![The earlier you start saving, the more your nest egg will grow.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/2/8/o/h/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.gu1sh1.12uqus.png/1485920903101.jpg)
Money features
![Volatility on share markets can be a reminder to make sure you are in the right super fund investment option.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/x/u/h/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtye08.png/1485836402308.jpg)
Market volatility not as scary as it seems
With returns from super getting bumpier, it's important for members to make sure they are in the right investment option.
![Peer-to-peer lenders use technology to match investor-lenders with borrowers.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/g/d/e/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu1jal.png/1485807187375.jpg)
Peer-to-peer lenders lead increase in personal loans
Personal loan applications rose strongly during the December 2016 quarter, with much of the growth coming from online marketplace lenders.
![<P>](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/x/x/8/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu15od.png/1485919459385.jpg)
How to boost the age pension by $792 a fortnight
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
![Camping can be a great way to relax – and a cheap holiday.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/0/b/p/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu0aw0.png/1485838926617.jpg)
Life's simple pleasures will make you rich
How to escape FOMO, YOLO spending and envy.
![Quality childcare provides a positive early learning environment for young children.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/x/j/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtyxcb.png/1485854784424.jpg)
Childcare is expensive, but not working costs more
The amount of money a working couple spends on childcare is eye-watering but there are benefits too.
![Dennis Reddy is working on clearing a $6000 debt on his credit card.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/z/3/b/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gty7jt.png/1485863968953.jpg)
Zero-interest balance transfers credit cards can have sting
Lenders promote their zero-interest balance transfer credit cards at this time of year. They know that many people return from Christmas and holidays struggling to pay-off their credit card debt.
![Lifestyle changes need to be permanent for long-term success.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/v/n/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtyvmw.png/1485389182201.jpg)
The eight rules to lose weight and make money
Most New Year's resolutions involve losing weight and gaining wealth, and you are probably battling both as the weight stays on and the credit card bills start arriving.
![Mining services companies are doing well, along with gold miners.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/0/w/f/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtzqjp.png/1485480982125.jpg)
Tipsters backing gold miners in front as resources look up thanks to Trump
Tipsters with portfolios loaded up with gold miners and mining services companies have done best in the first week of the four-week Shares Race.
![Treasurer Scott Morrison says Australia must confront the "air of unreality" about its budget challenge.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/0/i/a/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtzzf5.png/1485836472987.jpg)
How the Tax Commissioner was leant on to deliver high-end tax cuts
When Scott Morrison rose in Parliament to promise high-end tax cuts, he knew he faced a powerful obstacle.
![Big banks like the Commonwealth will give you a mortgage discount if you ask, but it's still better to refinance.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/w/c/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtywdg.png/1485864055340.jpg)
The secret discounts banks are giving property investors
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon helps… combat the banks' investor loan hikes.
![Your ability to generate an income is one of the most important assets you have.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/v/z/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtyvwj.png/1485388878226.jpg)
The asset most Australians forget they have
Australians – when asked about their assets – inevitably talk about their house, their vehicles and their superannuation.
![The superannuation rules are changing in July.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/h/f/m/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtyz47.png/1485401061421.jpg)
Rush to beat this year's super deadline
​Should investors make the most of the current super contribution rules before much tougher rules apply from 1 July 2017?
![You need to advise Centrelink of an inheritance.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/v/d/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtyvbu.png/1485818509813.jpg)
Should I declare my inheritance and trust to Centrelink?
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
![Taking the leap can be the scariest bit.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/1/b/w/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtwt78.png/1485144162609.jpg)
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.
![Young families may find salary sacrifice into super more tax-effective than buying an investment property.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/b/1/5/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtd0c4.png/1482649431537.jpg)
Can I lend money to my children without losing my pension?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
![Australian shares may not reproduce the bumper returns of 2016 this year.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/f/k/c/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtugv2.png/1485143666629.jpg)
Trump, Brexit and super changes in the mix for 2017
What a year 2016 was. Britons voted to leave the European Union, Donald Trump won the US presidential election – and financial markets reacted well to these events.
![More are delaying retirement to build a bigger nest egg.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/v/v/d/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtv82n.png/1485216998716.jpg)
More working for longer to ensure decent retirement
Workers are retiring at age 61, on average. Just two years ago they were retiring at age 58.
![The US President is talking a big economic game.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/v/y/9/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtwyck.png/1485295296761.jpg)
TPP not main game in Trump's trick bag
President Trump has delivered on his promise to scrap the TPP trade deal, but will he follow through with the rest of his economic promises?
![Interest rates are low in Britain.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/u/4/1/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtd5hx.png/1482102150441.jpg)
How can we help our disabled son?
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers questions.
![The only way seems up for interest rates.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/3/q/4/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtv2pb.png/1484861210225.jpg)
The most effective debt reduction strategy for you
As widely expected, financial institutions have gradually been increasing their mortgage interest rates especially the longer term fixed rate offerings. This has been triggered by expectations of higher US interest rates following the Trump election victory.
![The new Low Income Superannuation Tax offset will give a modest boost to some nest eggs.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/j/w/u/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtcz5m.png/1484553207028.jpg)
What happens if both spouses have $1.6m in super and one dies?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
![Many homeowners choose to sell in spring to show off their property at the nicest time of year.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/n/x/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtdnvz.png/1482054334173.jpg)
The ideal time of year to buy or sell property
Traditionally, autumn and spring are the two distinct periods for selling property. But is that logical?
![It's not too late for many retirees to get back some of the age pension.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/k/h/g/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtpyhd.png/1484695891066.jpg)
How to claw back the age pension
Changes to the age pension assets test that took effect from January 1 have seen about 200,000 better-off retirees receiving smaller pension payments.
![A survey of ethical ETFs by ethical investment adviser, Balance Impact, finds many ETFs screen very differently from ...](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/i/7/8/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtqpx8.png/1484613540681.jpg)
Investing with a conscience not that easy
Ethical investing is in the eye of the investor.
![Make sure as much of your money as possible stays in your pocket or bank account.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/p/7/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtskn3.png/1484631690885.jpg)
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.
![Experts have consistently been surprised by the miserable pace of wage growth.](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/m/c/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtpm07.png/1484600652553.jpg)
Can wage growth recover in 2017? Don't count on it
It is the time of year for crystal ball gazing about what may lie ahead, including on matters economic.
![BetaShares launches deep-green exchange traded fund](/web/20170202004645im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/6/h/w/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gts3n4.png/1484615916903.jpg)
BetaShares launches 'true to label' ethical ETF
Specialist exchange traded fund (ETF) provider, BetaShares, has launched an ETF that gives investors access to a portfolio of the world's leading sustainable and ethical companies in one investment.