Stand out from the flock
With investors losing money on the markets left, right and centre,
it is the cautious managers who are dealing best with the global
financial crisis, writes John Collett.
Fletcher Building Ltd (FBU)
With the focus on volatile resources and financials, the past few
weeks and months have been hectic in the markets, so we thought
we'd slow things down this week with a look at a relatively staid
industry - building materials.
Pick of the bunch
The typical superannuation fund balance is down about 11 per cent
since the peak late last year. Some funds have done better than
others and many people will be wondering whether it's time to
change.
Safe haven no more
Investors have discovered alternative assets are no substitute for
cash and fixed interest in a financial storm.
A monopoly on games
It's common for collectors to do their buying and selling entirely
on eBay, the global online auction site. The facts are staggering.
There are now about 84.5 million active users worldwide in the 39
eBay markets, including Australia. At any given time there are
about 112.3 million listings worldwide in more than 50,000
categories.
Why banks will keep a slice of a cut in rates
The Reserve Bank no longer has to decide between cutting interest
rates by 0.25 or 0.5 percentage points this week. The real question
is whether to go full bore and cut by 0.75 percentage points to
unclog the financial system.
Savings saviour
The first rung on the property ladder may be easier to reach
following the launch of a specially designed account.
Time out of work a super nightmare
Child-rearing and housekeeping are demanding and commendable roles
that, unfortunately for women, don't count at retirement time.
Headlines archive
This page lists articles appearing across all areas of the site. Browse across topics or go directly to one of our four main categories: InvestmentsBankingPropertyPlanning
A pause for alarm
ASIC's ban on short selling will help calm the market but may hurt
investors in some managed funds.
Running through the alphabet of agony and ecstasy
There are many ways to pick stocks. Some look at analysts'
forecasts and fundamentals, some analyse share-price movement
patterns, and others throw darts and choose stocks at random - not
necessarily the worst idea.
Big-money crisis not whole story
If you're having trouble getting your head around the collapse of
the US banking system, don't worry. So are the experts.
Until debt do us part
How to protect jointly held money when a relationship takes a turn
for the worse.
Your guide to the best deposits
The institutions that performed well in our sister publication AFR
Smart Investor's Blue Ribbon awards for this category, were simply
those who offered the highest rates. However, given the recent rate
cut by the Reserve Bank, it is clear that high interest rates have
peaked and will not last forever. So get in while you can!
Zero-interest card made things worse
Young, single, with a well-paying job and no financial commitments
beyond rent, Amber Robinson knew she shouldn't be struggling. Yet
the $13,000 debt on two credit cards was hanging over her like a
black cloud. A year ago she consolidated the debt in a personal
loan and cut up the cards.
Beyond the limit
Unsolicited "pre-approved" deals from banks on credit cards could
lead the unwary into heavy debt.
Beaten to the crunch
In the wake of the global credit crisis the banks are tightening
their lending practices, making home loans much harder to get.
Watch for wizards of ID
There are easy, sensible ways to protect your personal information
from internet fraudsters.
Credit crisis to take toll on property prices
The belief that real estate and sharemarket booms follow each other
is about to be blown out of the water, writes DAVID POTTS. 'It
takes about six months to a year for consistently low clearance
rates to have an impact on prices.'
The high cost of credit
Interest rates on some cards are rising, putting debt-laden users
under more stress, writes Lesley Parker.
On your own
The age pension is under review and change can't come too soon for
many recipients, who are doing it tough, writes Barbara Drury.
Give us our daily bread
In a nervous market, it makes sense to go back to the basics -
sectors such as food and health care.
No lacquer success
It's hard to describe in words - at least any that I can assemble -
the sheer beauty of makie or Japanese lacquer art. In one sense
these are practical items, mostly containers of some description,
yet they have the emotional power of fine art. This is no
contradiction, according to Japanese culture, where there is no
division between art and craft.
Household treasures
Want to know if that old lamp or yo-yo is worth something? Get
Carter's, writes James Cockington.
Profile: Margaret Olley
The veteran artist's philanthropy has helped to fund the purchase
of a Cezanne masterpiece.
Cash is king; rein it in
It might take a while but we will feel the effects of the US
financial debacle.
Making less of an impact
Debra Cleveland shows how to offset your car's emissions via your
insurance.
Falling balances hit retiree income
Losing money doesn't help anyone. For baby boomers, the prospects
for recovery can be that much harder, writes Annette Sampson.
In good company
Consumers might be missing out on refunds because they are unaware
they are entitled to them.
You can bank on it
It's hard to believe that a lot of large Australian corporations
failed to keep any serious record of their history. In some
documented cases, what history had been kept was thrown away to
save space.
Each week financial advisor Noel Whittaker answers your
questions.
