Planning
Plan ahead for the festive season to avoid a financial hangover
A little pain now in terms of planning can mean you avoid a whole lot of pain later on.
A couple poised for retirement plans to 'hit the road'
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Ask Noel: can I increase my pension by buying a jetty?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
What you can do if you're facing compulsory acquisition
Advice for people who lose their homes at the hands of their own government.
Is private school worth it? Paying for kids' education
Cathy Filardo knows the value of a good education; she is, after all, a teacher.
Don't downsize your pension when you downsize your home
In January the pension assets test will change in the biggest shake-up in 10 years. Preparation is crucial for retirees.
Reduce the hassle of reapplying for the pension
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
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.
Be a power user of credit card rewards programs
Anthony Bianco maximises the rewards points for his credit card but diligently pays off the balance every month.
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?