![Watch out for sharks, and put something aside regularly for emergencies. Illustration: John Spooner](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/e/7/p/j/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.guahli.12uqus.png/1487056960405.jpg)
Money features
![Comedian Sarah Silverman understands that scarcity sells.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/e/9/6/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gue8rh.png/1487209070775.jpg)
Sarah Silverman's take on fart jokes applies to money
The comedian can teach us something in terms of restraint.
![Focus on maximising your after-tax income rather than tax minimisation.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/g/w/1/r/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gufabs.png/1487300621889.jpg)
The beauty of fully franked dividends
Far too many Australians let the tax "tail" wag the investing dog.
![Gold shines for shares race winner.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/o/p/k/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.guf31h.png/1487293522587.jpg)
Gold medal goes to the yellow metal's biggest backer
Chartist Richard Pritchard takes line honours at the close the four-week Shares Race as his decision to back gold pays off.
![Centrelink is updating its "antiquated" telephone systems.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/h/1/q/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.guckjw.png/1487118850340.jpg)
The wait continues at Centrelink and tips to navigate it
Centrelink's phone lines are about to get better… no really, they're meant to, but you just have to wait a little longer for it to happen.
![GPs will have to use their "godly discretions" to determine when to bulk bill.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/3/f/g/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gudenm.png/1487128824669.jpg)
Are healthcare-card concessions clear cut?
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
![''You've only got to look at the arithmetic,'' said former Reserve Bank governor Bernie Fraser.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/b/c/u/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gue6ho.png/1487227150833.jpg)
Fraser review rejects 'independence' quotas for industry super funds
A long-awaited review into the governance of industry super funds by former Reserve Bank governor Bernie Fraser has found no grounds for legislation that would force boards to have a minimum number of "independent" directors.
![</p>](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/z/l/7/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.guddnu.png/1487205465274.jpg)
'It's a stock-picker's market' and other cliches
Watch for loose words designed to part you from your money.
![How do you compare the performances of super funds? Illustration: John Shakespeare](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/8/i/m/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.guaiaj.png/1487057060565.jpg)
Why comparing super funds can lead you astray
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
![A good relationship involves having awkward conversations about money.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/3/v/u/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.guaijg.png/1486928999308.jpg)
The awkward conversation you need to have with your Valentine
You need to have the talk. No, not the one about your sexual history, whether you want to have kids or where you want to live.
![<P>](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/i/z/3/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu9gez.png/1487057031785.jpg)
Nicole helps… identify a good financial adviser
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon answers the single most popular financial question
![Come Valentine's Day, florists spruik long-stem roses grown in the Andes in South America.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/a/e/z/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.guad0h.png/1486786005244.jpg)
Valentine's Day? Bah, humbug!
Let's be honest, there'll be a lot of obligation spending for couples this week. Roughly $100 per person.
![Marcs and David Lawrence collapsed recently.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/3/k/d/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gua7y2.png/1487304705017.jpg)
What the averages don't tell you about investing in retail
You might have heard the Australian economy is enjoying an unprecedented run of economic good fortune.
![It's time to think about reallocating assets within the family.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/1/t/b/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu9xtr.png/1486688232622.jpg)
Time to reallocate assets within the family
With the opportunities for investing or reinvesting money into super soon to be severely limited, now's the time to plan ahead for alternative tax-effective strategies.
![Tiarna Ernst leads the pack at Bulldogs training.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/g/9/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu8xai.png/1486607663890.jpg)
Women playing footy? It's for love, not money
If you had to give up some of your income to do something else that you loved, would you?
![A great home care assistant can help the elderly go places.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/8/u/o/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu8ugm.png/1486607573213.jpg)
Home care program for elderly to expand
In 2017, the number of Home Care Packages available will increase by nearly 30,000.
![Having children should prompt you to review your finances.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/5/1/q/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu9exo.png/1486700597311.jpg)
The four stages of love - and money
With Valentine's Day coming up it's a good time to think about love and money, and how to marry the two together.
![Superannuation is a safe place to keep your cash if you have a partner who gambles.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/h/w/z/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu9fzp.png/1486676368979.jpg)
How to plan for the future if your partner gambles
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
![Marrickville flatmates Arlo Alexander-Meylan, Harry Gregg, Nikita Podlasov, Tom Grimes and Isaac Ewald filled their ...](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/a/k/d/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu8z6g.png/1487213638408.jpg)
Smart money moves to avoid share-house hell
Top priority – make sure you know your legal responsibilities when moving into a share house.
![Heed the warning signs to stay out of strife.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/n/i/r/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu3ppr.png/1485996190575.jpg)
Warning signs you're in financial strife
If the festive season has left you feeling financially worse for wear, you're not alone.
![Investors can't ignore US President Donald Trump.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/6/7/z/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu69sh.png/1486516558010.jpg)
Motley Fool: How to invest in a Trumpian world
The rules have changed … or have they?
![No guarantees on tax time: Australian Taxation Office chief information officer Ramez Katf.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/6/o/f/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu7a98.png/1486607916539.jpg)
Tax time in danger from ATO's tech wreck
IT projects thrown overboard as ATO orders all hands to keep tax time afloat.
![Not-for-profits and DIY super funds are neck and neck over 10 years.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/x/w/w/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu4t90.png/1486345706736.jpg)
DIY funds versus the pros – the answer is in
Does it matter who manages your super fund?
![The Tax Office is rapacious when it comes to money gifted to minors.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/3/g/7/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu443a.png/1486472481755.jpg)
A gift to your grandchildren can be a boon for the Tax Office
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
![Experts warn areas such as Melbourne's Docklands are "fraught with danger" for investors.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/7/2/r/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu6av1.png/1487303565360.jpg)
Property price boom masks risks for investors as yields plummet
Property investors speculating on capital gains need to be careful as rental yields in Sydney and Melbourne hit record lows.
![Centrelink's robo debt recovery scheme has been controversial because of high error rates.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/v/d/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu6x77.png/1486624240219.jpg)
Centrelink overload sees families unable to access payments
Parents are being prevented from accessing the government's childcare rebate and other family payments because Centrelink staff are blocking phone lines and fudging caller wait times when reporting back to their bosses.
![Apple sells two models of the iPhone 6s so think about which is the best investment for you.](/web/20170217203734im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/w/a/9/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu68kp.png/1486508713001.jpg)
How phone companies trick you into spending more
In the market for a new phone? You'll need your wits about you.