Smart ways to spend less

There are some expenses you simply have no option of cutting back on - rent or mortgage expenses, energy bills, insurance cover and food among them. Other budget-busting items are not so sacred and, with the help of a little self-control, you can stash more money into your savings.

The trick that could add $100,000 to your home

In a competitive marketplace, selling a home is no longer a straightforward transaction. But there is a trick that you can use to help add value.

How to set up an emergency fund

Being financially prepared for an emergency is critically important in ensuring you can ride out any unforeseen events, but it is also a helpful strategy in securing the long-term health of your finances and minimising financial stress.

5 reasons your budget isn't working

Using a budget is a prerequisite for avoiding debt and living within your means. But have you tried making a budget and found that it doesn't work for you? Do you always manage to spend more than you budgeted for? Instead of giving up, consider five common reasons your budget isn't working.

Where are Australia's next property hot spots?

The tail end of 2013 was a lucrative time for property investors and home owners alike as property prices across Australia boomed thanks to improved confidence and low interest rates.

Live it up while you save

Does talk of saving fill you with dread at the idea of complicated spreadsheets, possible house arrest and bland budget meals at home? It shouldn't, because adopting a savings plan is simple - and you don't have to sacrifice your lifestyle to do so.

How to avoid summer money traps

The summer months coincide with the Christmas season, tempting retail sales, school holidays and long nights made for dining out. It's no wonder we end up spending more money than at any other time of the year.

Five smart money moves

It's easy to spend money without thinking - takeaway coffee twice a day, a round of drinks every time you go out, an impulse buy on the weekend. It's often the little things that blow the biggest hole in your pocket, and it's never too late to start being smart with your money.

What do you know about your credit file?

Whether you are signing up for a mobile phone plan, a business loan or a mortgage, your approval can come down to one thing: your credit history. But most Australians have never checked their credit history, nor do they have a clue how to do so.

How to avoid financial disasters

From over-spending to racking up a massive debt or falling victim to a financial scam, financial disasters come in all sorts of guises and levels of crisis. Here are some valuable tips to help you avoid financial disasters of all kinds.