![As the world waits to see the new face of America, so far so good for Australian investors.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/t/y/d/k/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.gsmzdz.12uqus.png/1479102094422.jpg)
Money features
![Millennials will have a healthy superannuation balance by the time they retire.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/5/x/c/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsm0lh.png/1479084909261.jpg)
Some rare good financial news for younger people
Despite growing wealth inequality, younger households should have much more in retirement savings than their parents.
![Jim Collins wrote about the hedgehog concept in his book, Good to Great.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/o/o/y/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsoou5.png/1479086450862.jpg)
The big mistake many female entrepreneurs are making
Women are starting businesses faster than ever, but at what cost?
![Pocket money can help teach children about how to handle money, but only if you set clear rules.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/7/5/e/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsmxpt.png/1478818728548.jpg)
Nicole helps… get your kids learning and earning
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon reveals the best bank accounts for kids.
![Investors see positives, such as President-elect Donald Trump's plan to spend big on US infrastructure.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/m/t/i/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsmwnt.png/1478828174332.jpg)
Tipsters finish the week ahead on positives of Trump victory
The Australian sharemarket seesawed this week in response to the US presidential election, before leaving our tipsters generally better off as investors viewed a Trump presidency favourably.
![The rules on how long age pensioners can spend overseas are changing.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/n/7/t/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsn7ud.png/1478833415144.jpg)
Can I get the age pension and move overseas?
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
![Beginner investors need to be willing to "skin their knee" just like novice bike riders.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/l/4/7/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsn1os.png/1478823491909.jpg)
The five things stopping you investing
They're decent reasons, but don't let them stop you.
![superannuation](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/o/b/t/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsme79.png/1478933220614.jpg)
Should you top up your nest egg now?
With law changes looming, this year may be the last opportunity for some to boost their nest egg by making extra contributions into their super fund.
![James Cockington with a vintage magazine he has collected.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/j/e/i/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsjfoz.png/1478563639372.jpg)
How to find treasures in op shops and garage sales
Can you still find anything in op shops that is worth more than what you paid for them?
![There is a hierarchy of independence when it comes to financial advice.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/d/v/o/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gshxgx.png/1478477599411.jpg)
When financial advice is really independent
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has turned a blind eye to financial planning firms calling themselves "independently owned" when they don't meet the rules of independence.
![Illustration: Simon Letch](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/g/9/k/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsjjz7.png/1478590085138.jpg)
Ask Noel: does Centrelink count the aged care deposit?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
![Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon took seven years from buying a share of her first investment property to owning her family home ...](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/j/j/p/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsjj64.png/1478650024138.jpg)
How I paid off my home by 36
Money Columnist Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon confides the way she worked the system, leveraged lucky breaks and, yes, economised to get debt-free in seven years.
![The Reserve Bank says new apartment construction is changing the balance of rental supply and demand.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/r/1/g/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsjq6i.png/1478580456918.jpg)
Why it's time to ask for a rent reduction
Rents are still at historic highs, but the heat is out of the market.
![Would you rather work, or have a retail therapy day?](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/w/2/m/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsirsh.png/1478651101619.jpg)
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.
![The only reason to have a self-managed super fund is if you want to pull the strings.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/j/e/r/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsgbve.png/1478563457078.jpg)
Pros and cons of DIY super
There are two types of people: those who have opened an SMSF and the rest.
![Interest rates are already very low, providing a great opportunity to pay off the mortgage.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/9/r/c/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsh5x0.png/1478234334848.jpg)
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.
![Don't hide your money from your spouse. Illustration: Simon Letch](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/g/e/2/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsge3k.png/1478590038372.jpg)
Nicole helps ... get a couple on the same financial page
A reader asks: How can I stop my wife spending all our money?
![Starting Christmas shopping early pays off for Santina Gambrill, shown with her husband Aaron and children Jaden and ...](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/g/2/b/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsgc33.png/1478251042607.jpg)
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.
![Ridding the garden of weeds was the desired outcome, not policing the hours worked.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/h/5/p/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsh5gv.png/1478143725927.jpg)
How to increase your income – focus on outcomes not hours
If we want something, we can either reduce expenditure, or increase our income.
![Another poor week for shares mainly as a result of US presidential election worries.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/k/o/e/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gshslw.png/1478221874586.jpg)
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.
![Real Christmas trees have a special charm.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/h/v/t/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gshvhe.png/1478580427692.jpg)
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.
![Queensland Police assistant commissioner Brian Codd speaks to media at Dreamworld, where four people died after a ...](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/a/p/a/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsib72.png/1478236593396.jpg)
Making sense of the Dreamworld tragedy for investors
The human cost was high, what does it mean for investors?
![Policies to help first-home buyers can backfire.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/d/m/3/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsgzh1.png/1478222234221.jpg)
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 growth is squeezing investment returns.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/b/2/m/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsgcmj.png/1478080670228.jpg)
Low investment returns bite
Funding a comfortable retirement has always been a challenge for many Australians but now it's even more difficult.
![Don't be afraid to find a new accountant.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/g/f/n/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsgfcm.png/1478300934678.jpg)
Help! My accountant is useless
A reader notices constant errors in their accountant's work, but is scared a change might trigger an audit.
![Make sure your home finance arrangements are not built on sand.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/h/9/n/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsh9il.png/1478148887478.jpg)
Mortgage pre-approval is a smart move but avoid these traps
Pre-approval can be your best friend, or your worst enemy.
![Young women are closing the gap in pay negotiations.](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/l/0/n/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsh53a.png/1478142877114.jpg)
Five rules for negotiating your pay
It can be a nerve-racking process when you begin negotiating a salary.
![SCHOOLIES 2015 on the Gold Coast. Jeremy Tanudtanud 18, Monica Caminiti 18, Elena Dmitrovic 17 and Marcus Hill 18. ...](/web/20161115005051im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/e/d/s/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsecx1.png/1478055328822.jpg)
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.