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?
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
Kate Jones Special trusts allow parents to ensure financial security for their disabled children, writes Kate Jones.
SAVING
Put fees back in your pocket
David Potts There are firms out there whose purpose is to help you claim back fees and commissions.
STUDENT STRUGGLES
The university of strife
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.