Insurance
Insight
Duopoly drives rising insurance costs
Clancy Yeates 'Bill shock'' normally refers to the unpleasant experience of receiving an enormous phone or electricity bill. But it could just as easily apply to insurance.
Credit insurance risks uncovered
Lesley Parker Consumer credit insurance - marketed alongside credit cards and personal loans as a way to protect your ability to meet repayments - remains on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's...
Insurance commissions encourage churning
The chairwoman of Choice, Jenni Mack, says when you buy life insurance, a commission of about 130 per cent of your first year's premium, then 10 per cent to 30 per cent each year after that, is paid...
Pet insurance for a priceless companion
Trudy Collinson thought her dogs would be a good way to get her out of the house and to nearby Melbourne parks for exercise and to meet people while her children were at school.
Travel insurance cap may not fit
Lesley Parker The more you take on holiday, the more you stand to lose if you're not adequately covered.
PLANNING
Who wants to be super millionaire?
Penny Pryor Who wants to be millionaire? Well if you want to retire on a comfortable income, then you should be planning on being a superannuation millionaire.
PARENTS
Oh baby, this is expensive
Sylvia Pennington It's Mother's Day - a good time to weigh up the costs of a new mouth to feed.
SUPER
Avoid pension pitfalls with precise retirement planning
Max Newnham How can you work out if your investments will provide for you sufficiently in retirement?
PLANNING
Getting a super education for SMSF trustees
Alexandra Cain From July 1 SMSF trustees who break super laws will face mandatory education. So exactly what do you need to know to run a super fund?
PROPERTY SPECIAL
Single women get their house in order
Larissa Ham Property market players say an increasing number of women are striking out alone.
OFFICE WORKS
Where are the cheap seats - home or away?
Kate Jones To work from home, or not to work from home? That is the question facing many Australian workers.
Paws for thought on pet care cost
Kate Jones It might come as no surprise to animal lovers that Australians spend much more on their pets' health than their own.
STRATEGIES
Conquer life's ups and downs
Christine Long When your income is unpredictable, just making ends meet can sometimes feel like a feat of endurance.
SUPER
Drive your own fund and save
Max Newnham Blaming superannuation for your losses makes as much sense as blaming a car that cuts you off. The vehicle is not at fault, it's the driver.
PLANNING
Annuities can finance our longer lives
Penny Pryor Running out of money before you die is a terrifying thought that is giving many retirees, or probably anyone over 50, sleepless nights.
GETTING AHEAD
Grow your fund through sacrifice
John Collett Latest government proposals are aimed at curtailing the tax breaks on super enjoyed by the well off.
Make it a clean bill of health
Sylvia Pennington Coping with illness is challenging enough, but it pays to prepare financially for potential difficulties.
Quirky Investments
Valuable hole in your pocket
James Cockington This year marks the 200th anniversary of Australia's first coin, the holey dollar, and prices are rising close to $500,000.
Companion costs
Kate Jones What pets cost us
YOUR QUESTIONS
Winter years need not be so taxing
George Cochrane Is it true that after a certain age, you do not have to submit a tax return? George Cochrane answers your questions.
