![The family home is protected in public policy settings.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/d/5/w/v/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.grd5pz.png/1473488926342.jpg)
Planning
![The family home is protected in public policy settings.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/d/5/w/v/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.grd5pz.png/1473488926342.jpg)
Transition to retirement pensions retain appeal
![There are still reasons to consider transition to retirement.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/p/m/h/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.grcag4.png/1473340626047.jpg)
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?
![Is it braver to be a contestant in Ten's Survivor, or to buy Ten Network shares?](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/l/z/9/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gra48o.png/1473227195651.jpg)
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Five reasons we don't have a retirement savings crisis
![ASFA's definition of a "comfortable" retirement standard is more luxurious than that of many working people, according ...](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/8/4/u/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr7wy6.png/1473551030134.jpg)
There are powerful vested interests pushing the idea that Australians need to save more for retirement.
How dads teach dollar sense
![Father and daughter, Bella and Jim Buda. Jim helped Bella with finance for her Market Lane Cafe in Manly.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/5/o/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr64dt.png/1473126881332.jpg)
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
![Knowledge asymmetry can cause problems when dealing with tradies.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/x/4/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr6x4n.png/1472776418229.jpg)
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
![Guard rails let us relax and enjoy the view rather than having to focus on risk.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/w/t/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr6wsk.png/1472792061623.jpg)
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
![You don't have to decide immediately which family home to claim the CGT exemption for.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/w/f/0/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr6714.png/1472695529924.jpg)
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'
![The Gold Coast – a sunny place for property people.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/5/h/q/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr5h3l.png/1472618724512.jpg)
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Depreciating assets can help pensioners
![Illustration: Simon Letch](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/4/d/r/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr5al3.png/1473151472991.jpg)
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
How to choose your first credit card
![<p>](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/9/y/l/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr4ic5.png/1473138935334.jpg)
Choosing your first credit card is equal parts daunting and exciting.
5 self-help books to help you master money
![Many of these classic personal finance books will be available in the library.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/3/e/k/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr2u4a.png/1472535624773.jpg)
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
![Illustration: Simon Letch](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/1/3/h/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqyg2x.png/1472548599655.jpg)
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
How to plan ahead for the superannuation changes
![The government has released sufficient information to allow you to plan ahead for retirement.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/0/t/s/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr0std.png/1472094090058.jpg)
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
![Don't make decisions for your elderly parents for your own benefit.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/0/p/h/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr0p67.png/1472088451316.jpg)
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Malaysia and Mexico are beating Australia in income-protection take-up
![Most Australians don't have income-protection insurance and those that do are under-insured.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/x/3/1/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqyeo3.png/1472013147810.jpg)
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
![Get properly insured as one of the biggest mistakes is leaving yourself and your family financially exposed to traumatic ...](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/y/1/j/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqy5qc.png/1471847378900.jpg)
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
![Many retirees are planning to spend savings on home renovations or holidays in order to qualify for a part age pension ...](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/w/c/i/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqwc6w.png/1471570303974.jpg)
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
![<p>](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/t/r/l/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqts2t.png/1471516458696.jpg)
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Jon Snow and why we all need an estate plan
![Raised from the dead: Unlike the character Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, death is final and we need to plan for it.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/t/u/p/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqtuvj.png/1471516484225.jpg)
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
![<p>](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/z/o/m/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqt627.png/1472677779436.jpg)
Is it really too late, or are you just kidding yourself?
Can we give money to our kids and still wangle a pension?
![It's important to get to grips with the interrelation between the assets test and the income test. Illustration: Simon Letch](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/q/y/l/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqqymo.png/1471345032574.jpg)
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
Why retirees need their adult children to buy insurance
![<P>](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/m/a/t/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqqnf1.png/1470955137645.jpg)
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
![Kate and Chris Stead with their children (L to R) Patrick, Jasmine, Charlie. The couple rarely bicker over money.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/p/i/5/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqpdg4.png/1471559281514.jpg)
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
![A government-funded retirement is looking more attractive.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/p/q/1/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqppzo.png/1470869590833.jpg)
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
![Investing in training to improve your job prospects and pay can be worthwhile.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/o/m/8/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqolkh.png/1470791470481.jpg)
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
When one half of a couple has no interest in money matters
![Illustration: Simon Letch](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/o/6/w/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqo725.png/1470732430080.jpg)
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
Rate your wealth: here's how
![Is your financial situation more fragile than you think?](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/l/p/2/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqlocp.png/1470375852750.jpg)
Many Australians are not as wealthy as they think they are.
Don't forget your funeral
![Diana Eiszele was seven months pregnant with her daughter Palmer-Jane when her mother Nicky unexpectedly died.](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/f/p/d/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqjz28.png/1470719661672.jpg)
Diana Eiszele was seven months pregnant with her first child when her mother died suddenly at age 62.
Is the government being fair here?
![A reader asks how the government is able to "double dip".](/web/20160911135202im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/j/w/v/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gqj94o.png/1470270418039.jpg)
The government is quick to point out instances of "double dipping," so how can it get away with it?