![Economists suggest a rise in official interest rates could be in store for 2018.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/i/7/8/i/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.h0k7w7.12uqus.png/1516677168873.jpg)
Money features
![Rebecca Maher, with her daughters, Olivia, 4, and Isabelle, 1, says it is important to start early to buy the things ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/k/y/3/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0k7mz.png/1516350621239.jpg)
How to save on the back-to-school expenses
With term one just around the corner, many parents are looking at ways to cut the costs of sending their children to school.
![Fewer investors are "flipping" properties for easy profits as house prices cool.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/4/8/8/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0kc9x.png/1516599245725.jpg)
Property speculation slows as prices stagnate
"Flipping" of properties – buying and selling real estate within two years – with the hope of making a profit is far less prevalent now that prices are no longer booming.
![How can you confidently make transactions when a currency's value might fall by a quarter overnight?](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/k/0/8/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0msx5.png/1516712874144.jpg)
Could cryptocurrencies be a serious alternative to the dollar?
The cryptocurrency craze that has swept the financial world over summer is hard to ignore.
![A big funds manager can have a big impact on the share price of a small- or mid-cap stock such as Nick Scali.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/k/a/j/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0eo4a.png/1516241588173.jpg)
'Know the flow': the secret to judging small-cap stocks
There is fundamental analysis and there is technical analysis and a lot of investors think it ends there. But there is another body of analysis essential to the process but less obvious.
![The Tax Office is fighting with the Australian Services Union over a trial of hot-desking at two offices.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/m/d/o/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0lpeg.png/1516504780232.jpg)
Australian tax office to audit 20 million foreign visa holders
The Australian Taxation Office will investigate more than 20 million international visa holders and foreign students using data-matching audits to catch tax avoidance and enforce superannuation compliance, the agency said on Sunday.
![Product disclosure statements don't need to provide alternative investments that may better suit people.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/i/y/6/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0kbn5.png/1516348009387.jpg)
Insurance bonds are not all they're cracked up to be
A huge industry encourages people to invest in managed products that may or may not be best suited to ensuring their financial future.
![Comprehensive credit reporting gets a boost this year with the big banks forced to hand their data to credit agencies.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/o/w/l/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.h04m8x.png/1516348032975.jpg)
The change to your credit score that's coming this year
Those with a chequered credit history could find it more difficult to obtain credit this year, or pay a higher rate of interest, with the Turnbull government forcing the big banks to join the comprehensive reporting regime.
![The First Home Buyer Super Saver Scheme passed Parliament in December 2017.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/a/n/a/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0j3qv.png/1516268704126.jpg)
Why the First Home Super Saver Scheme adds up
The First Home Super Saver Scheme announced in the 2017 budget was passed into law in December. Should you care?
![Violet Crumble is an Australian brand once again.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/g/m/o/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0iwcs.png/1516112608291.jpg)
Violet Crumble back in Australian hands. Who cares?
Enjoy the fact that Violet Crumble and Vegemite are Australian again - but buy foreign shares as well.
![Many Australians are officially in mortgage stress.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/h/3/2/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0h30u.png/1516112643782.jpg)
The lessons for borrowers from the car industry
The Royal Commission will have maximum benefit if it ensures that well intentioned Australians don't inadvertently have their foot on the accelerator when it comes to household debt.
![The biggest thing affecting the sharemarket is the mentality of the herd - bull or bear?](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/w/7/o/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0entk.png/1516112629114.jpg)
'Normal is great': what to do when the sharemarket turns downwards
When the herd turns it turns, and it can do so without planning or logic.
![SAMPLE Brew founder Vedad Huric.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/g/y/1/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0grfk.png/1516112663840.jpg)
Equity crowdfunding platforms clear final hurdle
Start-ups finally have the ability to raise money from the public in exchange for a stake in the company after the regulator approved the first batch of equity crowdfunding platforms.
![Jessica Wright, a Brisbane mother of three, is considering a balance transfer deal to get on top of Christmas debt.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/g/a/z/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0gb1o.png/1515572578125.jpg)
Australia wakes up to $30b credit card hangover
Australians collectively spent about $30 billion on credit cards in December and many people are looking for a balance transfer deal.
![Illustration: Andrew Dyson.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/f/w/3/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0fedv.png/1515813121925.jpg)
Delaying spending can make you happier
Have you noticed that self denial is creeping slowly back into vogue?
![Cassandra Fitzpatrick's son, 22-year-old Marcus, says paying board has made him more responsible when dealing with his ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/e/w/0/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0bwwj.png/1515631635157.jpg)
Why you should charge your kids board
It's the question most parents ask themselves at some point: Should I charge my adult working children board or allow them to live at home free so they can accumulate savings?
![Hannah Thiem at home in Sydney, with some of the items she buys in bulk to avoid disposable packaging.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/c/s/v/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0b0sy.png/1515115312612.jpg)
How Hannah cut down on waste
Inspired by the War on Waste but think waste-free living is unattainable?
![All investments will have good years and bad years.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/f/1/0/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0cwg2.png/1515241755952.jpg)
A bumper year for super but Aussies can do better
Do you feel richer than you did a year ago? You should.
![Illustration: Simon Letch](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/c/h/z/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0c41k.png/1515208064086.jpg)
Faster electronic payments will transform our lives
It's one of the most important pieces of public infrastructure so far this century, but most people haven't heard of it.
![A hobby such as playing the guitar can form the basis of a 'side hustle'.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180123224723im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/a/l/c/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.h0al7b.png/1514351703877.jpg)
Boost your income with a 'side hustle'
One aspect of the side hustle concept that I really like is that it enables you to give things a try, to experiment.