Laine Gordon

Why it's time to leave mum and dad's pad

A few years ago, people were talking about an "empty nest syndrome", as middle-aged parents were left in big houses they'd bought to accommodate themselves and their kids. But now those houses are filling up again.

The 40-year home loan

When you're looking at your dream home, it's hard to stop and think about the long-term costs of borrowing. But with home loan terms ranging up to 40 years, it's always worth calculating these costs.

Six ways to kick the smoking habit

While new research shows smoking rates in Australia are falling, some of us need a little help to quit.

Reserve Bank Interest Rate Announcement October

October update: RBA cuts cash rate by 25 basis points

Reserve Bank Interest Rate Announcement

October update: Reserve Bank leave rates on hold at 2.5%

How much is your teen costing you?

New mums and dads probably think if they can get through the first couple of years, the financial burden will get easier.

Weird places people hide cash around the home

It was revealed this week that for every Australian that there are 10, $100 notes in circulation. You might be thinking, so what? But when you consider that there are only seven of the more commonly seen $20 notes for each Aussie, it becomes a bit of a head scratcher.

What to do when you hit a financial cul-de-sac

Almost one-fifth of first-time buyers attracted by government grants during the global financial crisis face the prospect of losing their homes by the middle of 2013, according to a new report.

Eat yourself skinny

Find it hard to resist a hamburger? You're not alone. The latest data suggests six out of 10 adults are overweight or obese, with this proportion climbing from 56 percent in 1995 to 61 percent by 2007 to 2008.

A step-by-step guide to buying your first home

If you've made the decision to buy your first home, it's probably a safe bet that you're more than a little confused.