![Laura Higgins is ASIC's new senior executive leader for financial capability and a former teacher.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/e/6/t/n/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.gze79f.12uqus.png/1510044075834.jpg)
Money features
![It will be a harder climb for the ASX from now on because of the slow growth of banks.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/9/0/3/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzgpb3.png/1510037248729.jpg)
The ASX hits 6000 but it gets tougher from here
We shouldn't be surprised that the All Ordinaries and ASX 200 indices hit 6000 points, but the sluggish performance of the banks will drag on future growth.
![Illustration: Simon Letch](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/e/6/g/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gze60k.png/1510093411113.jpg)
The difference between an accountant and a tax agent
Personal finance expert Noel Whittaker answers your money questions.
![Investor edge: what can you see that no one else can?](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/f/j/b/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzfj71.png/1509928887180.jpg)
How to exploit your own legal 'inside information'
In order to make any money in the sharemarket you need to focus on the unknown and stop wasting your time on the known.
![Profits for mining companies depend on future prices and production.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/m/k/i/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzfhsc.png/1510061247542.jpg)
Time to buy mining shares and dump insurance stocks? Not so fast
No investor ever made money (other than through sheer luck) looking only in the rear vision mirror.
![Anna Balzamo has raised money through a reverse mortgage on her home in Chipping Norton in Sydney.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/e/3/h/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzdiao.png/1510061373149.jpg)
How a reverse mortgage can ease the squeeze in later years
Anna Balzamo is coming out of one of the toughest periods of her life. At the end of last year she lost her husband to cancer. Then, his adult children contested the will and Anna's daughter's relationship ended.
![Rewards cards aligned with frequent flyer programs offer the best value.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/w/1/b/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzecn6.png/1510062811166.jpg)
Most of us shouldn't bother with rewards for credit cards
Rewards schemes for credit cards are only worth it if you pay off the full balance every month.
![Ellis and the Dartboard are doing well from DigitalX, (formerly Digital CC), which uses blockchain to allow the transfer ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/d/y/i/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gze1sj.png/1509676964103.jpg)
Ellis starts strongly as her speculative play fires up
Angie Ellis of 80 20 Investments has stormed ahead in the new Shares Race.
![To showcase its support for marriage equality, Atlassian unveils a light installation in George Street, Sydney.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/6/o/5/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzdlty.png/1509721111360.jpg)
Being authentic at work helps you earn more
Being your true self, and allowing others to do the same, has many benefits.
![Investing in index funds doesn't require specialist knowledge of the sharemarket.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/x/z/4/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzdjyq.png/1509600527239.jpg)
Overcome a fear of shares with index funds
Picking the right assets is critical: for most people, it comes down to choosing between cash, property and shares.
![Former or current public servants who are in a defined benefit fund have nest eggs just a little more golden than the ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/3/o/3/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzdoxx.png/1509721145586.jpg)
Take the income stream not the lump sum
Members of defined benefit funds can be sure they'll receive the lifelong benefits promised.
![Land tax is considered a better option to stamp duty by many economists.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/x/v/0/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzbz9r.png/1509653689290.jpg)
Land tax 'Bowie bonds'. A nifty fix for stamp duty?
Professor Kevin Davis believes he has found a way around the roadblock that's been stopping NSW and Victoria axing stamp duty.
![Australians should focus on Asia, especially China, for exposure to emerging markets because places such as Brazil and ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/5/b/f/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gz9qd5.png/1509435838583.jpg)
How small investors can make money out of China
Australian-Chinese entrepreneur Michael Cho knows all about the opportunities and risks of running businesses and investing in China.
![The profits of the big banks are likely to keep growing as long as interest rates and unemployment remains low.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/3/x/r/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzas35.png/1509401998638.jpg)
Banks look bulletproof, at least as long as rates and unemployment stay low
Whatever you think of the big banks as corporate citizens, they sure make oodles of money for shareholders.
![Halloween is about calculated risk.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/a/u/a/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzau4f.png/1509459574242.jpg)
Fear is for Halloween, not for money management
Four investment fears holding Australians back.
![John Fraser, Secretary to the Treasury, is standing by his forecast that wage growth will ramp up over the coming years.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/7/r/v/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gz790w.png/1509720858674.jpg)
'Remarkable' jobs growth raises hopes for wages
Here's some brighter news on the labour market to balance the bad.
![Australians are continuing to invest in property.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/8/1/i/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzaqfv.png/1509721272010.jpg)
Why the name on title deeds matters for property investors
One of the most neglected questions in property is what ownership structure to use.
![If you want to stream video on your smartphone, you'll need a decent amount of data.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/a/p/v/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzapm0.png/1509531347511.jpg)
How to avoid expensive mistakes when buying a new phone
If you're in the market for a new phone, price isn't the only factor you should consider.
![Amazon has grown through a relentless focus on the customer.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/a/j/9/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzapi5.png/1509721206091.jpg)
If you can't beat Amazon, buy it
As an investor, you're much better owning the company that is creating the future.
![These days there's a lot of red tape in the financial planning industry.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/v/j/j/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gz8whv.png/1509049881410.jpg)
When it comes to managing money, sometimes simple is best
An understanding of numbers is important when making financial decisions. But sometimes other factors can become more important.
![susan doueihi](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/a/c/f/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gz8h8v.png/1509459678181.png)
How Susan saved thousands on her family's summer holiday
Susie Doueihi has saved thousands of dollars on her family's holiday to Hawaii. By booking flights and accommodation early and travelling outside of peak periods it's costing $1300 per person by going in late November rather than close to $2000 in January.
![Fashion jewellery retailer Lovisa has helped Ange Ellis maintain her lead.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/9/e/3/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gz9amt.png/1509063856017.jpg)
Browne edges closer to leader Ellis in year-long race
Into the final quarter of the Year-Long Shares Race, Angie Ellis of 80 20 Investments holds on to her lead, but the real mover since the last update is Melissa Browne of A&TA.;
![Even social butterflies can set a few financial goals for their 30th birthday.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/9/z/n/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gz9zek.png/1509721340482.jpg)
Ten ways to live it up in your 20s and still get ahead with money
Questions 25-year-olds are generally a variation on the "champagne lifestyle" conundrum.
![The mood of investors is buoyant, despite concerns over North Korea and the future of Australian banks.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171108205843im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/q/3/j/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gz8vwc.png/1509370957315.jpg)
Investor confidence is rising
Despite continuing concerns about a possible conflict with North Korea and the ability of Australia's leading bank shares to maintain profitability under increased regulatory pressure, our share market has followed the US and other world markets in rising strongly.