This Month
Can I do anything to maximise my tax return this close to June 30?
Though the end of the financial year is just days away, there are still some last-minute ways small businesses can reduce their tax liabilities.
- Penny Wise
The four biggest mistakes downsizers make, according to this expert
Many people overestimate how much they will have left over after downsizing, but smaller doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper.
- Penny Wise
May
I’m a risk-taker but he plays it safe. How do we invest as a couple?
Mismatched risk appetite is a common problem in relationships. How can couples get over this hurdle when investing together?
- Penny Wise
My partner earns far more than me. Should we still split bills 50/50?
One partner in the relationship earns $200,000, while the other earns much less. What’s the fairest way to divide their living expenses?
- Penny Wise
How do I avoid a messy, hostile divorce?
Don’t hire a bulldog lawyer and or make any sudden moves with your finances, lawyers say.
- Penny Wise
Should we pay off our mortgage or keep it for a line of credit?
A line of credit can serve as a financial lifeline – the trick is to know when to let go.
- Penny Wise
April
I’m an expat with shares and property. What are my tax obligations?
One of the most common mistakes expats make is not adjusting their investment strategy to minimise tax, advisers say.
- Penny Wise
Is it worth getting a Qantas home loan for the points?
It’s no good getting a ‘free’ one-way ticket to France but having no money to buy yourself a decent pain au chocolat.
- Penny Wise
March
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
In a stroke of 1930s marketing genius, De Beers convinced men they needed to spend at least a month’s salary on a diamond engagement ring. But is that really a good rule of thumb?
- Penny Wise
How do I guarantee my assets will go to my children?
Andrea, 60, is moving in with her new partner and wants to be sure her estate will be preserved for her children.
- Penny Wise
How do I protect my elderly mother from scammers?
The trick to discussing scams is to avoid pointing the finger or suggesting your mother is naive.
- Penny wise
February
We’ve spent $40,000 on IVF. I want to continue, but my partner wants to stop
No one’s doing fertility treatment because they want it, says psychologist Narelle Dickinson, so make time for compassionate conversations and be honest.
- Penny Wise
Shared bank account drives me nuts because she spends more
A couple seeks help in accommodating different spending needs without breaking the family budget.
- Penny Wise
January
We fight over whether to send our kids to public or private schools
Private schooling can cost nearly $400,000, so it’s important to make sure you and your partner are on the same page.
- Penny Wise
What happens to Bank of Mum and Dad loan if we break up?
A couple buying an apartment have very different deposits – he has $50,000, she has five times that thanks to the Bank of Mum and Dad. What happens if they split up?
- Penny Wise
I’ve inherited $1m. Now what?
A large inheritance can mean goals that perhaps felt like a dream may be within reach, but plan carefully, advisers say.
How to get good deal on an EV
Generous tax breaks are available for the purchase of electric vehicles.
December 2023
How do I convince my future wife a prenup won’t kill the romance?
Family lawyers set out why it’s important, and how to do it without ruffling feathers.
How much should I spend on my partner this Christmas?
We found the average spend by gender – and the gap is nearly $100.
- Lucy Dean
My brother won’t help Mum. Should she change her will?
My elderly mother needs help with her bills but my brother won’t contribute. What can we do?
- Debra Cleveland