MIXING MONEY

Finance the family way

Sylvia Pennington French authorities were shocked to uncover a real version of fairy tale hell this week.

Make it a clean bill of health

Sylvia Pennington Coping with illness is challenging enough, but it pays to prepare financially for potential difficulties.

A wealthy future is within reach

David Potts Saving more and spending less aren't the only ways to wealth, though they sure help. Even then, how you save and what you buy will eventually count for more.

Secrets of the high net worth

Sylvia Pennington Clearing the mortgage, paying school fees and amassing enough super to retire are common aims for the average Aussie.

Wealthy solutions

David Potts Life has a lot of trial and error to it so it's good to know that building wealth comes with instructions.

Books in order: prepare for your kids' uni fees

Anneli Knight As university fees continue to rise, some parents are factoring these costs into their savings plans.

Going to school on retirement plans

David Potts Retirement for Simon and Luba Bosch is when they stop paying private school fees for their children, aged 12 and 15.

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon

The five biggest money mistakes

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon One wrong decision can put your financial future at severe disadvantage.

Potts Spot

Play the percentages with cuts

Potts Spot CONGRATULATIONS to me for picking the Reserve Bank's rate cut, even if I did cheat. Well, a little bit.

Buckle up, it's about to get tight

Potts Spot For all the mixed reviews its fiscal forecasts attracted, there's no mistaking the message from the mini budget: next year is going to be a tough gig.

Figure out the cost of death cover

George Cochrane Income-protection insurance is vital in order cope with periods of illness.

Money, the future and you

Potts Spot You'll be OK if you want to buy a new HD TV - just don't eat.

Good habits will pay off

The Ys have a notoriously poor attitude to financial responsibility but a new book aims to address the problem before it's too late.

Slash your life cover premiums

Barbara Drury Once family commitments and financial liabilities diminish, it's worth looking for ways to cut life insurance costs.

Profile: Neil Balnaves

By Lucinda Schmidt Business was out and philanthropy in after a serious boating accident.

Learn something new

Annette Sampson The strategy: To claim the education tax refund.

Education fund put to the test

By John Collett One couple's attempt to ensure they had the cash for their children's schooling went awry.

Profile: Hugh Durrant-Whyte

By Lucinda Schmidt He runs the world's second biggest robotics research lab but quips he is a Luddite.

Thrift is back in vogue

Lucinda Schmidt The global financial crisis has taken its toll on retirement savings and job security.