ask paul

I'm single, 26, and living at home with my folks (bless them). I've been home for a year and a bit now, after travelling and having a good time. I have a full-time job earning roughly $70,000pa. I put $300 a week into my superannuation (with Sunsuper). ... More

Paul, our son is a missionary in Kenya. He and the bank have had an Australian home together for about 17 years - he lived in the home for 11 to 12 years. He is now back in Australia and has complied with tax rules while in Kenya. However, if he ever ... More

Hi Paul. I work as a nurse at a hospital on Sydney's upper north shore. My husband and I have two young kids and we are living in a rental unit near the hospital. We are looking to buy a house. However, if we bought a house we wouldn't have ... More

As a reader of your magazine I have a couple of questions. I am a 19-year-old who finished my HSC last year and am looking to start an apprenticeship in carpentry. I am doing casual work (30 to 40 hours a week) earning anywhere between $350 and $800. ... More

I just saw your response to "Should we renovate our home or invest?" from a 2016 edition. My situation is a little different, as we are 55 and 57. I wonder if you could help with this ongoing dilemma I have had as our money manager. My partner and I ... More

I am a 60-year-old female and am currently working a four-day week, which earns me $57,000pa. I salary sacrifice the maximum amount into super and have a balance of $520,000 in a conservative account. I would like to know if a transition to retirement ... More

I am 48 and my husband is 56. He works full time and I work part time (four or five days a week). We have kids still in high school. We own a home (valued at $1.8 million, loan $900,000) and an investment property ($780,000 and $610,000). About five ... More

Since term deposit rates in Australia are at their lowest, is it possible to invest in a term deposit overseas where interest rates are higher? Or would the currency exchange variation offset this advantage when trying to return the money to Australia? ... More

Dear Paul, My 19-year-old daughter is living at home and studying at university. Over the past few years she has managed to save around $30,000. With term deposits being so low (around 1.85%), should I put her money against my mortgage and pay her just ... More

Dear Paul, Thank you in advance for your advice. My husband is 67 and retired and I am 57 and still working full time. We have two investment properties, which are draining us. We own our own home. My question is: do you think paying out one of the ... More