CATEGORIES

It's quite easy being green

Drought and bushfires are a wake-up call to rethink our garden spaces and make them work for us and ease the load – environmentally and financially

Cushion the shock

A financial emergency can strike at any moment, but you don’t have to deal with it alone

Cool under pressure

When Kim Liddell switched from leading a nomadic lifestyle in her early 30s, she had two young children and needed a flexible job. “I saw an opportunity in the market and thought that I’d buy a truck and send it to work,” she recalls.

Companies or funds that I invest in behave unethically

Reputations and returns are increasingly at risk

Au pair to the rescue

At-home childcare could be a good option for some parents

Young Adults Can Get Set For Life

Modest savings from part-time work have plenty of time to grow

What's Hot In Real Estate

Obsessive mainstream media reports would have you think Sydney and Melbourne are the only places seeing improved property markets, but Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra are also ready to take it up a notch as local infrastructure projects begin. Slower economic growth means it’s ever harder to find bargain share prices, but there are several sectors and companies you can turn to that will help navigate the low-interest-rate environment. This year property guru Terry Ryder and Jessica Amir, a shares expert from Bell Direct, showcase where they see the greatest value, revealing their top 50 property hotspots and share buys.

Touch of video magic

When Jane Bianchini took the plunge to form her own job agency, she was already an accomplished recruitment executive.

Winners in a risky game

The coronavirus outbreak provides an important, unfolding case study

On the defensive

Faced with volatile sharemarkets and uncertain economic conditions, many investors are playing it safe

Home in on the best school

Educating a young family can cost a small fortune, but there are smart ways to ease the burden

Objects of desire

Whether it’s cars or coins, a fun hobby can become a serious business

Know your swans: grey is not such a rare bird

A 20% virus-induced correction could be considered a “normal” event in a stockmarket riddled with risk

Freedom beckons

Getting the best mortgage deal can transform your life – but there’s a trick to it

Do I leave my current job to go it alone?

If you go about it the right way, everyone – including your old boss – will be happy

BREAK NEW GROUND AND RESTART YOUR FINANCES

When your day-to-day finances are in turmoil, it’s time to make a new game plan from scratch

Aim for the next level

International Women’s Day is on March 8. To mark the occasion, we put women’s super in the spotlight

Hit The Restart Button To Save Thousands Of Dollars

Easier access to personal banking and mortgage data will help more people choose the products that best suit their needs

High Flyer

Steven Hui Travel expert and co-founder of frequent flyer booking service iFLYflat. Age 43; married; lives in Sydney’s Chatswood; family migrated from China. First experience at saving was a school Dollarmites account. Bought shares thinking he could make more than cash in the bank, but says he wasn’t good at it. Reinvests in his business. Leisure is important: “I’m not earning as I used to, but I have a much better lifestyle.” He and wife Anna don’t have kids, and he doesn’t focus on building assets.

Guard Against ‘Cocaine Brain'

No one cares as much about your investments as you do, so it pays to be vigilant

Dud Funds Won't Get Away With It For Much Longer

The regulator is leading the charge in making sure super members are not ripped off by high fees and poor investment performance

5 Ethical Stocks To Own

You don’t have to abandon your social values when you invest: “good” stocks can provide strong returns too, without the guilt factor

Smash Your Debt

Each stage of our lives brings different financial pressures. But if you take control of your spending and you’re clear about your goals, you can make your money work for you and build a secure future.

Help Is At Hand

If you’re buying your first property, there are lots of products and schemes that ease the way, starting with that all-important deposit

Get A Slice Of The Action

Investors are pouring billions of dollars into ETFs that aim to beat their passive peers

Close The Gender Gap

There are simple ways for women to top up their savings to make sure they’re heading for a comfortable retirement

Bagging A Bargain

BNPL gives you instant gratification, but you still need to be careful to live within your means

New ‘Sheds' Deliver The Goods

Online shopping a windfall for investors in industrial assets such as warehouses.

Estate Planning: 10 Questions Answered

You can avoid any nasty family dramas if you carefully consider what should happen to your estate.

In A More Caring World

Costs are forecast to increase, so it pays to know your way around the numbers.