Planning

Consumers are preparing for a downturn in the economy.

Households prepare for the worst

Michelle Hutchison 2:18 PM   Nervous consumers are preparing for an economic downturn - but it could be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

TAKE COVER

Do we really need insurance – and why is it so pricy?

Insurance may rarely be called on but, just as umbrellas come in handy when it rains, protects policyholders from severe financial losses.

Catherine Robson   Our natural optimism means we don’t believe that we are likely to suffer hard times in the future, so we are not inclined to prepare for them.

WELL-HEELED

Six ways to cut spending down to size

A small-serve philosophy works equally well with your finances.

Melissa Browne   Smart steps to keep waistlines in check can pull our finances into better shape too. It's all about portion control.

DANCE FLAW

Who foots the formal bill?

Grace Harley says her $550 dress, bought on sale, represents a typical spend for girls in her circle.

Sylvia Pennington   The school formal season is in full swing and scores of Aussie mums and dads have the credit card bills to prove it.

LOW GROWTH

How middle Australia is being squeezed

Middle-class Australians have been belt-tightening for years and there's no sign of let-up.

David Potts   Feeling the pinch? You're neither imagining it nor are you alone. Middle Australia is doing it tough.

PLAN AHEAD

Which iPhone 6s plan will work best for you?

The iPhone 6s goes on sale this Friday.

John Collett   Use a lot of data? The telcos have a plan to suit you - and your new iPhone.

Comments 6

TIP OF THE WEEK

An early start will help you plan for kids' education

Private education can work out to be very expensive but you can make plans so you will find it less of a burden.

Alex Berlee   Where should parents begin if they want to make sure they can cover the cost of educating their children?

BOURIS ON MONEY

Top levers to control your financial future

Pull the right levers to secure your financial security.

Mark Bouris   Want to secure a bright financial future for yourself and your family? These five tips will allow you to take control.

Adviser steered us wrongly over mother's home

Renovating a home for rent can have its pitfalls.

George Cochrane   Mother moves to care home. Children spend money doing house up. Six years later they face a tax bill.

BASIC TRAINING

How to save for university

University study can be a rewarding but expensive option.

Larissa Ham   A tertiary education can cost a packet - but there are ways to spread that cost around.

WISE WORDS

Blissful ignorance can hit you where it hurts

There's more to money management than smashing open your piggy bank.

Christine Long   When put to the test, people’s financial understanding often falls short.

WELL-HEELED

In sport and life we need a level playing field

MON00 Melissa Browne.

Melissa Browne   It’s all very well demanding equal pay for women soccer stars, but will you go and support them?

TIP OF THE WEEK

How much does it take to be happy?

You're never too young to start thinking about what it is, in dollar terms, that makes you happy.

Dominique Bergel-Grant   What is the magic dollar number that can put a smile on anyone's dial?

RECESSION LOOMS

Cheer up, confidence is all that's missing

What lies ahead...definitely Christmas and more of capitalism's booms and busts.

David Potts   Strewth, I was only away three weeks - we had a nice holiday in Hawaii, thank you – only to find the sharemarket all over the shop. Worse, even a recession is being mentioned in polite company.

BOURIS ON MONEY

Breadwinners need to protect their income

If you are unable to work, will you be able to cover mortgage repayments and other bills?

Mark Bouris   Why would you insure your home and your car, but not your income?

WELL-HEELED

Don't let money take control of your life

Melissa Browne.

Melissa Browne   Instead of working out how to have a better relationship with money, many of us need to break up with it.

BASIC TRAINING

Basic training: How to buy your first car

Only fools rush in: Don't let excitement distract you from making good financial decisions.

Larissa Ham   Buying your first set of wheels is likely to be one of the most exciting purchases you'll make.

DO IT LIKE DAD

Father's Day tips for money-smart kids

Times might have changed but money still doesn't grow on trees - and children will be better off for learning that.

Sylvia Pennington   Fathers reveal the money-managing secrets they've been passing on to their kids.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Trackers can get your finances in shape

Behaviours encouraged by your Fitbit can also be applied to your financial life.

Catherine Robson   Whether its your health or your money, developing positive habits is the cornerstone of success.

BASIC TRAINING

How to save for your first big trip

Before you head off on your big trip, try and cut out all possible discretionary spending.

Larissa Ham   You've got big plans to see the world - but how are you going to pay for your great big adventure?

LIVING LONGER

Slow down - the road is a long one

Christine Weston recognises she will need to work beyond the traditional retirement age.

Emily Chantiri   As life expectancy grows, does it make more sense to pace ourselves instead of cramming everything into the first 40 or 50 years?

GOLDEN YEARS

Self-knowledge key to retiring with confidence

Horses for courses.

Olivia Maragna   If you want to know how much you'll need in the future, you'll need to know what you spend now.

PREMIUM SERVICE

Ride-sharing can void insurance

Insurance cover for drivers carrying fare-paying passengers needs to be checked.

John Collett   Industry body says insurers could decline claims made by Uber’s drivers.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Planning executive job exit in advance

The Heart Foundation believe sitting is the new smoking in terms of related deaths each year.

Nerida Cole   If you're looking to step away from a high-end job you'll need to have a sound strategy.

UNPROTECTED

Gloves off as the abused take control

Money pressures in a home can leave a sinking feeling.

Christine Long   Women are falling victim to financial abuse — and may not even be aware they are.

YOUR QUESTIONS

What's the right call on concession card changes?

The Telstra discount for pensioners amounts to a maximum of $15 a month for a fixed-line phone rental.

George Cochrane   The loss of health care entitlements continues to worry readers.

BASIC TRAINING

How to write a budget and stick to it

Should it really be that hard to write and stick to a realistic budget?

Larissa Ham   Knowing where your money is going is the first step on the path to controlling your own destiny.

INSURANCE

Pets can cost owners a bundle

Dog owner and pet-insurance client Lucy Bland with her dog Hudson.

John Collett   We love our pets but they can cost a fortune. Should your dog or cat suffer a serious illness or accident, you could be left out of pocket to the tune of thousands of dollars.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Walk the financial line with your kids

Financial education can start when children are quite young.

Dominique Bergel-Grant   Showing children how to be independent is one of the greatest gifts you can give.

WELL-HEELED

Planning eases the pain of unexpected strife

MON00 Melissa Browne.

Melissa Browne   Unforeseen things happen, and it's important to prepare yourself for them.