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The Money Puzzle

The Australiantheaustralian.com.au

Unlock your wealth potential with The Money Puzzle.

Featuring two power-packed episodes each week packed with smart money-making strategies, from superannuation to investing in shares, plus in-depth analysis of property markets.

Get tips from leading experts and practical tools to help build lasting wealth.

Submit your questions at themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au

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Episodes

Your complete 2026 investment outlook

How many years can a bull market last? What will it take to dampen investor sentiment in the year ahead, and what should you, the active investor, be doing? Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor-Wealth, James Kirby in this episode In today's show, we cover: The risks and opportunity in the 2026 listed markets How to defend against the looming risk of inflation Gold - do you have it, how much should you have ? Fading into rallies - the art of taking profits at the right...

Jan 22, 202635 min

The outstanding property opportunity in 2026

Property prices are tipped to rise by 5 per cent in 2026 : But where will investors really make their money?In our property investment outlook show for the year ahead, we identify the property sector that is ready to rebound...and we pinpoint the best location too. Stuart Wemyss of the ProSolution Private Clients group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Higher rates and tighter lending - the risks this year The property sector which is ready ...

Jan 20, 202633 min

Top stock picks for 2026 (with Jun Bei Liu)

The ASX can return 10 per cent again in 2026...or maybe even more, says star stockpicker Jun Bei Liu...but what to buy? In this second part of our 2026 investment outlook, she outlines very clearly the red-hot sectors offering the top stock picks and also the parts of the market to avoid. Jun Bei Liu of Ten Cap joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode In today's show, we cover: How miners will make you money in the year ahead Banks, REITs and retailers could let you down Can ...

Jan 15, 202643 min

Your shares in 2026

It looks like the sharemarket will once again be the place to make money in 2026, especially on Wall Street. But it's not going to be a smooth ride: In the first weeks of the year, the US has unleashed a wave of foreign interventions - and President Trump has subpoenaed Fed Reserve chair Jay Powell - triggering alarm bells on Wall Street. Marc Jocum, investment strategist at GlobalX ETFs joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover The outlook for inves...

Jan 13, 202644 min

Summer series: Investing Secrets from $1.5bn Fund Manager Jun Bei Liu

In this episode of The Money Puzzle, The Australian’s Wealth Editor, Julie-anne Sprague, unpacks what it takes to be a great investor with one of the nation's top stockpickers, Jun Bei Liu. How did Liu learn to invest? What did she learn when things went wrong and what's her advice for everyday investors wanting to build their wealth? Jun Bei Liu of Ten Cap joins Wealth Editor Julie-anne Sprague in this episode. Please note, this is a repeat episode of The Money Puzzle. It originally aired in De...

Jan 06, 202635 min

Summer series: Is your home the worst investment you’ll ever make?

If it wasn’t said by a top financial adviser, you might dismiss it as a quote out of context, but Partners Wealth Group Jack Tossol is not kidding: He says a generation that has ‘sunk everything’ into the family home will miss the chance to have a successful tax-deductible investment plan. It’s a provocative notion, challenging die-hard principles of money management, but with house prices moving higher again...you have to listen. Financial adviser Jack Tossol of Partners Wealth Group joins Asso...

Jan 01, 202628 min

Summer series: FIRE - Financial Independence, Retire Early - Could you do it?

What is the FIRE movement and how did it get started? It's not a club or a cult: It doesn't have a headquarters, rather it's a set of investment principles: And it just might be a breakthrough for you in the year ahead. Lionel Lee joins James Kirby in the episode. -------- In today's show, we cover: The key principles of FIRE Getting the best from what the movement has to offer A case study that spans a lifetime The realities of 'firing up' Please note, this is a repeat episode of The Money Puzz...

Dec 30, 202538 min

Money Movies - The Australian's film critic picks his all-time favourites

Who doesn't love a good movie? Power, romance, ambition, betrayal...actually, that sounds more like a classic 'money movie'. In this special holiday show, The Australian's film critic Stephen Romei, guides us through the best movies about money. Stephen Romei, The Australian's film critic joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this special episode. In today's edition, we cover: Money movies - Do they tell us anything useful? Margot Robbie's double act - How she features in two all-time ...

Dec 23, 202528 min

Struggling in the final lap: Your 2025 investment year

Investment markets are sliding in the final days of the year with the ASX 200 looking like it will manage just 8 per cent in total returns: Even Wall Street has softened in the final quarter of the calendar year bringing home about 16 per cent. What a year for the active investor! How was it for you? James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Associate Editor, Wealth James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Global markets pull us up The ASX - Large caps bad, small caps goo...

Dec 18, 202528 min

The no 1 formula for locating property investment success

Terry Ryder of the Hotspotting group is Australia’s top expert in choosing locations for investors.Today he spells out his ‘simple formula’ for the everyday investor that offers opportunity across the national market. Terry Ryder of the Hotspotting group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today’s show, we cover: The Hotspotting formula for finding a successful investment property Which markets will suit the formula best in 2026 Momentum accelerates in the first home...

Dec 16, 202528 min

Have Aussie shares let you down this year?

It sounds reasonable at first glance: Shares on the ASX are up more than 5 per cent over the year to date - add your dividends and you might get close to a 9 percent total return. But then we have a 17 per cent year-to -date return on Wall Street. This is not a once-off: Wall Street has beaten the ASX out the door for more than decade, will it ever change? Gemma Dale, head of investor behaviour at nabtrade joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: T...

Dec 11, 202533 min

YIMBY! Building in the backyard: the intergenerational breakthrough

Everyone is feeling the squeeze of sky-high property prices: At the same time, state governments across Australia are actively encouraging 'densification'. No wonder, more investors are looking at optimising the land value of their homes by building out the back. Financial adviser Nathan Fradley joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. Here's a guide: Beyond the 'granny flat' - how tax benefits flow to intergenerational property Can we get on...who pays for what? How recent ...

Dec 09, 202524 min

Die with zero: Why you should give it away sooner

Why are you holding on to that investment property to help your kids buy a house one day? This question captures the broader concept raised by the 'Die with Zero' movement, which calls for investors to transfer wealth sooner rather than later. Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor, Wealth - James Kirby, in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The debate over intergenerational fairness Practical tips for helping your children buy a house The broader attraction of 'D...

Dec 04, 202527 min

Why fixing your mortgage rate means you will lose money

Banks won't tell you if you're better off with a fixed-rate mortgage. But strong evidence shows most borrowers will lose when they bet against the bank by settling on a three-year fixed rate. With expectations building that RBA rates may rise, fixed rates seem attractive once more, but you need to know why the odds are against you. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosoluton Private Clients group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: You fix, you lose: here...

Dec 02, 202527 min

Do I really need that much? The problem with superannuation calculators

ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland is the top cop for consumers in the investment markets - and he wants you to know that those superannuation calculators that suggest you need very large amounts of money to retire can be unreliable.In Kirkland's view, those calculations often tend to be too high.Sure, aspire to having as much as you can in super - but don't believe all you read... especially if it's compiled by someone who gets paid for getting your money on the books. ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkl...

Nov 27, 202531 min

The Olympic-sized property opportunity

Anyone who remembers the powerful escalation in prices for the Sydney 2000 games does not need to be convinced that Brisbane is going to be a very good opportunity in the run-up to the 2032 games. So what's the catch? Today we look at the recent history and challenges of the nation's third biggest residential market... Sam Price, buyer's advocate with Templeton Property joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Brisbane - Where are the bargains? Why...

Nov 25, 202529 min

Special Edition - Australia's Top Financial Adviser tells all

Matthew Cassidy of Partners Wealth Group has just taken the top spot in this year's Barron's Top 150 Advisers List. He offers a unique perspective on what you need to know about advice, and how to deal with an investment market that is clearly at the top of the cycle. Matthew Cassidy of Partners Wealth Group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: What you should expect from a top financial adviser How to prepare for a sharemarket downturn Sequent...

Nov 20, 202529 min

Lending limits return as a risk in a red-hot residential market

It had to happen, just as the residential property market is rebounding, there are concerns that regulators may 'remove the punchbowl.' NAB has revived talk of rules that would limit investor lending. Meanwhile, the tax office is threatening to deny tax deductions on holiday homes unless investors make their properties available at peak times such as Christmas. Anissa Cavallo of the Eda Property Group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: 'Rentv...

Nov 18, 202527 min

Private equity - Are you getting the crumbs from the table?

The avalanche of unlisted private funds aimed at retail investors is at full tilt. It's been a seriously profitable activity for endowment funds: So why have they been getting out of late? It's time to take a hard look at a boom that's raising a lot of questions. Andy Darroch of Independent Wealth Advice joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby In today's show, we cover: Why are you being sold private equity funds anyway? Disturbing trends in the unlisted market Big Super does unlisted bette...

Nov 13, 202529 min

Nowhere to move: The hidden driver of rising house prices

We tend to discuss the nation's rental crisis in terms of the difficulties faced by young renters: But a one per cent vacancy rate also means anybody selling a home will find it difficult to rent in between selling and buying.This relatively new dynamic in the market also explains why it's Australia's hottest markets such as Brisbane and Perth where there is the least number of homes for sale.No wonder investors are returning to the property market. Cameron Kusher of Kusher Consulting joins Jame...

Nov 11, 202525 min

'Expense Creep': The silent killer of investment dreams

Most active investors are pretty good at making money: After all, if they were no good at it, then they would leave the work to someone else. But what about holding onto it? Does your investment success convert to long-term accumulation? Author Jacqui Clarke joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The hidden cost of 'expense creep' to your life plans Translating the principles of good management to investment choices Asset-rich and cash-poor - It ...

Nov 06, 202526 min

Why house prices will keep going higher... even without further rate cuts

The focus might be on interest rates, but the outstanding driver for residential prices is the lack of supply: We already know home building is falling behind, but apartment numbers are also being held back because the numbers don't add up for developers.In today's show, a leading developer explains why he believes investors can bet the momentum in the market will be very hard to stop under current conditions. Max Shifman CEO of residential developer, Intrapac Property joins Associate Editor - W...

Nov 04, 202526 min

The Critical Minerals boom - how to play it?

Australian investors are perfectly placed to profit from the critical minerals boom.In fact, fortunes have already been made and lost on the market.Now the game enters a new phase as both the Australian and US agree to bankroll the sector. Where to start? Josh Chiat, mining correspondent with Stockhead joins Assoicate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Critical minerals - what you need to know? Are you ready to ride the roller-coaster Key stocks in the secto...

Oct 30, 202531 min

Time to think about fixing rates?

It's hard to believe that during the Covid crisis, nearly half of all mortgages were being 'fixed' - today the level is less than 5 per cent. With economists calling the end of the cutting cycle for the RBA, early movers could gain a serious competitive advantage if they fix their borrowing costs in the months ahead. Sally Tindall, data insights director at Canstar joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Back from the dead: Fixed rates return to c...

Oct 28, 202529 min

Final cut on the new super tax

The Treasurer has finally clarified how the revamped plans for the new super tax will work - including how Capital Gains Tax will work...it's a template for the future, make sure you are up to speed. James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Final cut on the new super tax Is the gold sell-off serious? Tax consequences of renting your home* If annuities are so good...where are the deals? See omnystudio.com...

Oct 23, 202529 min

Investors derailed! Hard lessons from Sydney Metro

The opening of a 30 km new line across the middle of Sydney should have been a bonanza for investors; But one year later prices inside the rail catchment area have lagged the wider city market.What happened - and what does it mean for investors betting on infrastructure projects across the nation? Tim Lawless, head of research at Cotality joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Why prices along Sydney's new rail line are trailing the market Too la...

Oct 21, 202525 min

Is it too late to buy gold!?

Gold price records are being smashed. Moreover, the volume of money being sunk into gold ETFs and gold miner shares is also reaching spectacular levels: But does that mean it's the top of the market? Gemma Dale, head of investor behaviour at nabtrade joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The arguments for a continued escalation in gold prices How Australians are buying their gold What the world's most influential forecasts are predicting Why gol...

Oct 16, 202534 min

Property investors brace for new super tax squeeze

Investors who have held property as the backbone of their retirement portfolios will be the first in line for the new taxes on super…especially at the top end. But what will the ‘final’ template for the new super tax mean for everyone else? Stuart Wemyss of ProSolution Private Clients joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode In today’s show, we cover: Ouch! Super tax on many properties will double Top-end turnover…40% wealth tax will drive sales in luxury property Doing your ...

Oct 14, 202525 min

The common financial mistakes forcing people to work longer

Most people worry about whether they have enough money to have a comfortable retirement. Financial adviser James Wrigley has a framework to help people better plan and therefore enjoy the retirement they want. In this episode, James Wrigley joins The Australian's Wealth Editor Julie-anne Sprague to explain his top tips to knowing what you need to retire on and how to get there. Also on this episode: How to work out how much you need to retire on Strategies to build wealth into retirement How Jam...

Oct 09, 202537 min

Mortgage wars: why the banks are offering sweeter deals

The major banks don’t usually offer big deals to first home buyers, usually because beggars can’t be choosers. But that's changing. There's big incentives on offer, including massive amounts of frequent flyer points and lower interest rates. So, can you snag a better deal even if you're not a first home buyer? The Australian's wealth reporter Anthony Keane joins Julie-anne Sprague, Wealth Editor at The Australian, to unpack the latest. Also in this episode, we detail how you can build an investm...

Oct 07, 202535 min
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