From the success of the Magnificent Seven to moments of real volatility, 2024 was a year to remember for equity markets. But what does 2025 have in store? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Chief Strategy Officer at Tiger Brokers, Greg Boland, to reflect on the performance of share markets in 2024 and look ahead at how markets may fare this year. They discuss: The major events and themes of 2024 Winners and losers on the ASX How US markets performed last...
Jan 14, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 186
Ever wondered what the best wine, car, or super fund in Australia is? Each year, we scrutinise the Australian market to uncover the best of the best products and services for you. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar and Vanessa Walker are in the studio to reveal the top 2025 award winners! And the top picks are... Best Super Fund Best Investment Manager Best Flexible Home Loan Overall best ETF Manager Best wines and books PROMO CODE: X2412MON (Annual digital an...
Jan 07, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 185
Sometimes making mistakes makes you a better investor in the long run. Knowing what mistakes to look out for can save you thousands. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with John Addis, Money contributor and author, about his biggest investing mistakes and how to avoid them. Should you manage your investments? When to sell a stock When not to invest in a stock What about a stock that you should have bought? #friendswithmoney #michellebaltazar #johnaddis #...
Dec 31, 2024•19 min•Season 5Ep. 184
Ever wondered what happens to torn or dog-eared banknotes, and whether Australians can get a refund for handing them in? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Greg Dicinoski, chief scientist at the Reserve Bank’s Note Issue Department, to put damaged banknotes under the microscope. Just how prevalent are cash payments in Australia? What are the common, and more unusual, causes of banknote damage? What should you do with damaged cash? Can you get a refund fo...
Dec 24, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 183
Cooling inflation. Soaring tech stocks. 2024 has been a significant year for news, so before it ends, it's time to look back on the major stories in the world of finance.This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined Money’s Managing Editor, Vanessa Walker, to reflect on some of the biggest events, trends and reforms in 2024 and how they’ve affected our financial lives. They discuss: Cryptocurrency ETFs and prices Easing inflation Interest rate stalemate Income tax cut...
Dec 17, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 182
Sometimes, to achieve our goals, we need to change direction. But how do you determine whether you are on the right path to achieve your desired outcomes? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with author, coach, and the former CEO of Xero, Steve Vamos, on how to get back on track and stick with your plan. The importance of clarity Staying on track by alignment Compliance is mandatory Having the difficult conversations #friendswithmoney #michellebaltazar #s...
Dec 10, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 181
Bitcoin's value has blasted past the one hundred thousand mark and is expected to soar even higher in 2025. In this bonus episode of The Friends With Money Podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar and Vanessa Walker discuss the highs and lows of this volatile digital currency. Money online story: https://www.moneymag.com.au/why-crypto-prices-are-surging Bitcoin edition: https://www.magshop.com.au/Products/MON240701/money-magazine-july-2024-issue Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website...
Dec 06, 2024•6 min
Navigating the art of asking for what you want can feel daunting, but strong negotiation skills can pave the way to success. Michelle Baltazar, Editor-in-Chief at Money, in this episode of the Friends With Money podcast chats with Glin Bayley, coach and author of 'The Negotiation Playbook: Strategies That Work and Results That Last', about why mastering negotiation is essential for achieving your life (and money) goals. They discuss: Preparation is the key Understanding intrinsic vs. extrinsic v...
Dec 03, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 180
With the festive season upon us, present lists are being written around the country. But is there anything investors may want to add to their own wish lists? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by chief investment analyst at Wealth Within, Dale Gillham, to chat about the state of the market and the Australian companies which could shine bright in the near future. How has the share market been performing recently? Which local sectors look promising? Are there...
Nov 26, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 179
Are there simple measures we could be taking every day to improve our money habits and our overall financial health? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Simi Rayat, psychologist and author of Productivity Joy, to chat about the relationship between psychology and money. They discuss: When and how are people’s attitudes towards money formed? Why does money spark emotion that doesn’t appear with other issues? How can confirmation bias and sunk-cost fallacy ...
Nov 19, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 178
The sales season is fast approaching, so how can shoppers make sure that they actually grab a bargain on Black Friday or Boxing Day? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, to preview this years’ sales season and discuss the steps consumers can take to maximise their savings. Are sales events like Black Friday genuinely a good time to shop? Should Aussies do anything before the sales to help them get a barga...
Nov 12, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 177
There’s a raft of new superannuation initiatives and reforms set to come online in the next few years, so how will these affect super members? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Peter Hogg, general manager for guidance and advice at Aware Super, to talk through the changes which kick off from July 2025. They discuss: Superannuation on paid parental leave The upcoming super guarantee increase Proposed changes to tax concessions on higher balances The impa...
Nov 05, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 176
With inflation falling and interest rates starting to do the same, is now an opportune time to consider investing in fixed income or has the window passed? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Marc Jocum, product and investment strategist at Global X ETFs, to chat all things fixed income. They discuss: The assets included in the fixed income basket How bonds deliver returns to investors The benefits of having a fixed income allocation How fixed income asse...
Oct 29, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 175
From Boomers to Zoomers, which stock-picking style is better? Craig Keary, CEO of trading platform Selfwealth, is back in the studio with Money's Michelle Baltazar to discuss the latest investment trends and which generation is leading the way. Compare the share portfolios of Boomers, Gen X, Millenials and Gen Z based on 2024 trading data What are the factors influencing each generation's investment choices? What tactic is likely to succeed? Who invests in ETFs? #friendswithmoney #michellebaltaz...
Oct 22, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 174
Purchasing a home isn’t a simple process. So, for buyers looking for help or an extra edge on the competition, could a buyers’ agent be worth the cost? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Michelle May, founder and principal agent at Michelle May Buyers Agents, to break down the services that buyer’s agents can provide. The discuss: How buyers’ agents differ from selling agents The range of services that buyers’ agents can provide The world of off-market l...
Oct 15, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 173
The secret to success lies in the execution. On this week's Friends With Money Podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with author, financial adviser, and co-founder of Pivot Wealth, Ben Nash, about wealth-building strategies to help you achieve your goals. What are the fundamental strategies? Why buying your own home first can slow your wealth-building What's the first crucial step? Two strategies to accelerate your financial journey Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on...
Oct 08, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 172
Plastic isn’t always fantastic, but credit cards can be an effective money management tool. The question is though, what kind of card will match your needs? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Rachel Wastell, personal finance expert at Mozo, to dig into the different types of credit cards on the market and the features they offer. They discuss: Suitable cards for everyday spenders The benefits of balance transfers Travel-friendly credit cards Rewards poin...
Oct 01, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 171
Are you getting the best deal from your bank? Open banking is set to transform the Australian banking industry, putting power back in your hands Maxime Chaury, co-founder of Upworth and open banking specialist, joins Money's Michelle Baltazar together they reveal how to make your money work harder under the new financial landscape. Are we getting the most out of our banks? What exactly is open banking? How can you harness its power to take control of your finances? is open banking safe and secur...
Sep 24, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 170
Thematic ETFs can give investors exposure to particular sectors, geographies or trends happening in the broader market, but they’re not without their risks. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by founder and chief executive of Stockspot, Chris Brycki, to dig into thematic exchange traded funds and the role they can play in portfolios. They discuss: What thematic ETFs actually are The thematic ETF versus index ETF approach Tech and sustainability as themes an...
Sep 17, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 169
Did you know that most superannuation accounts come with insurance? In this week's Friends With Money podcast, Michelle Baltazar sits down with lawyer and author Melisa Sloan to unravel the world of superannuation insurance. They delve into: The pros and cons of insurance within and outside your super fund What is TPD insurance and when can you use it How you might unintentionally void your own super insurance The two types of occupation insurance, and more! #friendswithmoney #michellebaltazar #...
Sep 10, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 168
Private credit as an asset class has grown into a $3 trillion sector after super funds and big investors started piling in. But is it a good addition to a typical investor portfolio? Money's Michelle Baltazar takes a deep dive into this investment opportunity with private credit expert Paul Miron, co-founder of Msquared Capital, on this week's episode of Friends With Money. What exactly is private credit? How much do you need to get started? What fees are involved? Most importantly, what are the...
Sep 03, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 167
It’s easy to start investing, but have you got the foundations, goals and financial structures in place to set yourself up for success? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson talks with author and host of the This is Money podcast, Glen James, about the tips and lessons he’s taken away from his investment journey so far. What made you want to write The Quick-Start Guide to Investing? What should investors do before they even start trading? How can investors identify thei...
Aug 27, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 166
With the rising cost of living squeezing budgets, many are finding it harder than ever to make ends meet. Sometimes, turning to family and friends for help can feel like the only option. But lending money can be tricky. How do you balance financial support with protecting your relationships? On this episode, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with the founder of Chipkie, Michelle Lomas, about the best way to lend money to family and friends. They discuss: The financial pressure created by a rising ...
Aug 20, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 165
Been scammed? You're not alone. Scams cost nearly $3 billion dollars in 2023 according to the ACCC, but there's hope at hand. In this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, financial adviser and "On Your Own Two Feet" author Helen Baker joins Money's Michelle Baltazar as they unlock the secrets to help rebuild your finances and protect yourself from cybercriminals. What should you do in the first 48 hours after being scammed? How do you protect yourself from future fraud? Don't get into more...
Aug 13, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 164
How have local and international markets performed in 2024 and how are things shaping up in the months to come? That’s the topic of discussion on this episode of the Friends With Money podcast featuring Money's Tom Watson and chief investment analyst at Wealth Within, Dale Gillham. What’s driven the performance of the ASX so far this year? Which Australian companies and sectors have performed well? What have been the standout international markets? How are markets expected to fair over the comin...
Aug 06, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 163
Planning for aged care can feel overwhelming, but it's an important conversation to have. This week on the Friends With Money Podcast, financial expert Michelle Baltazar and aged care specialist Caroline Rees tackle your questions about: Key considerations for making informed decisions Funding options to navigate the financial aspects Tax implications to understand the financial landscape Getting started on the planning process #friendswithmoney #tmichellebaltazar #carolinerees #agedcare Episode...
Jul 30, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 162
In this bonus episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Grant Hackett, the CEO of GenLife, joins Money's Vanessa Walker to discuss why Bonds might be the right choice for your portfolio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 28, 2024•7 min
Love it or loathe it, cryptocurrency has made its way into the mainstream. So for the crypto curious, what are the fundamentals worth knowing about? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Janine Grainger, founder and chief executive of cryptocurrency trading platform EasyCrypto, to chat about some of the basics of cryptocurrency. What is cryptocurrency? Are there different types of cryptocurrency? Why should Australians care about it? What are some of the po...
Jul 23, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 161
Feeling the financial pinch? Your money can do more for you! Maybe it's time to make your money work smarter. This week on Friends With Money, Michelle Baltazar chats with financial adviser and author of Insufficient Funds James Millard. Grow your wealth and learn the secrets to making your money work harder, not the other way around. The 4 Pillars of Financial Success Understanding Concessional vs. Non-Concessional Contributions Why a Financial Advisor Can Be Your Best Friend #friendswithmoney ...
Jul 16, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 160
Building wealth through investing is a gradual process – one that naturally comes with its fair share of success and setbacks. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson talks with financial educator and author Natasha Etschmann (@tashinvests) about her investment journey and the insights she’s gained along the way. What made you want to get into investing? Why did you decide to write How To Not Work Forever? How do you find the money to invest? What’s your view on paying of...
Jul 09, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 159
