Editor’s letter

Eight questions per issue, 11 issues per year over 18 years ... that means Money’s chairman and chief commentator, Paul Clitheroe, has answered 1584 reader questions in his Q&A column alone. In this month’s cover story we revisit some of Paul’s favourite questions along with his answers. Not surprisingly, they stand the test of time. While our money goals and woes are all very personal, at the end of the day, as Paul says, most come down to financial independence. “This is great news, as the key to money success is to do small things on a regular basis.”

If you’re looking for some more financial lessons, Vita Palestrant talks to four stars, including cricketer Adam Gilchrist and Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, who are at the top of their field. Ironically, the secret to their success may just be the very thing we all fear: an irregular pay cheque.

As we head to the printers we are in between Reserve Bank rate meetings. While there was no movement last month, a RateCity study shows 33 lenders – including two major banks – have lifted some of their popular home loan rates in recent weeks.

And as Ross Greenwood writes in his column, this should be our No. 1 worry: bond yields have risen almost 50% in just 12 months. He also points out what the fallout

for savers who have sought higher interest rates through this period could be. I’d also be looking at our economic growth figures, which should be out by now, plus of course our inflation rate. The March quarter comes out April 26. If underlying inflation starts to step back over the 2% mark, chances are the Reserve Bank will raise official rates.

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