![Jeremy Becker, 23, did his research before buying his first car, a second-hand former fleet vehicle.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/2/c/i/i/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.gw2a6t.12uqus.png/1494469379606.jpg)
Money features
![If the bank levy drives up mortgage costs, home owners should consider refinancing.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/3/9/m/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw39k4.png/1494551670233.jpg)
Bank levy means home owners should shop around
The budget came and went – so what was in it for you?
![Gold producer Blackham Resources is the most strongly-performing stock in week one of the Shares Race .](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/f/b/s/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw3b7z.png/1494555685657.jpg)
Dartboard leads the pack out of the gate with gold producer pick
The Dartboard's on top in week one of the new four-week Shares Race with its "pick" of Blackham Resources the strongest performer so far.
![Many people follow Marie Kondo's methods to achieve a decluttered home.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/2/9/f/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw28xk.png/1494464794044.jpg)
What minimalism can do for your mind and money
I am a hypocrite. It's become obvious in recent weeks as I consider two competing – and conflicting – sources of inspiration I seek out through social media.
![Younger Ausralians will be able to boost their savings for a home using the tax advantages of superannuation.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/2/f/c/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw2f52.png/1494472611040.jpg)
Super saver scheme to help young Aussies on middle incomes
The budget announced an initiative to allow first home buyers to build up accessible savings in their super: how popular will it be?
![The bank tax will affect the Big 4 banks, plus Macquarie Group.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/1/0/m/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw2t28.png/1494485857720.jpg)
The budget's lesson for bank shareholders
Seemingly from out of the blue, Treasurer Scott Morrison decided that the big banks should pay a little more in tax.
![Illustration John Shakespeare](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/1/o/k/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw1pnt.png/1494407312804.jpg)
Few clear-cut winners from 2017 budget
There are only a couple of clear-cut winners from the 2017 federal budget from the point of view of our personal finances; though we could all be better off if it gets the macro-economic settings right.
![Bianca Barnard, 17, is battling to find work in a tough job market.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/x/0/0/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvwzf3.png/1494454381455.jpg)
Will the federal budget help young job seekers?
Drug testing, benefit cuts and a drastic shortage of jobs don't add up.
![Treasurer Scott Morrison did not deliver personal tax cuts in his 2017 budget.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/1/s/r/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw1dop.png/1494485332352.jpg)
No end to bracket creep makes average earning Australians worse off
Middle-income Australians to bear brunt of budget's failure on income tax rates and thresholds.
![Can smart home technology help combat environmental issues and our ageing population? The experts say yes.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/1/k/6/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw1q58.png/1494465674255.jpg)
What first home buyers should know before investing in Scott Morrison's scheme
It's not free education and tax-free property windfalls, but new scheme is worth considering.
![First home buyers should benefit from some of the changes.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/z/s/0/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw1d79.png/1494475608157.jpg)
Where first home buyers stand now – all the help and hits
The government has made some concerted moves on tackling housing affordability.
![It's time for action.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/p/d/a/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw1axm.png/1494386447469.jpg)
If you want to avoid an unwelcome tax slug it's time to get moving
What you might want to consider doing before the end of the financial year to minimise losses and maximise opportunities.
![Treasurer Scott Morrison says the competition watchdog will keep a close eye on banks' prices.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/1/g/a/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw1abd.png/1494423703591.jpg)
Customers unlikely to escape the bank tax
Whenever businesses are hit with a nasty new levy, there is a predictable response: we'll pass it on to customers.
![The federal president of the Superannuated Commonwealth Officers' Association Dr Annette Barbetti.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/x/y/e/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw099g.png/1494388537346.jpg)
Super and home downsizing plans welcomed for older Australians
Older Australians downsizing from large family homes have received a generous push in the federal budget.
![It is important to get your head around changes to super before July.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/u/w/t/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvz5gc.png/1494053654966.jpg)
Preparing for the super changes
This year's budget is unlikely to include further changes to super.
![Danica Hampton is Head of Investment Specialists at Citi Wealth](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/z/b/o/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvzb5j.png/1493982985980.jpg)
It's bonds to the rescue as the needle points up for interest rates
Younger investors may never have made decisions in the environment we are heading into.
![Steve Molloy went for a two-week trip to Hawaii and was hit with an $1100 telco bill](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/t/y/d/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvtvsj.png/1493832798716.jpg)
One week in Hawaii brings home $1100 phone bill
Australians have shelled-out $92 million in global roaming charges during the last two years.
![Adelaide-based wealth adviser Louise Pfeiffer, 39, has chosen a career and business that will maximise her ability to ...](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/w/a/2/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvw5z9.png/1493735256178.jpg)
Meet the 'effective altruists' who earn to give
It's easy to assume a meaningful career involves working directly with the people you are helping, but there are people pursuing high-paying positions in order to donate more.
![Telstra's share price is under pressure as mobile competition increases.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/j/w/7/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvutqr.png/1493605520104.jpg)
Telstra's a tough call for its one million shareholders
Telstra's more than one million shareholders will not be pleased with the sustained slide in the share price since the start of this year to be trading in the low $4 range now.
![If you use a LIC, you can concentrate your energy on trying to time the market.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/w/8/6/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvw83n.png/1494318300761.jpg)
The place of LICs in an investment strategy
Want to get some more time at the weekend? Try a different investment approach.
![Food and drink prices fell in the March quarter, reflecting stiff competition across much of the retail sector.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/w/b/c/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvt47m.png/1493699800153.jpg)
Why interest rates are unlikely to fall further
The era of abnormally low inflation is very gradually coming to an end.
![Megan Blandford and husband Steve and children Abbey, 8, and Iris, 4 live in Beechworth, Victoria.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/w/8/t/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvw8ve.png/1493722606010.jpg)
I developed a fear of debt at the age of 10
​A fear of debt can either serve you or hold you back – here's how to know whether you need to overcome it.
![Contrary to popular belief, finishing rich isn't necessarily dependent on the size of your pay cheque - and it has more ...](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/i/a/e/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvwbq4.png/1494333851134.jpg)
10 essential money lessons in just 10 minutes
If learning how to build wealth is important to you, you've come to the right place.
![Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the government would respond to the external dispute review on budget night.](/web/20170515003827im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/b/a/9/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvvvqy.png/1494163556928.jpg)
One-stop complaints scheme for banks and insurers tipped in federal budget
The budget will make it easier to complain about banks