The residential property market is about to be split into very clear segments thanks to a wave of generous home loan incentives. For investors, there is a clear opportunity here: Competition will be slim and values will improve in the market categories just above the incentive thresholds. In fact, the government has usefully provided a guide to how and where the opportunities will arise. Cameron Kusher of Kusher Consulting joins Associate Editor, Wealth James Kirby. In today's episode, we cover:...
Jun 24, 2025•26 min
One in three Australian investors now have crypto, and that includes an estimated $1 billion inside the SMSF sector alone.Bitcoin is up more than 40 per cent over the last year...it's time to reconsider 'digital gold'. Author and family office director Jacqui Clarke joins Associate Editor-Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. --------- In today''s show, we cover Why has crypto jumped again? The big end of town gets involved How it still fails the 'intrinsic value' test Beyond betting...the post-T...
Jun 19, 2025•34 min
Buyer's advocates spend their entire time professionally working on the business of buying residential property: As our guest today suggests: "It's both a science and an art." In fact, the secret is that you can make compromises to get what you want. But those compromises can be quite different for the home buyer compared to the residential investor. Jarrod McCabe of Wakelin Property Advisory joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ---- In today's episode, we cover: The com...
Jun 17, 2025•32 min
McGrath’s Tony O’Doherty is one OF Australia’s top real estate agents: He has sold more than $270m worth of residential property over the last year…and he’s got some very useful information to impart, one secret in particular will fascinate you. Tony O’Doherty of the McGrath property group in Bulimba joins Associate Editor -Wealth, James Kirby in this edition. ------ In today’s show, we cover: * The biggest risk facing today’s property investors * Hottest areas for long-term property investment ...
Jun 11, 2025•20 min
The second term of Donald Trump has been marked by a roller coaster global sharemarket: Even the biggest players among Australian industry funds are openly debating whether it's worth sticking with Wall Street. But you have to make a decision... Nick Griffin, chief investment officer at Munro Partners joins Associate Editor Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ---- In today's show, we cover: * It's the earnings, stupid! - Trump or no Trump * Why global software giants will keep winning * The cas...
Jun 10, 2025•31 min
Our show on the incentives available (federal and state) on turning your home into a clean energy powerhouse brought in a flood of questions.Today we return to the issue with top questions from listeners. Financial adviser James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ----- In this episode, we cover... The best way to go solar at home Do second hand electric cars have any value The future of battery power at home The latest on the new ...
Jun 05, 2025•33 min
One of the most original ideas in property investment is the ThirdHome group , a global exchange club for holiday home properties that opens up what in many cases is an under-utilised asset to the wider world: Just quietly, the group has signed up more than 500 Australian luxury holiday homes - it's a fascinating story. Wade Shealy, founder and CEO of the ThirdHome group , joins Associate Editor Wealth James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover... * The upmarket holiday home swap * T...
Jun 03, 2025•24 min
Everyday shareholders have always been at the back of the queue when it comes to takeovers, but this year global private equity players have clearly emerged as the 'Barbarians at the gate'. Healthscope, once a $5 billion stock is now in receivership along with its chain of 37 hospitals after a private equity deal went very wrong...what's next? Eric Johnston, Associate Editor- Business, joins James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover... How do we navigate around private equity plunde...
May 29, 2025•33 min
pmarket property is, well, in a league of its own: Shane Smollen is a specialist in the area…and the creator of some of the most impressive heritage-focussed developments in the country. In today’s episode, we cover… * Quality first - Setting your property ambitions higher * Expect the unexpected - surviving whatever gets in your way * The distinct business of luxury property * Can I live in my SMSF-owned property ? Shane Smollen of the Central Element group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, Jame...
May 27, 2025•27 min
Investors at all levels are up in arms over the new super tax largely because it is based on 'paper gains' and it will not be indexed for inflation. Don't miss this special edition... In today's show, we cover... * The essential problems with the new super tax Why it will affect you faster than you may realise Alternative options to keeping money in super What is likely to happen next with so-called 'Division 296'? Hugh Robertson of the Centaur Financial Services group joins Associate Editor- We...
May 22, 2025•31 min
Holding residential property inside your super fund has always been demanding - but also lucrative. Higher rates, higher deposits, and a shortage of lenders have always restricted this activity to the most determined investors: Now, the new super tax adds another layer of challenges for property investors. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosolution Private Clients group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover * Property investment inside super...all too hard...
May 20, 2025•31 min
The hottest investment of the year has been one of the oldest known investments... Gold! It's increased at ten times the pace of the wider ASX 200 over the year to date... and that's after years of 20 per cent plus returns.Is it for you..and how might a new investor get started? In today's episode, we cover: Why has the gold price raced higher? The ETF versus bullion debate Can gold keep going up if Trump settles down? A clarification on concessional (pre tax) super contributions Jordan Elesio, ...
May 15, 2025•36 min
The re-elected Albanese government is offering to effectively cut the price of home batteries for solar by half. That's on top of the generous tax incentives it has already rolled out for electric cars: It's time to cash in on the greening of Australia. In today's show we cover The new federal incentive to cut home battery costs in half How to have a fully tax deductible electric car Renting your home and Capital Gains tax Is the deeming rate now 'deemed' untouchable? James Gerrard of www.financ...
May 13, 2025•35 min
The ALP is back with a renewed mandate for government - what does it mean for your portfolio, or your SMSF or your investment property? In the space of the last few days we have got a much clearer picture of what the election result will imply for the active investor.. today we take you through what you must know. Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor- Wealth James Kirby in this episode we cover... * The risk of new tax changes * The latest on the super 'paper gains' t...
May 08, 2025•28 min
It seems like a good idea - rent your home and buy an investment property where you can deduct the mortgage payments against your annual income tax. In fact, it all works...to a point: But this increasingly popular investment strategy does not mean you get to buy your own home...worse still, it may mean the bank won't lend you any more funds. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosolution Private Clients group joins Associate Editor-Wealth, James Kirby in this week's episode as we cover... * The problem with ...
May 06, 2025•27 min
Fund manager Geoff Wilson is at it again...campaigning for investors against poorly designed tax changes...and this time he has a major fight on his hands. Taxing unrealised gains (or paper gains) in super is a shocker, but it's a key policy for the government...and the government is set to be returned after the election. Geoff Wilson of Wilson Asset Management joins James Kirby, Associate Editor-Wealth in this episode ------ In today's show, we cover... * The problem with the new super tax...an...
May 01, 2025•26 min
When it comes to tax affairs, it's never easy: Many investors believe they do not get a fair deal: But some people clearly suffer financial abuse (which often begins with how a partner has behaved in the past). Sometimes too, the issues don't fit neatly for a financial adviser or a financial counsellor: That’s where the Tax Clinic, an experiment at UNSW, fills the gap. Ann Kayis-Kumar of the Tax Clinic at UNSW joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ------ In today's episod...
Apr 29, 2025•31 min
You can spend half a lifetime working and investing only to hit a financial earthquake with a divorce. But there are ways to ensure the best possible outcome. Financial adviser Nathan Fradley joins James Kirby, Associate Editor - Wealth in this episode. In today's episode, we cover: What you must know about divorce and money The issue of 'valuations' How crypto accounts are increasingly relevant to settlements How a couple can find the best way to split See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...
Apr 24, 2025•34 min
The markets are wild and cash rates are dropping quickly at the major banks: Investors of every type need cash. Here's a guide for the investor who wants to be ready for the next opportunity. Liam Shorte of the Sonas Group joins Associate Editor- Wealth James Kirby in this episode. ------- In today's episode, we cover: Finding the best cash rates Optimising offset accounts Reviewing Dividend Reinvestment Plans Sorting your super inheritance (and that does not mean your Will) See omnystudio.com/l...
Apr 22, 2025•32 min
The bargain hunters are in the market but many big funds and family offices are concentrating more on building cash: That’s because investment markets are more than 'uncertain' just now - in reality they are unfathomable. Today's guest spot goes to one of the best-known investors (and philanthropists) in Australia, Chris Cuffe. --------- In today's episode, we cover: * Asset allocation in an age of extreme uncertainty * What investors at the big end of town are doing now * Philanthropy for the a...
Apr 17, 2025•44 min
Falling interest rates, a wild share market and an election campaign where both parties are falling over each other to throw money at first-home buyers...it's the perfect conditions for a lift in residential prices throughout 2025. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosolution Private Clients group joins Associate Editor- Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. …. In today's show, we cover Green light for price growth in the residential market An investor's guide to the election promises made to home buyers Why...
Apr 15, 2025•31 min
Yes, the current market crisis has been 'caused' by the US: You could say the same for the dot.com crash and the GFC. But is that an argument for stepping away from the country which represents more than 60 per cent of the global share market - and hosts the world's most important bond market? Dr Sam Wylie of the Windlestone Education group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ----- In today's show, we cover: Buying the dip Why retreating to the ASX will cost you in the ...
Apr 10, 2025•35 min
The share markets have dropped hard following a severe bout of selling by institutional investors, but share-broker data suggests that everyday investors are bargain hunting. What's really going on? Gemma Dale, head of investor behaviour at NABtrade joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ------ In today's show, we cover: * What bargain hunters are buying * Gold drops from the favoured list * In a Covid-style replay, ETFs underpins the action * Getting rid of unwanted share...
Apr 08, 2025•33 min
Trump's upending of world trade happens to coincide with challenging times for Big Super: The major funds face weak share markets while battling a range of administrative failures that have put Australian Super and CBUS in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.It might be time to take control. Hugh Robertson of Centaur Financial Services joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ----- In today's show, we cover: Tariff turmoil triggers a second look at Self Managed Super Fun...
Apr 03, 2025•32 min
Donald Trump's unleashing of his tariff program through the Liberation Day plan has the share market reeling - and the US market is reeling the most with the weakest numbers so far this year. As Trump's old colleague, Steve Bannon, calls for Liberation Day to be made a public holiday in the US, it's time to take a serious look at Trump and your investments. Cameron Stewart, Chief International Correspondent of The Australian joins Associate Editor Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ---- In tod...
Apr 01, 2025•24 min
The 2025 Budget managed to squeeze in a few pre-election surprises. A teeny tax cut, a decision to 'do nothing' on pension access (with unchanged deeming rates) and a genuine move to upgrade the government's signature Shared Home Ownership program. The so-called Help To Buy scheme will be very popular, but what are the risks? In this episode, Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby. ----- In today's show, we cover * The biggest thing for First Home ...
Mar 27, 2025•31 min
The tug of war between property and shares never ends: But for many investors, one area is more attractive. My guest in this episode has spent a lifetime investing - along with commenting on investment markets - and has come to a clear conclusion.You may not agree, but you should definitely hear him out. Anthony Keane, personal finance writer for News Corporation joins James Kirby in this episode. ------- In today's show, we cover Trouble-free' share market investing versus 'bricks and mortar' W...
Mar 25, 2025•37 min
It now takes more than $600m to even feature on the Australian’s Rich 250: But what does it take to build a fortune of that size in 2025? Today we get an inside view on the people behind Australia’s greatest fortunes. John Stensholt, Rich 250 editor joins James Kirby Associate Editor - Wealth in this week’s episode In this episode, we cover Rich 250 - The Chemist Warehouse family arrives Rich 250 - Offshore gambling empires: A new way to make money Billionaires might be impressive, but are they ...
Mar 20, 2025•36 min
One of the most popular features of the Money Puzzle podcast has been listener questions which we read on air: Now we want to hear you asking your questions! We're asking listeners to send in a voice memo from their phone and share it on the show to themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au . Also in today's show, we cover the problem with quirky properties. Buyer's advocate Cate Bakos warns lovers of converted churches and renovated show factories that standing out from the crowd is not always profit...
Mar 18, 2025•33 min
It had to happen: Tariffs, recession indicators and an overpriced Wall Street: The sharemarket has taken a tumble. As luck would have it, the Money Puzzle has a top value investor on the show this week and he names three top stocks that can survive just about anything! Roger Montgomery of Montgomery Investment Management joins James Kirby in this episode. ----- In today's show, we cover... The sharemarket sell off - why did it happen? Ai and Tech face a new reality Three stocks with a value 'moa...
Mar 13, 2025•40 min
