This Month
Help! My parents want to invite 20 of their friends to our wedding
What to do when mum and dad help out financially but expand the guest list beyond your comfort zone.
- Penny Wise
Is it possible to pay no income tax?
It is nonsensical to spend money just to get a tax deduction because you’re still out of pocket.
- Penny Wise
July
Not rich enough! Why my financial adviser dumped me
Half a million Australians have been ‘sacked’ by their financial planners as firms clamour to win wealthier clients.
- Penny Wise
We inherited dad’s house in the UK – where to pay capital gains tax?
Sisters who moved countries find tax and administration penalties could eat into their inheritance.
What’s worse for a mortgage application: a gambling or BNPL account?
If you want to buy a house, lenders will go through your expenses with a fine-tooth comb – and Sportsbet and Afterpay accounts can be red flags.
- Penny Wise
June
I’ve saved $50,000 but have a large HECS debt – what should I do?
Banks do take tuition debt into consideration when assessing mortgage applications.
- Penny Wise
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
