Saving
INSIGHT
Service industries offer hope for jobs
Clancy Yeates Although jobs are being lost in fields like manufacturing, in other sectors they are being created.
PENSIONS
Slogging on until you're 70?
![Paul Midson.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/04/19/5362763/ZAH_midson_TN-20140419205358464549-90x60.jpg)
JOHN COLLETT Workers with physically demanding jobs will be hard hit if the pension qualifying age is increased.
TRUSTS
Providing a bit of extra help
![Jess Mangan and sisters](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/04/19/5362925/ZAH_disability_TN-20140419211402685170-90x60.jpg)
Kate Jones Special trusts allow parents to ensure financial security for their disabled children, writes Kate Jones.
SAVING
Put fees back in your pocket
![cash in the pocket](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/03/29/5306269/ZAH_cash_TN-20140329184347165618-90x60.jpg)
David Potts There are firms out there whose purpose is to help you claim back fees and commissions.
STUDENT STRUGGLES
The university of strife
![Students are still living on tinned food and loose change.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/03/24/5288483/LH_tinnedfood-20140324101550808111-90x60.jpg)
Sylvia Pennington Things haven't changed for students - they're still living on tinned food and loose change.
SECOND JOB
It's a handy little top-up
![A handy little top-up.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/03/11/5251141/LHtopup-20140311163532865616-90x60.jpg)
Christine Long Feeling the pinch? Getting a bit on the side could be exactly the boost your bank account needs.
INSIGHT
Home loan payments provide a buffer
![Deal to the mortgage.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/02/25/5197178/LH_homeloan_thumb-20140225110921623588-90x60.jpg)
CLANCY YEATES With interest rates at record lows, households are taking the chance to get ahead on their mortgages.
HOT STUFF
Is a slow cooker a money saver?
![04 August 2010; SMH GOOD LIVING; Pic of a Ronson slow cooker. Picture Helen Nezdropa DIGICAM 00000000](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/02/25/5198172/sc-thumb_cooker-20140225135700899771-90x60.jpg)
Sophie Christie It makes a tastier stew, but are there other advantages to the slow cooker.
GETTING STARTED
Interest news good for lenders, not so for savers
![MONEY 040219 AFR PICTURE BY Gabriele Charotte / afrphotos.com GENERIC savings, escalating interest rates, home loan, wages, salary, superannuation, real estate, home loan, mortgage, morgage, house, auction, market, house prices, money, savings AFR FIRST USE ONLY afrphotos.com SPECIALX 23452](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/02/18/5175442/rh-320-potts_20140218120014648724-90x60.jpg)
David Potts Always one for jumping ahead of itself, the market has decided interest rates will rise next year.
BALANCE TRANSFERS
Forget loyalty - card switching can help you get on top of debt
![money cover dog loyalty and credit card
09money.jpg](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/02/11/5151971/rh-320-long_20140211120522834142-90x60.jpg)
Christine Long Need some breathing space from heavy interest charges on your credit card debts? A balance transfer deal could be the answer.
HOT MONEY
Keep cooling costs low as mercury rises
![AIR CONDITIONER AFR PHOTOGRAPH BY GLENN HUNT 291010.
GENERIC- air conditioner, energy, energy rating, carbon foot print, environment.
AFR USE ONLY DIGICAM 0000000](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/02/07/5139345/rh-320-john_20140207095136313844-90x60.jpg)
JOHN COLLETT 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.
ASK NOEL
Benefit to paying mortgage fortnightly
![Mucci Illo for Ask Noel
LoanPaymentsPerAnnum.jpg](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/02/04/5130171/rh-320-mucci_20140204123217251460-90x60.jpg)
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 dinkus.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/09/17/4755730/Mark%20Bouris%20dinkus-90x60.jpg)
Mark Bouris With 2014 well and truly up and running, it's time for a financial tune-up.
YOUNG MONEY
When kids make money
![Chelsea and Chloe Hall.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/02/01/5124392/ZAH_children_TN-20140201192044920868-90x60.jpg)
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
![The Age News 21/04/08 picture Justin McManus. New Self Serve Checkouts at Safeway in Camberwell. Melinda Edwards checks her groceries through. SPECIAL 01, shopping, technology, supermarket](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/31/5120106/rh-320-serve_20140131102609820770-90x60.jpg)
Clare Carter Self-service tills - now common in most Australian supermarkets - are opening up a new avenue for theft.
EDUCATION
Make school costs feasy peasy
![Teacher pointing to raised hands in classroom boarding school
Generic](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/28/5112357/rh-320-school_20140128143134191394-90x60.jpg)
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
![Backgrounds, Abstract, Lighting Equipment, Speed, Light, Illuminated, Tunnel, Motion, Railway Track, City. Photo iStockphoto SHD Investor 10 December 2009](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/28/5112212/rh-320-clan_20140128155839794710-90x60.jpg)
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'
![Britain's Queen Elizabeth II](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/16/5082818/th-queen-90x60.jpg)
Steven Swinford Courtiers set to take money-saving advice after monarch's finances hit by overspending.
RESOLUTIONS
A bit of resolve can turn wishful thinking into savings success
![Monique Alamedine, pictured with her glass drinking straws which has helped her get out of debt, at her Silverwater home.
Smh money
Photographs Ben Rushton
January 14 2014](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/21/5092812/rh-320-Monique_20140121095622728176-90x60.jpg)
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
![savings](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2013/08/25/4691587/th-314768373-90x60.jpg)
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
![Money section.
Eugenie Pepper and kids Tommy & Chloe.
Photo: Edwina Pickles. 23rd Dec 2013.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/14/5076031/rh-320-pepper_20140113161621995452-90x60.jpg)
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
![woman cutting up credit card; generic](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/14/5076043/rh-320-cut_20140113163445282040-90x60.jpg)
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
![Old rusty tape measure on white background tapemeasure tradesman tradesmen builders work tool generic.
SMH GOOD WEEKEND Picture by iSTOCK
GW110226](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/14/5076030/rh-320-quote_20140113163734130700-90x60.jpg)
Emily Chantiri To save time and money consumers are turning online to outsource quotes.
SAVING
Smart new-year savers keep big picture in focus
![Cash](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/09/5063482/rj-th-pig_20140109135156384260-90x60.jpg)
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
![Chocolate coins for BRW graphic. Tuesday 2nd December 2008 photo Louie Douvis BRW USE ONLY SPECIAL SPECIAL 97038](http://web.archive.org./web/20140425214443im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2014/01/07/5057522/sc-thumb_chocolate_20140107102452471398-90x60.jpg)
Matt Richtel A new study finds people have an instinct to earn more than can possibly be consumed.