![Guard rails let us relax and enjoy the view rather than having to focus on risk.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/w/t/c/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.gr6wsk.12uqus.png/1473218078347.jpg)
Money features
![Lower earners need all the help they can get to build their super. Illustration: Karl Hilzinger](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/5/2/t/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr7dw6.png/1473153871747.jpg)
Top-up super to low paid held hostage by reform package
The longer the politics over the reforms to the superannuation tax breaks continues, the worse it will be for the growing proportion of the workforce working part-time and casually.
![Knowledge asymmetry can cause problems when dealing with tradies.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/x/4/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr6x4n.png/1472776418229.jpg)
Plumbing, planning and the curse of knowledge
It's probably OK to go through life without knowing much about washer sizes, but financial management is a skill that all adults need.
![Illustration: Simon Letch](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/4/d/r/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr5al3.png/1473151472991.jpg)
Depreciating assets can help pensioners
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
![The high-rise construction boom may have further to run, recent figures suggest.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/r/t/x/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr6ll3.png/1473126093594.jpg)
Expect more cranes: apartment glut to dampen market
If you think there are a lot of cranes on the city skyline these days, expect to see even more of them.
![Much of the opposition to Malcolm Turnbull proposed super changes has come from Coalition backbenchers.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/8/7/b/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr8bmi.png/1473066352809.jpg)
Super will be Turnbull's key test: Grattan Institute
The Grattan Institute has identified superannuation as the most important test of Malcolm Turnbull's leadership.
![ASFA's definition of a "comfortable" retirement standard is more luxurious than that of many working people, according ...](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/8/4/u/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr7wy6.png/1473053046768.jpg)
Five reasons we don't have a retirement savings crisis
There are powerful vested interests pushing the idea that Australians need to save more for retirement.
![You don't have to decide immediately which family home to claim the CGT exemption for.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/w/f/0/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr6714.png/1472695529924.jpg)
Your guide to capital gains tax on the family home
Capital gains tax on the family home is not to difficult to understand if you take it step by step.
![The Gold Coast – a sunny place for property people.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/5/h/q/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr5h3l.png/1472618724512.jpg)
'Put a pen through the clauses you don't like'
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
![Most Australians don't have income-protection insurance and those that do are under-insured.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/x/3/1/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqyeo3.png/1472013147810.jpg)
Malaysia and Mexico are beating Australia in income-protection take-up
Take-up of car insurance sits at about 83 per cent in Australia, but only 27 per cent of people have protected their most important asset.
![Father and daughter, Bella and Jim Buda. Jim helped Bella with finance for her Market Lane Cafe in Manly.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/5/o/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr64dt.png/1473126881332.jpg)
How dads teach dollar sense
Jim Buda thinks he was a bit "delinquent" in teaching his children about money, but now he's gone into business with his daughter Bella.
![The shares race is likely to close with a clear winner, thanks to Ausdrill and Cleanaway.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/7/g/0/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr76ti.png/1472783648294.jpg)
AFR's Baker opens up commanding lead
It is week three of the shares race and the AFR's Phil Baker has hit a purple patch.
![Treasurer Scott Morrison.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/4/c/e/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr7h1j.png/1473276881740.jpg)
Tax cuts to flow after backdown
Asked why it had backed down, the ATO said though a spokeswoman it had made a political judgement.
![Spring cleaning time.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/5/n/6/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr5mhp.png/1472714982345.jpg)
The financial spring clean that will save you $7500
How to turn messy money into tidy profit without lifting more than a few fingers.
![Superannuation is tied up and untouchable, but there is still uncertainty around its tax treatment.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/s/g/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr662m.png/1472695594661.jpg)
Defined benefit fund members still in the dark over changes
It's still uncertain how the proposed $1.6 million cap on pension fund accounts will be applied to defined benefit pensions.
![Investors should be more slothlike – or at least more patient – when waiting for returns.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/1/k/n/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr1km8.png/1472168482219.jpg)
Don't just do something, sit there
Evolution teaches us that action beats inaction – and it's usually true, but not when it comes to investment.
![Bruce Maguire, policy adviser at Vision Australia, demonstrates a device he uses for measuring bank notes.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/2/r/7/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr2r7r.png/1472629991728.jpg)
New tactile bank notes let blind people get a feel for money
The best feature on the new $5 note out this week is barely bigger than a chocolate sprinkle and it's designed to be felt rather than seen.
![Illustration: Simon Letch](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/1/3/h/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqyg2x.png/1472548599655.jpg)
Why getting below the $1.6m super threshold by June 30 is a timing issue
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
![The new CEO of Woolworths, Brad Banducci, on the day the company announced its 2015-2016 results.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/0/s/w/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr2r5c.png/1472522804743.jpg)
Market expectations are a short-term drag for companies
Results matter less - in the short term - than you might think.
![Higher returns can be found, if you're prepared to take on additional risk. Illustration: Karl Hilzinger](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/n/g/c/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr0rb2.png/1472602408958.jpg)
Seven investment ideas for high returns in a low-growth world
Seven investment ideas that will lift you out of the low-growth world.
![<p>](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/9/y/l/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr4ic5.png/1473138935334.jpg)
How to choose your first credit card
Choosing your first credit card is equal parts daunting and exciting.
![Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison issued a dire warning on federal finances last week.](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/1/7/o/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr3gov.png/1472730634815.jpg)
Does high government debt really cause recessions?
Recent economic research has debunked the link between government debt and lower growth.
![Wealthy retirees will take a modest hit under new super rules](/web/20160908151535im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/j/z/3/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr1td8.png/1472520408662.jpg)
Reforms to super tax breaks are fair
The Turnbull government's plans to rein in the super tax breaks going to the well-off are modest and fair.