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The government has shattered its election promises in dramatic fashion, opting to "rip the Band-Aid off" in a bid to overhaul a tax system that gave investors a leg up and has turned property into an incredibly successful way to generate wealth in this country.

While making money is important, so is having a roof over your head. Owning your own home gives people security, and not just financially, something that, I think, was starting to get lost in the tidal wave of capital growth.

Will voters forgive them? Some will. Some most definitely will not, but with two years until the next election, now is the time to understand how it might impact you.

If the majority of your investment irons are already in the fire, little changes. You can still negatively gear any property you already own, and that 50 per cent capital gains tax discount stays in your back pocket for when you do sell, but only on the portion of profit you make up until 1 July next year. Any gains after this will fall under the new rules.

A chat to your accountant or financial adviser is a great idea, but if your head is already swimming with questions, go full-nerd and take a peak at the budget papers 🤓.

There’s a pretty comprehensive explainer on the budget website – that’s budget.gov.au. Scroll down to the footer of that page, hit ‘downloads’ on the left-hand side and fish out the negative gearing and CGT explainer (it’s the second link from the bottom).

It’s a 10-minute read and, if nothing less, it’ll ensure you’ll be the resident authority when the topic inevitably comes up on the sidelines of the Saturday morning kids soccer game or the next family BBQ.

Struggling with the rising cost of living? Our team at Canstar has shared their personal, tried-and-tested tips for making every dollar go further

With winter just around the corner, now is the time to check if you’re overpaying for power. We’ve rounded up the top 15 deals from Australia’s biggest providers, including up to $200 in bill credits.

These days, with the cost of living biting, even a casual dinner out can feel more like a special occasion, and the bill always creeps up faster than expected. Last weekend, I was out with friends when the waiter came over with the classic question: “Still or sparkling?” I began mentally preparing for the inevitable $6.50 bottle of water until one friend casually replied: “Tap, thanks!” Cue my genuine surprise. Turns out, you can ask for tap water, and most restaurants and cafes make it available free of charge. The old “still or sparkling” choice makes it easy to forget there’s actually a third option sitting right there. And honestly? Those little charges add up. A few bottles of water across lunch or dinner can quietly tack an extra $10–$15 onto the bill before the food even arrives. No shade to sparkling lovers, but if you’re trying to stretch your budget without sacrificing your social life, consider this your reminder that the real budget hero of dining out is good old-fashioned tap water.

Sophia Thompson
Digital Marketing Specialist

Stop donating your hard-earned dollars to big tech and hit up your local library instead. Most Aussie councils offer a goldmine of free audio books via the Libby or BorrowBox apps, which allow you to stream or download directly to your smartphone for free. Getting started is easier than folding a fitted sheet (isn’t everything?) – all you need is a valid library card. Once you sign up, you can browse a massive digital catalog, place holds on popular titles, and listen offline. The best part? There are never any late fees, as the files automatically ‘return’ themselves when your loan period ends.

Home insurance is back in focus following the Federal Budget, with new measures aimed at improving transparency and easing pressure on premiums over time. While this is a step in the right direction, many Australians are stuck now, feeling the impact of rising insurance costs. Encouragingly, new Canstar research found 79 per cent of recent switchers saved money on their premiums. You typically don’t need to wait until renewal to switch either so it could be worth striking while it’s front of mind, rather than panicking when that renewal notice rolls in.

If you’re anything like my colleague, Jasmine, you’re always looking for a new cafe or restaurant to try. But, you might have noticed that eating out tends to eat into your budget too. Enter EatClub. EatClub is a free app that shows you restaurants nearby with discounted prices. Most of the time, the discounts are limited to pick-up only or for specific time frames throughout the day, but you have the chance to save up to 50% off your meal. There’s no hoops to jump through to get the discounts either. It’s really as simple as downloading the app, redeeming an offer and paying via your digital EatClub card. Eating out without breaking the bank, does it get much better?