#526 Rate Hikes, the Surcharge Ban and Where Markets Are Heading

Four rate hikes this year, inflation back near 4%, surcharges gone and prices somehow higher. Ben and Siobhan cut through the headlines and get to what it actually means for your money.

On a $1.5 million mortgage, this year's hikes cost about $969 a month, or roughly $22,000 of salary on the top tax rate. They cover the loyalty tax your bank is charging you, why your 5% savings account is still going backwards after tax and inflation, and the ATO backflip that means business owners can keep paying tax by credit card until 30 June 2027. Plus the trust tax election, the 1 July 2028 deadline, and why falling property prices can work in an upgrader's favour.

CHAPTERS

00:12 Intro: rates, surcharges and markets

01:20 Rate hike fatigue

01:41 What four hikes cost a $1.5m mortgage

02:22 The loyalty tax on your home loan

03:49 Why your savings account is going backwards

06:01 Cash-rich in a softening market

07:12 The surcharge ban and the $7 coffee

09:10 Sunday surcharges

10:05 The ATO credit card backflip