Saving
Bank on it
Barbara Drury There is ritual symbolism to a joint account.
Lenders rate and see
John Collett Stiff competition for depositors' cash should keep interest cuts down for term deposits.
In praise of thrift
QUIRKY INVESTMENTS Thrift would appear to be an outdated concept in these days when money is well and truly spent before it registers in your online deposit box.
Insight
INSIGHT When the biggest asset many people own is their home, a sluggish property market tends to take a nasty toll on household wealth. This is exactly what's happening now, and it's unleashing big changes in how people spend, save and invest.
Insight
INSIGHT Banks are not known for their generosity but there is one group of customers getting a much better deal from their banks today than they did a few years ago.
Terms of endearment
John Kavanagh This is no time to be complacent as increased rates on deposits have put savers in a favourable position.
Invest in your own interest
John Collett Beat the banks by locking in higher term-deposit rates before they’re cut again.
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.
Power price leap energises call for consumers to shop for best deal
Clay Lucas Electricity and gas prices will jump by at least double the rate of inflation on January 1.
The new age of old: going back to basics
Lindy Percival Suddenly op shops are chic places to be and ungainly objects have fresh reasons for being. So what's behind the retro boom?
Second fridges should be frozen out
Matt Wade That old fridge out the back could be adding almost $300 a year to your electricity bill, according to new research.
Dreaming of a tight Christmas
Larissa Ham If the thought of cash registers ringing makes you feel a little queasy, we've got the solution for you - our no nonsense guide to enjoying a thrifty Christmas.
Lock in your reduction
NICOLE PEDERSEN-MCKINNON With interest rates falling, a little forward planning can make a big difference to your mortgage.
Win for retirees, savers if banks don't pass on rate fall
Michael Evans Retirees stand to benefit if banks do not pass on the interest rate cut to mortgagees.
More people saving
More than three-quarters of Australians are saving regularly, the highest level in almost a decade, according to an ANZ survey.
Dodge the dodgy websites
For those hoping to avoid the Christmas crush by shopping online, there are some simple ways to ensure you don't get burnt, consumer group Choice says.
Sting in the tail for savers
NICOLE PEDERSEN-MCKINNON Falling interest rates are affecting bank deposit rates, so shop around for the best deals.
Volatility is a turn-off and term deposits look sexy
Marcus Padley Bull market, bear market, bull market, bear market. Contrary to some of the more glamorous marketing, volatility is not an opportunity for investors, it's a turn-off. Investors want certainty and are battening down the hatches until they get it. How do you batten down the hatches? By popular demand, here are some of your options and, for the brokers among us, take heart: the mere fact that term deposits look sexy surely means we're close to the bottom.
Leg-up for a home deposit
I CAN DO THAT The strategy: To save a house deposit using a First Home Saver Account.
Saving money can help save others
PENNY PRYOR With Australians squandering more than $5 billion in food, concentrating on the budget will make better use of the world's resources.
Unclaimed funds top $636 million
Who says we are a money-obsessed society? Millions of dollars sit idle in unclaimed accounts, ASIC says.
$71 million in unclaimed cash sitting in Queensland accounts
Who says we are a money-obsessed society? Millions of dollars sit idle in unclaimed accounts, ASIC says.
Aim carefully for the top rates
John Kavanagh With deposit rates falling, savers should consider their options.
End of deposit chase hits rates
Eric Johnston A sluggish outlook for lending has caused pricing across a string of savings accounts to fall away as banks cease to chase deposits.
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