A. Hi Peggy. Your accountant is absolutely correct when discussing a paper reshuffling of finances or draw-down, as you mention in your letter, but in my book, I don't mention a "draw-down" at all. It's an actual realisation of capital gain that I'm talking about, paying capital gains tax where it can't be minimised (as mentioned earlier on pages 201 and 202), and usually associated with a purchase or sale of a property at the same time, as discussed later on page 223, (and also in greater detail in earlier chapters.) Taught to me by a friend who worked at the tax office, this strategic option is very much like selling shares, paying CGT, buying something private for yourself and then reinvesting the extra, all of which make the process quite lawful and proper. As a general rule however, most people who have interest only loans or multiple investment properties are not leveraged to an extent where the process becomes worthwhile (except in stress-relief in being debt free on your own home), remembering that stress-free debt-freedom and freehold title on your own home is always my primary goal, not necessarily tax minimisation, definitely not tax avoidance and with maintenence of at least 20% equity in your investment property(s) in accordance with all my earlier chapters. Before you attempt this option, you will first have to get your interest only loans and equity into a position where you can refinance - preferably into an ordinary P&I loan... and for assistance on helping you to do that, just flip to the earlier section of the book where this topic is discussed. I do hope this helps you in the meantime. For people trying to cheat the tax office by drawing a few thousand out of their properties every time the values go up - forget it. Anita B.

Q. Hi Anita, I live in <xxx> and was hoping you could recommend a reputable financial advisor for this area? I've read both of your books about property but feel I need someone else, a third party to stand over me and hold my hand. Andrew J.

A. Hi Andrew, Sorry, but from my experience, I can't usually recommend any financial advisors, because they either charge whopping fees when all the hard work is yours anyway, or they attempt to 'sell' you an investment strategy which provides them ongoing kickbacks without guaranteeing your success. And on top of that, I've never found one yet whose done as well as me, even though they may have been at it two or three times longer. But since I'm not able to help everyone for free, I do try to teach you as many tricks and shortcuts as I can in Your Money, so you become self-motivated and wise to scams and opportunities without anyone having to hold your hand. Please do read that book first and if you're still having trouble, then feel welcome to contact me with specific questions. Anita B.

Q. Hi Anita, I'd really like to purchase your books but feel like I'm in a catch-22 situation at the moment because I can't afford them, but I feel so desperate I don't know what to do. I'm saving up for them as fast as I can... Marg H.

A. Don't stress out about it, Marg. Just pop along to your local town library or contact your local council for details of their mobile library vists and borrow a copy of whichever book you need for free (or ask one of your friends or workmates if you can borrow theirs. With over 300,000 books sold in Australia already the chances are you know someone who has the one you need already.) By the sounds of it, you need the blue book first -Your Money: Starting Out & Starting Over, but if you borrow Your Mortgage at the same time, you'll get stacks of my favourite tips for budgets and your mortgage too. Then if you're still having trouble, do feel welcome to email me again and I'll help you personally for free if I can. Best wishes in the meantime, Anita B.

Q. Hi Anita! In your red book, you mentioned that you used the rewards from your credit card to pay for fuel. Could you please inform me which credit card are you operating and is this facility exclusive to certain credit cards or is it available through most credit cards? Rob L.