James Whitfield covers personal loans, credit cards and the unglamorous middle of household debt. He previously reported on responsible-lending cases and has a stubborn interest in how a $8,000 renovation loan becomes a five-year contract. He lives in Brunswick.
James Whitfield
Consumer credit editor · Brunswick, Victoria
Articles by James Whitfield
Consolidating debts into a home loan in Australia
Rolling credit cards and car loans into the mortgage can cut the monthly figure and raise the lifetime cost. It also puts the house behind debts that used to be unsecured. Proceed with a pencil, not a slogan.
16 June 2026
Using a personal loan to consolidate debts
A consolidation personal loan can cut interest and set a finish date — if the rate is genuinely lower, the term is not absurd, and the old credit is closed. Otherwise it is a new layer on the same habit.
2 May 2026
Personal loan interest rates in Australia, explained
The 'from' rate in a personal-loan ad is a best-case price. Your rate is a risk score, a comparison rate, and a set of fees that can make 9 per cent more expensive than 11.
8 March 2026
Secured vs unsecured personal loans in Australia
A secured personal loan is cheaper because something you own — often a car — can be sold if you default. Unsecured costs more and leaves the asset out of it. The rate gap is the price of that risk.
12 February 2026
Personal loan vs credit card in Australia
A personal loan is a lump sum with an end date. A credit card is a revolving limit that can follow you for years. The cheaper option is the one whose structure matches the expense — and that you will actually retire.
29 January 2026