A student loan is a loaded financial gun. Only just out of short pants, thousands of teenagers Pass Go by turning 18 and stepping straight into generation debt, Diana Clement writes.

CaseLoad has a soft-spot for hapless ex-lawyer Evgeny Orlov, who defrocked himself the other day.

Bill English has basked in the NZ economy's rock star status but ironically unforeseen rocky conditions have denied him the satisfaction of unveiling his first Budget surplus.

The advertising world has gone digital - and not just indoors, writes John Drinnan. Outdoor advertising firms Adshel and iSite are both increasing their digital foothold in the Auckland streetscape.

What's in the Budget for business? Well, that's what we usually call our "Budget at a glance" graphic. This year we've opted for: What business needs to know.

Could business have expected more from a Budget labelled by Finance Minister Bill English as "a plan that's working"?

Rob McLeod, chairman of EY, says while NZ is in a relatively strong position, we face material risks.

There's a lot we just don't know about the Government's moves on tax and real estate, writes Brian Fallow. Trying to judge the likely impact on the Auckland market of the property taxation measure the Government announced on Sunday is one of those times.

Is the Govt really getting double the amount of dividends from its sold down power companies?

We might never see a CGT in this country, which could well be a good thing given the compromises that would likely be part of its introduction, writes Mark Lister.

David Chaplin on insurance company 'churn' or the shifting of clients to different providers for commission.

Successful people don't put things off. Instead, as much as possible they finish what they've started.

Fran O'Sullivan asks: Why is the Government holding back from stopping cashed-up foreigners from continuing to snap up homes at prices that mainly they can afford?

Tech blogger Juha Saarinen on Vodafone turning off Twitter and Facebook SMS messages without warning.

It would be a stretch to suggest trading rooms will fall silent tomorrow afternoon when Finance Minister Bill English enters Parliament to deliver his seventh Budget.

Up until a couple of months ago it was possible to use KiwiSaver to buy a first home in Australia but all that changed at the beginning of April.

The David Ross effect came into play again last week Sovereign hived off its remnant investment business.

For people other than residential property investors, Thursday's Budget is expected to be a nickel-and-dime affair, writes Brian Fallow.

The Government has surprised the market with a stronger than expected move on property tax, writes Liam Dann.

The Auckland residential property boom has developed some of the characteristics of the Dublin bubble a decade ago, writes Brian Gaynor.

Whatever lies ahead, your best bet is to avoid any position in which you have to sell - mortgagee sale or not, advises Mary Holm.

Advocates for global mode and open internet access are undermining local content and the survival of the New Zealand production industry, writes John Drinnan.

Learning how to budget is one of the most valuable skills you can teach your teenagers, writes Diana Clement.

With rates going up again to pay for Mayor Brown's vision Brian Rudman is a little nervous about being stuck with funding the cycling lobby's cross-harbour vision as well.

The cut and thrust around Rank's Carter Holt IPO has begun...

Jock Anderson on Blues rugby player George Moala's recent discharge without conviction as an example of a two-tier justice system.

When Graeme Wheeler introduced the Reserve Bank's new rules for property investment in Auckland, he said that it was only one tool to manage the housing crisis.

To raise unspoiled children, discuss financial issues openly, says new book.

Auckland house prices climbed 9.5 per cent in just the last three months, according to the Real Estate Institute - an alarming number, Brian Fallow writes.