![Saman Shad and family are going overseas for a year and spending tens of thousands of dollars in savings that they could ...](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/u/6/n/l/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.guz1c4.12uqus.png/1489635106182.jpg)
Money features
![Saman Shad and family are going overseas for a year and spending tens of thousands of dollars in savings that they could ...](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/u/6/n/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.guz1c4.png/1489635106182.jpg)
'We're spending our life savings on a family trip of a lifetime'
In less than a week's time our family of five is setting off on a big adventure.
![The interest in exchange traded funds comes as record-low interest rates are prompting pensioners to consider ...](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/l/i/u/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.guy81d.png/1489537315874.jpg)
Australia's $2.2 trillion super pot drives record ETF demand
The interest in exchange traded funds comes as record-low interest rates are prompting pensioners to consider alternative products.
![Dividends yields can be high for bad reasons.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/m/9/q/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.guv9st.png/1489363093147.jpg)
Beware of dividend traps and capital killers
Investors love the shares of big dividend-paying companies, but they could be leaving themselves exposed to what's sometimes known as the "dividend trap".
![Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon and her bridegroom on their wedding day.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/y/0/h/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.guwxe1.png/1489610999988.jpg)
Nearly one in two couples ask for cash on their wedding day
Is it bad etiquette or just common sense?
![<P>](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/s/l/k/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.guwnvr.png/1489496932354.jpg)
How would rising interest rates affect property prices?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
!["We have, at times, let down our customers and we are not proud of this," ANZ bank CEO Shayne Elliott says.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/s/d/x/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.guu3ir.png/1489544846178.jpg)
Credit cards under scrutiny but personal loan rates also too high
Banks are maintaining high rates on personal loans with little scrutiny.
![Naval officer Scott Palmer and his wife Monica invested in a DHA property after first living in one. Anyone can invest ...](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/x/u/f/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.guxrjp.png/1489545729199.jpg)
What does an army home really look like?
If you are worried about nasty surprises, it's worth considering an investment property from Defence Housing Australia.
![Shopping around for the best insurance is not easy.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/f/l/1/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.guwwii.png/1489533213674.jpg)
Comparison sites don't compare
You're using a comparison site to shop around? D'oh – odds are you've just been taken for a ride.
![If you keep the quality high, it's easier to have just a little.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/d/f/4/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.guwoey.png/1489365180117.jpg)
Work with your weaknesses, don't fight them
My name is Melissa Browne and I am a chocolate addict.
![The sooner home ownership is achieved, the greater the ability to build up super and other retirement savings.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/k/h/e/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.guvb7h.png/1489113738548.jpg)
Home ownership is essential for a comfortable retirement
The superannuation industry is trying to deter the government from even limited action to allow first home buyers to access their super.
![Cannabis company AusCann is doing well for Hina Chowdhary.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/r/4/b/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.guv08x.png/1489104158156.jpg)
Tipster rides high on cannabis-stock pick
Kalkine's Hina Chowdhary has shot to the lead in week two of the four-week shares race with her original $10,000 investment in medicinal cannabis stock, AusCann, now worth $21,719.
![Barbara Leonard with her husband David who had a stroke and has home care.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/v/8/c/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.guv45v.png/1489264557258.jpg)
More choice for elderly to receive aged care at home
People who receive aged care services in their home now how much more control over which provider they use.
![A home can give you a greater sense of security, providing the mortgage is not too high.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/j/q/k/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.guunyu.png/1489602231615.jpg)
Good try, Victoria, but your concession card info gets a 7/10
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
![Twin Falls in Kakadu, Northern Territory. The big trip is often an aim for retirement.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/v/k/m/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.guvjbk.png/1489264747666.jpg)
Readers ask when they should retire. This is my answer
The boring choice isn't always the best choice.
![You buy ETFs exactly as you would shares, through any online broker.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/7/o/m/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.guum09.png/1489363539355.jpg)
Nicole helps … protect and grow your money
Exchange-traded funds let you easily invest in any world market. But should you?
![The seminars always follow the same pattern.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/1/l/n/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.guv6ok.png/1489533110167.jpg)
Beware of free property seminars
When any asset class is booming, the predators arrive.
![Equal pay](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/p/h/4/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.guu4sw.png/1489129799033.jpg)
We can all do more to close gender pay gap
Most Australians would be aware that there is a problem with gender and money. Or, more specifically, inequalities between men and women when it comes to both spending and earning.
![Economic abuse is recognised as a form of domestic violence in many states, though not in NSW.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/n/o/5/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.guukah.png/1489533147322.jpg)
'Covert violence': The hidden cost of financial abuse
More than 15 per cent of women and 7 per cent of men have experienced economic abuse in their lifetimes, research shows.
![Berkshire Hathaway chairman and chief executive Warren Buffett has built a $100 billion fortune almost solely through ...](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/m/n/u/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gushbd.png/1488859293321.jpg)
Three lessons from Warren Buffett
He's worth almost $100 billion - it pays to listen.
![Investing in shares is easier and cheaper than ever.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/8/m/5/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gusdnh.png/1488862625405.jpg)
Why more women should invest in the sharemarket
Women, it's time for an investing revolution. Ignore those who say it's not for you.
![<P>](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/o/h/9/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gum4hr.png/1488889777340.jpg)
How does Centrelink assess my personal loan?
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
![Casual workers should check if they are entitled to super.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/a/9/1/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gurg05.png/1488764774969.jpg)
Claim super to help offset the hit to penalty rates
There's now even more incentive for workers to claim super from employers after Fair Work Australia's decision to lower Sunday and public holiday penalty rates.
![Lesley Anton has made a career change into real estate.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/r/k/b/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gurlb5.png/1488951401250.jpg)
The wins and losses in financial wellbeing for Australian women
Lesley Anton has traded life as a corporate high-flyer for showing open homes on Sydney’s upper north shore, and she is right on trend for Australian women.
![Opportunites for women have never been better.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/2/e/3/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gus6mp.png/1488885032320.jpg)
The biggest economic change of the past half century
The most profound economic change of the past half century has not been the rise of China or the decline of manufacturing, as important as they are.
![Company share prices are experiencing ever-growing volatility post results announcements.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/9/6/g/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.guoyji.png/1488861568111.jpg)
Two trends have turned reporting season into Results Roulette
There are a lot of positive write-ups about the recent results season, but don't be fooled.
![Flexible work enables employees to juggle careers and parenthood.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/d/8/r/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gusq98.png/1488972507762.jpg)
A working mother's guilt and gratitude
How do women balance work and family and, at the end of it, still have enough to retire on, asks Sarah Saunders.
![Sir Jack Brabham AO, OBE has appeared on a limited mintage of 50 cent coins.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/r/c/b/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gurcgv.png/1488758372706.jpg)
Motor racing legend Sir Jack Brabham overtakes 50 cent coin
It's been more than 50 years since Sir Jack Brabham won his third formula one title and now the racing legend will feature on Australia's 50 cent coin, ahead of the 2017 F1 season.
![Kaye Rees (right) founder of Trading for Blondes investment club with (left to right) three other members, Leigh ...](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/q/l/w/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.guo7k7.png/1488678433568.jpg)
Women investors share their success stories
Women are increasingly building share portfolios by themselves or in groups.
![Sky and Space Global pays off for Richard Pritchard.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/7/7/u/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gupyr4.png/1488511242077.jpg)
Chartist's satellite communications pick goes gangbusters
Richard Pritchard has stormed ahead in week one of the new four-week Shares Race.
![Quality early childhood care and education has enormous economic and social benefits.](/web/20170316034304im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/q/i/z/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.guqisj.png/1488668462779.jpg)
Why taxpayers get a good deal from funding childcare
It's time to bust the myth that childcare subsidies are middle-class welfare.