finance

In the dark days of January my family and I don’t go out much, which means we spend lots of time cooking and eating at home. This is great for our overall budget – it means we’re not spending big dough on restaurants or takeout. But it does mean we spend a lot of time at the grocery store and since Christmas, our food budget has soared. Not because we’re eating more but because we’re not being smart about our shopping.

Could you feed your family for an entire week without spending more than $21? That’s the challenge that Australian blogger and personal finance writer Fiona Lippey has for households in Australia

Those questions and more (how much to save before moving out, advice on financial planning) answered by financial expert, Caroline Cakebread

You want enough cash to cover the necessities and that pair of killer heels. But you'll need a plan. Don't worry — budgets don't have to be complicated. Here's how to do it in just four easy steps

Canadians owe a boatload of money according to new statistics. The average measure of household debt in Canada just hit a record 151 percent of income – for every dollar we earn after tax, we owe $1.51. That money goes to pay off our mortgages, credit cards, credit lines and car loans.