Life Insurance

The bottom line on redundancy

John Kavanagh Anyone likely to receive a redundancy payment in the next few weeks has some planning to do around a significant June 30 timing issue.

What it pays to teach your kids

Nicole Pedersen-Mckinnon Mammers. Numbers. Road rules. Why it's not OK to hit someone who is trying to take your toy truck with said truck. It seems there's no end to the wisdom parents have to impart to their children.

Duels for the family jewels

Family trusts are a time-honoured way for successful individuals to put a fence around their wealth and protect it from outside threats and prying eyes.

Offset to ensure debt-free future

George Cochrane When it comes to planning for retirement, paying off a mortgage should be the cornerstone of security, writes George Cochrane.

The five biggest money mistakes

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon One wrong decision can put your financial future at severe disadvantage.

Find a balance to get ahead

Lesley Parker Like overstretched European governments, we should all be thinking about how we're going to balance the books a bit better this year.

How to account for school fees

Sue Hoban Paying for children’s education can be a costly business but options are available for parents who want to ensure they get a head start.

Shake your moneymaker: start 2012 on the right foot

Larissa Ham If you maxed out the plastic in the Christmas bonanza - now might be the perfect time for a money makeover.

Leave your will in good hands

I Can Do That The strategy: to choose an executor for my estate.

Figure out the cost of death cover

George Cochrane Income-protection insurance is vital in order cope with periods of illness.

Fatal mistakes

Lesley Parker Funeral insurance is being heavily advertised on daytime television but critics say the only way you'll come out ahead with this sort of cover is by dying early.

Claim those bonus bucks

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon AUSSIES are battening down the hatches like never before. We're paying down our internationally high levels of household debt and, fearful that that metaphorical rainy day is drawing nearer, saving...

Shape up for changes to life cover

John Kavanagh The government's plan to introduce automatic consolidation of superannuation accounts could result in millions of fund members losing valuable life insurance benefits.

Ask Noel

Noel Whittaker I’m a 21-year-old university student who has worked hard to save $20,000. I have been looking at investing in an index fund.

Planners resist reforms then demand respect

Annette Sampson It's time financial planners stopped carping about proposed government reforms and behaved like professionals.

Ask Noel

Noel Whittaker Having reached 75, I find that contributions to super are no longer tax deductible. This is a slap in the face as well as the pocket.

Over 60s hangover

Rumours of the death of debt and the rise of the new austerity are greatly exaggerated. Personal debt is on the rise and, despite the political rhetoric, it is not just working families doing it...

Insurance lift-off

Lesley Parker Just when they have the money, time and inclination to travel, senior Australians say they are being stopped in their tracks by the cost and difficulty of arranging suitable insurance.

Wealth engineering for security

Bina Brown Whether it is a total financial overhaul or a prod in the right direction, almost everyone can benefit from some level of financial advice from a professional.