“Come closer, my sweet. I only share the following with special people. I have a crystal ball that tells the future of investment! If you become a client, I will share its secrets with you!” Sounds like codswallop? Would you believe that if someone said that to your face? Would you guffaw and walk off? […]

These “battle of the sexes” questions are brutal. Deadly – no winners. Answer one way, you’re fanning stereotypes. Answer the other and you’re sexist. And both answers will get me in deep with Mrs DebtMan. Hiding to nothing. So, gulp, I’ll just go with honesty and hope I get to keep some arms and legs. […]

Oh, stupidity and greed! I beseech thee to explain! Why art thou power so strong in so many, particularly when combined in the same recipe? Like ducks to water are scamsters to money. They prey on the weak, the dopey, the innocent and the trusting. We have no more chance of ridding the world of […]

So many, I could write a list. Right, well I’ll do that then. First up is definitely to work smarter, not harder. I’ve worked to sensibly adopt technology in the last 12 months. Some will argue you can’t go too far in embracing technology, but spending is a balancing act and I need to insure […]

A boss from a previous life gave me a talking to. In essence, he said: You are only as successful as the car you drive. Cars give the appearance of prosperity. “You can afford this (expensive) car? You must be good!” Followed with obligatory yarn about winning a business pitch, after pointing to his expensive […]

They say “you get what you pay for”. But my experience with travel insurance suggests, um, not so much. Two years ago, mine and two other families were Bali-bound. Airline (whom I won’t name, but their jets usually offer star service) cancelled the flight. While this is inconvenient, I see it positively. Planes have a […]

Ah, being a Gen Xer is like living in Queensland. “Beautiful one day, perfect the next”. Could life get better? Our careers are blooming, our tin lids bring us mountainous joy and we have our own versions of The Castle, complete with a “pool room” for the extra special stuff. Have I forgotten something? Oh, […]

TINY? That’s generous! Cash returns are dead! D-E-A-D. They’re in negative hyperspace. Yes, less than zero. How? If you’re earning 4 per cent interest, then take off tax (at the average rate of 34 per cent), you get 2.64 per cent. The RBA says inflation is 2.9 per cent. That’s a negative real return. If […]

Yeah, yeah. I could tell you all the “normal” stuff. Spend deductible money before June 30. Delay income until July 1. Same, same. But let’s try something bigger picture and positive. We always moan about how quickly New Year’s Eve resolutions are broken, usually by mid-January. The weather’s great, you’re on holidays and it’s chillaxin’ […]

This sort of financial lessons for young adults advice makes me feel old. But, I guess, anyone who can remember Australia’s America’s Cup victory can no longer claim to be “youthful”. Sniff. Sob. And if you remember Alice Cooper’s Department of Youth coming out … massive fail. Waaaah! I wish I’d understood the following two […]