Friends With Money

Renting a property can be a long-term financial commitment, and quite often, you have to make the decision to rent with little to no information. Signing a lease, after only having a brief inspection of a property, can lead to months of frustration and distress. So how do you avoid the pitfalls of the rental market? This week on the Friends with Money podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with...

Water damage to your property can be draining, both financially and emotionally.  The most important thing to do is to act immediately. This week on the Friends with Money podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with Tracie Ellis, the founder and CEO of Renovators Directory, about the steps you need to take to get things back to normal. They discuss: How to identify the issue What are the costs?...

Interest rates are getting higher and higher, so is now the time to think about switching your home loan? That’s the major question Money’s Tom Watson and Mozo spokesperson Claire Frawley talk through on this week’s episode of Friends With Money. They also discuss: How far rates have risen and whether they’ll go higher What an average mortgage rate looks like at present Other features worth lookin...

The start of the 2022/23 financial year has brought with it a number of changes, including to superannuation. This week Money’s Tom Watson is joined by freelance journalist Andrew Main to unpack the July 1 changes. In the episode they discuss: The updated super guarantee rate New entitlements for low-income earners Changes for retirees and downsizers Tweaks to the First Home Super Saver Scheme #fr...

After relatively smooth sailing last year, global share markets have been knocked about in the first six months of 2022. To delve into what’s happening and why, Money's Tom Watson sat down with AMP’s Chief Economist and Head of Investment Strategy, Dr Shane Oliver. In this episode they discuss: Which markets and sectors have been hit the hardest The reasons behind the volatility The short-term out...

Ever thought about taking the plunge and starting up a side hustle, or even your own small business? This week on the Friends with Money Podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by author of The Joyful Startup Guide, Serina Bird, to delve into the practicalities of bringing a business idea to life. In the episode we discuss: The basics of setting up How to approach a name and branding Options for fin...

Is now the time to start buying shares or is the market too volatile? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, author Roger Kinsky chats with Money's Michelle Baltazar about his new book that explains how novice investors can get started buying shares for the first time. #friendswithmoney #startingwithshares #rogerkinsky Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3mV0Cbr Listen on Google Podca...

The way people can talk about financial products online is changing thanks to a recent crackdown from ASIC. On this week’s episode of the Friends with Money Podcast, Money's Tom Watson sat down with podcaster and blogger, Dave Gow, to talk through the changes and the fallout. The two discussed: What action ASIC has taken and why it cracked down The impact on financial blogs and podcasts What...

With the end of the financial year drawing close, Money's Tom Watson talks with Mark Chapman from H&R Block about how individuals and small businesses can get organised ahead of tax time. In this episode we discuss: How you can prepare for your 2021-22 tax return  Tips for maximising your refund Actions you can take to make the most of the new financial year #friendswithmoney #tax #eofy #...

We know that the property prices have gone on a wild ride over the past two years, but how have apartment prices fared compared to houses? Terry Ryder, Residential Property Expert at hotspotting.com.au, joins Money's Tom Watson to talk through the numbers. In the episode we also explore: Where are the hot markets for units? Are apartments just for younger Australians? Will there be any price corre...

Several more interest rate hikes are on the cards for this year and the added pressure on the hip pocket may send some into financial distress. This week on the Friends with Money Podcast, Money's Editor-in-Chief, Michelle Baltazar, speaks with Lending specialist Jack Talbot on how to survive the pending budget crunch. In this episode we discuss: Market reaction to the interest rate rise What will...

Are you paying too much for services and utilities?  Is your budget stressing you out?  If so, then it's time to life admin hack your life! This week on the Friends with money podcast, Life Admin Hacks Author and Podcaster, Mia Northrop, joins Money's Editor-in-Chief, Michelle Baltazar, to chat about the strategy of comparison shopping & reducing stress. What is the book about? Where...

After a forced hiatus on the concert circuit, getting back on the road is a sweet inspiration for this iconic superstar. This week on the Friends with Money podcast, Money's editor-in-chief Michelle Baltazar chats with singer-songwriter and self-made entrepreneur Kate Ceberano about surviving lockdown, the business of getting back on the road and how she manages her finances. COVID's impact on the...

In this episode, author Stephen Hunt chats with Money's Editor-in-Chief, Michelle Baltazar, about how he turned a 100-dollar backyard bar into a 100 million dollar pub empire. We chat about - What are some of the key ingredients needed to build a business? How to speak lawyer What was your first investment? What's a pub fund? A bit of the Irish luck & being in the right room Dress for the job...

Have trouble telling the difference between a credit score and a credit report? In this week’s episode of the Friends with Money podcast Money's Tom Watson is joined by credit reporting expert Geri Cremin to bust some myths about the world of credit. In today’s episode we get into: Why are credit reports and scores important? What does a good credit score look like? Who monitors your c...

Becoming a lawyer is not an easy path to follow, but does being a migrant and a woman add to the complexity of getting to the bar? This week we continue with our career profile series as Money's Julia Newbould, chats with Barrister Carolina Soto about her journey to reach the bench. There's a difference between a Lawyer and a Barrister Seeking out mentors is key Was heavily pregnant when she wrote...

What's the best approach to get ahead in your job?  This week Money's Julia Newbould speaks with a behavioural economic psychologist, Phil Slade, about the need to make the most out of your earning ability. What do you mean by being comfortable with being uncomfortable? We run away from discomfort The best outcome is tit-for-tat to gain cooperation We approach negotiation with scepticism&nbsp...

Inheritance can be taxing.  At this difficult time in your life, inheriting the family home, heirlooms, or investments can come with its own set of challenges. H&R Block's Mark Chapman joins Money's Julia Newbould to discuss what you need to be aware of if you are the beneficiary of a will. Does Australia have an inheritance tax? Do you have to pay tax if you inherit the family home? When...

Getting the best broadband and mobile deal is easier than you think! This week the Managing editor of WhistleOut, Alex Choros, joins Money's Julia Newbould to explain how to save big on those phone and internet plans. In today's episode we discuss: Why would you change plans? How do you find the right plan and provider? If you change providers, do you keep your mobile number? How do you get out of...

In a tight spot and need money fast? Why not get a payday loan? This week on the Friends with Money podcast, Money's Julia Newbould, is joined by financial coach Karen Eley and mortgage broker Marissa Schulze, to discuss why accessing these simple and highly accessible lenders can lead to more debt than you can handle. We discuss: What are payday loans? Why are Aussies resorting to these types of...

Swapping super funds is easier than you think!  This week Serina Bird, author and host of the podcast, The Joyful Frugalista, chats with Money's Julia Newbould about how easy it is to combine and change your super funds. She was forced to change funds but was still resisting and now wants to let everyone know how easy it is to switch. Chose an industry fund that had low fees Took less than 10...

What does the 2022-23 Federal Budget have in store for us? On this bonus episode of the Friends with Money podcast Money's Tom Watson sat down with Mark Chapman from H&R Block to chat about some of the features that may emerge from this year’s budget. These include: Extending the low and middle income tax offset (LMITO) Continuing the temporary full expensing scheme for small b...

What is the great resignation and is it really happening now?  This week Money's Julia Newbould talks with behavioural economist and psychologist, Phil Slade about this recent phenomenon and hears some tips for people who are thinking about leaving their current job. Everyone is re-evaluating what they want out of life Run to a job not from one Appreciate that the way that you leave a job is...

With petrol prices above $2/litre and a bag of groceries costing more each day, what can you do to stay on top of your budget? A finance coach for 17 years shares how his clients are reassessing their savings plan. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with Verante’s Liam Shorte about the pains of the rising cost of living. We discuss: Why retirees are...

Have you saved up enough money for retirement?  What happens to your super if you decide to return to the workforce? This week Money's Managing Editor, Julia Newbould, speaks with Money's Senior Journalist, Vita Palestrant, about superannuation and the complexities of returning to work after retiring. Why would you consider unretiring? Are most people prepared for retiring, both mentally and...