![We all need a house, but buying one is not so cheap.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/i/g/g/g/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.guigi4.png/1487744288634.jpg)
Saving
![We all need a house, but buying one is not so cheap.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/i/g/g/g/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.guigi4.png/1487744288634.jpg)
Sarah Silverman's take on fart jokes applies to money
![Comedian Sarah Silverman understands that scarcity sells.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/e/9/6/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gue8rh.png/1487430065670.jpg)
The comedian can teach us something in terms of restraint.
Valentine's Day? Bah, humbug!
![Come Valentine's Day, florists spruik long-stem roses grown in the Andes in South America.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/a/e/z/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.guad0h.png/1486786005244.jpg)
Let's be honest, there'll be a lot of obligation spending for couples this week. Roughly $100 per person.
How phone companies trick you into spending more
![Apple sells two models of the iPhone 6s so think about which is the best investment for you.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/w/a/9/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu68kp.png/1486508713001.jpg)
In the market for a new phone? You'll need your wits about you.
Focus on experiences, not stuff
![Enrolling in a cooking class on Thai cuisine highlights a personal enjoyment in Thai food and the desire the learn how ...](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/4/n/r/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu4ngt.png/1486081826377.jpg)
When it comes to spending money, we want the biggest bang for our buck.
Warning signs you're in financial strife
![Heed the warning signs to stay out of strife.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/n/i/r/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu3ppr.png/1485996190575.jpg)
If the festive season has left you feeling financially worse for wear, you're not alone.
Life's simple pleasures will make you rich
![Camping can be a great way to relax – and a cheap holiday.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/0/b/p/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu0aw0.png/1485838926617.jpg)
How to escape FOMO, YOLO spending and envy.
The eight rules to lose weight and make money
![Lifestyle changes need to be permanent for long-term success.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/v/n/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtyvmw.png/1485389182201.jpg)
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.
How to avoid spending too much on gym memberships
![Many people are paying for gym services they don't use.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/5/j/b/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtphuv.png/1484118082374.jpg)
Getting fit is often at the top of the list of New Year resolutions, but consumers have to be careful not to waste money on gym membership fees.
This woman bought nothing for a year and saved $37,100
![Michelle McGagh with the round of drinks she bought at the end of her no-spend year.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/o/l/5/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtok6u.png/1484032588042.jpg)
A British woman has detailed how she spent an entire year buying nothing but the bare necessities and saved ÂŁ22,493 ($37,100) in the process.
One resolution to rule them all (and another to renounce)
![After the party is over, many of us wake up with a financial hangover.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/c/f/2/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtcf7v.png/1481844771491.jpg)
How to set yourself up for a sweeter 2017.
Tis the season for regifting
![GENERIC. PLEASE CREDIT IMAGE: iStockphoto Three presents wrapped in gold and red. Isolated on white Gold and Red ...](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/c/e/w/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtamy4.png/1483528118496.jpg)
Tez from Liverpool has been selling unwanted gifts online since 2011, but only after they've received a dose of gratitude.
How some millennials are buying property without family help
![Kirti Mahraj, 23 and Adil Mohiuddin, 25 bought a house in Sydney without family money.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/9/v/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt9lej.png/1482381020706.jpg)
The reality of buying a house without family money seems increasingly far-fetched, but these three young men beat the odds.
Six tricks retailers use to make you spend too much money
![Shopping centres play Christmas carols because it's proven that it makes customers spend more money.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/9/c/x/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt9ckd.png/1481744845876.jpg)
Hanging onto your hard-earned cash can be a matter of spotting – and sidestepping – the most common pitfalls.
Seven ways to have a champagne Christmas on a beer budget
![Christmas should be a time of fun not stress.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/4/3/3/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt43l8.png/1481323778907.jpg)
The shopping centre crowds are thronging, your present ideas are thinning – you're hungry too – and you start panic purchasing.
Professional organiser finds $280k in a hoarder's house
![Former hoarder Lee Shuer co-founded Buried in Treasures workshops in the US and regularly gives advice to Australian ...](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/1/h/l/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt1hdc.png/1480892732862.jpg)
Hoarders face many personal problems, not least of them financial.
Enjoy Christmas without the financial hangover
![Santa Claus approves of less financial pain for Christmas.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/0/n/c/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt0qrg.png/1481008878347.jpg)
Go big with giving, but not with big gifts.
The mistake people make when choosing a mobile plan
![A few hours of Netflix a month could push up your data usage if you're not careful.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/7/y/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsz7qi.png/1480396160636.jpg)
Many of us think in terms of how much data we're using now without thinking about the fact that many mobile plans cover two year terms.
Celebrate milestones but understand the true cost
![A spa treatment won't set you back as much as buying a Prada handbag.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/y/y/w/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsyyso.png/1480385429070.jpg)
Perhaps you're considering buying yourself a gift to reward yourself for seeing through a tough year.
Love your leftovers
![Stephanie Alexander looks forward to leftovers.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/b/6/t/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsy1l6.png/1480408175286.jpg)
Join our club. We can call it the Leftovers Lovers League.
The difference between financial winners and losers
![Many miners earn high incomes but spend it all on things like nice cars.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/r/g/c/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gswglc.png/1479964885677.jpg)
Aussies are great at paying their bills but hopeless at saving voluntarily.
What are the best-value options to replace Presto?
![Netflix's original series The Crown is one show available for download.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/u/z/r/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsuzj2.png/1480545643179.jpg)
There's plenty of choice on the market.
Wardrobe lessons from a reformed shopaholic
![Rachel White is a reformed shopaholic and she uses techniques she learnt from a wardrobe consultant.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/s/s/a/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsssfu.png/1479596954067.jpg)
Shopping addiction is the female equivalent to gambling, a psychologist says.
Home buyers forking out fees to unqualified building inspectors
![Houng Lau bought the fourth property on which she had a building report.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/i/o/m/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsom7q.png/1480912591303.jpg)
House hunters seeking to avoid nasty surprises should know that not all building inspections are equal.
Nicole helps… get your kids learning and earning
![Pocket money can help teach children about how to handle money, but only if you set clear rules.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/7/5/e/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsmxpt.png/1479770651758.jpg)
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon reveals the best bank accounts for kids.
The things we should really haggle over
![Would you rather work, or have a retail therapy day?](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/w/2/m/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsirsh.png/1478651101619.jpg)
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.
12 reasons to buy a real Christmas tree
![Real Christmas trees have a special charm.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/h/v/t/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gshvhe.png/1478580427692.jpg)
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... happiness in a real tree.
Nicole helps… expose leaky house insurance policies
![Many home insurance policies exclude leaky plumbing because it's a maintenance issue.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/c/1/h/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsc1iz.png/1487197736314.jpg)
Financial expert Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon has a new column tackling consumer finance problems.
How to shop for ethical fashion on a budget
![Dressing up for the Melbourne Cup is an Australian tradition.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/9/0/v/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs90ck.png/1478170852059.jpg)
It may pay to think before you buy.
Avocado economics for first-home buyers
![Choose not to go out for breakfast and instead save your money.](/web/20170222223035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/8/5/u/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs7ti7.png/1479826681006.jpg)
We seemed to spend the week obsessed with avocado brunches and property prices. This was Peak Australia.