Saving

Keeping cool costs - but you can keep your bills down by following some simple steps.

HOT MONEY

Keep cooling costs low as mercury rises

JOHN COLLETT 3:47pm There are 9.2 million a/c units in Australia. And the experts say most of us are throwing money away by not using them properly.

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ASK NOEL

Benefit to paying mortgage fortnightly

Noel Whittaker It's a quick way to pay off the loan faster - and you probably won't even notice you're doing it.

REFINANCING

A better deal can mean big savings

Mark Bouris With 2014 well and truly up and running, it's time for a financial tune-up.

YOUNG MONEY

When kids make money

Sylvia Pennington Talented kids can make a fair bit of money. But who is responsible for making their earnings grow?

PILFERING

Self-scan fail: Supermarkets lose billions as thieving customers help themselves

Clare Carter Self-service tills - now common in most Australian supermarkets - are opening up a new avenue for theft.

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EDUCATION

Make school costs feasy peasy

JOHN COLLETT It's that time of year again, when the children return to school and - for fee-paying students - their parents learn how much they'll be expected to cough up for the privilege.

INSIGHT

Light at the end of the tunnel for savers

CLANCY YEATES You wouldn't guess it but almost two-thirds of households don't have a mortgage.

WINDSOR CHANGE

Royal no longer flush - Queen 'down to her last million'

Steven Swinford Courtiers set to take money-saving advice after monarch's finances hit by overspending.

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RESOLUTIONS

A bit of resolve can turn wishful thinking into savings success

Christine Long Feeling the need for a double shot of determination to make your New Year's resolutions stick? You're not the only one.

SAVING

Failure to move money costs savers $2.5b a year

JOHN COLLETT Piles of money are lost each year by savers who leave their cash in everyday accounts.

THE COST OF KIDS

How to raise good children without blowing the budget

Sylvia Pennington Swimming? Footy? Ballet? Piano? Whatever activities your kids do, it costs. But there are ways to save.

CARD CALMING

Need-to-spend ways can be nipped in bud

Christine Long If you need to break the credit card habit, here are some debt-defying tips to help you along.

EASIER ESTIMATES

Quick route to finding the finest quote

Emily Chantiri To save time and money consumers are turning online to outsource quotes.

SAVING

Smart new-year savers keep big picture in focus

Brett Graff Striving to achieve a set of goals is all very well, but it may mean missing out on other cash-saving opportunities.

GREED

Always wanting more, whatever the price

Matt Richtel A new study finds people have an instinct to earn more than can possibly be consumed.

FESTIVE FINANCE

Self-gifting the key to retailers' happy Christmas

Tiffany Hsu The fine art of giving to oneself has become a key indicator for how shops will fare.

BILL SHOCK

Protect yourself and your children when buying for Christmas

Rosie Murray-West Parents may end up paying a hefty price if they don't ensure that presents for their children have the right caps and blocks in place.