An unexpected rally from energy stocks wasn't enough in the end as shares slumped to a third day of losses, with miners and banks weighing on a topsy-turvy market.

As an accountant turned journo, I try to ensure the creative accounting used to make the budget figures look better than they really are doesn't go unexposed. But I've never seen a con as audacious as the proposed medical research future fund.

Big banks will resist moves to make compulsory comprehensive credit reporting, which would force them to provide customer credit histories to emerging peer-to-peer lenders seeking to offer risk-based loan pricing.

According to RBA governor Glenn Stevens, we still get at least 17,000 TVs for every tonne of iron ore. So go and have a confident Christmas.

Most of us spend more each week on petrol than any other single household item.