Life moment
Starting out
First job, first payslip, first budget. Here's what to read and work out, in the order that helps most.
Your reading list
Managed funds and investment fees
How managed funds pool your money, the fees you might pay, and why a small percentage can make a big difference over time.
2Insurance basics: what cover do you need?
A plain-English overview of the main types of insurance, how to decide what you need, and what to do if a claim goes wrong.
3Insurance inside your super
What insurance your super fund may give you, who misses out on automatic cover, and how to check, keep, change or cancel it.
4Home, contents and car insurance
How to avoid being underinsured, choose an excess, check flood and storm cover, and pick the right level of car insurance.
5Health insurance basics: hospital, extras and tax
Hospital vs extras cover, the Gold to Basic tiers, waiting periods, the Medicare Levy Surcharge and Lifetime Health Cover loading explained.
6How credit scores and credit reports work
What's on your credit report, how your credit score is worked out, how to get your report for free, and how to fix mistakes.
7Credit cards and the minimum repayment trap
How credit card interest works, why paying only the minimum can keep you in debt for decades, and simple ways to take back control.
8Personal loans and car loans
How personal and car loans work, why the comparison rate matters, which fees to check, and the traps to avoid at the car yard.
9Make a budget that actually works
A simple way to track what comes in, what goes out and where you can make room, without spreadsheets taking over your life.
10How super works
What super is, how much your employer must pay in, the new Payday Super rules, and who looks after your money.
11Bank accounts and fees, made simple
The main types of bank accounts, how to keep fees low, and how the government guarantee protects your deposits up to $250,000.
12Choosing and comparing super funds
How to compare super funds on fees, investment options, insurance and performance, using the free YourSuper comparison tool.
13Saving money and building an emergency fund
How to set savings goals, build a safety buffer for life's surprises, and make saving happen automatically.
14Find lost super and combine your accounts
How to track down forgotten super through myGov, and what to check before you combine accounts into one.
15Cutting your bills and the cost of living
Practical ways to lower your power, phone, insurance and grocery costs, plus where to find concessions and help if bills get on top of you.
16Ways to grow your super
Salary sacrifice, after-tax contributions, contribution caps, carry-forward, spouse contributions and government top-ups explained simply.
17Buy now pay later: how it works and the new rules
Buy now pay later is now regulated as credit. Here's how it works, what protections you have, and how to stop small plans adding up.
18Set money goals and make a plan
Turn vague money wishes into clear goals with a deadline, a dollar amount and a simple plan you can stick to.
19Investing basics: risk, return and time
Learn how risk and return go together, why compounding and time matter, and how spreading your money around can smooth the bumps.
20Shares and ETFs explained
What shares and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are, how you make or lose money, what it costs to invest and how the tax works, including the 2027 CGT changes.
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