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Risky tradingCommentsASIC chair concerned about popularity of crypto assets

New research has revealed almost half of all Australian retail investors owned crytocurrency late last year, making it the second most common asset held by investors after shares. 

Danielle Le Messurier

Regulator’s warningPremiumASIC threatens action over super fund complaints ‘problems’

The corporate regulator’s review of super fund member complaints found ‘significant’ shortcomings around inadequate reporting and lengthy delays by some trustees.

Sean Smith

Good deal?CommentsPremiumShould you take banks’ cut-price fixed interest rate offer?

Homeowners worried about the prospect of further interest rate increases have been warned to be wary of fixed-rate olive branches been waved around by the banks.

Daniel Newell

Expand your savingsCommentsPremiumPut on ‘COVID five’? How to sell clothes that no longer fit

Selling clothes to make some spare cash has become big business in Australia but there’s a few things to consider to turn you old glad rags into riches.

Daniel Newell

Tuesday bluesCommentsPremiumHow you can weather the interest rate storms

For hundreds of thousands of borrowers, the brutal reality of continuous rate rises is now really starting to bite. With the RBA only set to squeeze harder, here’s how you can fortify your finances.

Nick Bruining

More eligibleCommentsPremiumChanges open door to big discounts card for more seniors

The changes include the freezing of deeming rates and a big increase in the cut-off limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, which will see thousands of seniors become eligible for the first time.

Nick Bruining

Final actCommentsFive steps to ease heartache of managing a deceased estate

Losing a loved one can be a difficult and overwhelming time, especially when you’re responsible for their financial affairs. Here’s a guide to managing deceased estates.

Fran Hughes

Bruining Q+ACommentsKeep the peace among kids with $10,000 each for a wedding

Can I give money to my children for their weddings without jeopardising my full age pension . . . and peace among the family?

Nick Bruining

Budget painVideoCommentsPremiumAll of the big four pass full rate hike on to borrowers

It has taken almost two days but all of Australia’s big four banks have finally made a move to hit borrowers with the full increase in the nation’s official cash rate.

Daniel Newell

Going upPremiumFirst bank to pass on full rate hike isn’t one of the Big 4

In a break from tradition, a lender outside of the big four has become the first to pass on Tuesday’s full 50 basis-point hike in the cash rate by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Daniel Newell

Parents’ painCommentsPremium‘We find ourselves asking where all the money has gone’

Being self-employed, WA parents Tahlia Stolarski and Tom Helps are used to having wildly fluctuating finances, but the latest in a string of big interest rate rises has certainly given pause for thought.

Rebecca Le May

Mortgage crunchCommentsRECAP: Everything you need to know about today’s rate hike

Australians have been hit with yet another interest rate rise as they continue to struggle to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living. Here’s what it means for homeowners and savers.

Cost-of-living winCommentsPremiumREVEALED: The secret mortgage discounts given by banks

New research shows up to half of lenders are offering savings to their borrowers. But not everyone will make the cut.

Kim Macdonald

Super valuationsPremiumCanva provides stark reminder that we’re not comparing pairs

Industry super fund members should be thankful to Australian-founded graphic design Canva group for a timely reminder about the downside of investments not traded on financial markets.

Neale Prior

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumCentrelink can count assets given away for up to five years

Explaining the means testing of assets given away, Nick Bruining grapples with one of the most confusing parts of Centrelink’s pension calculation rules

Nick Bruining

Perfect hedgeCommentsPremiumAll hail the op shop in these testing times

Op shops are the place to go for people battling to make ends meet and for those lucky enough to worry about the rising cost of overseas holdings

Neale Prior

Dead certaintiesCommentsPremiumPaying in advance for a funeral is one of life's best bets

Nick Bruining explores the options to pay for your funeral and finds even progressively handing over money for pre-paid arrangements beats that much-advertised funeral insurance.

Nick Bruining

Passive resistanceCommentsTough times right for skilled active fund managers

Rough market conditions offer the perfect time for active managers to strut their stuff, but beware the duds will continue to struggle to beat the lower-cost passive funds.

Nick Bruining

Negative returnCommentsPremiumChant West says super fund members spared the worst of 2022

Superannuation funds took “a small step backwards in 2022” however members were spared the worst of the impacts during a challenging year for global investment markets. 

Danielle Le Messurier

Trust in willsCommentsHow to leave behind big tax-free windfalls for the grandkids

Protecting a lifetime’s work can often become a source of angst if it looks like your offspring might be in a position to lose the lot. But there is a powerful tool available to help you take control.

Nick Bruining

Personality driverCommentsPremiumAre you a money zebra, unicorn, donkey or mule?

We’re often confronted with the idea that our self-beliefs drive and attract outcomes in our lives, from careers and relationships to our financial affairs. But does this apply to money?

Sarah Wells

Penny PinchersCommentsPremiumForget Google, look back to survive this financial crisis

In a digital world where there’s no shortage of advice — and people willing to give it to you — looking to the lessons of the past may just help struggling families of today get through the tough times.

Daniel Newell

DebtManCommentsPremiumMr Worry or Mr Buffett? It’s time for doers, not downers

Psychology is a funny thing. The way people think and compartmentalise events in a certain way. At times like now, it’s natural to get a little nervous. But those fears need a little psychology applied to them.

Bruce Brammalll

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumWill gifting money affect the full age pension?

My mother-in-law wants to sell her $140,000 parcel of BHP shares and split the proceeds between her three children. How will that affect her full pension?

Nick Bruining