![Robo-advisers are pitching their services at self-directed investors.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/9/m/y/y/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gs18f4.png/1476442660651.jpg)
Planning
![Robo-advisers are pitching their services at self-directed investors.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/9/m/y/y/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gs18f4.png/1476442660651.jpg)
How one family fought the government on aged care fees and won
![Most families want the wellbeing of their loved one to be paramount when choosing an aged care facility.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/2/9/y/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs29nt.png/1476428799519.jpg)
There is a ludicrous situation caused by the government's inability to get Centrelink and the aged care authorities on the same page - but you may be able to force a different outcome.
Retirees have little reason to save under the new pension rules
![Retirees with modest savings are barely better off than those on the age pension.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/1/8/k/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs18et.png/1476322344090.jpg)
The changes in the asset test for the pension come at the same time as official interest rates and conservative investment returns are at historic low levels.
Financial literacy won't help if you don't get your facts straight
![Financial literacy is useless unless you can separate fact from fiction.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/w/x/x/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.grx2hm.png/1475800882934.jpg)
A little knowledge can be more dangerous than blissful ignorance.
How to keep what's yours when a relationship fails
![A financial agreement gives peace of mind for (from left) Simon Lyster, Galileo Lima, 10, Shahrazad Lima 13, and ...](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/r/2/t/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.grr1pf.png/1475625459247.jpg)
Maintaining separate finances does not protect your assets if your relationship breaks up, but a properly drawn-up binding financial agreement does.
Plan ahead for the festive season to avoid a financial hangover
![A little pain now in terms of planning can mean you avoid a financial hangover later on.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/t/k/f/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.grtkcu.png/1475455706297.jpg)
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'
![A couple in their 60s dreams of finishing with the world of work and travelling around Australia.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/r/2/0/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.grr24p.png/1475111793073.jpg)
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Ask Noel: can I increase my pension by buying a jetty?
![Illustration: Simon Letch](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/o/e/8/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.grods6.png/1474988586203.jpg)
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
What you can do if you're facing compulsory acquisition
![Howard and Gillian Tuxworth, with their children Harry and Molly, at the Collingwood home the Victorian government ...](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/j/7/l/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.grj7al.png/1474245010947.jpg)
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 is seen helping her children, 13-year-old Siena and 5-year-old Massimo with their homework at home in ...](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/h/s/0/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.grgnca.png/1474257177893.jpg)
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
![Illustration: Michael Mucci](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/h/9/g/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.grh9hf.png/1474364019355.jpg)
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
![<P>](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/d/y/n/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.grdynm.png/1473779647749.jpg)
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
The truth about home ownership and the age pension
![The family home is protected in public policy settings.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/d/5/w/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.grd5pz.png/1473771613269.jpg)
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
![American Express was independently rated by Choice and Mozo to have some of the best rewards programs.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/b/f/v/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.grbfjb.png/1473652823882.jpg)
Anthony Bianco maximises the rewards points for his credit card but diligently pays off the balance every month.
Transition to retirement pensions retain appeal
![There are still reasons to consider transition to retirement.](/web/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/9/y/l/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr4ic5.png/1475727809919.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161017001027im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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.