Investopoly is a twice-weekly podcast designed to help you make better financial decisions and build wealth with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Stuart (tax adviser, financial adviser, and mortgage broker) and Campbell (senior financial adviser), each episode delivers concise, practical insights grounded in real-world strategy, research, methodologies, and case studies.
You will get two episodes each week: a main episode that deep-dives into a single wealth-building topic, and a Q&A episode that answers listener questions and real scenarios. Send your questions to questions@investopoly.com.au
We also writes a weekly blog, and many podcast topics build on those ideas and frameworks. Stuart's forthcoming book, Wealth by Design, will be available in July 2026.
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Read Full Blog Here In this episode, Stuart examines whether being a wholesale investor truly unlocks better investment opportunities or is merely a more sophisticated marketing pitch. He explains what qualifies someone as a wholesale investor under Australian law, what protections are lost when switching from retail, and whether exclusive access to private equity, hedge funds, and unlisted property trusts is truly worth the trade-off. Stuart also breaks down the core risks of wholesale investme...
In this Q&A-packed episode, Stuart tackles a broad range of listener questions covering everything from starting in your 30s to optimising a $5 million property portfolio. Zach, a new parent with a $1M home and solid income, asks what to focus on over the next 5–10 years and whether topping up the offset or investing in shares makes more sense. Stuart also addresses whether Zach's discretionary trust setup is a smart long-term move. Rob asks about private banking services, what they offer, a...
Read Full Blog Here In this episode, Campbell Wallace tackles one of the most overlooked yet significant taxes in retirement planning: the 17% superannuation death benefit tax. While Australia doesn’t have a formal inheritance tax, this “sneaky tax” can quietly strip hundreds of thousands from your estate if left unmanaged, particularly when adult children inherit super balances with large taxable components. Campbell explains why this tax exists, who it applies to, and how to work around it usi...
In this Q&A episode, Stuart answers a range of insightful listener questions on wealth-building strategies through property, ETFs, and superannuation. Burt asks if he’s on track to retire by age 60, despite limited borrowing capacity and tight cash flow. Stuart unpacks the numbers and suggests possible next steps to gain traction. Blair, seeking to build a well-structured ETF portfolio inside an SMSF, asks how to balance growth, value, and emerging market exposure, and whether holding 6 ETFs...
Read Full Blog Here In this episode, Stuart introduces a powerful framework for property investors: Return on Borrowing Capacity (RoBC). With borrowing capacity often being a limited and scarce resource, Stuart explains why it’s critical to allocate it where it delivers the greatest after-tax, long-term wealth outcomes. He unpacks the concept by comparing different investment properties with identical total returns but varying mixes of income and capital growth, demonstrating how the wrong choic...
In this episode, Stuart addresses a wide range of thoughtful listener questions, focusing on managing risk, balancing lifestyle with long-term wealth, and making informed property and investment decisions. Andrew asks whether it’s necessary to chase every spreadsheet-optimised return when he and his partner already have "enough," prompting Stuart to explore hybrid strategies that protect cash flow while still building wealth, especially when children are on the horizon. Sam raises concerns about...
Read Full Blog Here In this episode, Stuart delves into the practical benefits and strategic importance of including a testamentary trust in your will. He explains how testamentary trusts offer powerful advantages in terms of tax efficiency, asset protection, and long-term flexibility, especially for families with minor children or complex financial situations. Stuart breaks down why income distributed to minors from a testamentary trust qualifies for adult tax rates, how these trusts can shield...
In this Q&A episode, Campbell Wallace answers a wide range of listener questions from first-home buyers to seasoned investors navigating tax and strategic property decisions. John, a rentvestor with a young family, asks whether buying an investment-grade property in Melbourne now, with plans to use the proceeds to reduce PPOR debt in the future, aligns with his flexible, lifestyle-focused goals. Campbell explores how this fits into a broader wealth strategy and the trade-offs involved. Steve...
Read Full Blog Here In this episode, Stuart tackles a vital topic for every property investor: how to manage your property manager effectively, rather than being managed by them. He explains why great property management is essential for protecting your investment and cash flow, and how unrealistic expectations or poor communication can lead to costly mistakes. Stuart shares practical tips on navigating maintenance requests, managing rental increases, attending inspections, and choosing the righ...
In this comprehensive Q&A episode, Stuart answers a wide range of listener questions spanning early retirement, home loan strategy, asset allocation, and superannuation management. Brett, a low-income investor aiming to retire at 45 with $100–120K in passive income, shares his strategy of holding four investment properties and building a trust-based ETF portfolio. Stuart offers guidance on asset spread, ETF weighting, and tax efficiency. Travis outlines his Adelaide-based property and supera...
Read Full Blog Here In this episode, Campbell explores one of the biggest creeping costs for property investors today, land tax, and why its rising impact should prompt a serious rethink of long-term investment strategies. He breaks down how land tax thresholds and rates have shifted over the last 20 years in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland, and highlights how frozen indexation and bracket creep are quietly eroding net rental yields. Using projections over 15 and 30 years, Campbell reveals how eve...
In this Q&A episode, Stuart dives into some complex and common questions from listeners navigating investment property decisions, superannuation strategies, and long-term planning. Tammy asks whether refinancing an investment loan and increasing an equity release is the best way to fund home renovations and a car upgrade. Stuart explains why selling one of their properties might be a more efficient solution. Viktor, a long-term Melbourne investor, wants guidance on whether to sell one or mor...
Read full blog here. In this episode, Stuart sounds the alarm on property spruikers and how to spot the latest fads that can lead unsuspecting investors astray. Drawing from decades of experience, he explains how to distinguish genuine investment advice from cleverly packaged sales pitches designed to serve the seller, not the buyer. From positive cash flow regional properties in the early 2000s to the GFC-era US property rush, mining town booms, and off-the-plan apartment oversupply, Stuart sha...
In this Q&A episode, Stuart answers a diverse set of listener questions covering retirement preparation, home upgrade decisions, cash flow optimisation, and early-stage financial planning. He begins with El, a couple in their late 50s wondering whether switching from Care and Brighter Super to Vanguard Super is worth the effort as they approach retirement. Stuart outlines the key considerations for super fund selection at this life stage, including fees, flexibility, and pension phase planni...
Read full blog here. In this data-rich episode, Stuart takes a deep dive into what 40 years of long-term data reveals about property investing across Australia’s capital cities. While the media often focuses on short-term fluctuations, Stuart explains why property should be viewed as a multi-decade investment and how compounding growth over time can deliver extraordinary returns. He breaks down the historical performance of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, highlighting how each ...
Stuart Wemyss addresses diverse listener questions, offering guidance on critical financial decisions. He advises a high-income cancer survivor on property investment strategies and debt management, and helps a soon-to-retire teacher understand using offset accounts for share market risk. The episode also covers how average investors can find reliable property data and guides a young, successful couple on balancing aggressive wealth building with enjoying their present life.
Read full blog here. In this forward-looking episode, Stuart unpacks a range of bold ideas for tax reform in Australia, urging policymakers to think beyond the status quo. With both federal and state budgets under pressure, and income taxes increasingly unsustainable, Stuart proposes a smarter, more balanced system that supports economic growth while ensuring fairness. He explores the dangers of bracket creep, the merits of expanding GST through a luxury rate, and the potential of capping the CG...
In this episode, Stuart addresses a wide range of listener questions, focusing on smart super strategies, investment property decisions, and how to balance financial goals with market realities. Jeff asks whether funds in an offset account with a non-bank lender like Resimac are safe, prompting a discussion on lending structures and risk. Alex seeks clarity on the pros and cons of rebalancing super investment options, while Pierre (alias) returns with a detailed follow-up on reallocating borrowi...
Read full blog here. In this episode, Stuart explores why sometimes the smartest investment strategy is to do less . With global markets hitting all-time highs and every major asset class delivering positive returns in 2025, Stuart cautions against overconfidence. He explains why sitting on cash or keeping borrowing capacity in reserve can be a strategic move, not a missed opportunity. Drawing on recent market trends, including the unusual simultaneous rise of gold and bitcoin, Stuart unpacks wh...
In this Q&A-packed episode, Campbell tackles a variety of real-life scenarios from listeners navigating property decisions, capital gains tax, and super strategies. He begins by clarifying whether deferring the sale of investment properties until retirement results in meaningful CGT savings, a common assumption he carefully unpacks for Catherine. Elise then asks whether to continue hunting for an investment property, focus on paying off the mortgage, or invest in shares. Campbell shares a pr...
Read full blog here In this episode, Stuart reveals the results of his annual review of super fund performance, naming the best super fund for 2025. He compares returns across both Balanced and High Growth investment options from Australia’s leading industry and retail super funds, including Hostplus, UniSuper, ART, AustralianSuper, and the increasingly competitive Vanguard Super. But investment returns and fees aren’t the only criteria that matter. Stuart delves deeper into overlooked factors, ...
In this Q&A episode, Stuart covers a wide range of real-life scenarios, offering clear insights on property strategy, superannuation, and retirement planning. He begins by unpacking Paul’s question about setting up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) and whether his current balance is sufficient to make a property purchase viable within it. Stuart also reflects on the quality of Paul’s Melbourne townhouse investment and discusses how to assess whether a property is genuinely investment-grade. P...
Read full blog here In this episode, Stuart takes a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood aspects of superannuation, how unrealised capital gains tax (CGT) affects your balance, and how to avoid it. He begins by explaining the irony of the government’s proposed tax on super balances over $3 million: while controversial, most Australians are already paying tax on unrealised gains daily via pooled super funds. Stuart breaks down how these products calculate unit prices and the role of futur...
In this Q&A episode, Stuart tackles a wide range of complex financial and property questions from listeners navigating wealth-building decisions. He begins with a couple considering converting their first home into an investment property. Stuart breaks down the implications of their joint ownership structure, refinancing strategy, and whether they've missed the opportunity for negative gearing, providing insight into how high- and middle-income earners can best structure property portfolios....
Read full blog here In this episode, Stuart explores how to build personal wealth through employee share schemes (ESS), breaking down everything from RSUs and stock options to tax-effective strategies like salary sacrifice. He explains how shares vest, when and how they’re taxed, and the implications of holding versus selling. Stuart also highlights the importance of managing concentration risk and making informed decisions based on valuations, market conditions, and long-term goals. Listeners w...
In this Q&A episode, Stuart dives into some of the most pressing financial questions on the minds of listeners, from retirement tax strategies to smart investing moves. He unpacks the intricacies of transferring UK pensions to Australia, outlining the key rules, common pitfalls, and how to reduce unnecessary fees. Stuart then breaks down savvy loan structures for purchasing property through a company, with tips on minimising capital gains tax in the process. With retirement planning front an...
Read full blog here. In this insightful episode, Stuart Wemyss addresses a common investor question: Can Australian property values continue growing at 7% per year? He explains how compounding works over time and why adjusting future property values for inflation and income growth makes projections, like an $8 million home in 30 years, more relatable. Stuart dives into the impact of income distribution, noting that the top 20% of Australians earn nearly half of all disposable income and experien...
In this insightful Q&A episode, Stuart Wemyss dives into three real-life financial questions that highlight the importance of strategic planning as retirement approaches. The episode begins with a deep dive into “Alex’s” situation a successful small business owner aiming to generate a $200,000 annual income in retirement. Stuart explores how Alex might structure assets post-business sale and whether selling an investment property could be necessary to meet income goals. Next, Francois raises...
Read full blog here. In this insightful episode, Stuart Wemyss explores the safest, most reliable income-generating investment options for risk-averse investors or those with short investment horizons. He begins by highlighting why fixed income investments deserve more attention, especially for portfolio stability, retirees, or anyone with a low risk tolerance. Stuart presents a clear hierarchy of choices, starting with mortgage offset accounts as the most efficient, risk-free return option, oft...
In this Q&A episode, Campbell unpacks a range of nuanced financial scenarios submitted by listeners grappling with how to best use their wealth, equity, and income to build a stronger financial future. The central theme revolves around one of the most common dilemmas: when your wealth is mostly tied up in property, what’s the next strategic step? Whether it’s deciding whether to chase a dream home post-auction, restructure assets for retirement, or explore SMSFs as a way to diversify and lev...
