Cost of living is expensive right now, particularly the essentials - the latest CPI data was a bit of a shock. We take a look at what's rising the most, what's driving it and what is about to be done to help. If the idea of an RBA interest rate rise and it helping with rising inflation is hurting your brain - this is the episode for you. Plus there are some positives from a cash rate hike. Peter Munckton , Chief Economist at Bank of Queensland, and Matthew Bunny , Economist at Westpac Group join...
May 01, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Climate Change - it can feel overwhelming. What does Net Zero by 2050 mean for Australia, our economy, the businesses that operate here and the people who live here? Who is taking action? How can individuals get involved? How much time do we have - this episode's experts have a confronting message on that. We're also in the middle of an election campaign - so what role is politics playing. There's plenty to learn in this episode on a topic that impacts us all. Emma Herd - a partner EY Oceania, w...
Apr 24, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 16
WARNING: This episode deals with domestic abuse and family violence. Have you heard of financial abuse? Do you know what it is? Have you experienced it? Could you recognise it and then know how to intervene? It's a problem in Australia and there's a lot of work being done to help. There's now research revealing the enormous impact of financial abuse in this country. In 2020, more than 623,100 women and men were subjected to financial abuse in Australia. The cost is staggering. Research by Deloit...
Apr 17, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Get ready for a lot of campaigning about the economy as both sides of politics claim to be the best economic manager. But what makes a good economic manager? And where do our politicians stand on some of the other major issues - cost of living and housing supply. Plus - there's been a very interesting Reserve Bank Board meeting about interest rates. Find out why the RBA has lost its patience. Peter Tulip , Chief Economist at the Centre for Independent Studies and Felicity Emmett , ANZ Senior Eco...
Apr 10, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Want to know what's in the Federal budget for you? Is the proposed economic plan a good one? What about the impact of the pending election and whether any of the Cost of Living measures will make it into your hip pocket. The Opposition has unveiled part of its plan - how does that fit in? Cherelle Murphy - Chief Economist at EY, and Matthew Bunny - Economist at the Westpac Group join Gillian to break it all down to tell consumers how they benefit. Find out more about Gillian here . See omnystudi...
Apr 03, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Do you know what the money in your bank account or super is being used for? Any idea what it's invested in? Fossil fuel or tobacco industries? Is it in-line with your ethics? Um ethics - what are your ethics?! Author and Journalist Nicole Haddow joins Gillian to talk about her latest book - The Ethical Investor . She wanted to put her money where her ethics were but had no idea where to start. This episode gets the brain going. Find out more about Gillian here . See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
Mar 27, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Unemployment in Australia is the best it's been in years but consumers are still feeling glum. This episode we look at what the latest jobs numbers mean, why wages growth hasn't caught up yet and PLENTY of ideas for government on how to ease the rising cost of living. Plus - did you know women over 55 are the fastest growing cohort of homeless Australians? Find out why and what can be done to help. Angela Jackson from Impact Economics and Johnathan McMenamin , Senior Economist at EY join Gillian...
Mar 20, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In the spirit of International Women's Day, Gillian talks to two experts helping women get 'money savvy'*. From simple money saving ideas, and financial goals, to handling debt and learning to invest - this episode has a taste of everything. There's even a whole group dedicated to this sort of stuff - Ladies Finance Club! Molly Benjamin and Lexi Smith join Gillian for this important but FUN episode. (This episode discusses financial ideas, but you should always get your own financial advice and ...
Mar 13, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 10
There's a LOT going on right now. Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops in Ukraine, two Australian states are in the grips of a weather emergency, we're bracing for rising interest rates and WA has finally rejoined the rest of the country. So what's the impact on the economy, and your hip pocket. And are there any solutions to rising prices? Plus, a glimmer of hope on house prices. CBA Chief Economist Stephen Halmarick and RBC Capital Markets Chief Economist Su-Lin Ong join Gillian to ex...
Mar 06, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 9
It's YOUR money - that's the theme of this episode. Do you know what unclaimed money is, if you're entitled to any or HOW to get it back? What about a refund for junk insurance or pointless fees? And are you paying for so many subscriptions you can no longer keep up - losing your credit card certainly puts a spotlight on that! Joel Gibson from One Big Switch and John Rolfe - former Cost of Living Editor and Public Defender Columnist at The Daily Telegraph join Gillian to talk practical steps for...
Feb 27, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 8
There's a rental squeeze - good for some, but HARD for others. We brainstorm solutions. And what role will a housing shortfall play in attracting overseas workers - we need them! Plus - how the economy handled 450,000 workers spending the week at home because of Omicron. Phil Zinbell - Associate Director, Economics at NAB and Belinda Allen - Senior Economist at the Commonwealth Bank join Gillian to explain. Join the conversation by finding Gillian on Twitter , Gillian on Instagram or Gillian on ...
Feb 20, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 7
There are two sides to managing your money - just like there are two sides to a $100 note - a practical and EMOTIONAL side. That's the message from my experts this week. And to understand the emotional - you need to understand the foundations of your relationship with money. Now that sounds BRAIN EXPANDING. It is! We dive into when your 'money story' is created, how it impacts your money decisions and some steps you could take to prevent a negative 'money story' from continuing to haunt you. 'Wo...
Feb 13, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 6
More than 1.1 million Australian households have never experienced a cash rate hike - wow! But after more than 11 years of the Reserve Bank cutting rates, rises are finally coming. How do we know? It's all in what the RBA is now saying and it's sure been doing a lot of talking. ANZ Senior Economist Adelaide Timbrell and St. George Bank Economist Matthew Bunny join Gillian to look at how it'll impact people and the economy. Gillian on Instagram Gillian on LinkedIn Gillian on Twitter Email: making...
Feb 06, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 5
The economists are back! Interest rates are top of the agenda - and why your goods and services getting more expensive will see them rise. Plus ...why rising, rather than falling, interest rates 'is a good news story'.Huh?! EY Chief Economist Jo Masters and Market Economics Managing Director Stephen Koukoulas join Gillian, to break it all down. Gillian on Instagram Gillian on LinkedIn Gillian on Twitter Email: [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 30, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Have you thought much about what happens when you die?Are you prepared financially?Do you have a will ...and what happens when you don't?And if you THINK you're prepared ...when was the last time you checked if your plan for when you die still works (i.e. is your EX still getting all your stuff?!)This episode is a taste of what's involved in planning for your death - morbid but inevitable.The experts: Anna Hacker, National Manager, Estate PlanningAustralian Unity Trustees Legal ServicesandYvonne...
Jan 23, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Have you ever wondered how you turn a random idea into a successful business? Especially one that's come to you during the pandemic? Pamela Yip and Jenny Le at Bubble Tea Club have done just that. Their story is epic and shows how you can transfer an idea developed in an Aussie lounge room into a global sensation! Bubble Tea Club Bubble Tea Club on Instagram Gillian on Instagram Gillian on Twitter Email me: [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 16, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 2
On Making Money Easy we love practical tips so that's how we've kicked off Season 2!If you want to take charge of your financial future - this is the chat for you."The Joy Of Money" authors Kate McCallum and Julia Newbould join Gillian to explain how to do just that. Gillian on Insta Gillian on Twitter Email me: [email protected] Julia Newbould Kate McCallum See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 09, 2022•30 min•Season 2Ep. 1
The latest lockdown-impacted unemployment figures are out ...but there are signs the worst is behind us. So it's back to work, but in a whole new way - we explore the strategies to handle that. Plus, what's a 'pingdemic' and how Australia can avoid it. And why there may be presents missing under your Christmas Tree this year.Jo Masters, EY Chief Economist and Peter Munckton, BOQ Chief Economist, join Gillian to explain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 14, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 21
As risky debt increases and house prices soar, banks have been told to apply a slightly tougher test on a person's ability to afford their mortgage.But what does it mean DOLLAR-wise and WHO will be impacted the most?And will it actually take some HEAT out of the booming Australian property market. Peter Tulip - Chief Economist at Centre for Independent Studies and Felicity Emmett - Senior Economist at ANZ join Gillian to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 07, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 20
APRA - the banking regulator is considering what actions it can take to address the medium-term risk created as a result of surging loan sizes compared to what people earn.The changes are likely to cool property prices.So how will this all work and who might be impacted? ANZ Senior Economist Adelaide Timbrell and NAB'S Agribusiness Economist Phin Ziebell join Gillian to discuss. And Phin's audio gets much better in the second half - we promise, so stick with us. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
Sep 30, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 19
We've never done so much online shopping or had access to such low mortgage rates while others have lost jobs for the first time in their lives and are now receiving government benefits.So how are people paying the bills and what happens when they can't.Plus, the push to protect vulnerable consumers from getting too many Buy Now, Pay Later accounts. Deb Shroot, a Financial Counsellor at the National Debt Helpline and Sally Tindall, RateCity Research Director, join Gillian to explain. If you're e...
Sep 23, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 18
If there's one thing we can rely on during a pandemic, it's its ability to through a spanner in the works when it comes to data. The jobs figures for August tell a big story - but you've got to look under the bonnet. Almost 150,000 people lost work ...while heaps chose to stop looking at all ...and those that still 'have' jobs saw their hours plummet. Plus - how important is the pension, and is the GST about to rise? Leonora Risse, RMIT University Senior Economics Lecturer and Stephen Koukoulas,...
Sep 16, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 17
As lockdown drags on, plenty were wondering if the current performance of the economy was enough to make the RBA do more to help us cope … so did they?Yes and no … our economists explain.Plus, how stopping violence against women also makes sense for the economy.And where would you go with your vaccine passport. Angela Jackson, Lead Economist at Equity Economics and Matthew Bunny, Economist at St.George Bank join Gillian to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 09, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 16
The latest economic growth figures are out and they show the economy expanded in the second quarter BUT there's a caveat - they only take in a TINY bit of the latest lockdowns. In this episode we dive into how the data works, what to expect from the data next time around, and what IS a 'technical recession' and why we should throw the description in the bin. Su-Lin Ong, Chief Economist at RBC Capital Markets and Stephen Halmarick, Chief Economist at the Commonwealth Bank, join Gillian to expand ...
Sep 02, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Australians are setting a rapid pace to get the jab but how will our economy go when 80 per cent of us are protected? And what happens if we don't get there? Plus - how on earth could house prices be STILL RISING? And the benefits of a construction pipeline. Kristina Clifton, Senior Economist at the Commonwealth Bank and Peter Munckton, Chief Economist at BOQ join Gillian to expand her brain, and yours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 26, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Pre-loved couches, old dining sets, clothes, tools...Online marketplaces are full of people de-cluttering their homes.And new research shows the average Australian household has approximately $5,300 worth of items they could sell for extra cash. But trading in the Circular Economy delivers more than a financial benefit - it's helping the planet too. To explain HOW, Mark Kehoe, Gumtree Australia Managing Director and Nicole Garofano, Planet Ark Head of Circular Economy Development join Gillian to...
Aug 19, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Cryptocurrency - everyone seems to be talking about it these days - particularly when Telsa CEO Elon Musk decides to TWEET about it. Bitcoin, blockchain technology, digital assets... What are all those things, how do they work and can you use your digital currency to buy your groceries? Plus, what in the world is a CryptoKitty?! Joni Pirovich, Founder of Blockchain and Digital Assets and Ben Nash, Advisor and Founder of Pivot Wealth join Gillian to expand her brain, and yours. Joni's company Blo...
Aug 12, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Our political leaders have agreed to COVID-19 vaccine targets to end lockdowns and start to reopen.So what about the data this 'roadmap' is based on. Do the numbers stack up?Plus, why it's so hard being a first-home buyer at the moment...and which loan holders are breaking records. Looking at this and more with Gillian is Besa Deda, Chief Economist at Westpac Business Bank and Adelaide Timbrell, an economist at ANZ Bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 05, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Our economists and politicians have never spent so much time re-crunching already crunched numbers.Has the rule book on how economics works been thrown out the window?We dive into the latest cost of living data, what the Reserve Bank is re-thinking ahead of the August board meeting and is there a way to use your fruit and veggie bill to get a pay rise? Belinda Allen, Senior Economist at the Commonwealth Bank and Phin Ziebell from the Economics team at National Australia Bank, join Gillian to dis...
Jul 29, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 10
When was the last time you checked your superannuation balance?How do you tell a decent fund from a bad one?When it comes to retirement, do you know how to pay out your funds to live a good life?Plus ...the 4 tips to ensure your super works for YOU.We answer all that AND MORE. Ian Fryer, Chant West General Manager and Paul Versteege, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association Policy Manager join Gillian to discuss. Their websites: chantwest.com.au cpsa.org.au See omnystudio.com/listener f...
Jul 22, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 9
