Money features
The five things stopping you investing
They're decent reasons, but don't let them stop you.
Is it true that older people were promised a pension for life?
Just before the last election I was bombarded with emails that readers had received from the Mature Australia Party.
Why it's time to ask for a rent reduction
Rents are still at historic highs, but the heat is out of the market.
The things we should really haggle over
Some shoppers can't be bothered haggling, others want to but don't have the time. Here's a study that shows how likely you are to get a discount and save a lot of money.
Pros and cons of DIY super
There are two types of people: those who have opened an SMSF and the rest.
Low rates are a chance for mortgagors to get ahead
Many economists think we're in for another interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank in 2017.
It's the season for saving to enjoy a debt-free new year
With just 49 sleeps until Christmas there are still many things to organise, including, most likely, the present buying.
Nicole helps ... get a couple on the same financial page
A reader asks: How can I stop my wife spending all our money?
How to increase your income – focus on outcomes not hours
If we want something, we can either reduce expenditure, or increase our income.
Looming threat of US President Donald Trump leaves our tipsters in the red
As the US presidential election draws closer, the worry that Donald Trump could win has been the main factor in sending our sharemarket from about 5300 points to 5200 points during the week.
12 reasons to buy a real Christmas tree
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... happiness in a real tree.
Making sense of the Dreamworld tragedy for investors
The human cost was high, what does it mean for investors?
Why governments are powerless to make housing affordable
The catalyst for the global financial crisis was US President Bill Clinton's idea that housing should be available to everybody.
Low investment returns bite
Funding a comfortable retirement has always been a challenge for many Australians but now it's even more difficult.
Help! My accountant is useless
A reader notices constant errors in their accountant's work, but is scared a change might trigger an audit.
Mortgage pre-approval is a smart move but avoid these traps
Pre-approval can be your best friend, or your worst enemy.
Five rules for negotiating your pay
It can be a nerve-racking process when you begin negotiating a salary.
Seven money survival secrets for school leavers
Most school leavers are – sorry – spectacularly unprepared for the real world. Here are the vital survival secrets you need to hear now – before it’s too late.
Four things you need to know about super before your first job
With the excitement of your first job, don't forget your super entitlements.
My adult son is living at home. How can he maximise his savings?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
The 'bank of mum and dad' has risks too
Buying a home has become so tough for many young people in the past few years that more and more are relying on the "bank of mum and dad".
New cards to extend banking options for the blind
For NSW teenager Connor McLeod, who is blind, using an automated teller machine on his own has not been possible until now.
It's Halloween ... and the taxman is calling
If you're lodging with MyTax this weekend, here are a few tips to help you get more bucks back this year.
Sharemarket heavy weather a challenge for tipsters
It has been a tough week for our tipsters given that the sharemarket went backwards.
Nicole helps… expose leaky house insurance policies
Financial expert Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon has a new column tackling consumer finance problems.