FutureFive New Zealand - Consumer technology news & reviews from the future

Living costs Stories

Kiwi Stories

Living costs stories

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 • Last month
NZ households prioritise utilities over telco debts
Bank of New Zealand

NZ households prioritise utilities over telco debts

Cost-of-living pressure is pushing New Zealand households to protect power and water bills first, while telco debts are among the first to slip.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Tue, 9th Jun 2026

Global Stories

Living costs stories

Visa predicts 2.4% global growth as online shopping rises
Data Analytics

Visa predicts 2.4% global growth as online shopping rises

Higher energy costs are squeezing household budgets, but digital commerce and brisk business investment are helping keep growth steady at 2.4% in 2026.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
PocketSmith launches Open Banking hub for Australians
Software-as-a-Service

PocketSmith launches Open Banking hub for Australians

Australian consumers unsure about sharing bank data now have a plain-language guide as PocketSmith expands its use of consented open banking feeds.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Mon, 4th May 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Living costs stories

UK credit card severe delinquency rises, FICO says
Inflation

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 • Last week
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 • Last week
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 • Last month
Australians research more before buying as costs bite
Data Privacy

Australians research more before buying as costs bite

Rising living costs are pushing 71% of online shoppers to compare more options and cross-check purchases across more channels before buying.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Last month
TELUS gala raises CAD $3 million for youth bursaries
Samsung

TELUS gala raises CAD $3 million for youth bursaries

The record haul will fund bursaries and grants for young Canadians hit by affordability, mental health and education barriers.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Thu, 25th Jun 2026
Karmo launches cheaper BYD EV subscriptions in Australia
Fleet Management

Karmo launches cheaper BYD EV subscriptions in Australia

Lower weekly payments could widen access to BYD electric cars as Karmo's novated subscription starts at AUD $126.16 in Australia.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Tue, 23rd Jun 2026
RBA set to hold as late business payments hit six-year high
Small Business

RBA set to hold as late business payments hit six-year high

Australian businesses face tighter cash flow as overdue invoices jump to a six-year high, reinforcing expectations the RBA will hold rates at 4.35%.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Mon, 15th Jun 2026
Mortgages no longer top debt priority for Australians
Data Analytics

Mortgages no longer top debt priority for Australians

Severe financial stress is changing household payment hierarchies, with mortgages now as likely as credit cards to fall behind first in some cases.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Wed, 10th Jun 2026
AliExpress launches UK summer sale with up to 80% off
Wearables

AliExpress launches UK summer sale with up to 80% off

Shoppers feeling the squeeze are driving demand for discounted home, garden and tech items as 86% worry about living costs, AliExpress said.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Mon, 8th Jun 2026
Australia's big banks boost provisions as profits grow
PwC

Australia's big banks boost provisions as profits grow

Rising margins pressure and a Middle East supply shock are testing lenders, even as provisions and capital buffers are lifted.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 20th May 2026
emerchantpay adds Visa Instalments for UK merchants
Buy Now Pay Later

emerchantpay adds Visa Instalments for UK merchants

UK merchants could see fewer abandoned baskets as emerchantpay adds card-linked instalments at checkout for eligible Visa shoppers.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 19th May 2026
Australian SMEs absorb rising fuel costs, MYOB says
Data Analytics

Australian SMEs absorb rising fuel costs, MYOB says

Fuel now tops cost pressures for Australian SMEs, but most are still swallowing the rise rather than passing it on to customers.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Mon, 18th May 2026
Young Canadians drive faster cashback use on Chexy
Fintech

Young Canadians drive faster cashback use on Chexy

Cashback spending on Chexy is rising fastest among Canadians under 40, highlighting a shift towards immediate rewards on bills, rent and taxes.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Sat, 16th May 2026