HEAVEN HELL & MADEMOISELLE BY HAROLD CARLTON, ORION, $32.99. If you’d like to take a mental break from your world in Australia 2010, take a visit to the fashion world of Paris in turbulent 1968. Heaven Hell & Mademoiselle markets itself as “the love child of Sex And The City and The Devil Wears Prada” […]

We often consider credit card debt to be a personal problem, but when we start families, what we don't realise is the impact it has on the entire household.

Question: What’s the best way to cool a cake? Stand the cake for up to 15 minutes before turning it only a wire rack to cool further. Turn the cake, upside-down, onto a wire rack, and then turn the cake top-side up immediately using a second rack (unless directed otherwise), Some wire racks can mark […]

Having a baby? Then find out about your maternity leave entitlements. Government-paid maternity leave around the world varies from 68 weeks in Sweden to 39 weeks in the UK and 12 weeks in China to no weeks in the US and Australia. Last year, there was a lot of talk about the federal government introducing […]

Lemon is one of the most magic scents in the garden. Much as I love roses — especially a cloud of rose perfume on a hot day — lemon scents are often stronger, as they come from the leaves, not the flowers. There are more leaves than blooms, so much more scent. This doesn’t mean […]

It's all fun and games until the bills start rolling in. Is it time for you to switch to a low-rate balance transfer credit card?

Geoff Devitt’s superannuation accounts were a mess, so Adrian helped him trace his lost money. Did you know there is more than $12 billion worth of lost superannuation in Australia? That figure is staggering, considering our population is more than 22 million and compulsory super only started little more than a decade ago. Geoff Devitt […]

As your parents get older, there may be an added responsibility of looking after their finances as well as their health. Here are a few ideas on how to handle a touchy subject. Invariably there comes a time when “senior moments” become more regular and your parents will need your help. However, don’t take control […]

A new arrival means a financial overhaul. Use these tips so bringing home baby doesn’t break the bank. Your lifestyle will change once your baby arrives, so reassess your expenditures. Some items will naturally become a smaller part of your budget. For instance, you might not be going out as much with a little one […]

Compare accounts online for a good deal, advises money expert Adrian Raftery. Question: Which is the best savings account on the market right now? There seem to be so many options, I don’t even know where to start. Louisa, Dubbo, NSW. Adrian’s Answer: A You can compare bank accounts at the website of ratings company […]