Planning
YEAR AHEAD
Economic trends to watch in 2014
Daniel Altman Oodles of oil, the price of rice and Japan rising ... trends to shape our financial future.
JOINT ASSETS
Financial bullying can hurt couples
Claudia Buck There are bullies on the playground, in the classroom and at the office. Or perhaps right beside you at home.
ASK NOEL
Balancing baby and the mortgage
Noel Whittaker We earn a combined salary of $160,000 a year and are starting a family soon. What is the best way to manage our $680,000 home loan?
SMSFs
Banks seek slice of the DIY action
Katherine Jimenez The big four banks are engaged in a $500 billion battle for control of the self-managed super funds market.
BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS
Giving investment advice may be gift to generations
John Collett There is nothing like the Christmas holidays for sinking your teeth into a book or two that helps with the finances.
LOOKING BACK
Raise your glass to a very good year
John Collett Rates are low, super's soaring and the dollar's no longer too high. All in all 2013 wasn't half bad.
GETTING STARTED
Trend finally going in right direction
David Potts Lost in the fact that economists have been cutting their forecasts for next year is that they still expect growth to improve.
WILLS
Best will in the world: Australia tops legacy ladder
Andrew Oxlade Australians have come out top in a global survey which asked how much money people are expecting to leave to their children.
ASK NOEL
London calling but is it a bridge too far?
Noel Whittaker We want to sell our share portfolio, borrow $100,000 and buy a property in London for our children.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Path to retirement
George Cochrane Focus on enjoying your money, rather than leaving it to younger relatives.
ADVICE
Piggybank strategy needs expansion
Penny Pryor Apparently, most of us don't give a damn about financial advice, with a new survey finding that only 15 per cent of Australians actively seek it out.
MAKE A LIST
Festive fun on a tight budget
Penny Pryor You're probably starting to feel the stress already. But you can still get all your ducks (or turkeys) in a row in time.
ASK NOEL
I've quit my job, now how do I invest?
Noel Whittaker I want to sell some shares. Should I buy more, or pay off the mortgage?
EMERGENCY FUND
Putting money away saves sunshine for a rainy day
Emily Chantiri Sooner or later you may need to dip into funds for an unexpected emergency. The ideal is to save six months' salary.
HOLIDAY MONEY
Cards can trap the traveller
John Collett Despite their advantages, preloaded travel cards can vary widely in their costs. Which offer the best deals?
YOUR QUESTIONS
Is my fund taking a fair slice of my super?
George Cochrane How does the amount my fund is taking out of my super compare with other funds?
SECRETS OF SUCCESS
Achievers show distinct qualities
Mark Bouris How to spot the seven secret psychological signs of successful people.
INSIGHT
Economy struggling to generate enough work
CLANCY YEATES There are few clearer signs of Australia's patchy economy than the labour market.
GETTING STARTED
It may well be the season to be jolly
David Potts What kind of Christmas is this going to be and, more to the point, who's going to be able to afford it?
ASK NOEL
Renting property makes you liable for CGT
Noel Whittaker I'm planning on selling the house I built in 2008. Will I be eligible for a full capital gains exemption?
