AI: Hey Siri, help me refinance
Financial Wellness Report 2024
1
AI: Hey Siri, help me refinance
Financial Wellness Report 2024
2
AI: Hey Siri, help me refinance
A critical time for many Australians

There’s no doubt about it: the Vibe-cession is here.In this year’s WeMoney Financial Wellness Survey, we present the hard facts and real stories of how our members are navigating their finances, uncovering critical trends about the cost of living, savings, debt, and their overall financial outlook.We are committed to helping every Aussie improve their financial health, not just in 2024, but for the years to come.Read on to learn more.

- Dan Jovevski
Founder & CEO, WeMoney
Financial Wellness Report 2024
3
AI: Hey Siri, help me refinance
Methodology

WeMoney, Australia’s leading social financial wellness platform, surveyed 1,317 Australians to understand their thoughts and feelings towards finances, debt, savings, housing, money habits, and the economy. Our research, broken down by demographic cohorts, reveals the ‘hidden insights’ driving everyday attitudes and actions towards money and debt. Key findings include a lack of awareness among consumers about getting the best deals on financial products, especially for lower-income households. Australians are increasingly living paycheque to paycheque, feeling stressed about their finances, and pessimistic about the economy, with many believing we are in a recession.

We believe Australians deserve better. To address these issues, it's crucial to provide Aussies a better solutions. This will enable better access to tailored financial products, fostering greater competition and transparency. Enhancing financial literacy and support systems can help individuals manage their money more effectively, reduce stress, and build savings. Providing clear and reliable economic information will empower Australians to navigate financial uncertainties, making informed decisions even in challenging economic times.

Financial Wellness Report 2024
4
Aussies are doing it tough

Key findings

Financial Wellness Report 2024
5
The Vibe-recession is here

Theme 1

Vibe-recession

noun

1. when it feels & looks like a recession but isn’t technically a recession.

Australia’s been in a ‘Per Capita Recession’ since March 2023
-1.3%
GDP per capita March ‘23 to March ‘24
Financial Wellness Report 2024
6
The Vibe-recession is here
QUESTION
Do you think Australia is currently in a recession at the moment?
Yes 59%
No 41%
Ben
28 yo
Victoria
... I still can't really seem to save that much. It is affected by cost of living. Every time I buy groceries, I'm amazed at how much they cost and how little I get.
“Life in 2023 certainly felt recession-like as Australians faced more interest rate hikes, a rising tax bill and a still-increasing cost of living that again outpaced wage growth.”
- ABC, Rachel Pupazzoni , Source , Dec 2023
Financial Wellness Report 2024
7
The Vibe-recession is here
I'm constantly checking if I have enough in my outgoing transaction account to pay off all the bills that are coming out of it.
Ausrine
33 yo
Victoria
QUESTION
How do you expect inflation & prices to change over the next 12 months?
Change in CPI over the twelve months to the March 2024 Quarter
+3.6%
Inflation
May 2024 monthly CPI indicator
+4.0 %
Financial Wellness Report 2024
8
The Vibe-recession is here
QUESTION
What is your expectation regarding interest rate changes in the next year?
Economic data
Cash Rate since November 2023
4.35%
Survey respondent
30 yo
South Australia
Financial Wellness Report 2024
9
The Vibe-recession is here
Teliah
45 yo
Western Australia
QUESTION
How do you feel about the economic outlook for the next 12 months?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
10
Aussies are doing it tough

Theme 2

Hard yakka

Aussies are doing it tough

I've got a few debts I'm trying to get on top of. I think the cost of living is getting harder and harder and...I'm getting further and further behind. Most weeks I have trouble buying food.
Darren
43 yo
Victoria
Financial Wellness Report 2024
11
Aussies are doing it tough

Aussies are struggling more and more...

QUESTION
What best describes your current financial
situation?
QUESTION
How often do you feel worried, anxious, or stressed about your finances?
QUESTION
Do you feel stressed or anxious about your current mortgage or rent payments?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
12
Aussies are doing it tough

And more...

QUESTION
How do you feel about your current financial situation?
QUESTION
Have you missed any repayments on any credit products or bills in the last 12 months?
QUESTION
Have you missed any repayments on any credit products) or bills) in the last 12 months?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
13
Aussies are doing it tough

WeMoney Financial Wellness Index

We asked respondents to rate their overall financial well-being on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. The results show a year-on-year decline in average financial wellbeing.
QUESTION:
On a rating of 1 to 10, how would you rate your overall financial wellbeing?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
14
Aussies are doing it tough
Survey respondent
30 yo
Victoria
The percentage of respondents who say they’re ‘just surviving’, broken down by income bracket.
QUESTION:
What best describes your current financial situation?
“Lower income borrowers – defined as those in the bottom quartile of mortgage incomes, with up to around $78,000 in household disposable income – tend to be more affected by higher interest rates as they already had less spare income before interest rates began to increase in May 2022. Consistent with this, lower income borrowers make up a larger share of borrowers with insufficient income compared with their essential costs and scheduled mortgage payments.”
- Reserve Bank of Australia (Financial Stability Review) , Source , Oct 2023
Financial Wellness Report 2024
15
Aussies are doing it tough
I struggle fortnight to fortnight to pay. I've eaten through all my savings to try and live. The rising cost of living is scary because I don't see my wage going up in the near future yet everything else is going up.
Lianna
36 yo
Victoria
The percentage of respondents who answered ‘None, I live paycheque to paycheque’, broken down by income bracket.
QUESTION:
How much of your income do you approximately save each month?
“Many households continue to face a squeeze on their budgets as high inflation and the increase in interest rates over the past 18 months have reduced available income after essential expenses and housing costs.”
- Reserve Bank of Australia (Financial Stability Review) , Source , Oct 2023
Financial Wellness Report 2024
16
Aussies are doing it tough

Almost 1 in 2 do not have $1,000
today to deal with an emergency

QUESTION
Would you be able to come up with $1,000 today to deal with an emergency?
The current economic situation has really impacted my ability to save. My savings is fairly non-existent and if I had to come up with $1,000 due to an emergency, I would really struggle.
Alexander
42 yo
New South Wales
“In Australia, many of us are not prepared for negative or emergency events. CommBank research found: one in three Australians say they couldn’t come up with $500 in an emergency, One in three Australians say they couldn’t handle a major unexpected expense, One in two Australians say they wouldn’t have enough to handle a temporary loss of income.”
- Commbank, Why don't we put money away for emergencies , Source
Financial Wellness Report 2024
17
Aussies are doing it tough
I feel like the situation with housing is getting out of my grasp, despite my best efforts.
Khao
23 yo
Victoria
QUESTION
In your view, how easy or difficult is it for one to obtain affordable housing in your area?
Percentage of respondents who found it difficult to obtain affordable housing by state
“Overall, that means prices are still much higher than they were pre-pandemic. That has made it even harder for people to get on the housing ladder, with new research finding 90% of aspiring first-home buyers are unable to purchase a property.”
- Forbes Advisor, Prashant Mehra , Source , Oct 2023
Financial Wellness Report 2024
18
Aussies are doing it tough
Alex
41 yo
New South Wales
QUESTION
Approximately what percentage of your monthly income is allocated towards your mortgage or rent payment?
“Nationally... the average household is now spending 47.7% of their income on mortgage repayments.”
- Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) , Source , March 2024
Financial Wellness Report 2024
19
Turning to debt: I need a dollar

Theme 3

I need a dollar

Turning to debt

211%

Household debt asa percentage of net disposable income
- OECD 2022
Financial Wellness Report 2024
20
Turning to debt: I need a dollar
QUESTION:
Have you gone into debt to make ends meet?
“According to theReserve Bank of Australia, there are 13.5 million active credit card accounts in Australia as of September 2023... Australians are increasingly relying on borrowing money simply to get by and make ends meet.”
- The Sydney Morning Herald, Victoria Devine , Source , June 2024
Financial Wellness Report 2024
21
Turning to debt: I need a dollar

Over 55% feel they’re overpaying

on financial services and products

Jessica
31 yo
Queensland
The percentage of respondents who feel they’re overpaying, broken down by income bracket.
QUESTION:
Do you feel that you're overpaying for your financial services/products?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
22
Turning to debt: I need a dollar
We haven't done any refinancing recently. We would consider it if a bank came up with a very nice offer, but at this stage, nothing yet.
Ian
28 yo
Queensland
QUESTION:
Do you feel you're on the most competitive interest rate for any debt products you hold?*
*Excludes those who answered "I don’t have any debt products"
Financial Wellness Report 2024
23
Turning to debt: I need a dollar
“Australians on lower incomes end up paying more for essentials in the long run compared to those more advantaged and ultimately face higher living costs...most have to rely on payday loans with higher interest rates than standard credit loans.”
- Rashida Yosufzai, Source , September 2023
The percentage of respondents who haven’t checked if they’re on the best rate, broken down by income bracket.
QUESTION:
Do you feel you're on the most competitive interest rate for any debt products you hold?*
Financial Wellness Report 2024
24
Turning to debt: I need a dollar
QUESTION:
Recalling your time in primary and high school, do you feel you were adequately prepared to manage your finances as an adult?
“When you tell people, you teach them financial literacy, they learn and they remember. But do people execute? Not so much. The improvement is about 3% or 4%”
- Dan Ariely , Source , June 2019
Financial Wellness Report 2024
25
CDR: a rate cut without one

Theme 4

A rate cut, without one

Consumer Data Right

Financial Wellness Report 2024
26
CDR: a rate cut without one
Financial Wellness Report 2024
27
QUESTION
Have you heard of the Consumer Data Right, sometimes called “Open Banking” before?
“A majority of people in all generations are still not aware of the term, or the concept of, ‘open banking’. Awareness was highest among Millennials (Gen Y) and post-Millennials (Gen Z). These are also the groups that are more willing to share information in exchange for benefits.”
- Deloitte: Open banking: switch or stick?, Source , DOct 2019
Aussies are doing it tough

What is the Consumer Data Right?

Australia’s Consumer Data Right gives you more control over your data, enabling you to access and share your data with accredited third parties to access better deals on everyday products and services.
The CDR can make it easier for you to:
  • compare products and services
  • access better value and improved services
  • assist financial and cashflow management
Banking
Energy
Non-bank lending
Telco
Insurance
Superannuation
Financial Wellness Report 2024
28
Aussies are doing it tough

Potential annual savings shopping for cheaper alternatives

The CDR can make it easier in the future for consumers to switch & find savings
“The ability to easily share data paves the way for new products and services. It also makes it easier for individuals and small businesses to compare products, which could give them an incentive to switch providers or talk to their current provider to access a better-value deal. In turn, this encourages more competition in the marketplace and lower prices.” - https://www.cdr.gov.au/about
  1. "As the AFR reported last year, data from Lendi shows that the big four banks are still taking around 20 days to complete the discharge process." - https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/news/speeches/keynote-address-at-afr-banking-summit-2024
  2. https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9337-general-insurance-policy-switching-october-2023
  3. “"only around 1.5% of all insured people switch insurers each quarter" https://theconversation.com/how-to-switch-health-insurers-if-youre-worried-about-cybersecurity-costs-or-claims-194248 linked out to https://www.apra.gov.au/quarterly-private-health-insurance-statistics
  4. "Just 6% of people changed their electricity provider in the last six months, and a huge 67% of people don't plan to" - https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/shopping-for-services/utilities/articles/how-hard-is-it-to-switch-power-companies
  5. https://www.rba.gov.au/statistics/frequency/retail-payments/2024/retail-payments-0524.html
Financial Wellness Report 2024
29
CDR: a rate cut without one
Financial Wellness Report 2024
30

Switching is hard

Even if big cost savings are available

Understanding why consumers hesitate to switch financial service providers despite big potential savings is crucial.

The Fogg Behaviour Model highlights that behaviour hinges on motivation, ability, and a prompt.

The Consumer Data Right (CDR) increases the ability to switch by raising awareness of better options and enabling simplified, automated processes.

By leveraging the CDR, financial service providers can empower consumers to find the best deals for themselves leading to immediate savings and long-term financial wellbeing.
Fogg Behaviour Model
BJ Fogg is a research psychologist and director of the Behaviour Design Lab at Stanford University, where he completed his studies. His work has been widely recognised and cited in fields of psychology, health and technology.
CDR: a rate cut without one
“We want the ability for a confident consumer to make a choice and get a better deal and for this to be seamless and not sticky, so people can decide to switch.”
- ACCC chairwoman Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Australian Financial Review , Dec 2023
QUESTION
Would you be more likely to switch your financial service providers (e.g. banks, insurers, lenders) if the switching process was more convenient?
If switching your financial service provider were as easy as changing your mobile service provider (i.e. almost instantly), would you be more likely to do it?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
31
CDR: a rate cut without one
Financial Wellness Report 2024
32
QUESTION
How long did it take you to refinance or consolidate your debt?
Survey respondent
29 yo
South Australia
Turning to debt: I need a dollar
QUESTION:
Do you feel like there is enough competition in the financial services sector (e.g. banking, insurance, lending)?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
33
AI: Hey Siri, help me refinance

Theme 5

Hey Siri, help me refinance

Artificial Intelligence

Financial Wellness Report 2024
34
AI: Hey Siri, help me refinance
“Thanks to generative AI... 'self-driving money' finally has a chance to achieve its potential. Imagine a platform that can move your money to optimise your balance sheet. In the past, this wasn’t possible from a technical standpoint, as products were stuck in 'read only' mode. They could generate information or analysis, but couldn’t take action on your behalf—which is arguably the most important step.”
- Money on Autopilot: The Future of AI x Personal Finance, Source , July 2023
QUESTION
Have you used any Al tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini) for education and tips on your finances?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
35
AI: Hey Siri, help me refinance
“86% of consumers are interested in using generative AI for financial planning and advising, and 42% are already doing so. Among Gen Z’ers, interest spikes to 92.%”
- Oliver Wyman Forum, Source , April 2024
QUESTION
Thinking of the future, do you think Al will have a greater role in managing more of your finances?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
36
AI: Hey Siri, help me refinance

AI Sentiment
Analysis

Our AI sentiment analysis uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to rapidly identify customer trends and insightsfrom video and text content.

Percentage of Responses Categorised by Sentiment
QUESTION:
In your own words, how would you *describe* your overall financial wellbeing?
Financial Wellness Report 2024
37
Aussies are doing it tough

Tips & resources

to own your finances
Financial Wellness Report 2024
38
CDR: a rate cut without one
Financial Wellness Report 2024
39

Empowering Aussies to own their financial future

Get WeMoney
This is some text inside of a div The social financial wellness app that helps you track and crush debt—for free..
CDR: a rate cut without one
Financial Wellness Report 2024
40