July magazine

In the magazine

COVER STORY
SLASH YOUR FEES

There’s a fee plague hitting Australian households – on average we pay close to $1000 a year in bank fees alone! Maria Bekiaris explains how you could slash those fees by up to $1500 on your banking, credit cards, home loans, investing and super. See how much you could save this month.

Special report: Hot pensions for over 55s
By Susan Hely

Account-based pensions are the hot investment product for retirees. The superannuation industry and financial services providers are going into overdrive, sprucing up existing products and launching new ones. But you will need to choose wisely. Susan Hely gives you the guide to making the best choice of your private pension.p>

Am I better off? Getting rid of the second car
By Paul Clitheroe

In these cash-strapped times people look closely at their expenses and a second car might feel like an unaffordable luxury. The question is how does the alternative stack up financially? Paul Clitheroe crunches the numbers to find out whether you’re better off with a second car or using taxis and hire cars.

Investing: Taking profits
By Ross Greenwood

You might have heard of a yield curve in relation to interest rates but what does it really mean? Channel 9’s finance editor and radio 2GB’s Money News host, Ross Greenwood, offers an interest rate lesson explaining how you can use the “yield curve” to decide the best time to borrow and invest.

Smart saving: Come to the party
By Richard Scott

Nobody likes a party pooper. But hosting a party can take a toll on your wallet, especially if you’re footing the bill for all the booze. Money has the tips for keeping your costs down when you’re letting your hair down, including our budget-cocktail suggestions.

Property: Short cut
By Pam Walkley

Would you like to invest in residential property without having to raise the money to buy an individual house or unit? Or without having to pay high transaction costs or the hassles of being a landlord? Money reports on a new product to be launched later this year by the ASX that will give you the ability to do all these things.

Managed funds: Going global
By Peter Freeman

Property security funds generally have suffered big losses – now may be a good time to look at those that focus on overseas property. Money brings you a guide to overseas property funds, including how to buy them and the importance of understanding currency risk.

Highlights and giveaways

• Book of the month: Salvage Your Super- we’re giving away five copies to our readers.
• Our Letter of the Month winner gets a 12-month subscription valued at $55.
• Ten readers could win a free copy of the book Recession-Proof Your Life.
• Subscribe to Money for a chance to win one of 10 money makeovers courtesy of ipac.
• Reader offer: our readers can get a free $50 deposit voucher when they open a NAB Smart Junior Saver Account.