Credit Smart Solutions

How to Negotiate Credit Card Interest Rates in Australia Paying 19% interest on your credit card? You’re not alone. But here’s the secret most Australians don’t know: credit card interest rates are negotiable. With the right approach, you could reduce your rate and save hundreds — even thousands — of dollars per year. Why Negotiation Works Credit card providers don’t want to lose good customers. If you have a strong repayment history and a good credit score, they’ll often offer better rates to keep your business — especially in 2025’s competitive lending market. When to Negotiate You’ve had the card for over 12 months You’ve never missed a payment Your credit score has improved You’ve found lower rates elsewhere How to Prepare Check your credit score via Equifax or Experian Research competitors' rates (e.g., 8.99%–13.99%) Know your current rate and your card usage Plan your call script (see below) Sample Script “Hi, I’ve been a long-term cus...

Top 5 Budgeting Apps Australians Love in 2025 Managing your money doesn’t have to be stressful — not when you have the right tools. With the cost of living rising in Australia, more people are turning to budgeting apps to track spending, set savings goals, and avoid financial surprises. Here are the top 5 budgeting apps Australians are using in 2025. 1. Frollo Best for: Beginners Frollo is a free Australian budgeting app that connects to your bank accounts using Open Banking. It categorises your spending, tracks bills, and gives insights to improve your money habits. 2. Pocketbook Best for: Visual budgeters Pocketbook remains one of the most popular apps with its user-friendly interface and visual charts. It tracks spending automatically and alerts you if you overspend in a category. 3. MoneyBrilliant Best for: All-in-one money management Owned by AMP, MoneyBrilliant gives full financial overviews including net worth, bills, and savings goals. Premium plans include ret...