BigPond Money - Personal Finance & Money Management

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Go West

The mining boom in Western Australia continues to draw workers from across the country and from overseas. And the demand for labour is only growing. more

Planning for private school fees

Sending a child to a private school can be an serious finacial commitment. We look at some of the best ways to make sure you have the money when you need it. more

Budget 2012: Ripping into middle Australia

Billions of dollars will again be ripped out of the pockets of middle-income Australians, and with rates not likely to drop, mortgage holders will be hit hardest. more

Finance news

BHP Billiton backs away from venture

BHP Billiton has withdrawn from its Alita prospecting joint venture following a drilling campaign review.

Consumer inflation expectations down

The Melbourne Institute survey of consumer inflationary expectations declined 0.2pc to 3.1pcin May.

Consumers struggle to pay off credit

Veda's latest Australian Debt Survey shows more than 2.7 million Australians struggle to repay credit.

SydAirport reaffirms guidance

Sydney Airport has reaffirmed distribution guidance at 21 cents per stapled security for calendar 2012.

Leighton reviewing disclosure methods
Japan Jan-March GDP up 1pc
Ave weekly earnings up 1.1pc
WA surplus to hit low point in 2012-13

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Home and property

Rate cut will prompt property sales, not growth
The RBA's rate cut was a welcome surprise but if the retail banks don’t pass the full rate cut on, the benefit to the property market is significantly diluted.
Australia’s population hot spots
If you’re looking to invest, population growth can be a key indicator for the future of property prices. We look at some of Australia's growth hot spots.
Taking the property plunge
The time for talking is over. You’re ready to buy your first investment property. But where do you start? We cover off some of the basic questions.

Managing money

Planning for private school fees
Sending a child to a private school can be an serious finacial commitment. We look at some of the best ways to make sure you have the money when you need it.
Rate cut bonanza
Rate cut party in ... da ... house! Woo-hoo! There’s nothing like the smell of a rate cut. But not so fast, the rate cut drink is spiked!
Why generic medicines
We look at generic medicines. Are they really the same as the originals, why are they cheaper and can you really save that much money?

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Investing

Why has the Australian sharemarket been underperforming?
Key factors that continue to impact the performance of the local sharemarket, despite the relative strength of the local economy.
Islamic investments in Australia
While Islamic or Sharia financing has been available in Australia for some time, compliant investment opportunities have, until recently, been fairly limited.

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Market data, shares and investing

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Market data

USD / AUD

Key market stock indices

Key Stock Index	Last	Chng	% Chng
All Ordinaries Index	4208.49	-6.19	-0.15
S&P ASX 200 Index	4157.41	-8.12	-0.2
Dow Jones In. Avg.	12598.55	-33.45	-0.27
FTSE 100	5905.7	53.31	0.9
Nasdaq Comp.	2874.04	-19.72	-0.69
Hang Seng Index	19200.93	-58.9	-0.31
Nikkei 500 Index	768.8	5.01	0.65

As of 2012-05-17 21:30:00 (30min delay)

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Credit and loans

Home buyer caution deepens
A renewed trend towards caution is emerging amongst established Australian home buyers. A trend that had already been well established with first home buyers.
Understanding debt and how to beat it
Getting into debt can be stressful but managing debt well is possible if you put a few strategies in place.

Small business

Boss or friend? How to strike the balance
Successful management calls for a certain level of intimacy and an understanding of an employee’s strengths, weaknesses, motivations and goals.
Videoconference solutions for small business
Videoconferencing is now within the reach of every business, from the sole trader up. We look at some of the available services.

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Economy in focus

Goldilocks and the three shocks
The simultaneous occurrence of a mining boom, eurozone crisis and a digital shift is massively disruptive but with luck might balance each other out.

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