Money Mechanics with Scott Malcolm

Treasury's 2026 Intergenerational Report looks 40 years ahead, to 2065–66. In this episode, Scott and Ara put it into plain English and ask the practical question: what does it mean for your household?   In this episode: What the Intergenerational Report is, and why it's a map rather than a crystal ball An older, slower-growing Australia, with the number of Australians aged over 85 expe...

Six straight months of falling home values. Four interest rate rises this year. New rules for negative gearing and capital gains tax. No wonder so many Australians are asking whether the property market is crashing. In this episode of Unpacking Money, Scott Malcolm and Ara Jansen take a calm, practical look at the housing downturn and what it could mean for you. We cover: What the latest numbers s...

With fewer than 100 days left in the year, money starts moving fast. Christmas, school holidays, travel, end-of-year catch-ups and January bills can all land at once. Scott and Ara share a practical way to finish the year with more intention and less financial stress. In this episode: Why the end of the year is a pressure point for money Why you should look at your calendar before you set a budget...

In this episode of Money Mechanics, Scott and Ara explore the beliefs, memories, emotions and family messages that shape the way we earn, spend, save, invest and talk about money. From childhood phrases like “money doesn’t grow on trees” to adult patterns around guilt, fear, security, success and enough, this episode looks at how our money stories quietly influence our decisions....

Tax can feel deeply personal, especially when it comes out of your pay, shows up in the price of what you buy, or applies when an investment makes a gain. In this episode of Money Mechanics, Scott and Ara unpack why tax exists, what it helps fund, and how it fits into a functioning civil society. They explore the difference between tax as a cost and tax as a contribution, why Australia may feel hi...

Today, we’re talking about something retirement plans often miss: the people, purpose and sense of belonging that make life after work feel rich in every sense of the word.   Joining us are two wonderful guests bringing this human side of retirement into sharp focus: Phil McAuliffe from Humans:Connecting , whose work explores loneliness, belonging and relational infrastructure, and Tati...

In this episode of Unpacking Money , Scott Malcolm and co-host Ara Jansen unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning in Australia: the Age Pension. Rather than treating it as an all-or-nothing entitlement, they explore how the Age Pension can fit as one layer within a broader retirement income framework alongside superannuation, savings, investments and lifestyle goals. &nbs...

In this episode of Unpacking Money, Scott Malcolm and Ara Jansen explore how winter can quietly reshape household spending. From delivery fees, online shopping and takeaway coffees to heating bills, subscriptions and travel daydreams, they unpack the “convenience tax” that can creep into everyday cashflow. The conversation focuses on practical, low-pressure ways to notice spending patt...

In this episode of Unpacking Money, Scott Malcolm and Ara Jansen unpack what the post-Budget 2026 SMSF and LRBA conversation may mean for Australians considering property inside super. We will slow down the headlines, explain why limited recourse borrowing arrangements require careful review, and explore the practical questions trustees should ask before establishing, refinancing, restructuring, o...

In this episode of Unpacking Money , Scott Malcolm and co-host Ara Jansen use the start of the new financial year as a practical reset point for your money life. Rather than treating 1 July as just a tax year, they unpack how to review what changed over the past year, reconnect your financial choices with your values, and create a simple framework for better money decisions in the year ahead. &nbs...

In this episode, we demystify recession by separating economic headlines from household reality and focusing on what listeners can actually control. We explore what recessions are, how they typically affect jobs, markets, borrowing, and confidence, and why thoughtful planning around emergency savings, debt, and investing matters far more than panic-driven decisions.   Demystify recessions, cu...

In this episode, we unpack what redundancy really means, how it affects people emotionally and financially, and the practical steps to take when work suddenly changes. With some focus on public sector employees, we explore genuine redundancy, voluntary redundancies, redeployment rights, and how to make calm, confident decisions about cash flow, debt, and super during a period of uncertainty. &nbsp...

Not every money decision looks smart on a spreadsheet, but that doesn’t always mean it was a mistake.   In this episode we unpack the so-called “dumb” money decisions people make (Scott included) and why some of them are still worth it. From spending on experiences, taking career risks, helping family, buying convenience or choosing joy over optimisation, we explore the diff...

Every year Budget night brings big headlines, hot takes and a whole lot of confusion. In this episode of the Money Mechanics Podcast, Scott Malcolm CFP® and Ara Jansen unpack the 2026–27 Federal Budget and translate it into real‑world implications for everyday Australians. We break down the key tax changes in plain English – from income tax cuts and the new “no‑receipts&rdquo...

Receiving an inheritance can bring up a mix of emotions, decisions and responsibilities. In this episode of Money Mechanics, Scott and Ara unpack what to think about if money, property or other assets come your way, from pausing before making big decisions to understanding tax, super, debt, investing and family considerations.   We also look at the other side of the conversation: how to plan...

Choosing a super fund can feel simple on the surface, until you start comparing fees, performance, insurance, investment options and member services.   In this episode we unpack how super comparison tools work, what they can help you see, and where they can fall short. We look at the difference between comparing a fund on headline performance and understanding whether it actually suits your l...

From 1 July 2026 , super is getting a shake‑up—and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the detail and sometime the complexity of the language. In this episode, we walk through key questions covering  Payday Super,   Division 296 tax , and indexation of the contribution caps and total super balances. We’ll help you sense‑check whether your current super strategy still lines...

Every year, thousands of Australians hit the same financial crossroads: Should I put extra money into super? Pay down debt? Or start investing? In this episode, Scott and Ara unpack the emotional tug‑of‑war behind each choice — the security of reducing debt, the satisfaction of future‑you decisions through super, and the excitement (and sometimes anxiety) that comes with investing. We break...

Inflation is hitting households hard — but what’s actually behind it, and what can you actually control? In this episode, we break down how global events (including rising oil prices and supply chain disruptions) flow into fuel costs, supermarket prices, and everyday expenses. Scott and Ara explore how interest rates affect far more than mortgages, what’s pushing up the cost of l...

The Money Mechanics Podcast is back for 2026! Scott Malcolm and Ara Jensen jump straight into one of the hottest topics in the media right now: Capital Gains Tax . After a year off-air, they’re breaking down what CGT really is, why everyone’s suddenly talking about it, and how the rumoured changes in the upcoming 2026 Federal Budget could affect you.   From discounts and holding p...

From Snoop Dogg to Sting and prize scones to long distance swimmers and now Scott Malcolm!   Ara Jansen has met, interviewed or written about the famous and the rest during her extensive career as a freelance writer and rock journalist. Words, deep blues, swimming pools, books, music and good conversation with interesting people make her deeply happy. Today we are discussing investment and ou...

Gabe Trew is the young founder of the iconic retail destination, POP Canberra, which he established at the age of 25. Under his leadership, POP Canberra has become a beloved retail and community hub, supporting over 300 individual small and micro businesses. POP Canberra has the largest selection of all local goods in one store, anywhere in the Country. Each year POP Canberra injects millions of d...

Today we turn the tables are Ara interviews me, about cash flow and we discuss ideas on how you can be getting ahead with Cost of Living Crisis happening in our lives at the moment. From Snoop Dogg to Sting and prize scones to long distance swimmers and now Scott Malcolm!   Ara Jansen has met, interviewed or written about the famous and the rest during her extensive career as a freelance writer an...

Kylie has 12 years of experience in the not-for-profit and Corporate Social Responsibility space, as a Fundraising and Marketing expert. She is experienced in startup environments, building innovative campaigns with $0 budget and evolving them into successful global movements. A great demonstration of this was her work launching and growing the Polished Man campaign. Kylie has been recognised as o...

Lisa Eriksson is the owner and principal clinical psychologist of Eriksson Psychology. Lisa predominantly works with adults to overcome a wide range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and complex trauma. She also has experience in working with neurodiverse, gender diverse and LGBTQIA+ populations. She has a broad range of experience having worked previously in...