![Happy app users: Housemates Kaitlyn Tremblay and Nicholas Phillpott having coffee in Barangaroo.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/0/p/b/y/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.h00rp1.12uqus.png/1512949879361.jpg)
Money features
![Sometimes a holiday is essential for your mental health – but it doesn't have to be an expensive one.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/5/3/r/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.h053lx.png/1513296050718.jpg)
Most of us do it, but is going into debt for a holiday ever a good idea?
Families are going into debt for holidays they can't afford – but sometimes a break is important for mental health.
![The supermarket giants are under pressure from foreign players.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/b/j/g/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.h00cl7.png/1513033086897.jpg)
Red flags on blue-chip stocks as competition hots up
Blue-chip stocks are the bedrock of investors' portfolios. The household names that pay reliable tax-effective dividends have also produced good capital gains over the long term.
![The bank can't force you to sell because the property value has fallen, as long as you make your repayments.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/1/7/c/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.h01788.png/1513083406683.jpg)
How a property slump would affect homeowners
Recent headlines have flagged a fall in Australian capital city house prices. But does it mean anything for you?
![The holiday period before returning to work is an ideal time to shop around for a better deal.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/k/l/t/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzzlf0.png/1513083433692.jpg)
Best of the best: Don't wait until the new year to find a better deal
Don't put off shopping around for a better deal on financial products and investments this holiday season.
![Ellis was pipped to the post for the 2017 year-long Shares Race, but won more of the four-week games than any other player.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/n/r/m/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzzyx9.png/1513083456474.jpg)
Investor Angie Ellis reveals the secret of her Shares Race success
Angie Ellis has won more of the four-week shares races than any other competitor, including the professional tipsters.
![Psychological research reveals giving makes people feel better.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/1/6/o/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0165w.png/1512693078120.jpg)
The secret to happiness? Why giving feels so good
How can we arrange our finances so that we enjoy our money and are not burdened by it?
![Four per cent of Australians haven't invested in shares because they prefer property.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/m/v/4/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.h01m2v.png/1513117262249.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/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/1/5/i/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.h00z2r.png/1512741126434.jpg)
How to boost your income to cover Christmas costs
Is there a more difficult month to stretch your income than December?
![Illustration: John Shakespeare](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/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.
![Tammy Keller is disputing a damage claim made by Europcar in Sydney.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/y/v/0/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzy00s.png/1512619475568.jpg)
'Suddenly I had a bill for $5000': Christmas holiday hire car warning
This is a story about hire car company Europcar and some very, very unhappy customers.
![Reputation of financial planners is still low with consumers, despite increasing professionalism.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/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.
![AFR. 2nd of December 2017. (left to right) Goma Khadka Chhetri, Sharon Chhetri (older daughter), Suman Chhetri, Shayana ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/y/n/9/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzyn98.png/1512481465229.jpg)
From a refugee camp in Nepal to the Great Australian Dream
I came with my family to Australia seven years ago and now we own our own home.
![Diversification reduces risk, but it also makes returns closer to average.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/w/k/j/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzwke1.png/1512741178894.jpg)
'Why bother emulating average returns?' Don't over-diversify
The only reason to manage your own investments is to beat the average.
![Australians plan to spend a quarter more on Christmas presents than in 2012.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/z/q/8/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzynky.png/1512479623514.jpg)
Australians to spend $11b on Christmas presents
The average person will spend $593 this festive season, up a quarter since 2012.
![Pregnancy cover can add a significant cost to the average private health insurance policy.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/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.
![Peter Youll started with a small system but has now covered his roof in 20 solar panels.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171215054909im_/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.
![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/20171215054909im_/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/20171215054909im_/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/20171215054909im_/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/20171215054909im_/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/20171215054909im_/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.