![Petar Sabados owns a slice of two investment properties, which he tracks on his phone.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/c/k/l/u/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.gre0eg.12uqus.png/1473655786022.jpg)
Money features
![Marie Najjar with painters, (R) Raymond Maikhael and his son Steven from Maikhael Painting.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/b/e/s/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.grbef0.png/1473548696951.jpg)
Renovation boom means a shortage of good tradies
The renovation boom in Sydney and Melbourne means a shortage of tradespeople. Money shows you how to find a good one.
![The Share Race was won on the back on a single share pick.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/o/h/2/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.grcd6y.png/1473387564479.jpg)
Dramatic finish to Shares Race
The Australian Financial Review's Phil Baker, after seemingly having the Shares Race wrapped up, has been overtaken in a dramatic finale to the contest.
![The family home is protected in public policy settings.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/d/5/w/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.grd5pz.png/1473488926342.jpg)
The truth about home ownership and the age pension
The idea that your home does not count when you are assessed for the pension is political fiction.
![If the bills are in your name, you're liable.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/f/x/y/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.grcado.png/1473633739349.jpg)
Nicole helps: fix a broken credit score
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon commences a new weekly consumer finance help column, focused on helping readers with their money woes.
![Is it braver to be a contestant in Ten's Survivor, or to buy Ten Network shares?](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/l/z/9/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gra48o.png/1473227195651.jpg)
Is it fair for my shares to be consolidated?
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
![If you're fiscally constrained or simply not hung up on having the trendiest gadget, there are decent smartphone options ...](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/c/k/h/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.grck51.png/1473386853241.jpg)
How to score a free smartphone
If you're nonplussed by the latest smartphone with a selfie mode that autocorrects blemishes, there is a decent range of phones on offer that are basically free.
![In circulation.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/9/g/x/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.grcjln.png/1473497036088.jpg)
Why going cashless is the next next moral challenge
Reckon we're cashless? Think again.
![The banks have a problem with sales culture.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/i/i/f/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.grca1t.png/1473635880643.jpg)
The cultural problem at the banks
The banks are back in the firing line again, and this time there are even calls for a Royal Commission.
![Once a scammer steals credit card details online, they can launder the money on eBay before too many red flags go off.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/q/3/j/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.grdyk9.png/1473631628049.jpg)
The most common scams and how to avoid them
Call it an occupational hazard, but I've become so nervous of scammers and fraudsters that I now delete even legitimate emails from my providers.
![Lower earners need all the help they can get to build their super. Illustration: Karl Hilzinger](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.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/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.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/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.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.
![Corporate Travel Management chief executive Jamie Pherous started the company more than 20 years ago.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/7/a/j/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr7ao1.png/1472785796084.jpg)
The best CEOs you may not know
True success or failure should really be measured only after a chief executive has been in the chair for five years or more - preferably 10.
![Guard rails let us relax and enjoy the view rather than having to focus on risk.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/w/t/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr6wsk.png/1472792061623.jpg)
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.
![Chez Tonelli works for a financial company in Parramatta and commutes from the Central Coast.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/w/c/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr6wac.png/1473219227192.jpg)
Money-saving secrets of the commuters who drive 1000 kilometres a week
A fitness tracker for your car is one way to keep costs down, writes Adam Courtenay.
![The high-rise construction boom may have further to run, recent figures suggest.](/web/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.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/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.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/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/8/4/u/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr7wy6.png/1473551030134.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/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.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/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.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/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.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/20160912152441im_/http://www.theage.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.