancer operations, limb amputations or urgent heart surgery. [Extracted from the article]

Choosing a health insurance policy with an excess means you pay an amount - say $500 or $750 - if you go to hospital, but you pay a lower monthly premium for your health cover. But where the excess really hurts is if you have day surgery, as the cost of surgery and therefore the benefit you get back might be at the lower end, and in some cases the excess might be higher than the benefit. You can find policies with excess waivers by using the CHOICE health insurance finder at choice.com.au/comparehealthinsurance. [Extracted from the article]

Health insurers have joined the large raft of companies offering loyalty schemes to their customers. This means that Qantas and their partners have access to a large amount of sensitive data on you, including your Qantas health insurance claims, travel information and even your grocery purchases through your Woolworths Rewards card. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers tips for the travellers to do in case the travel agents gets insolvent.

The article looks at the most effective way for growing one's savings, focusing on high-interest accounts, which is found to offer a much better return than big banks' transaction or online savings accounts. It identifies the best high-interest accounts in Australia, by standard rate and by bonus rate, as well as discusses introductory rate, maximum limits, and linked transaction accounts.

The article presents questions and answers related to products and services involving the Omo washing detergent, the 40L475 television (TV) and the insurance firm Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Ltd. (HCF).

The article reports that the restricted membership health funds offer some good value policies. The restricted membership health insurance funds cater to customers in specific industry groups. Restricted funds specialise in top cover policies that cover everything covered by Medicare in private hospital and offer them at a lower premium than open funds.

The article discusses the environmental credentials of the energy retailers in Australia. It states that the electricity industry is one of the dirtiest in the country due to coal. Also offered are the rankings of the electricity providers in the country including Diamond Energy, Powershop and AGL Energy.