This little piggy made $80,000
Even an investment of $2000 a year earning 8 per cent could amount
to about $80,000 in 18 years, so you need to think ahead.
Hot Stock
The shopping mall giant recently delivered its first return to
profit since the 2008 first half.
Cast your vote for a share of the action
Don't get mad about excessive executive salaries, low dividends and
poor share price performance, get even by attending annual general
meetings and pushing for change, writes David Potts.
Wealth is a phone call away
Banks are willing to match the best interest rates but if you don't
ask, you won't receive.
Profile: Jan Owen
A lifelong focus on youth affairs has kept this activist's outlook
fresh and positive.
Saving is good for the sole
What was your first job? Cooking fries at McDonald's (burning
myself in the process).
Half the property, half the tax
Unless the investment was bought more than 25 years ago, the taxman
will want his cut when it's sold, writes George Cochrane.
New powers to alert consumers
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission can now step in
sooner to protect the public.
Ask Noel
What would you suggest we do with the assets available?
Home loans not cast in stone
While there are deals on offer, it pays to do the sums before you
refinance, writes Bina Brown.
Three's a crowd for party poopers
Emissions control, a mining tax and broadband once dominated the
political agenda but now seem to be off-limits to all but a
fearless few.
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
The deflation dilemma
The strategy To understand why people are suddenly talking about
the risks of deflation.
Connoisseurs of the sea
Once considered the height of kitsch, granny’s
shell-encrusted tissue-box holder could now be classified as a
collectable. Even more so are those 1950s decorated picture frames
bearing the message ‘‘Greetings from
Bondi’’ (or St Kilda, Surfers Paradise or Suva).
Mixed messages from markets
The bond market may be providing a better insight into where the
sharemarket is going than rosy broker forecasts.
Otherwise engaged
Strong headwinds, a hung parliament and poor profits - it couldn't
get much worse for long-suffering investors.
Rattled racers' results difficult to scan
Shares had a shocker this week with returns that were right down
the creek. Our reader, Leanne, kept above a hundred grand, while
other racers fell far from their peak.
Do the checks before the cheques
Before making an offer on a property, buyers need to make sure they
cover all their bases, writes Bina Brown
Get your head in the comfort zone
The choice over whether to invest in shares or in property can be
argued either way — and there are profits in both, writes
David Potts.
Binge that makes us cringe
The big banks need people to embrace debt again — but that
isn't likely to happen any time soon.
Time is of the essence
Competition in the online deposit market became even more intense
last month when Virgin Money entered the fray. It is offering a
market-leading introductory rate of 6.75 per cent on Virgin Saver.
A number of institutions are now offering at-call rates above 6 per
cent.
Flat chance of a rise
You have only to look at bond rates to know the Reserve Bank
won’t move in a stalled economy.
Beware the pitfalls of empire dreams
Considering the options of negative or positive gearing is vital
before adding to the portfolio, writes Bina Brown.
Property has its burden
Be wary of loading up on mortgage debt when approaching retirement,
writes George Cochrane.
Stamp of approval
'Well, what do you do?" wondered Sue Peake, the daughter of
Adelaide philatelist Jack Peake, when she and her sister inherited
his collection of hand-painted first-day covers.
Good, bad and diabolical
Your home loan is the third debt to which you should turn your
attention.
Keep your finances in good health
There are some good reasons for having private health cover but it
can be costly and some funds restrict certain benefits. Jackie
Pearson looks at how to get value for your money.
Profile Norman Swan
Medical qualifications were no defence against the infectiousness
of radio.
Friction over the legacy
It's becoming all too common that where there's a will there's a
fray, writes George Cochrane.
Tour de insurance
The theft of a bicycle can be costly but nothing like injury to
others.
Case Study
Derek Borg, who's about to set off on the Cycle4Life charity ride
along the coast road from Adelaide to Melbourne, never lets his
$8000 bike out of his sight but says he'd call on his home and
contents insurance if it were stolen.
Ballot basics
This is shaping up to be one of the most important elections when
it comes to personal finances, reports Annette Sampson.
Fear campaign is transparent and annoying
Three months ago, Tom Dumbrell's daughter Jemma gave birth to her
first child. Becoming a grandfather has sharpened his focus on
issues such as the economy, the environment and population growth.
Explosion of phone spam
Nuisance SMS texts are of growing concern for the industry's
watchdog, which says you can act.
Profits from China's prosperity
We need to 'make hay' on Asia's growth while we have an exclusive
window of opportunity, writes Penny Pryor.
Get super motivated
It's worth learning more now about savings that can make a real
difference at retirement.
Don't be caught out
Consumers can now request a complete bar on premium SMS offerings
such as ringtones, games and competitions to limit the potential
for "bill shock", and suppliers have to be registered.
Sustainable future the priority
As the parents of three young children, Timand Angela Levy are in
the cross-hairs of both Labor and the Coalition.
How good is your financial adviser?
Following a survey carried out exclusively for Money, John Collett
reveals the institutions that really care how you and your cash
fare over the long term.
Each week financial advisor Noel Whittaker answers your
questions.
