CATEGORIES

Donald Trump gets a crack at a second US presidency

THE IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE

Setting up a seat at the table

Fact file Topaz McAuliffe Founder and CEO of 15 Times Better, which encourages and supports organisations to set up Indigenous affairs programs. Born in the mining town of Wickham, in Western Australia's Pilbara, in 1980 and later moved to Cairns. First job was at a local sports store; started a university teaching course, but realised that wasn't her calling. Discovering barriers to Indigenous employment changed her outlook; is concerned about the disparity in superannuation for First Nations people. She believes in living for today because you may die tomorrow - \"we had a lot of death being a large Islander family\". Her philosophy is to say yes to everything and worry about it later; enjoys travelling, food and wine.

Look at the big picture

Even if shoppers cut back their spending this year, the longer-term outlook for retailers is promising

Penny hopefuls or penny dreadfuls?

For patient investors who have a high risk tolerance, the rewards can be worth the gamble

Survive the Airbnb crackdown

Short-term rentals face tougher restrictions and higher costs. So is it still worth renting out your spare space?

TOP 50 SHARE AND PROPERTY BUYS

Positive thinking prevails

Make the most of the perks

Give your retirement savings a boost by taking advantage of the latest rule changes

Preserve value in a downturn

By staying on top of maintenance you can ensure your home remains in tip-top condition

Waste warrior thinks big

When Mike Smith sold his wine-making business five years ago, he talked his wife Alyssa into a global adventure. They spent 18 months in remote parts of the world, including the border regions of Afghanistan and Tajikistan, in Kurdish villages near Iraq and Iran, and in North Korea and the north-east of Russia. Edgy types of places.

BARGAIN BUYS

ASSET MARKETS MAY HAVE TAKEN A HIT, BUT THAT CAN SPELL OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTORS | INCLUDES SHAREMARKET • FIXED INTEREST • PROPERTY • CRYPTOCURRENCY

8 skills to achieve success

Whether you’re starting out, supercharging or completely changing course, the rules are the same

More than one way to skin this cat

Safe and boring or risky and stressful … whatever your approach to investing, there might be a better alternative

Miner is now a cash machine

Coal may be a dirty word, but thanks to limited supply and high prices, it's rewarding investors with strong capital gains and generous dividends

Expand your search for cash

Traditional fixed-income products are not getting a lot of love, but experts say alternatives such as corporate and private debt could offer good value

Revive your tired rental

A refresh can be the key to attracting top-quality tenants, but it pays to shop smart

If a cold war turns hot

China’s plans for Taiwan are a known unknown. So, how should investors position for this risk?

EVs pick up speed

Despite supply problems, high prices and a poor charging network, electric vehicles will take over our roads sooner than many people think

Chart your way to success

Knowing how to interpret charts is important for successful investing, whether you're holding for the long term or going for a quick profit. Charts are readily available and often free.

Why it pays to think green

Budget-friendly improvements can reduce your power bills, make your home more sustainable and even improve its value

Property without the price tag

Real estate ETFs can offer diversification and low initial outlay. Here are the factors to consider.

Fixed vs variable

Is there any value in fixing your mortgage anymore? It pays to look at the pros and cons

“It’s not up to someone else to determine your value”

THE HOT SEAT

Next-gen’s retirement guarantee

Millennials may be doing it tough today, but as the first generation to come of age in the era of bigger contributions they’ll reap the rewards tomorrow

Rich pickings for a disruptor

Small, nimble players are punching above their weight in wealth management

Gold-plate your portfolio against inflation

With the ghost of the 1970s haunting investors around the world, hard assets can provide some protection

Get a fair share of the housing pie

Shared equity and rent-to-buy schemes can help offset soaring property prices

Keeping up a lifetime of care

Parents can call on a range of resources to provide ongoing support for a child with a severe disability

Dish up a treat from the lab

Peppou’s first invention as a kid was an expanding measuring stick so that his grandfather could gauge the distance between lawn bowling balls. His attitude to life is to be curious and pathologically optimistic. He cured his fear of heights by taking a mountaineering holiday in France. He would like to learn welding. His best advice came from a mentor, Sarah, who said he either had to become a business founder or shut up rather than be indecisive. Describes his work life balance as poor, being at work most days.

Build up your defences

Guide to saving and investing for an uncertain future

Trusts feel the heat

The tax office is cracking down on what it sees as avoidance strategies