Friends With Money

Investors spend plenty of time agonising over buying shares, but knowing when to sell can be just as crucial. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Dale Gillham, chief investment analyst at Wealth Within, to discuss the art of selling shares and the factors investors should consider before hitting the sell button. 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Why selling sh...

Planning an overseas holiday? Once you've booked your flights and accommodation, travel insurance should probably be next on your checklist. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Natalie Smith, travel insurance expert and head of marketing at Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, to run through what travel insurance really covers and the common mistakes travel...

With interest rates at their highest level in years, could homeowners be doing more to keep their mortgage costs down? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Richard Whitten, money and home loans expert at Finder, to discuss the outlook for rates and the practical steps borrowers can take to cut their home loan costs. 00:00 Introduction 02:01 Are lenders...

✈️ Are frequent flyer points still worth it after the rewards shake-up? ❓Question: With banks reducing rewards and changes to card surcharges coming into effect, should Australians still be chasing frequent flyer points? ✅ Short Answer: Yes, but only if you play the game strategically. Frequent flyer points can still deliver significant value, particularly for travel, but the rules are changing....

Financial advice can be valuable, but for plenty of Australians, the cost puts it out of reach. So could super funds hold the key to closing the advice gap? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Rudy Leong, senior private wealth adviser at UniSuper, to discuss the type of financial advice members can currently access through their super funds and how th...

From October, card surcharges will become a thing of the past. But while the change promises savings for cardholders, it could have ripple effects beyond the checkout. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Adele Eliseo, founder of The Champagne Mile, to explain what's changing, who's likely to benefit and why credit cardholders need to pay close attenti...

Australia's sharemarket may be dominated by a handful of large miners and banks, but there are plenty of opportunities beyond the heavyweights. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Jamie Hannah, deputy head of investments and capital markets at VanEck, to discuss the risks and rewards offered with small caps and mid caps. 00:00 Introduction 01:17 What...

💰 The retirement revolution: Why working longer isn't the real retirement plan ❓ Question: How is retirement changing in Australia, why are so many people worried about running out of money, and what practical steps can Australians take now to improve their chances of a comfortable retirement? ✅ Answer: According to journalist Nina Hendy, retirement is no longer a fixed destination reached at a...

With interest rates near their highest levels in years, many savers will be taking a fresh look at term deposits. But are they the right home for your cash? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Olivia McArdle, head of deposits and payments at Macquarie Bank, to unpack everything savers need to know about term deposits. 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Term dep...

In August 2001, Australia’s first ETFs were launched. Today, more than two million Australians own them. So what can investors learn from 25 years of ETF investing? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Jonathan Shead, head of investments, Australia, at State Street Investment Management, to discuss the evolution of ETFs and the investing behaviours tha...

💰 How can investors maximise returns after Australia's biggest tax shake-up in decades? ❓ Question: With major tax reforms set to begin from July 1, 2027, what investment strategies could help Australians grow wealth more effectively while navigating the end of the 50% capital gains tax discount and changes to negative gearing? ✅ Answer: According to Nicola Field, one of Australia's most signif...

After a stellar 2025, cryptocurrency has endured a difficult start to 2026. So what's behind the downturn and where do investors go from here? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Justin Lin, investment strategist at Global X ETFs, to discuss the latest price movements and what could lie ahead for the crypto market. 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Bitcoin and...

Self-managed super funds now hold more than $1 trillion in assets, yet many Australians still aren't sure how they work or whether they could be an option worth considering. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Marisa Broome, certified financial planner and principal of wealthadvice.com.au, to explain the mechanics, benefits and risks of self-managed s...

Debt can help fund life's big purchases. But for some, it can become a major source of financial stress. So where should people start if they want to get on top of it? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Deb Shroot, financial counsellor and Financial Counselling Australia sector advocate, to discuss prioritising debt, freeing up cash flow and working...

Live where you want, buy where you can – that’s been the idea behind rentvesting. But are policy tweaks and market swings changing the equation? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Arjun Paliwal, founder and chief executive of InvestorKit, to discuss the latest rentvesting developments. 00:00 Introduction 02:43 Who is rentvesting used by? 04:15 The ta...

The hidden costs that could sink your budget! Question: What are the real, often overlooked costs of owning a home in Australia and how can buyers avoid nasty surprises? Short answer: Owning a home is much more expensive than just paying the purchase price. According to Georgia Madden, new homeowners face steep mortgage interest, rising insurance premiums, energy bills, maintenance, council rates,...

How to dodge bust-ups and actually talk cash with your partner Question: How can Australians have honest, productive conversations about money with partners or family without awkwardness, arguments, or avoidance? Short answer: Money conversations are often dodged due to fear of conflict, judgment, or not feeling confident. But avoiding them can make financial stress worse. According to Meray El-Kh...

More than four million Australian homes have gone solar, but for many others, the benefits have remained out of reach. The Solar Sharer Offer could change that. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Brian Spak, general manager of advocacy and policy at Energy Consumers Australia, to unpack the new Solar Sharer Offer and who will benefit from free electr...

The end of the financial year may be just around the corner, but it’s not too late to make some superannuation moves that could benefit your balance. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Greg Elias, senior private client adviser at UniSuper, to discuss the steps you can take before June 30 and the upcoming super changes worth knowing about. 01:44 Makin...

REITs explained - A property expert explains the next investment hotspots This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's editor-in -chief Michelle Baltazar speaks with Justin Blaess, principal and portfolio manager at REIT specialist Quay Global Investors,&nb...

Summary: Thinking of helping your kids buy their first home? Discover the potential risks to your retirement & explore smart strategies like the First home super saver scheme Want to help your kids buy their first home? Learn how it could pose a risk to your retirement plans and the smarter ways to help. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Miche...

Tax Time Shake-Up: What Every Aussie Needs to Know for 2026–27! Tax time is just around the corner, with a number of changes set to kick in from July 1. So what do you need to know and how can you prepare? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Mark Chapman, director of tax communications at H&R Block, to break down the key updates and the moves to m...

Market Madness: The Stocks Flying and Failing It’s been a volatile start to 2026 for the Australian share market, with some stocks surging and others struggling. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Dale Gillham, chief investment analyst at Wealth Within, to discuss the standout stocks, underperformers and what investors should look for in the months a...

Two million households are expected to consider downsizing in the next five years — but is it always the right move financially or emotionally? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Catriona Graham, financial planner at Bridges Financial Services, to explore the costs, trade-offs and timing of downsizing, and what Australians should consider before maki...

Federal Budget 2026: CGT discount ends, negative gearing tightens & new tax offsets explained From major tax changes to new housing initiatives, the 2026 federal budget was packed with measures set to shape Australians’ finances. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, managing editor Vanessa Walker is joined by senior journalist Tom Watson to break down the key financial measures o...