Planning
Transition to retirement pensions retain appeal
The government plans to remove the tax-free status of all income received by transition to retirement funds from next July, but they still have some benefits.
Is it fair for my shares to be consolidated?
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
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.
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.
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.
Why we need guard rails for our financial life
How do you place a financial guard rail? You become accountable, you put in place rules and boundaries.
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.
'Put a pen through the clauses you don't like'
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Depreciating assets can help pensioners
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
How to choose your first credit card
Choosing your first credit card is equal parts daunting and exciting.
5 self-help books to help you master money
Reading personal finance books helped Australian writer Emma Vuletic through a painful divorce in New York City.
Why getting below the $1.6m super threshold by June 30 is a timing issue
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
How to plan ahead for the superannuation changes
Even though the government is still to finalise the precise details of the budget super changes, retirees have sufficient information to plan ahead.
Let elderly parents control their own assets
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
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.
The 10 biggest money mistakes
If you're smart, over your lifetime a deliberate trickle of "me" money will become a big personal pool of cash – which you can then happily splash. But all too often, slip-ups along the way instead drain a fun fund.
Retirees are gaming the system to qualify for a pension
While older retirees may be reluctant to dissipate large amounts of capital to retain their previous pension entitlement, the investment returns now provide compelling reasons to do so.
Bring on the 'hard-nosed conversation' for the age pension
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Jon Snow and why we all need an estate plan
You won't find yourself raised from the dead by dark magic and potentially be the rightful heir to seven kingdoms, but you may have a complicated personal life.
Gather ye snowflakes while ye may
Is it really too late, or are you just kidding yourself?
Can we give money to our kids and still wangle a pension?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
Why retirees need their adult children to buy insurance
Getting your adult children to take out sufficient insurance is an important and emotive matter, and one that is never over in a single conversation.
The taboo topic that is too costly for couples to ignore
Chris and Kate Stead have their finances pretty well worked out with minimal disagreements over money.
Why the age pension may beat $1m in super
There'll soon be more benefit from retiring with modest financial assets and getting the age pension than from amassing $1 million in super.
Before you retire, your best investment is yourself
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
When one half of a couple has no interest in money matters
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
Rate your wealth: here's how
Many Australians are not as wealthy as they think they are.
Don't forget your funeral
Diana Eiszele was seven months pregnant with her first child when her mother died suddenly at age 62.
Is the government being fair here?
The government is quick to point out instances of "double dipping," so how can it get away with it?