Australian jet-setters looking forward to their next holiday with relish have been warned that excessive currency charges could soon come into effect when changing money, with analysts forecasting that the dollar will fall.

However, those wanting to avoid having to pay hefty credit card fees have been advised by the Sydney Morning Herald to consider exchanging half their cash now to take advantage of positive exchange rates.

“The key is to get a good spread on the foreign exchange transaction and not be burdened with too many fees,” it observed, adding however that anyone on a tight budget would do well to change more than half their travel purse now.

In addition, the news source suggested foreign exchange trading sites with hedging facilities and foreign currency exchange traded funds for the more adventurous holidaymaker.

People looking to compare credit cards may also want to consider the new iPhone development that allows users to make purchases of up to $100 when waving their handsets in front of a contactless payment reader, Business Review Australia reports.

Aussies hoping to reduce the interest they pay on their plastic might want to consider going online to compare credit cards.

This is the advice of YourMortgage, which explained that there are sometimes promotional balance transfer rates offered by providers.

This can help people to reduce the amount spent on interest and could enable Australians to pay off their debts faster.

Individuals struggling to avoid maxing out their plastic might also want to consider changing to a lower limit to reduce the amount they are capable of spending.

Another method of ensuring that repayments are as low as possible is to opt for cards with low-interest rates, rather than to select one with rewards or loyalty schemes attached to them.

Earlier this week, figures published by the Reserve Bank of Australia suggested that families throughout the country seem to be taking steps to consolidate their debt and save money, the AAP reported.

Homeowners in Australia need to be aware of how much debt they have as a result of using products such as credit cards, one expert has warned.

Writing for the Australian, Don Stammer, who chairs Praemium Limited and heads FIIG Securities advisory council, explained that while most families are able to manage the amount they owe “fairly comfortably”, they need to keep track of their financial situation.

“Each household should be aware of how much debt it has” he stated, adding that this is “often not the case”, as people may know their mortgage repayments but have not factored in other debts, such as car loans, credit cards or taxes owed.

Those that find they are paying an unnecessarily high amount may want to compare credit cards and switch to a more competitive product.

People that do so need to ensure they pay off their bills promptly at the end of every month, director of Anise Consulting Heather Smith recently told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Ulta online is one of the best shopping experiences that you can have! They offer everything available to you in the beauty line. Eyelid Primer, make-up brushes, etc. It’s a make-up shoppers paradise. Discover Card is currently offering 10% cash back for shopping at Ulta Online. From Discover Card’s website:

ULTA Beauty is THE one-stop shop for cosmetics, fragrance, skincare, and salon products. Select from over 12,000 unique beauty items from over 400 top brands including bareMinerals, Smashbox, Estee Lauder and many more.

- Offer not valid on gift certificate purchases
– Offer not valid on shipping, taxes, or other service fees
– Offer is not valid in combination with any other offers
– Must link to retailer site from the ShopDiscover Web page found at Discovercard.com and use your Discover Card
– Offer is subject to change, including termination, without notice
– View complete ShopDiscover terms and disclosure

Chase is offering their members 5 points back per dollar spent at Ulta online. Fro

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The credit card and bank account details of Aussies are being targeted by con artists who are calling people offering carbon tax compensation.

An alert from SCAMwatch warned consumers not to pass on the details of their bank accounts if contacted, noting that the federal government will never ask for this information.

According to the body, up to $5,000 is being offered to those who are contacted.

“If you receive a phone call out of the blue asking for your bank account or personal details, or claiming you need to pay money to receive a compensation payment, hang up immediately,” it urged.

SCAMwatch urged Aussies never to provide their personal details over the phone and to be on the alert for any communications claiming to be running a survey on carbon tax.

The organisation said those who want to keep their details secure should avoid get-rich-quick schemes and never pass on sensitive financial data to anyone they do not know or trust.