Friends With Money

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...

Romance Scams: ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe on Red Flags, AI Risks & How to Protect Yourself | Friends With Money Romance scams are evolving fast, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission wants Australians to recognise the warning signs earlier. On this week’s Friends With Money podcast, managing editor Vanessa Walker speaks with ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe about the regul...

Should You Switch to an EV? Fuel shortages, charging costs & best electric cars in Australia The war in Iran and resulting oil shortages are driving petrol and diesel supply anxiety in Australia, while more EVs from Asia, better home charging options, and typical fuel savings of $1200–$2000 per year are boosting interest in electric vehicle sales. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, M...

Family Trusts Explained (Australia): Tax Flexibility, Asset Protection & Who They’re For | Friends With Money This week on The Friends With Money podcast, Money Magazine’s Ryan Johnson speaks with licensed Australian financial adviser and author Helen Baker to explain family trusts in plain english and challenge the idea they’re only for the ultra-wealthy. They break down how a family trust is...

Retirement Planning in Australia: What to Do 5 Years Out, 1 Year Out & On Retirement Day This week on Friends With Money , Money Magazine host Ryan Johnson speaks with financial adviser Nick Bruining (Netplan) about preparing for retirement from five years out through to “R-day.” They cover assessing family arrangements, assets and cash flow, likely lifestyle spending, and creating a wishlist...

The story of gold: Why it’s valuable, how it shaped Australia, and how to invest today This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money Magazine managing editor Vanessa Walker speaks with journalist Ryan Johnson about his April feature “The Story of Gold,” exploring why gold—an outer-space metal delivered by meteorites—became a durable, portable, and a widely accepted form of money. They discuss...

Defence stocks explained: ETFs, cyclical risks, and ethical investing | Friends With Money In this week's Friends With Money, editor-in-chief Michelle Baltazar speaks with Alex Jamieson of Jamieson Private Wealth about why defence shares have rallied amid widening Middle East conflict, disrupted shipping lanes, and higher oil prices. Jamieson explains how “defence” now spans drones, robotics, AI,...

Third-Party Marketplaces on Woolworths, Big W, Kmart & Bunnings: What Australian Shoppers Need to Know In this Friends With Money Podcast episode, Money Magazine managing editor Vanessa Walker speaks with journalist Ryan Johnson about the rise of third-party marketplaces and why Australians are often confused when trusted retailers like Woolworths, BigW, Bunnings, Kmart and others sell items s...

Debt recycling explained: how Australians turn home equity into investments In this Friends With Money episode from Money magazine , host Ryan Johnson chats with mortgage broker Joseph Daoud (It’s Simple Finance) to unpack debt recycling in plain English. They explain how splitting your home loan or using a line of credit lets you access equity to invest in property, shares or a business, with pot...

In this week's Friends With Money episode, host Ryan Johnson speaks with financial adviser David Sharpe, chair of the Financial Advice Association Australia FAAA) about how to react to a sudden windfall—from $100,000 to $1 million, $10 million and even $1 billion. Sharpe advises first confirming the money is real, then slowing down to avoid emotional decisions, and keeping the news private (limite...

ASIC Warns on Super “Health Check” Ads: How Lead Gen Funnels Push Risky Switches | Alan Kirkland Money Magazine’s Friends With Money podcast host Ryan Johnson speaks with ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland about online “free super health check” sites, quizzes, and social media ads used as lead‑generation funnels that collect contact details, trigger telemarketing, and can pressure people to switch su...

Welcome to another episode of the Friends With Money podcast. Hosted by Ryan Johnson, filling in for Tom Watson. In today’s episode, we unpack the world of IPOs (initial public offerings) with Simon James from HLB Mann Judd Sydney. We break down why companies choose to list on the ASX, analyse how the IPO market performed in 2025, and look ahead to the sectors and standout companies to watch in 20...

Are you looking to buy a new home? This week on the Friends with Money podcast, Vanessa Walker, managing editor of Money, and journalist Ryan Johnson dive deep into the home buying process for first-time buyers. They discuss the essential steps from initial research, engaging with mortgage brokers and financial advisors, to pre-approval, making offers, and the final settlement. Get practical tips...

Should you put extra money into your mortgage, super or personal investments? It’s not always a simple decision. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined Terry Vogiatzis, director of wealth management at Omura Wealth Advisers, to discuss the pros, cons and trade-offs involved with making use of extra funds. 01:11 Why people find the decision tricky 02:11 Fact...

Hundreds of thousands of Australians lose money to scams each year, but there are simple steps everyone can take to better protect their money. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Olivia McArdle, head of payments and deposits at Macquarie Bank, to discuss account safety and scams to watch out for. 01:48 Built-in security features in banking apps 03:39...

Considering seeking financial advice, but not sure what to expect? We explore the process, the costs involved and what to look for in an advisor. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Sarah Abood, chief executive of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), to run through some of the most frequently asked questions about financial advice. 00:00...

The Bank of Mum and Dad is booming, but without the right planning a generous gesture can turn into a legal and financial headache. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by William Moore, partner and head of private client advisory at Hall & Wilcox, to discuss gifts, loans and the potential pitfalls of the Bank of Mum and Dad. 00:00 Introduction 01:47...