A recently released study by CommSec shows that the average Australian is enjoying 4.0% greater prosperity than this time last year, with the overall prosperity picture the best since 1987. Individuals owning shares and real estate are best off, with share prices rising 8.2% in 2009. Housing prices are up 13.6% in 2009, 40% over the past five years, and 138% over the decade.

The study by CommSec, the National Performance Gauge, measures economic indicators over many areas, such as retail sales, employment, consumer confidence, and economic growth, as well as purchasing power as applied to cars, petrol, and housing. read more..

Do you want a rewards card that gives you more for less? Are you tired of rewards cards that look like a good deal, only to find out later that it seems to take forever to earn enough points for redemption? The Westpac Altitude credit card might be worth taking a look at. The annual fee that’s relatively low for a rewards card, two card options to let you maximise your reward points earning potential, and bonus points with your first purchase add up to a pretty great deal!

You can find out more about the Westpac Altitude credit card below to help you decide if this is the right credit card for you. read more..

The Reserve Bank is caught between renewed economic growth and deteriorating household finances, and therefore needs to approach future monetary policy with caution, warns Dr. Ada Claus with The Melbourne Institute.

The MI Bulletin of Economic Trends forecasts renewed growth in the Australian economy of 0.8% in the first quarter of 2010, and 0.6% in the next three quarters. It anticipates inflation rising to 2.5% in the first quarter but easing off as the year progresses. However, housing prices are also rising, underlining the high demand and low supply dogging the market. read more..

• Learn more about the Westpac Low Rate credit card below and find out how you can save more with a no-frills credit card. http://is.gd/aIAxq #
• Credit Card Zen: Tips for Stress Free Credit Card Spending http://is.gd/aLmul #
• Warning Signs That It’s Time to Stop Credit Card Spending http://is.gd/aLmw0 #
• NSW looks into exorbitant credit card fees http://is.gd/aMvhX #

Although the Reserve Bank of Australia isn’t happy within the role, its Payments System Board will continue to regulate credit card fees for at least a while yet, according to Malcolm Edey, the central bank’s assistant governor.

“The Reserve Bank is a reluctant regulator,” said Dr. Edey, speaking at a Sydney conference for the payments industry. “We’d prefer to see fees being held down by competition than by regulation.” read more..