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Budgeting Stories

Australian Stories

Budgeting stories

Zip announces launch of ZMobile for Australian app users
Unified Communications

Zip announces launch of ZMobile for Australian app users

Existing Zip users will be first to access ZMobile, as the lender pushes into mobile plans with TPG Telecom-backed network coverage.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Last month
Australians split shopping across retailers to chase value
Customer Experience

Australians split shopping across retailers to chase value

Weaker loyalty and lower confidence are pushing most shoppers to compare prices across stores, with 67% splitting purchases to find value.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Mon, 30th Mar 2026

Global Stories

Budgeting stories

Lightspark adds AI agent controls to Grid accounts
Crypto

Lightspark adds AI agent controls to Grid accounts

The update lets app users cap, approve and audit AI-driven payments while keeping control of their funds and spending limits.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
OpenAI and PwC build finance AI agents for CFO teams
Data Analytics

OpenAI and PwC build finance AI agents for CFO teams

The move could cut repetitive work in finance teams while giving Chief Financial Officers tighter control over AI spending and risk.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Last week
Gartner: AI layoffs do not improve returns on investment
Digital Transformation

Gartner: AI layoffs do not improve returns on investment

Higher AI returns appear to hinge on redesigning jobs and skills, as Gartner found layoffs alone did not boost investment performance.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last week
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 • Last week
CFOs to gain margin points by backing AI strategically
Data Analytics

CFOs to gain margin points by backing AI strategically

Finance chiefs could lift profits by 2029 if they back AI with broader systems upgrades, Gartner said, as budgets rise.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Last month
New Zealand households cut festive discretionary spending
Gaming

New Zealand households cut festive discretionary spending

Cost-of-living pressure has left more than two in five households stretched, with bigger festive purchases falling faster than small treats.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last month
Australians trade down to smaller treats, Experian says
Gaming

Australians trade down to smaller treats, Experian says

Cost-of-living pressure is pushing households towards cheaper indulgences, with personal care, digital goods and travel holding up best.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Payhawk flags AI governance gap in finance leaders
Manufacturing

Payhawk flags AI governance gap in finance leaders

Many self-described AI leaders in finance are still using it only in limited workflows because governance and data foundations are incomplete.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Spendesk names new chiefs as it posts first profit
Software-as-a-Service

Spendesk names new chiefs as it posts first profit

Profitability gives the finance software group room to expand AI tools, as it brings in new product and technology chiefs to steer growth.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Wed, 25th Mar 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Budgeting stories

Two thirds of UK adults worry about finances ahead
Grants

Two thirds of UK adults worry about finances ahead

Household budgets remain under strain as many cut essentials, dip into savings and miss payments, with £23 billion in support unclaimed yearly.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last month
Feijoa named INFINZ innovation finalist for KiwiSaver app
Data Protection

Feijoa named INFINZ innovation finalist for KiwiSaver app

Round-ups of coffee and grocery buys could lift KiwiSaver balances by nearly USD $1,000 a year without changing budgets.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Dig appoints Ideal World Co-founder Paul Wright to board
Fintech

Dig appoints Ideal World Co-founder Paul Wright to board

Boardroom support for Dig’s expansion into consumer fintech has been bolstered by Ideal World co-founder Paul Wright’s appointment.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last month
Canadians embrace multi-banking as fees & budgeting bite
Fintech

Canadians embrace multi-banking as fees & budgeting bite

Rising fees and tighter household budgets are pushing more Canadians to split their money across digital and traditional providers.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Majority of workers using AI at work, survey finds
Data Protection

Majority of workers using AI at work, survey finds

Concern over privacy is rising as 65% of employees say their personal data may be used to train AI tools, the survey found.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Last month
UK households face GBP £6.85 billion bill rise in April
Unified Communications

UK households face GBP £6.85 billion bill rise in April

Some households could offset April’s bill hikes by switching broadband or mobile, but council tax and water will still add to the squeeze.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Thu, 26th Mar 2026