More information - Saving
Interest calculators on the internet
The internet is a good place to find lots of examples of savings and interest calculators. New websites are appearing all the time. Type "compound interest" into your internet search engine and you will get lots of hits. They may not all have independent information - some are commercial sites selling books or financial products and services.
The website of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission is a good place to start.
Comparing accounts
You can find out about interest rates, fees and other account features directly from banks, building societies and credit unions and from comparison tables published in a number of magazines and newspapers and on the internet. For example:
Visit the websites of the banking, building society and credit union industry associations for information about their services.
On-line seminars
There are many useful on-line seminars that can help with saving. MoneyMinded is a good place to start.
If there's a problem
If you think you've paid fees you shouldn't have or have some other problem with your account, contact your financial service provider and explain the issue.
If you're not able to resolve the problem directly with your service provider, there are a number of organisations you can go to.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has information and contact details.
The Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman deals with complaints about financial services providers including banks, foreign exchange dealers, deposit takers, credit providers, mortgage brokers and some insurance and investment providers.
The Credit Ombudsman Service deals with complaints about individuals and companies that operate in the credit industry and are members of the service.
The Credit Union Dispute Resolution Centre deals with complaints about credit unions that are members.
The Financial Co-operative Dispute Resolution Scheme deals with complaints from consumers about those Australian credit unions and building societies which are members of the scheme.
The Financial Industry Complaints Service deals with complaints about financial services providers including life insurers, funds managers, investment advisers and planners, stockbrokers and some superannuation providers.