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Vancouver & Toronto rank mid-table in bunq cost index
Fintech

Vancouver & Toronto rank mid-table in bunq cost index

Rent is the main pressure point in Vancouver and Toronto, where housing takes up most monthly outgoings despite mid-table overall living costs.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last month
UnionPay expands payment access at New Zealand universities
Risk & Compliance

UnionPay expands payment access at New Zealand universities

Chinese students at two New Zealand universities can now pay tuition and living costs through UnionPay, easing cross-border transactions.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 29th Jul 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Living costs stories

Canada graduates upbeat despite debt & cost pressures
Insurance

Canada graduates upbeat despite debt & cost pressures

Yet debt and living costs are leaving many with little safety net, as 45% can cover under three months of basics if income stops.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Australia coffee sales fall as prices climb higher
Payment Technologies

Australia coffee sales fall as prices climb higher

Rising café prices are denting demand, with Australians buying 5.9% fewer coffees in 2025 even as the average cup cost climbed to AUD $5.83.

By Mara Sugue • 4 min read • Last week
Australian household spending flat as fuel costs rise
Artificial Intelligence

Australian household spending flat as fuel costs rise

Fuel and other essentials kept Australian consumers under pressure in August, with flat spending and weaker non-fuel outlays pointing to caution.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Mobile phone bills hit USD $172 billion in US homes
Data Analytics

Mobile phone bills hit USD $172 billion in US homes

More than four in five US households pay around USD $100 a month, making mobile service one of the country's biggest recurring bills.

By Raphael Veloso • 3 min read • Last month
US consumers demand flexible bill payments as strain grows
Fintech

US consumers demand flexible bill payments as strain grows

More than three in five bill payers want control over payment timing, as 59% lack enough savings to cover a USD $1,000 emergency.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Ardern's infrastructure legacy wins cross-party backing
Social Media

Ardern's infrastructure legacy wins cross-party backing

Cross-party backing for a 30-year infrastructure plan could curb election-year pork-barrel spending and improve value for money.

By Mike Bishara • 8 min read • Last month
Australia rates rise likely this year, economist says
Westpac

Australia rates rise likely this year, economist says

Persistent inflation and weak household finances leave the Reserve Bank of Australia facing another possible rate rise before year-end.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Tue, 18th Aug 2026
Britons lose GBP £126 a year to hidden fees, study says
eCommerce

Britons lose GBP £126 a year to hidden fees, study says

Britons are being hit by surprise costs on essentials and travel, with consumers saying opaque billing is eroding trust and budgets alike.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 13th Aug 2026
Irish workers boost AI skills amid job security fears
Human Capital Management

Irish workers boost AI skills amid job security fears

More than two in five Irish professionals now fear AI could affect their jobs, even as most remain confident their skills will still count in three years.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Mon, 10th Aug 2026
Household energy fund tops AUD $1 billion in loans
Power / Energy

Household energy fund tops AUD $1 billion in loans

Australian households are cutting bills by up to 80% after taking low-interest loans for solar, batteries and electric appliances.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 5th Aug 2026
UK credit card severe delinquency rises, FICO says
Risk & Compliance

UK credit card severe delinquency rises, FICO says

Severe arrears are deepening among vulnerable borrowers, even as post-Easter spending fell and repayments ticked higher in May.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Tue, 28th Jul 2026
Early mortgage hardship boosts repayment recovery: Experian
Data Analytics

Early mortgage hardship boosts repayment recovery: Experian

Borrowers who seek help before falling behind on mortgages are far more likely to recover, with 87% back on track within six months.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Tue, 28th Jul 2026
New Zealand households cut spending as confidence falls
Data Science

New Zealand households cut spending as confidence falls

Falling confidence is pushing households to trim discretionary purchases, with 65% cutting non-essential spending as essentials stay dear.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 15th Jul 2026
Canadians turn to pay-later services for groceries
Fintech

Canadians turn to pay-later services for groceries

Pay-later use for essentials is rising as Canadians face higher grocery bills and turn to discount chains to stretch budgets.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 9th Jul 2026
New Zealand shoppers turn to AI & social for research
Omnichannel

New Zealand shoppers turn to AI & social for research

Rising living costs are pushing New Zealand shoppers to compare prices, reviews and product details across AI, social media and search.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Wed, 8th Jul 2026