Investor confidence climbs with rising house prices, sharemarket - 2004-02-01
Higher house prices and improving fortunes in the sharemarket have pushed investor confidence to all-time highs, according to ASB Bank.

However, national median prices eased $6000 between November and December, down to $229,000. And last week the Reserve Bank lifted interest rates a notch to 5.25 per cent, with floating mortgage rates now expected to rise to 8 per cent this year, putting a chill into the housing market.
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Increase in deductions may assist married couples - 2004-02-01
Married couples used to itemizing their tax deductions every year might want to take another look at their 2003 tax returns. A higher standard deduction may mean it's more beneficial to leave tedious itemizing behind.

Tax laws allow taxpayers to lower their taxable income by taking a deduction, either a standard amount or the sum of an itemized list. Deductible items like mortgage interest, real estate taxes, state or local income taxes and charitable contributions can quickly add up to more than the standard deduction.
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