![Reaping rewards: Savers can learn from the lending criteria that microfinance group Grameen places on loans in Third ...](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/s/2/n/u/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.go5loe.png/1460532982914.jpg)
Saving
![Reaping rewards: Savers can learn from the lending criteria that microfinance group Grameen places on loans in Third ...](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/s/2/n/u/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.go5loe.png/1460532982914.jpg)
Savings at seven-year low and may dip further
![Lower petrol prices deliver a windfall to consumers.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/o/y/1/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gn9gtk.png/1457056891920.jpg)
For years, we've been told "the cautious consumer" is making life harder for retailers and other businesses that rely on household spending.
The hidden childcare subsidy for grandparents
![Many grandparents don't know they are eligible for government payments for looking after their grandchildren.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/2/x/a/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gn2x3f.png/1456473864200.jpg)
Tip: Grandparents and other informal carers can be paid for babysitting through the Registered Care Provider scheme.
Can appliances be both smart and durable?
![The day is coming when our homes will be packed with "smart" devices and appliances.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/0/q/4/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gn0q3o.png/1456272983883.jpg)
Would you expect an oven that cost $2999 to conk out after seven years?
Informal childcare makes family life work
![Freny Kalapesi with her three young children and her babysitter, Stephanie Palmer.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/u/3/r/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gmrmn7.png/1455672252604.jpg)
They say it takes a village to raise a child and that certainly holds true for mother of three Freny Kalapesi.
A $7000 Valentine's gift from me
![It's time to fall in love with the cash you could preserve by switching or ditching your current provider.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/0/g/s/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gmqvic.png/1456980441931.jpg)
When it comes to money, loyalty comes at a price.
Back to school, but at a price
![Marcelle Gomez and her husband Christian are saving so they have options when 15-month-old Cruz hits high school.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/f/p/x/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gmfmzk.png/1453942913092.jpg)
Education costs are rising faster than inflation, so if you want choices about schools for your children, you need to plan ahead.
What are you prepared to suffer for?
![If you're not prepared to suffer for a goal, it's not worth it to you.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/5/p/s/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gmbot0.png/1453424230729.jpg)
Are we destined not to change or can we salvage our goals made for 2016? The short answer is yes and no.
'We were scammed': Debt management firms leaving clients worse off
![ASIC says, at worst, debt management firms engage in predatory conduct and leave the consumer worse off.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/l/f/0/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gmars4.png/1457864968014.jpg)
Debt vultures promise to sort out your money problems, but sometimes, they can make matters worse.
How to shop like an investor and save money
![Time spent in groceries research will soon result in cheaper supermarket shopping.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/l/z/7/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gmaxd7.png/1453863119023.jpg)
Four tips to ensure you never pay more than you need to when grocery shopping.
Beating the curse of problem gambling
![Matt Torcasio has quit gambling with the help of girlfriend Lauren Britt and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/c/z/5/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gmavaz.png/1453781215564.jpg)
Matt Torcasio is proof that there is hope for the millions of Australians affected by problem gambling.
A plan-free way to save
![An iPhone 6s Plus bought outright and run on prepaid credit could cost as little as $1736.60 over 24 months with ...](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/s/o/4/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gma67a.png/1459220526320.jpg)
There's one instance where no plan is the best plan of all: when it comes to your mobile phone.
How to protect yourself from direct debit risk
![The declining Australian dollar means US-based online services are becoming more expensive.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/5/h/o/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gm4zkf.png/1454626116128.jpg)
As online subscription services take off, direct debits on credit and debit cards are becoming more common.
The rules of a midlife crisis
![Some people rediscover windsurfing as a midlife crisis sport.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/5/i/p/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gm4zmc.png/1452728571285.jpg)
The definition of financial happiness in a relationship is understanding the boundaries and not crossing them, and understanding each other's expectations and meeting them.
Master reverse Feng Shui to nab a bargain
![Followers of Feng Shui believe the number four is bad luck.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/4/w/c/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gm4qgj.png/1452660251180.jpg)
Reverse Feng Shui is about harnessing negative energy to get more home for your money.
10 ways to save money right now
![Where there's a will there's a way to save money.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/z/y/9/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gm21wi.png/1452474927113.jpg)
Altering a couple of old habits and developing new ones could see you save significantly.
Kickstart 2016 with a financial health check
![The new year is a good time to review your money goals.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/1/5/y/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gm15ke.png/1452650129997.jpg)
The new year is an opportunity to reset your money management and build prosperity - like electrician Paul Buhagiar who paid down $26,000 of his home loan last year.
Are you paying the Vague Tax?
![Colouring books can be fun, but mindfulness can't be bought.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/0/f/x/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.glyx9i.png/1452630367016.jpg)
My budget requires a certain allowance for costs incurred while my mind was absent.
Not so happy new year for green energy consumers
![Clunes resident Russell Mills pictured at home with his Origin Energy electricity bills.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/z/5/z/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.glyyne.png/1451962804924.jpg)
In the days leading up to Christmas, Origin Energy customers were notified that "a rise in the market price of renewable energy" meant GreenPower electricity charges would increase from 3.61¢ per kilowatt hour (excluding GST) to 5.10¢ per kilowatt hour from January 1, 2016.
How to nail a New Year's resolution
![Successful New Year's resolutions are about making self-control easier for your future self.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/y/k/g/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.glyujy.png/1452595251788.jpg)
There is a little known secret to self-control that makes achieving your goals a breeze.
Top 10 money mistakes of the middle-aged
![In your 40s and 50s you are more likely to have extra mouths to feed.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/6/j/9/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.glyr5j.png/1452204262560.jpg)
You're at the height of your career and you probably have a couple of extra mouths to feed. Here are the 10 biggest money mistakes to avoid in your 40s and 50s.
Why are your savings sitting with the big four banks?
![Savers can get a better deal with the online banks.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/a/o/y/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.glx64p.png/1451873553872.jpg)
Australians love the idea of 'free money', yet more than $600 billion of the $750 billion that Australian households have in cash deposits is in one of the big four banks.
The faster, cheaper way of sending money overseas
![The Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday private sector wages, excluding bonuses, grew just 0.5 per cent in ...](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/c/3/i/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.glja2q.png/1453266190371.jpg)
Australians are wasting millions of dollars by sending money overseas via the big four banks instead of the booming number of nimble, specialist players, experts warn.
Have yourself a modern low-cost Christmas
![Children on their way to a free Christmas carols event.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/k/4/t/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.glk3rd.png/1449711839339.jpg)
New ideas to make sure you celebrate Christmas without breaking the bank.
The eight big money mistakes of the young
![Schoolies on the Gold Coast: Many money decisions await.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/b/s/e/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.gle9wg.png/1449615487446.jpg)
The decisions you make in your 20s and 30s can be the difference between financial success or living hand to mouth down the road.
Why collaborative consumption could work for you
![Minding a dog for the RSPCA is a smaller commitment than owning a pet.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/8/f/h/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gl8fn4.png/1448499097838.jpg)
It seems natural to us when we find ourselves wanting to own, hoard and buy more.
Saving is easy if you master this one thing
![A monkey with an apple. Give a monkey two apples he is happy. Take one away and the monkey goes ballistic.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/8/e/y/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gl8eme.png/1448497631693.jpg)
Master this and saving is easy
How to make a granny flat arrangement work for you
![Illustration: Michael Mucci](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/2/u/u/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gl1ypg.png/1456273333086.jpg)
Retirees keen to help their children into the property market and keep the age pension are increasingly looking at granny flat arrangements.
The five biggest myths about saving money, according to a millennial
![A generic latte coffee shot. 22 March 2012.
The Age Epicure. Photo:EDDIE JIM.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/x/d/e/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gkx1tw.png/1447312467014.jpg)
Ethan Bloch has some financial advice for his millennial peers: "Just have your f------ latte!"
How to have a calm Christmas
![Jill Stewart used lay-by to budget for her kids' Christmas presents.](/web/20160418042029im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/w/e/4/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gkwdxw.png/1447829733719.jpg)
You might think it's too early to think about Christmas but Jill Stewart would beg to differ.