Money features
Home buyers forking out fees to unqualified building inspectors
House hunters seeking to avoid nasty surprises should know that not all building inspections are equal.
DIY fund trustees fly blind without returns objective
Most of those with DIY super funds don't track the performance of their funds against any conventional published benchmark or returns objectives.
Ask Noel: will our age pension rise or fall in 2017?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
Millions at risk of default in next 12 months but don't know it
A leading credit agency says almost 3 million Australians are at risk of credit default or other adverse credit event in the next 12 months.
Some rare good financial news for younger people
Despite growing wealth inequality, younger households should have much more in retirement savings than their parents.
The big mistake many female entrepreneurs are making
Women are starting businesses faster than ever, but at what cost?
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.
Nicole helps… get your kids learning and earning
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon reveals the best bank accounts for kids.
Can I get the age pension and move overseas?
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
The five things stopping you investing
They're decent reasons, but don't let them stop you.
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.
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?
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.
Ask Noel: does Centrelink count the aged care deposit?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
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.
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.