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Category: Articles

Debt from a previous relationship, or a current partner, can cripple your finances. How do you fix it?

Simple: Love ’em and leave ’em. Or is that too cruel? When it comes to finances, one person inevitably has a better understanding of money and tends to take some sort of control. If that happens, the other has to have an open mind and accept that “control” is often for their own good. If […]

Henry Murray bonds

Everyone with an opinion loves to be able to say “I told you so”. Hey, it’s fun. Who would ever tire of getting predictions right? If you had the power to predict, would you use it for evil? Much as I’d want to think I’d only use it for good, I’m pretty sure, at least […]

Most of us like flashy cars – is it always a waste of money to buy a brand new one?

Oooh, I haaaate flashy cars! Cars – beautiful shiny cars … are, the greatest way Gen Xers can waste money on this planet. New cars are gigantic wealth suckers. The flashier, the suckier. Financial vacuum cleaners, souped up by Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. They clean out wallets, bank balances and credit ratings like little […]

FoFA ASIC shadow shop independence

It’s been a big and bruising 10 days in the financial services sector. First, a legislative bomb landed. Then a hand-grenade report was tossed in to finish off the wounded. So, today I’m reporting from the financial advice frontline in the “war of independence”. It’s chaos out there. Looks more like the aliens from “Independence […]

Should we share our money successes and failures with friends and family?

Share the actual monetary reward or loss? Oh, no, no, no, NO! That would be … communism! No commies in these pages, thanks very much. But talking about what created success and failure? Absolutely. In my opinion, your salary/income should be private. Outside of that, friends and family should talk more about investment successes and […]

Take two for a DIY ruling

PORTFOLIO POINT: Here’s another major benefit of SMSFs – managing contributions over two years. The power of super as a retirement vehicle has plenty of boundaries. There are plenty of brakes stopping you getting money in, for a start. But there are a few boundaries that are allowed to be pushed a little further to […]

At what age should you start to teach children about the importance of money?

In utero! Derrr! Expectant parents are told to “play soothing music” to their unborns. I hate soothing music. Reminds me of elevators. Claustrophobia. No room in the womb. But L’il DebtBoy and DebtGirl weren’t deprived. They were played music. Money music! On 24/7 loop cycle through the house were tunes including Billionaire by Travie McCoy, […]

Is it a good idea to lend a friend money if they ask for your help?

A no-win situation. Kiss the money goodbye if you do. And feel like a mean bastard of Judge Judy proportions if you don’t. Hey, idea! Treat the situation like you would if you were a bookie. Lay off your bets! Let’s say you loan your mate Paddy $1000. Next, go borrow $500 from Mick. Now, […]

Estate planning

I’ve nearly had a lot of car accidents recently. The closest calls have always been just after crèche pick-up. The crèche teachers, bless ’em, are awesome. Boundless love and encouragement wrapped in an overdose of community spirit. And that’s to the stressed parents. They’re even better with the children. But I’m often left pondering what […]

How much cash should you hold for an emergency, and where do you keep it?

Sure, they come in degrees of seriousness, but they’re all emergencies. A good drama-queen can make an emergency out of anything! Bar, 2.30am. You’re exceedingly intoxicated and have been acting like Dudley Moore in Arthur for several hours. Alas, without scoring. Pockets contain only coins. Hope you stashed an emergency $50 for the cab home. […]