![Serina Bird with an assortment of her own handmade kombucha, alcohol, jams and sauces as well as hand-picked tea leaves ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/w/k/9/4/image.related.wideLandscape.940x529.p4z1cn.12uqus.png/1519654017366.jpg)
Money features
![A still from Blade Runner 2049.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/0/7/k/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z933.png/1523693020997.jpg)
What Blade Runner 2049 teaches about price and value
Sometimes spending more money doesn't give you better value - and that's true for movie budgets, investment funds and health insurance.
![<P>](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/h/w/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z8gf.png/1523692344011.jpg)
Ask Noel: should a low income earner use salary sacrifice?
Personal finance expert Noel Whittaker answers your questions.
![Estate planning for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can be tricky.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/n/p/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z958.png/1523515370616.jpg)
Don't use your will to 'rule from the grave'
Personal finance expert George Cochrane answers your questions.
![Telstra is one of the most widely held stocks thanks to the T1 and T2 public floats.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/g/t/5/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z8ir.png/1523314237637.jpg)
Telstra: good value or value trap?
It’s the company that is perhaps the most widely owned on the Australian Securities Exchange, but should it be?
![The current legal system recognises financial abuse as a form of family violence but makes no specific provision for ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/w/5/w/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z8hp.png/1523316381730.jpg)
Financial abuse reaching 'epidemic proportions'
Pressure is mounting for legislative change to be made to ensure the matter is adequately dealt with in property settlement disputes.
![Age editorial dinkus masthead](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/w/0/j/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z8dm.png/1523176960129.jpg)
Who is watching the tax collectors?
EDITORIAL: It is clear that Australian taxpayers do not enjoy the level of rights and protections that they deserve.
![***NO AFR USE BEFORE 25-6-2003*** sign . 020702 AFR pic by Tanya Lake generic hand signing paper pen signature tax ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/m/e/9/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z8an.png/1523065874784.jpg)
Eschew the taboo - how to ask for a pay rise
Secrecy about our personal pay packets is an Australian tradition, as deeply rooted in our national psyche as backyard cricket or rhyming slang. You’re just not supposed to ask another Aussie how much they earn. But this presents a particular problem for women.
![Illustration: Simon Letch](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/9/b/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z7ig.png/1522797118938.jpg)
Ask Noel: What should 80-somethings do with a windfall?
Personal finance expert Noel Whittaker answers your questions.
![Consumer protections in life insurance were found to be "grossly inadequate" compared with other industries.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/q/m/5/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z6zk.png/1522718590635.jpg)
Life insurance flaws laid bare
More protections for consumers are on the way following the recommendations of a parliamentary committee into life insurance.
![Donald Trump's social media commentary causes stockmarket volatility.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/7/k/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z7hi.png/1522721342368.jpg)
Donald Trump and the sharemarket
The difference between Trump and previous presidents is not the nature of the man but simply his use of social media.
![The Hollowmen was a parody of Australian politics.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/3/3/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z6q9.png/1522483150064.jpg)
Foolish to exempt pensioners from Labor's dividend tax policy
The decision to exempt full and part pensioners from Labor's dividend tax policy could lead to perverse outcomes.
![Some investment structures are more tax-effective than others, under Labor's proposed rules.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/4/4/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z6vw.png/1522288636038.jpg)
Listed investment companies under threat
Lower income taxpayers may shift their investments from domestic shares and LICs to real estate and other investment structures.
![The best possible return in any given year shouldn't be the priority when you're close to retirement, or recently retired.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/2/6/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z6mz.png/1522211752796.jpg)
How to ensure your retirement money lasts
Understanding "sequencing risk" will help you manage your retirement savings.
![Never take an advertised discount at face value.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/2/2/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z6mp.png/1522193576661.jpg)
Why discounts are bad for energy customers
There is plenty of independent evidence that discounts on gas and electricity bills are leaving customers confused and often financially worse off.
![Different modes of transport are a great novelty for country kids.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/y/o/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z694.png/1522402478823.jpg)
City or country: cheap holiday ideas for kids
Need a change of scenery these school holidays? Head from the city to the country (or vice versa) for free holiday fun.
![Self-managed super funds will be able to restructure their affairs to avoid the tax.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/v/3/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z5uk.png/1521886104694.jpg)
Dying retirees to blow hole in Labor's $59b tax grab
Labor’s proposed changes to the imputation system are based on false premises, are discriminatory, and will end up hurting the most vulnerable.
![The alleged damage to the car hired by Emma and Martin Brookes.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/p/5/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z56v.png/1521535289823.jpg)
Charging for fake repairs makes hire car firms more money than rentals
A whistleblower lifts the lid on deceptive practices to sting customers in the rental car industry.
![Australia's big four banks.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/i/r/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z4jd.png/1521153964432.jpg)
Big four under fire on all fronts
It’s not a good time for the banks.
![As the Cheshire Cat says, your next steps depend on where you want to go.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/k/h/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z4pd.png/1521171331476.jpg)
Preparing an SMSF for a surviving spouse
Personal finance expert George Cochrane answers your questions
![Pic supplied . Parking Distance Control System - Smart Park - aid to parking - car accessory](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/l/d/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z4q3.png/1521292595862.jpg)
Ellis maintains lead as Smart Park fires up
Smart Park takes Angie Ellis's fantasy share portfolio to $114,584 in the second week of the Shares Race.
![Elena Blanco changed her relationship to money and stopped living pay day to pay day.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/9/8/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z3ma.png/1520999956439.jpg)
Six steps to move from money stress to financial freedom
How single mother Elena Blanco moved from living from pay day to pay day to feeling financially secure for the first time in her life.
![Michael Ginsburg gets the best interest rates out of his savings](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/9/p/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z3ny.png/1520825089078.jpg)
It's very rainy days for saving
Online savers are getting up to 3 per cent including their "bonus" rate but to earn that savers need to jump through hoops.Â
![Mixed blessings for mum and dad investors in profit season.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/a/v/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z3at.png/1520666376415.jpg)
Profit season – the good, bad and ugly
Buy, sell, hold – all you need to know about the recently concluded profit season.
![<P>](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/g/5/y/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z3ed.png/1520580063983.jpg)
Court rules aged care fee to replace assets illegal
Aged care residents to receive up to $11,500 in refunds after the Federal Court declares the asset replacement contribution (ARC) illegal.
![After their retirement savings went backwards during the GFC, Kevin and Marie Macdonald overhauled their investment strategy](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/w/t/k/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z28r.png/1520520253226.jpg)
Nervous investors wonder where to put money now
Record low interest rates, term deposits paying a pittance, property price coming off the boil and volatile sharemarkets have investors scratching their heads.
![Funerals are one of the few expenses banks will consider releasing money for, ahead of probate.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/5/t/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z3an.png/1520520172706.jpg)
Nicole helps ... sort out the bank accounts when a spouse dies
Personal finance expert Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon answers your questions.
![The dotcom crash in 2000 left many household names in the dust.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/5/x/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z3as.png/1520520129313.jpg)
Nine reasons why technology shares are the 'worst investment'
Most people have already heard the reasons tech companies are hot right now. What you probably don’t hear are the arguments for why you should avoid them.
![The cliche of the car salesman talking to a male customer and ignoring his female partner was part caricature, part truth.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/2/j/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z318.png/1520312333742.jpg)
How women are reshaping our economy
The consuming spending power of women is not a new trend but it's important and growing.
![If 2017 proved anything, it's that women can cause disruptive global change if we believe the cause is worthwhile. Here ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/2/l/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z31e.png/1520411368632.jpg)
This International Women's Day, call BS on the scarcity mindset
It's a very female trait to have a scarcity mindset where you don't think you're enough.
![Jessica Massih, 21, is an engineering student who says it's inspiring to see her chosen profession could help close the ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180418101012im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/w/z/v/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.p4z2uk.png/1520312078236.jpg)
Young women are seeking out higher-paying professions
Being a young woman in a male-dominated field, hasn’t deterred Jessica Massih from chasing her dream of becoming an engineer.