Ask An Expert Money Blog

Ask the experts

You need to advise Centrelink of an inheritance.

Should I declare my inheritance and trust to Centrelink?

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

Taking the leap can be the scariest bit.

This is the year to beat your fear

Whether we admit it to ourselves or not, the most common reason for this ignition failure is fear.

Make sure as much of your money as possible stays in your pocket or bank account.

Chasing deals is new year no-brainer

New deals and discounts, and expert strategies to use them, could dramatically cut what you owe this year.

Young families may find salary sacrifice into super more tax-effective than buying an investment property.

Can I lend money to my children without losing my pension?

ASK NOEL

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

The new Low Income Superannuation Tax offset will give a modest boost to some nest eggs.

What happens if both spouses have $1.6m in super and one dies?

ASK NOEL

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

Interest rates are low in Britain.

How can we help our disabled son?

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers questions.

Super funds need liquid assets to meet compliance.

Want DIY super? Beware the liquidity trap

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

You don't have to retire to go on holidays to distant places like Montenegro.

Your Questions: when can I afford to retire?

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

The state government will still expect stamp duty at full market value.

Selling property below market value is a tax trap

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

Illustration: Simon Letch

What happens to my health care card when I lose my pension?

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

Illustration: Simon Letch

Can I spread risk by having two super funds?

ASK NOEL

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

The government offers a reverse mortgage alternative through the Pension Loans Scheme.

Nicole Helps… choose a reverse mortgage

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon explains how reverse mortgages and the government's Pension Loans Scheme work.

Superannuation is a marital asset that can be split in divorce, but it's still best to make sure your relationship is ...

Can I switch to making super contributions for my wife?

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

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Is it worth it for young workers to pay extra super?

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

You have to hand over your banking login to see the round-up transactions in the Acorns app, but the money is ...

Nicole helps … sort out fintech and fraud liability

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon answers questions about the Acorns micro-investment app and direct debits for a charity.

Life is about to get harder for many pensioners.

Pensioners scramble to do the sums as new assets test looms

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

Illustration: Simon Letch

Mum to lose pension after inheriting small parcels of rocky land

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

A house that is uninhabited will fall into further disrepair without renovation.

Will my mother lose her pension if we sell her dilapidated house?

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

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Unfair treatment for defined benefit pensions

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

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What type of private pension should we take?

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

Credit card companies will often entice new users with a honeymoon offer.

How banks cash in with parallel deals

How consumer finance companies cash in with parallel deals.

The rules on how long age pensioners can spend overseas are changing.

Can I get the age pension and move overseas?

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

Pocket money can help teach children about how to handle money, but only if you set clear rules.

Nicole helps… get your kids learning and earning

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon reveals the best bank accounts for kids.

Illustration: Simon Letch

Ask Noel: will our age pension rise or fall in 2017?

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

Illustration: Simon Letch

Ask Noel: does Centrelink count the aged care deposit?

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

Don't be afraid to find a new accountant.

Help! My accountant is useless

A reader notices constant errors in their accountant's work, but is scared a change might trigger an audit.

Don't hide your money from your spouse. Illustration: Simon Letch

Nicole helps ... get a couple on the same financial page

A reader asks: How can I stop my wife spending all our money?

Illustration: Simon Letch

My adult son is living at home. How can he maximise his savings?

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

A reader is fed up with working and keen to retire in her 50s.

Should we dissipate assets to maximise our age pension?

Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.

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Will we get a health care card if we lose our part pension?

Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.

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