The Curve

Sophie’s got big news (no, not a baby - though the social media post might’ve fooled you). She’s officially pre-approved for a mortgage! 🎉 But what does that actually mean? In this episode, Soph and Vic dive into the wild world of property investing, the difference between buying a home vs. an investment property, and why NZ’s housing market is such a beast. Plus, they break down the power of lev...

No proper episode this week because… we’re working on something BIG. Like, Stephen Bartlett-watching-our-trailer big. Yep, you read that right. We’ve been given the incredible opportunity to pitch The Curve to Flight Studio - the trailblazing studio behind Diary of a CEO - and let’s just say, we are not taking this lightly. This opportunity means everything, and we want to get it right. So, no pro...

Warren Buffett is sitting on a record-breaking $334 billion in cash - but why? This week, we dive into what the legendary investor’s latest moves reveal about the stock market and whether we should be cautious right now. We also break down Tesla’s dramatic drop, the impact of Elon Musk’s political moves, and whether the stock is becoming a bargain or a brand to avoid. Meanwhile, YouTube has offici...

We took Raising the Curve live with Trade Me Property to talk all things property - because let’s be honest, buying a home isn’t as easy as it used to be. From market trends to mortgage stress, we cover how to get your foot in the door, what to consider before buying, and whether stretching yourself for a bigger home loan is really worth it. Vic shares her journey from first-time buyer to investor...

Just a heads up - this episode contains a fair bit of swearing (because sometimes money and career talk gets  passionate ). If you're listening with little ears around, you might want to pop in some headphones! We’re throwing it back to June 2023 for this gem of an episode - because career smarts never go out of style. In this one, we chat with the incredible Sharyn Casey about the financial side...

Well, well, well… Tesla’s stock is on a wild ride, and it’s got nothing to do with self-driving cars. This week, we’re diving into why Elon Musk’s political antics are spooking investors and why some Tesla owners are slapping bumper stickers on their cars that basically scream, “I bought this before I knew he was nuts.” Plus, we chat about whether this st...

Ever wondered how people make money from buying and selling houses? It’s called flipping , and no, it doesn’t mean turning a house upside down. Enter Alex Harper (aka @handy__honey ), a total pro at turning rundown spaces into cash-worthy homes. She breaks down the flipping basics - how to find a great deal, what to ask the seller, and why buying smart is the key to making money. We also chat abou...

So, you set a budget in January… but have you actually stuck to it? Sophie hands over her bank statements (risky move) to Dani for a very honest financial check-in. From accidental gym memberships (oops) to short-term money goals, they break down how to tweak your spending without killing the fun. Expect chats about term deposits, cutting sneaky subscription costs, and the real struggle of balanci...

Elon Musk wants to buy OpenAI for a casual $98 billion - but Sam Altman basically replied with “lol, no.” Meanwhile, the NZ property market might be heating up, which is either thrilling or terrifying depending on your bank balance. Over at Goldman Sachs, they’ve decided diversity efforts are just too hard (insert dramatic eye roll), and Soho House is in the middle of a billionai...

Buying a home is supposed to be an exciting milestone, but for many, it’s an emotional minefield - especially when the system isn’t built for them. In part one of this three-part property series, Soph opens up about her long-awaited mortgage meeting, only to be met with disappointment instead of a celebratory “yes.” After years of saving, investing, and doing everything right, being told not yet f...

Ever felt like money was some exclusive club you weren’t invited to? Sonia Kaurah did too - until she decided to crash the party. In this episode, we chat about how culture shapes our financial habits, why women (especially women of colour) get the short end of the investment stick, and how Sonia went from knowing nothing about investing to sitting in rooms with top venture capitalists - jus...

Buckle up, because this week, we're diving into two massive stories shaking up the financial world. First up, Trump is back with a fresh batch of tariffs, sending markets into a tailspin and making investors everywhere question what’s next (and yes, avocados are at risk). We break down why global trade drama affects your portfolio and how companies are scrambling to keep up. Then, we tackle&...

Okay, bad news first: millennials are the first generation in history to be worse off than their parents (yep, studies confirm it). With homeownership rates down 28% compared to boomers at the same age and wages barely keeping up with inflation, the traditional path to wealth - buy a house, retire rich - is looking real shaky. But what if there was another way? Enter Avion Gray, co-founder of fint...

AI just shook the stock market hard . Nvidia - aka the golden child of AI investing - lost $600 billion in a day, thanks to a mysterious new player from China. What is Deep Seek? Why is it supposedly 27 times more powerful than ChatGPT? And does this mean Nvidia’s reign is over? We break down the chaos, what it means for investors, and whether this is a buy-the-dip moment or a warning sign....

In this throwback episode, we chat with Alec and Bryce, the dynamic duo behind Equity Mates, and our first-ever male guests! They spill the beans on avoiding lifestyle creep (you know, that sneaky habit of spending more when you earn more) and why your 20s are pure gold for investing. Bryce shares his textbook-perfect childhood money lessons (spoiler: he started saving at five!), while Alec talks...

This week, we’re popping bottles - but not of champagne because shipments are down, and we’re not about to splurge on bubbly when everyone’s tightening their wallets. Today, we're unpacking why luxury brands and Puma are struggling while Netflix casually crushes records with 19 million new subscribers (thanks, password crackdown). We dive into Trump’s latest antics, from fe...

Meet Nina Mohanty, one of the most inspiring guests we’ve ever had on the pod. She’s a fintech founder, an investing trailblazer, and someone who can explain why immigrant communities are reshaping economies with more grit and innovation than most of us could dream of. Did you know immigrants in the US and UK are 5x more likely to start a business than native-born citizens? It’s...

The LA wildfires are among the most devastating natural disasters in recent history, with 12,000 structures lost, 200,000 people displaced, and $275 billion in economic damage. This episode explores the financial toll, from $20 billion in insurance claims to the ripple effects on housing and the global economy. We also provide actionable tips - auditing insurance, building emergency funds, and inv...

New year, new budget. In this episode, we chat about ditching outdated money habits, setting up a foolproof 3-bucket budget system (essentials, non-essentials, and surplus), and why jumping ship from your childhood bank could save you big bucks. Dani shares exactly how she splits her pay and explains why budgeting is less about penny-pinching and more about feeling financially light . Whether you'...

We’re kicking off 2025 with a deep dive into what lies ahead - and taking a moment to look back at the year that was. First, we reflect on 2024’s incredible market performance, from the S&P 500’s stellar 25% return to the tech sector’s role as the ultimate overachiever. Then, it’s all about the future: Soph shares her New Year productivity hacks (spoiler: vision b...

It’s been a YEAR, hasn’t it? From navigating the wild world of personal finances to growing The Curve into a full-on business with staff (yep, we’re bosses now), we’re reflecting on it all. In this episode, we're unpacking the lessons learned in 2024 - like how your personal money habits spill into business, why an emergency fund is your BFF, and the unexpected highs (and l...

Today we're kicking things off with a stock market glow-up as the S&P 500 soars 30% - but will the good vibes last? We throw out our bold predictions for next year and weigh in on what the experts are saying. Then, it’s time to talk AI - who’s building it, why it matters, and how it’s tied to the gender pay gap. Spoiler: women need to step up and join the AI revolution!&...

'Tis the season to be jolly... and broke? Not on our watch! This week, with the help of Dani (our FAB commercial director), we unwrap all things holiday finance, from battling the December spending spree to navigating the post-Christmas credit card hangover. We dish out practical tips on setting budgets, finding thoughtful gifts (spoiler: no kimchi, please), and even regifting with flair. Plus, Da...

Ever felt the sting of  financial FOMO ? We’ve been there - cashing out too soon and watching those stocks skyrocket. But don’t worry, we’re here to talk about how to move on and make better money moves. December means one thing in the finance world: the  Santa Rally ! What is it, how does it affect us, and how does it compare to the rest of the year? We break it all down. Next, we’re bringing the...

What if the secret to building wealth isn't just saving - but borrowing smartly? In this episode, we sat down with Sam Rosenberg, founder of the fintech platform Belong, about flipping the script on investing. From leveraging loans to make your money work harder, to unraveling why our brains love hoarding cash like dragons, this convo is packed with lightbulb moments. Sam also spills on what behav...