![It's important to think about what our loved ones will do in the event of our passing.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/m/z/b/8/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.h052mu.12uqus.png/1513635537243.jpg)
Money features
![If you can't beat the market, just buy an index fund or ETF and go fishing.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/v/w/h/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.h057mi.png/1513419588575.jpg)
Get used to mental discomfort if you want to beat the market
There are three outcomes when you invest: you either beat the market, match the market, or the market beats you.
![The forecasts of economists should be taken with a pinch of salt, but the assumptions behind the forecasts can be ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/l/b/e/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.h03uve.png/1513720955561.jpg)
Economists' fearless predictions point to lower returns for investors in 2018
Despite the worries about Donald Trump, Chinese debt, North Korea's missile tests and whether property prices in Australia will crash, investors have had a good 2017.
![U.S. presidential adviser Ivanka Trump, during a panel discussion at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/v/s/a/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4yxqy.png/1513693357499.jpg)
Emerging markets an opportunity for Australian investors
Is 2018 the year to invest in emerging markets?
![Consumer electronics such as Apple watches are popular targets for theft.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/o/q/5/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.h05f3x.png/1513645618424.jpg)
Insurers reveal items most often reported stolen
High-tech items – likely to be popular Christmas gifts – are among the top 10 items likely to be reported stolen, according to insurers.
![Sometimes a holiday is essential for your mental health – but it doesn't have to be an expensive one.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/5/3/r/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.h053lx.png/1513346874607.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.
![Happy app users: Housemates Kaitlyn Tremblay and Nicholas Phillpott having coffee in Barangaroo.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/0/p/b/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.h00rp1.png/1513693487559.jpg)
The apps helping young people manage their money
Moving out of home is an important step in the path to financial independence, but it is also a time when young people are vulnerable to needlessly losing money.
![The supermarket giants are under pressure from foreign players.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/b/j/g/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.h00cl7.png/1513346976858.jpg)
Red flags on blue-chip stocks as competition hots up
Household names that pay reliable tax-effective dividends are the bedrock of portfolios.
![Philip Lowe has so far kept rates unchanged during his time as governor of the Reserve Bank.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/m/h/q/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gzztnz.png/1513177841133.jpg)
Why the record-breaking run of flat interest rates has further to go
Markets are betting the eventual rise in interest rates will be later, and more gradual, than previously thought.
![Women wearing knitted "pussy hats" to protest the election of Donald Trump.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/2/v/x/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.h02vts.png/1513035657735.jpg)
Personal finance is key to women's empowerment
If there is a word that sums up 2017, it's empowerment.
![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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/m/v/4/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.h01m2v.png/1513635445625.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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/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/20171223002049im_/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.
![Peter Youll started with a small system but has now covered his roof in 20 solar panels.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171223002049im_/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.