starting overPersonal FinanceDivorce means a harsh new reality where expenses rise and financial assets halve. Here are 10 essential steps for rebuilding wealth after a split.
savvy buyingMany people are spending big online but only a small group knows the trick to turning every purchase into cold hard cash back.
PropertyProperty InvestingRetirees are driving a backyard building boom with intergenerational living the latest property hack. But those looking at granny flats need to know the rules.
‘silver economy’The Wall Street JournalWhile young Chinese tighten their belts amid economic uncertainty, the nation’s 297 million seniors are splashing cash on lifestyle upgrades and technology.
Tanner Brown
Investment strategiesPersonal FinanceThe bank of mum and dad can use this simple strategy to help get their children on the property ladder. But starting early is key.
money and mindsetThe Wall Street JournalFinancial advisers reveal the transformative books they repeatedly recommend and even buy in bulk to help clients achieve both monetary and personal success.
Steve Garmhausen
home economicsPersonal FinanceFor those who can afford it, Neo the humanoid robot could be the ultimate luxury to buy back the time spent on unpaid household chores.
Bianca Hartge-Hazelman
asset splitPersonal FinanceThe family financial legacy you thought was untouchable could be a key issue in a split.
Rising billsRetirementThe cost of a comfortable retirement has climbed to record highs as household bills surge. Here’s the lump sum you’ll need.
fixed v variable ratesProperty InvestingMost borrowers think they beat the banks by fixing home loan rates. As more economists tip the next RBA move will be a hike, here’s the analysis of who wins by fixing.
Top 150 advisersCapital GainsLeading financial advisers weigh in on whether artificial intelligence will help or hinder the profession and the quality of advice people receive.
Staff reporters
SuperannuationSuperannuationSome people face a nasty tax surprise as an ‘unintended consequence’ of a super reform that had been touted as a win for workers.
shadow economyPersonal FinanceAlmost 1000 fed-up people a week are dobbing in suspected tax dodgers. Here’s why you should think again about that cash job.
Messy money breakupsPersonal FinanceWhen finances and emotions collide divorce can get messy, especially if there’s kids involved.
great wealth transferRetirementThis wealth manager loosened the reins on his own assets after realising it was better to look at passing on wealth to the children in ‘the living years’. This is what he tells his clients.
Will Hamilton
going greenPersonal FinanceThere’s a scramble on to claim a taxpayer-funded battery incentive to help power homes. We ran the numbers to work out whether it’s worth doing.
money habitsPersonal FinanceBefore becoming a successful investor, you also must be a sensible spender. Experts share their tips.
Family home dilemmaPersonal FinanceReal estate is often the ‘star of the show’ in divorce cases but the way people manage their property in a split is changing.
Top 150 AdvisersCapital GainsThe financial advice industry is splitting. At the top end, high fees and customised service go hand-in-hand while at the other end, it’s a disappointing scramble for average earners.
Top 150 AdvisersCapital GainsThese leading advisers share the best piece of advice they’ve been given about managing money.
Staff writers
Top 150 AdvisersCapital GainsAustralia’s wealthiest generation is giving away billions while they’re still alive, but their surprising choice of beneficiaries is creating family tension.
handling wealthPersonal FinanceForget prenups – these mid-marriage agreements are the new must-have insurance for couples long after saying ‘I do’.
Bianca Hartge-Hazelman
Revelations of abuse at childcare centres are threatening to reverse a decade of hard-fought gains for working mothers.
Bianca Hartge-Hazelman
financial trapThe Wall Street JournalFinancial advisers suggest parents set rules when grown-up children return to the nest to protect their retirement plans.
Alice Kantor
Technology impactPersonal FinanceCrypto and other digital assets are becoming bigger parts of wills and inheritances, creating fresh issues for families.
Cash savingsPersonal FinanceA return to the bad old days of term deposit interest rates under 0.5 per cent is highly unlikely, as savers and retirees celebrate.
divorce tipsPersonal FinanceA hidden bank account saved a financial adviser when her marriage ended. Now she’s warning others about protecting themselves before divorce.
Bianca Hartge-Hazelman
tax hitThe super and pension system is littered with unfair tax rules. Perhaps the biggest is penalising older Australians for working, especially as more of them start retiring with debt.
Chasing flight rewardsPersonal FinanceFrom midnight flights to $600 champagne splurges, The Australian’s frequent-flyer readers share the extraordinary lengths they’ll go to for airline status.
Life insurancePersonal FinanceThe rising cost of living means many people are cutting back on critical illness cover, yet it is a financial lifeline they might need.
plan earlyRetirementThese are the steps you should take now to get your finances in order and protect your wealth.
Interest ratesPersonal FinanceRising inflation has ruined chances of an early Christmas gift for people with home loans. See the 12 biggest cost culprits.
future planningThe Wall Street JournalFamilies with their own businesses are facing succession challenges against the backdrop of the great wealth transfer.
Abby Schultz
Dollars & SenseOur financial adviser has a better solution for a couple considering turning to credit to cover unexpected expenses, while a reader asks about capital gains tax.
James Wrigley
Airline rewardsPersonal FinanceWould you fly to Brisbane and back overnight without leaving the airport? This traveller’s quest for airline perks reveals the extremes some will go to.
Savings accountsPersonal FinanceMany banks offering decent interest rates on deposits are confusing their customers with slippery rules for savings.
Debt-free retirementRetirementIf house prices keep rising at current rates, retiring with a mortgage will be commonplace.
Household billsPersonal FinanceTop-tier private health cover is being replaced by cheaper options, and there are other ways Aussies can lower their insurance bills.
AI adoptionThe worry is that if AI can perform a lot of tasks you do, maybe it can perform your whole job. That fear may be unfounded.
Jonathan Welburn and Vegard M. Nygaard
dollars & senseOur adviser outlines the smartest ways grandparents can set up investment accounts for their grandchildren to avoid hefty bills, while a pensioner’s property plan raises red flags.
Helen Baker
FREE FLYINGPersonal FinanceBuilding a mountain of reward points through Virgin or Qantas is easier than ever using partnerships and bonus offers. Here’s how.
money blundersRetirementThere’s a trap many people fall into when building wealth or planning for retirement. Here’s how simple strategies trump complexity.
Dollars & SenseOur financial adviser examines strategies for managing TPD insurance payouts and maximising superannuation contributions.
ageless workersRetirementAustralians are working longer than ever, with one in four men now employed at age 70 compared to one in 10 two decades ago.
Mortgage lendingPersonal FinanceBanks are launching aggressive home loan deals as they chase first-home buyers enticed by the government’s expanded scheme. Here’s what’s on offer.
Dollars & SenseCapital GainsOur financial adviser examines if using the super bring-forward rule will benefit a couple, and the tax rules on inherited property.
Helen Baker
pension strategiesRetirementHomeowners receive significant tax and pension advantages over renters, and some retirees have found ways to maximise their Centrelink benefits.
trusts explainedPersonal FinanceBrittany Higgins isn’t the only person to use a trust. Here’s what you need to know about a financial structure that isn’t just for the wealthy.
Banking bluesPersonal FinanceIf you haven’t checked your transaction account lately, you might be losing a small fortune. Here’s what to look out for.
Picking an adviserInvestors are rightly wanting to know how they can protect themselves from losing their super. Here’s what you need to ask before trusting a financial adviser.
Are many young Australian adults over-entitled or victims of a fast-changing financial world? Here’s how parents can seek balance.
Dollars & SenseOur financial adviser says many retirees unintentionally compromise their financial security out of good intentions to help their children, while a reader asks about super and tax.
Jason Featherby
love and moneyThe Wall Street JournalThe engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce is the ultimate example of how the script has flipped on marriage and finances.
Rachel Wolfe
EmploymentThe TimesCan jobseekers gain experience if artificial intelligence means they can’t get started? It’s a challenge that has families asking what should our young be studying.
DANNY FORTSON
Insurance pressuresPersonal FinanceA staggering 80 per cent of disability insurance claim increases over the past decade stem from mental illnesses, threatening its affordability.
money matters bitePersonal FinanceThe numbers seem stacked against the younger generation. That said, they should take heed of some key traits of Baby Boomers.
Unfair taxesPersonal FinanceTax experts reveal the reforms that could help millions of people, but some changes are off limits | WHAT’S YOUR TAX WISH LIST?
financial advice testInvestingMicrosoft’s AI chatbot Copilot faces off against a human financial adviser in a test of its ability to deliver reliable money advice.
Dollars & SenseOur financial adviser examines renting in retirement or buying in a land lease village, while a reader argues it is critical to never close a mortgage.
Jason Featherby
LifeLifeIn a viral trend, young people are going head-to-head on whether couples should split finances 50/50 or pay in proportion to their income.
Nina Miyashita
EXCLUSIVETechnologyAustralians seeking financial advice are paying up to 60c in every dollar for paperwork instead of wealth building. A trans-Tasman start-up is aiming to change that.
gender equityFinancial experts warn a new Coalition policy to address the 25 per cent super gap between men and women lacks incentives and could backfire.
‘living for the now’RetirementShould you still work until retirement age? A growing number of people are redefining the roles of money, work and leisure.
Dollars & SenseOur financial adviser looks at when capital gains tax applies to inherited properties, while a reader asks about reducing mortgage repayments to buy shares.
Helen Baker
money makersInvestingFrom losing everything on futures trading to managing billions – fund manager Roger Montgomery shares the defining moment that taught him about risk.
young v old ideasInvestingBig banks or tech? ESG versus profits at all cost? Family clashes on investing are complicating Australia’s great wealth transfer.
combatting scamsPersonal FinanceMajor investment scandals are set to accelerate as artificial intelligence supercharges scams. An expert says financial literacy is key to combatting AI-powered fraud.
Dollars & SenseCapital GainsOur financial adviser considers if it is wise to use super to pay down a mortgage when you retire, as a reader asks about giving children money to buy a home.
Josh Pennell
Wealth lessonsPersonal FinanceTop investors reveal the valuable lessons they’re teaching their children about the sharemarket, including why losing money early can be a blessing.
ANALYSISPersonal FinanceA shock jump in inflation – driven by an electricity price surge – does not spell the end of RBA interest rate cuts this year. Here’s why.
costly legal battlesRetirementLegal disputes over wills have surged as rising property values and complex family dynamics fuel inheritance battles that can come at a hefty cost.
road-user chargePersonal FinanceIt’s time electric vehicle owners paid their fair share of road maintenance and development costs. I’m one of them.
early wealth transferRetirementParents are abandoning traditional inheritance practices in an unprecedented wealth transfer that’s transforming how families handle money across generations.
AI revolutionThe Wall Street JournalFahad Hassan wants to make financial advisers completely obsolete. His wealth management start-up is betting big on the disruptive power of AI.
David Wignall
great housing debatePersonal FinanceBoomers v younger generations: each age group has dealt with housing challenges, but experts say one had it easier.
advice huntPersonal FinanceWe are led to believe choosing a financial adviser is difficult, but it’s the other way around. Here are the numbers that advisers need to see in your bank account before they will deal with you.
HEALTH INSURANCEPersonal FinanceThere has been a surge in the number of people paying the Medicare levy surcharge as higher wages catch them out. There are ways to reduce the hurt.
Investing by botsAustralian financial advisers are the world’s highest users of AI, a report says, but can they move fast enough to see off the biggest threat in a generation?
flying the nestPersonal FinanceSome parents are going to extraordinary lengths like modifying family homes and working longer to help kids break into the property market. But there are better ways to move them on | WATCH
TAX TIME 2025Personal FinanceFrom handbags to home office expenses, tax experts have revealed the surprising deductions Australians frequently forget | SEE THE TOP 10 LIST
financial infidelityHiding assets during a divorce is nothing new, but cryptocurrency has added a modern twist on an old theme.
INTEREST RATESPersonal FinanceNot everyone rejoices when the Reserve Bank cuts official interest rates, but there are ways to safeguard decent returns from cash in the bank.
six key areasPersonal FinanceIf the government is looking for consensus on reforms for the productivity roundtable then wealth taxes already seem to be the common denominator.
HOME LOANSPersonal FinanceFixed-rate mortgages were booming a few years ago but lost their lustre amid Reserve Bank rate rises. Is a change looming?
money lessonsPersonal FinanceStarting children on their investing journey early in life can be a great way to set them up financially for the move into adulthood.
Dollars & SenseCapital GainsQ: If I plan to leave my husband, can I open a secret bank account?
Helen Baker
Love and financesPersonal FinanceFinding love later in life brings with it new financial issues to navigate. There are ways to keep a happy balance of love and money.
Bank of mum and dadPersonal FinanceBoomer children have found a new way to tap into their inheritance early – hitting up their parents to take out reverse mortgages. But there are pitfalls.
The art of successInvestingI’ve been a financial adviser for more than 20 years and here are the things I’ve noticed that my wealthiest clients tend to do.
top tipsPersonal FinanceThere are plenty of ways for shoppers to get a better deal, and it starts with understanding some of the sneaky tactics that supermarkets employ to get us to spend more.
building wealthRich LifeBefore they were rich, these entrepreneurs forged lifelong money habits they swear by | Here are their eight top tips
ANALYSISPersonal FinanceRBA rate cuts are coming, and you can thank these common household expenses for helping to deliver mortgage relief.
It’s rarely a single big decision that derails women’s financial progress.
Roxanne Calder
Great wealth transferThe Wall Street JournalThe kids are about to inherit a lot of money, and when they do they plan to shake things up.
David Wignall
COST OF LIVINGPersonal FinanceMuch of Australia is freezing right now so heaters – and energy bills – are surging. Here’s how to reduce some of the pressure.
INTEREST RATESPersonal FinanceThe RBA’s decision to hold interest rates surprised many but rather than sit back and wait, here’s how you can build wealth with this year’s rate cuts so far.
exclusivePersonal FinanceIndustry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres has argued an ‘Australian approach’ to AI would see the technologies flourish while protecting workers from their ‘pitfalls’.
NEWSNational Breaking NewsAustralians looking for a quick pay rise should think about these roles after salaries jumped more than 25 per cent in the past year.
For decades, V-Cs pitched universities as a national resource. But now they appear as giant corporations, focused primarily on their own interests. For institutions that still rely on public funding, it’s a big problem.
The tax on unrealised gains inside superannuation accounts could only have been invented in Canberra. Taxing profits people haven’t made is a testament to the disconnect between the political and bureaucratic class from the productive parts of Australia.
