The Money Puzzle

Mega floats, market froth, and whether investing in SpaceX risky or smart 11.06.2026 41min

SpaceX lists today (June 12) and will be followed by two more AI mega-IPOs: OpenAI and Anthropic. Collectively valued at more than $US3.5 trillion, every index fund on the planet will be forced to buy them. Stockspot founder Chris Brycki joins The Australian's Wealth Editor Julie-anne Sprague to discuss whether this is the opportunity of a generation or the most expensive bag-hold in history. The mega float moment: What the SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic listings mean for your portfolio ETFs vs. stock picking in a concentrated market The ASX's innovation gap and why Australian investors can't afford a home-market bias The CGT shake-up and what it means for your investments See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moving money around the world - Your expat explainer 09.06.2026 30min

Many Australians move abroad to earn more money - or at least that's the plan - but it doesn't always work out unless you do your homework first. Likewise, Australians returning from overseas can hit tangles with the ATO unless they think the whole project through very thoroughly. Brett Evans, the Dubai-based MD of Atlas Wealth Management, joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's show, we cover:  How you and your money should move overseas The hidden cost of being an expat The best way to bring money back (including pensions). Is your bank giving you the best deal on international transfers? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What women need to know about super 04.06.2026 39min

On average, women retire with 25% less superannuation than men, and one in ten have no super account at all. While you might assume this is purely down to career breaks, evidence shows the disparity starts much earlier - with females under 18 already trailing their male peers. What is really driving this, and what steps can women take to supercharge their savings? Gemma Dale, head of investor behaviour at NAB Trade joins associate editor James Kirby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Swim between the flags’ : The simple formula for managing money 28.05.2026 32min

Do you speak the language of money? If you - or anyone close to you - cannot understand what the investment market is telling them, there can be a high price to pay. Investment commentator and Ecstra Foundation chair, Paul Clitheroe joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today’s show, we cover: Financial literacy, why it’s crucial and why Australia is struggling to keep up ‘Swim between the flags’ the simple success formula for managing money  Why ‘financial capability’ is the way forward for investors  A road map for financial literacy success   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to legally save tax on property investment with Adrian Raftery 26.05.2026 28min

As a property investor, you may already know the usual tax breaks for properties, like negative gearing, but did you know there are ways to boost your cash flow and tax deductions? 'Mr Taxman' Dr Adrian Raftery author and tax adviser joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today’s show we cover: The benefits of using a PAYG withholding variation Strategies for claiming depreciation What’s deductible and what isn't? Repairs vs Improvements on the holiday rental Please note: this episode was recorded before the recent Federal Budget; check current rules given the slated 2027 changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget fallout: Before you do anything, do this 21.05.2026 28min

The Federal Budget will be a landmark moment for investors if it all goes through parliament as planned. Investors need to know what happened but also... what might happen next. Liam Shorte of Sonas Wealth joins Associate Editor James Kirby, in this episode  In today's show, we cover:  CGT changes and your share portfolio A surprise boost for gold investors The new attraction of the family home Negotiables? Budget measures that may be up for review See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to tackle the Budget’s property investment clampdown 19.05.2026 30min

Property investors are trying to piece together the cumulative effect of the bad news in the Budget.How much will the combined CGT changes and negative gearing clampdown hit returns? For the everyday investor with the average established investment property the expected internal rate of return is set to plunge from 11 per cent to 8.4 per cent. Stuart Wemyss of the ProSolution Private Office group joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today’s show, we cover: How to tackle the tax challenge for property investors  Warning... Get your property revalued How come so few investors negatively gear new properties? New tax games emerge with exemptions from the new rules  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget Special edition: What you need to do 14.05.2026 31min

The 2026 Budget has introduced the biggest tax changes seen in decades: Every investor in Australia will be affected by the measures. Here's what you need to know...and what to do. Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode In today's show, we cover: The Capital Gains Tax changes: How negative gearing works from here Goodbye to the good old days for family trusts  Self Managed Super Funds - If you don't have one, think again... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ETFs...What's next? (with Vanguard CEO Daniel Shrimski) 11.05.2026 28min

Australian investors have fully embraced Exchange Traded Funds. Now, as the gap between managed funds and index funds narrows, investors want to know what's next on the menu? Daniel Shrimski, CEO of Vanguard Australia joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The changing shape of ETFs Industry leaders warn on CGT changes Vanguard's ISA plan for Australia The ETF dilemma - Selling a stock that's done too well  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond property: Why it's time to widen your investment horizon 07.05.2026 25min

Investment property and high-dividend-paying shares are about to get a tax hit in the Budget: So, it's the perfect time to look wider for the active investor. Jack Tossol of the Partners Wealth Group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The persistence of private equity How 'growth' shares get hit with planned CGT changes Are start-ups really disadvantaged in the tax system? How to find the purchase price of very old shares See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who really gets hit with higher rates? 05.05.2026 25min

Interest rate hikes are just not the same anymore: Once upon a time, they hit the mortgage belt, that fictionalised housing strip in the outer suburbs populated by young families. Today the RBA’s weapon of choice lands heavily instead on older Australians.  What does it mean for the property investor?  Nerida Conisbee, chief economist at Ray White Group, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode.  In today's show, we cover: Investing with rising rates The case against two more rate hikes Why banks are offering longer-lasting mortgages Will negative gearing be effectively restricted to new houses?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the oil shock: Who's really making money? 30.04.2026 29min

The Iran crisis oil shock is creating winners and losers in the sharemarket, but it may not be playing out as you expect. Yes QANTAS is hit, but diesel-guzzlers BHP and Rio re big winners. How's that? And why is Wall Street streaking ahead of the ASX once more even though both markets are facing the same energy issues? Business columnist Eric Johnson joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: New realities of the sharemarket after an oil price spike The AI boom resumes...where are the Aussie players? Firmus - The biggest IPO from a company you've never heard about If EVs are now red hot...is lithium about to boom again? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're biased! - The six signs of investment bias that hold you back 28.04.2026 31min

Once you get on top of the basics, then investing should get a lot easier. But the hidden factors that make a difference between winning and losing inside the investment market - including the property market - often have more to do with bias. Rasti Vaibhav of the Get RARE property group joins Associate Editor, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's episode, we cover: The six signs you're a biased investor The specific issues where bias hits the property investor How lessons from the sharemarket transfer to property CGT - If the reforms are only for residential property, what about A-REITs? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private credit - How bad is this going to get? 23.04.2026 31min

The private credit boom is having a shake-out: But not before many Australian investors - and big super funds - placed a lot of money into what has been, until very recently, a boom business. What's on the line and where is the exposure?  Andy Darroch of Independent Financial Advice joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The problems plaguing private credit How local wealth managers and big funds are linked with the crisis Liquidity - If you did not know what it meant, you will now How to assess private credit as an asset class from here  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What you should be paying on your borrowings (and getting on your cash) 21.04.2026 26min

The upside of higher interest rates is that you might get more on your money in the bank. But it turns out that anyone who uses a 'bonus' account (which is where the banks offer the best rates) must satisfy the terms and conditions each month.And guess what?  More than 40 per cent of savers in this category don't meet their T&Cs each month - that means they don't get the rate rise. With rates rising it’s time to get across the numbers. In today's show, we cover: Sally Tindall, data insights director at Canstar joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The best cash and borrowing rates in the market How the other half gets short-changed - with bonus rates Should you ever use a bank you never heard of? The NDIS...is there a way out of the mess for the government?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your top tax hacks for FY 2026 16.04.2026 28min

You've only got a few months to go before the end of the financial year: It's time to plan your tax returns...and yes, this year - with soaring transport costs and changing super caps - it will be different. 'Mr Taxman' Dr Adrian Raftery author and tax adviser joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode  In today's show, we cover: Don't miss the chance to claim your soaring transport costs  How to optimise your work from home deductions The excellent deal available to anyone leasing an electric car Why superannuation is not the only deduction for the salaried investor  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why residential rental income is about to move higher (again) 14.04.2026 22min

It was not supposed to happen this year: Vacancy rates were meant to rise in 2026 and income was expected to flatten…not at all. Property investors are suddenly grappling with a reshaped market where forecasts have been turned upside down. Louis Christopher of SQM Research joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode. In today’s episode, we cover: As you were! The upset trend of the year for property investors  The downgrades keep coming for house prices CGT looks set to increase Will a two-property negative gearing limit hurt? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Separately Managed Accounts: Advisers love them, but should you? 09.04.2026 31min

SMAs are booming inside the financial advice sector: But if they are so terrific, then why is regulator ASIC asking so many probing questions around fees and conflicts of interest?Nathan Fradley of Fradley Advice joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover... The good, bad and potentially ugly side of the SMA boom Will SMSFs get a fair deal in the new Compo scheme of last resort Reward points and super funds- a marriage made in the marketing department Why are financial advice fees not coming down if AI cuts costs? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where investors will hunt in the looming property downturn 07.04.2026 22min

You can’t have a run of interest rate hikes and expect property to shoot out the lights. The chances are we are going to see a price slowdown in the major cities later this year…especially at the top end. But a string of factors point to serious resilience at the other end of the market. Independent housing analyst, Eliza Owen, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode  In today’s show, we cover: The key factors keeping demand strongest at the entry level How the 5% home deposit scheme skewed house prices A new CGT discount rate of 33% is now the most likely Budget change The problem with ‘grandfathering’  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bringing it all back home - Why the oil shock is turning investors back to the ASX 31.03.2026 27min

What are investors doing in reaction to the shocking turn in markets during the first three months of 2026?  One of the first moves is a distinct retreat from Wall Street back to the ASX, as investors seek mining and energy stocks along with blue chips that can deliver reliable dividends. It's early days but we are also seeing a pick-up in defensive investments such as infrastructure and a little less enthusiasm for gold. David Bassanese, chief economist at ETF provider Betashares, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The surprise swing back to the ASX Where to invest now? The continuing case for gold (despite a bad run) CGT - To grandfather or not to grandfather?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.