![Tammy Keller is disputing a damage claim made by Europcar in Sydney.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/y/v/0/6/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.gzy00s.12uqus.png/1512619475568.jpg)
Money features
![Four per cent of Australians haven't invested in shares because they prefer property.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/m/v/4/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.h01m2v.png/1512716513246.jpg)
Why most Australians don't invest in shares
The vast majority of Australians have never invested in shares, and there's no great mystery why – they can't afford it.
![Sydneysider Evis Alasevicius completing a delivery job through Airtasker.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/1/5/i/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.h00z2r.png/1512691343806.jpg)
How to boost your income to cover the cost of Christmas
Is there a more difficult month in the calendar to stretch your income to meet all expenses than December?
![In the early years of a principal and interest mortgage, most of the repayments go on principal.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/q/8/9/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.h00mre.png/1512623116042.jpg)
Why am I paying so much on my loan yet it's barely reducing?
Personal finance expert Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon answers your questions.
![Illustration: John Shakespeare](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/0/2/p/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzzhkj.png/1512705908758.jpg)
If you're promised a tax cut this Christmas, read the fine print first
So now they can afford a tax cut? Just months ago they had to push tax rates up.
![Reputation of financial planners is still low with consumers, despite increasing professionalism.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/a/m/m/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzxy96.png/1512481099836.jpg)
Financial planners could lose from Royal Commission
The scandals at most of the big banks have often involved their financial planning arms.
![Diversification reduces risk, but it also makes returns closer to average.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/w/k/j/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzwke1.png/1512479700345.jpg)
'Why bother emulating average returns?' Don't over-diversify
Countless funds offer average returns these days so the only reason to bother managing your own investments is to beat the average.
![Peter Youll started with a small system but has now covered his roof in 20 solar panels.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/p/6/b/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzwgyj.png/1512481032341.jpg)
How to put the power back in your hands
Power bills have been rising, and represent one of the largest threats to household budgets.
![Pregnancy cover can add a significant cost to the average private health insurance policy.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/v/3/k/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzv370.png/1512612989535.jpg)
Rethink pregnancy cover in private health insurance
The health system has faults but it deal well with issues that require urgent attention.
![Large gains in your portfolio are a good problem to have, but how do you juggle your investment strategy from here on?](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/0/f/f/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzxajs.png/1512193358673.jpg)
Your shares had a golden run? Here's what to do next
Large gains in your portfolio are a good problem to have but the good news also comes with psychological baggage.
![There are tax considerations when using investment bonds as a way to invest in the sharemarket.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/v/w/h/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzvw07.png/1512011958651.jpg)
Insurance bonds are in vogue, but there's a drawback
​How attractive are friendly society and life insurance bond investments for investors unable or not wanting to add to their super balances?
![Galaxy Resources mines lithium, a metal used in devices such as smartphones.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/r/d/f/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzwpv3.png/1512095198508.jpg)
Chowdhary beats Ellis in surprise finish to year-long Shares Race
Hina Chowdhary's best performing share was lithium miner Galaxy Resources.
![Time is short. We only have a limited amount of it and sometimes it feels that there is none to spare.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/v/t/z/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzvtbc.png/1512137143760.jpg)
It pays to think about your time as money
Many of us are thinking about how we will spend our limited resources over Christmas.
![Binding financial agreements let you make decisions about the division of assets before the pain of a relationship break-up.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/v/o/y/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzvon8.png/1512481396432.jpg)
When to get a prenuptial agreement
Binding financial agreements give you a say in what 'fair division of assets' means.
![There are simple way to get our personal finances back on track](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/4/4/0/1/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gztbk8.png/1511921758669.jpg)
Eight painless ways to get ahead financially
It seems that most of us could do with help in getting our finances in order, especially with wage growth at near-record lows.
![A2 Milk Company's share price is up about 50 per cent over the past three months](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/e/2/m/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzsimv.png/1512137218966.jpg)
Smaller company share prices outpace market giants
It looks like our sharemarket will finish the year on a reasonable note.
![Joseph Stiglitz says Donald Trump has persuaded low-income Americans he cares about them 'even as he picks their pockets'.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/h/o/2/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzs4hp.png/1512052178091.jpg)
Political forces, technology worsening inequality
Despite global efforts to cut inequality, the gap between rich and poor has widened.
![It's more important than ever to ensure you can afford ongoing costs when buying a property.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/t/e/3/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gztdvj.png/1512052111323.jpg)
Landlords are losing thousands in tax savings
A bill that affects Australians with rental properties slipped through while we were distracted.
![Gina Rinehart, Hancock, Anthony Pratt, Visy, and Paul Keating at last week's superfunds roundtable which pushed the idea ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/r/q/p/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzt2zf.png/1511672581382.jpg)
Should super funds lend directly to businesses?
When you get Anthony Pratt, Gina Rinehart, Lindsay Fox and Paul Keating backing an idea, the star power alone is enough to make people sit up and listen.
![Investor Angie Ellis takes out line honours once again in the shares race](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/o/t/1/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzrynm.png/1511483870867.jpg)
Shares race ends with Ellis just ahead of Pritchard
Angie Ellis of 80 20 Investments has just edged out Richard Pritchard, who plays as the Chartist, to take line honours at the conclusion of the four-week Shares Race.
![Never agree to split the bill equally until after everyone has ordered.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/s/j/c/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzsi83.png/1511875788648.jpg)
How to ensure money doesn't ruin friendships
British author Claudia Hammond shares her insight into the psychology of money to help navigate financial matters and friendship.
![Derek Lightbody has saved a packet on car insurance for his three cars by shopping around.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/q/l/1/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzqjw9.png/1511791304028.jpg)
Victorian and NSW drivers could be paying much less for car insurance
Drivers from Victoria pay the highest comprehensive motor vehicle insurance premiums in Australia, an average of $1,345, while Tasmanians pay the least - only $811
![Christmas can be more magical when seen through a child's eyes.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208100804im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/r/g/5/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzreqb.png/1511918350559.jpg)
All I want for Christmas … is to not buy things people don't need
I'm reluctant to call myself a Grinch because there's lots I love about Christmas.