Planning
PENSIONS
GFC hits Australian retirees hardest
John Collett Australian retirees have been the hardest hit by the global financial crisis, international study finds.
GETTING STARTED
Rates suggest it's a good time to fix
![generic
House
Real Estate
Residential Structure
Loan
Investment
Wealth
Growth
Price
Finance
Graph
Three-dimensional Shape
Chart
Moving Up
Illustration and Painting
Diagram
Isolated
Interest Rate
Concepts
High Up
White
Ideas
Digitally Generated
Curve
Home Finances
Nobody
Expressing Positivity
Stocks and Shares
White Background
Line Graph
Clipping Path
Horizontal
Rising Trend](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/17/4754083/rh-320-potts_20130917121701622417-90x60.jpg)
David Potts Interest rates are moving - but this time it isn't down. Not that your bank will let you in on the secret.
RETRENCHMENT
Redundant and ready for action
![Competition; AFR news; 960804; Photo Jessica Hromas
generic - competition, executive. (first use afr) business, hurdles
business attire - businessman](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/17/4754022/rh-320-redundo_20130917115737730294-90x60.jpg)
John Collett Redundancy can be traumatic but it can also be a chance to take a new direction and, if you’re lucky, to grab a big stack of cash.
PARTY PLANS
Thinking outside the lunch box
![Picture source unknown. Tupperware. Pictured is a woman with tupperware containers.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/17/4754090/rh-320-plan_20130917122232613005-90x60.jpg)
Sylvia Pennington Thousands of Australians work in the sector - but is party planning a nice little earner, or an express way to lose friends and alienate acquaintances?
ECONOMY
Still some bang left in the mining boom
![David Potts](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2011/05/07/2349989/David%20Potts-90x60.jpg)
David Potts Judging by the sudden turn in the dollar's fortunes, it seems the mining boom is just having a rest.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Triggers and the bring-forward rule
![Your Questions with George Cochrane](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/08/31/4709889/George-Cochrane-90x60.jpg)
George Cochrane Do you understand how the bring-forward rule for non-concessional super contributions works?
WEALTH CHECK
The 10 biggest money mistakes
![Piggy boot camp.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/14/4748065/ZAH_piggy_TN-20130914185129119541-90x60.jpg)
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon Follow this routine and you'll be well on your way to getting your finances in shape.
FINANCIAL ADVICE
Advisors fail integrity survey
![Businessman holding a pen sitting at a desk. Generic paperwork, director, office work, white collar, boardroom. Tuesday 1 August 2006 BRW photo Louie Douvis AFR FIRST USE ONLY SPECIALX 54233](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/06/08/4474449/EBL-th-financial-adviser-20130608181909886930-90x60.jpg)
JOHN COLLETT Financial advisers are struggling to change perceptions about their professionalism.
SPREAD TOO THIN
A generation caught in the middle
![The Age 6/1/05 BUSINESS rlh040106.002.001 Generic shot of sandwich with money in it. For story on the expense of eating out rather than bringing lunch from home. Pic by Rebecca Hallas DIGICAM BUSINESS](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/10/4734303/rh-320-sandwich_20130910101039309086-90x60.jpg)
Kate Jones With their parents hitting old age and their kids still at home the sandwich generation are caring for others when they should be taking care of themselves.
LEAVING HOME
Aussies buy up bargains abroad
![TRA 11 OCT 08. Best time to travel. Farmhouse and cypress trees near Pienza Tuscany Italy. Supplied by iStockphoto, ok to re use.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/10/4734306/rh-320-travel_20130910100658728528-90x60.jpg)
Christine Long Cheap property prices in crisis-hit Europe have got some Australians excited about picking up a holiday home bargain.
INHERITANCE
Where there's a will there's a long, long wait
![PIC JIM RICE. 13.05.08.. PIC SHOWS.. GENERIC .AGE CARE .RETIREMENT OLD PEOPLE. PENSIONS. POST .AUSTRALIA POST SPECIALX 84657](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/10/4734363/rh-320-old_20130910101927285126-90x60.jpg)
David Wilson You cannot count on a prospective bequest as an asset - a hard fact to accept for some.
Leaving home
Aussies buy up bargains abroad
![Greece](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/11/4738410/greece320-90x60.jpg)
Christine Long Cheap property prices in crisis-hit Europe have got some Australians excited about picking up a holiday home bargain.
CREDIT RATING
Hard truth on credit reports
![Generic bills.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/07/4728108/ZAH_bills_TN-20130907184952959608-90x60.jpg)
JOHN COLLETT Financially stretched consumers would stop paying their mortgage before skipping their gas, insurance and phone bills.
WELL HEELED
Health cover is in your court
![Melissa Browne](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/06/08/4475550/Melissa-Browne-90x60.jpg)
Melissa Browne Many people are only now seeing the effect of the recent changes to the private health insurance rebate when they lodge their tax return
RICHER, POORER
Own accounts the way to go
![Bride and groom figurines.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/07/4728199/ZAH_marriage_TN-20130907192323179363-90x60.jpg)
Kate Jones For a growing number of couples, having separate finances maintains the harmony at home.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Banking battle of the sexes
![MARRIAGE 020322 SMH SPECTRUM PHOTO SHOWS ....NO CAPTION INFO GIVEN
Generic married couple with trophy of money to depict the male as the main earner. The breadwinner. For story on men making more money if thier wives do not work.
Pic by George Fetting.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/03/4715185/rh-320-cash_20130903121431129522-90x60.jpg)
Rebecca Glenn Pioneering Australian study finds women tend to see their earnings as the "family money' and see a man's money as his own.
INSIGHT
Market is mirroring Australia's sporting fortunes
![CHESTER-LE-STREET, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Stuart Broad of England celebrates dismissing Aaron Finch of Australia during the 2nd NatWest Series T20 match between England and Australia at Emirates Durham ICG on August 31, 2013 in Chester-le-Street, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/03/4715412/rh-320-broad_20130903132720605641-90x60.jpg)
Clancy Yeates Australia was once known for ''punching above its weight'' - a reputation that seems a distant memory today.
SMART BANKING
Now is the time to take account of your needs
![Stack of credit cards](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/09/03/4715576/rh-320-peny_20130903141208884498-90x60.jpg)
Penny Pryor Finding the best bank account, credit card, or home loan requires you to know what you need it for.
FRAUD
Maximum security on the cards
![GENERIC
A man expressing frustration with his laptop computer.
Computer, Displeased, Home Interior, Emotional Stress, One Person, Head In Hands, Male Beauty, People, Black Hair, Short Hair, Technology, Laptop, Casual, Young Adults, Wallpaper, Computers, Sofa, Lifestyle, Beautiful, Indoors, Wireless Technology, Men, Headache, Young Adult, 18-19 Years, Sitting, Caucasian, Frustration, Disappointment, Despair, Green, Crisis](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/08/27/4695977/rh-320-cyber_20130827123112861117-90x60.jpg)
Penny Pryor Online fraudsters are getting better at what they do but there are several ways to limit your potential losses.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Now listen here: how to make a complaint count
![Complaints. Man yelling over the telephone.](http://web.archive.org./web/20131008184955im_/http://images.canberratimes.com.au/2013/08/27/4695889/rh-320-complain_20130827120928310499-90x60.jpg)
Christine Long Nobody likes to be a whinger. But when bad things happen you have to be able to complain - and get results.