The Finance Garage

In this episode, Jonathan unpacks the 2026 federal budget and cuts through the headlines to reveal what has truly changed—and what hasn’t. He breaks down key promises versus real-world outcomes, from cost-of-living relief and tax adjustments to housing policy and business impacts. With a clear, practical lens, Jonathan explores how these shifts are playing out across Australia, what’s material for...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! This week, Jonathan is joined by Louis Christopher, Managing Director of SQM Research. Together, they unpack whether Australia’s housing market is on the brink of a “rude awakening” and what the latest data is really telling us. They dive into supply constraints, investor sentiment, interest rate pressures, and the disconnect between headlines and on-the-ground...

In this episode, Jonathan unpacks the growing tensions in Iran and what global conflict means for oil markets, fuel prices and everyday Australians. He explores how geopolitical risk flows through to petrol bowsers, inflation and household budgets, and why volatility in energy markets matters for investors and consumers alike. ⚡🚗 The conversation then turns to electric vehicles. With fuel costs...

In this episode, Jonathan takes a hard look at Australia’s latest Federal Budget and the growing concern among founders and small business owners around the absence of capital gains tax relief. With no CGT discount on the table, the question many entrepreneurs are asking is whether risk-taking is quietly being discouraged. 💼📉 Jonathan unpacks what the Budget signals for start‑ups, investors, and...

In this episode, Jonathan unpacks how common behavioural biases quietly erode investor returns, often without people even realising it. From overconfidence and loss aversion to herd behaviour and recency bias, the discussion explores why investors make irrational decisions even when they know better. Jonathan explains how emotions, headlines, and market noise can derail long-term strategies, and w...

In this episode, Jonathan dives into the critical legal mistakes that quietly derail small businesses before owners even realise they’re at risk. From poorly drafted agreements and compliance blind spots to handshake deals that don’t hold up when things go wrong, this conversation unpacks why the law rarely offers second chances once a problem escalates. ⚖️ Jonathan explains how minor oversights c...

In this episode, Jonathan unpacks why the cost of “owning nothing” in modern Australia is skyrocketing, and how the shift towards a subscription‑heavy lifestyle is reshaping personal finance. He explores what Australians are really paying for convenience, access, and flexibility—and why it all feels more expensive than ever. 🏠 Jonathan breaks down the hidden costs behind renting, subscription mod...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! This week, Jonathan is joined by Vishal Teckchandani , a finance journalist and commentator known for unpacking complex economic issues in a way younger Australians can actually relate to. Together, they dive into the heated question dominating group chats and auction queues everywhere: Is home ownership really out of reach for Gen Z in 2026? 🏡 Jonathan and Vis...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan breaks down the recent rise of gold and silver and what the numbers are really telling us about inflation, interest rates, and investor sentiment. 🥇🥈 He unpacks the data behind precious metals performance, including real yields, currency movements, central bank demand, and historical correlations — separating headline narratives from...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan is joined by Anthony Doyle to unpack the key themes shaping the 2026 market outlook — from inflation and interest rates to global growth, geopolitics, and asset-class expectations. 🌍📊 Together, they explore where risks and opportunities may emerge over the next cycle, how investors should think about positioning portfolios amid uncert...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan breaks down why central bank independence is so critical to a stable financial system — and why recent political pressure, particularly from Donald Trump , has raised serious concerns among investors and policymakers. 🏦⚠️ He explains how independent central banks help control inflation, maintain market confidence, and make long-term de...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan and Dr. Allen will dive into how to invest safely in today’s volatile environment — and the red flags smart investors look for before the market catches on. 🚨📉 They unpack the subtle signs of deteriorating fundamentals, liquidity stress, overvaluation, and behavioural traps that often precede major downturns. Also breaking down practi...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan explores an overlooked but growing risk for retirees — the financial strain created not by markets, but by their adult children. He breaks down how unexpected support for children can jeopardise retirement plans, weaken long-term financial security, and leave parents exposed without the right protections in place. 👨‍👩‍🧓💸 Jonathan al...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan breaks down the key differences between commercial and residential property investing — from how each market generates returns 🏢🏠, to the risks, yields, and financing structures that define them. He explores why many investors are shifting toward commercial property in today’s higher-rate environment, what to consider before taking th...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! This week, Jonathan explores the world of testamentary trusts — what they are, how they work, and why they can be an essential estate planning tool for families. He breaks down their key advantages, including asset protection and tax efficiency, and discusses when they might be suitable for clients with complex financial or family situations. ⚖️💬 If you’ve ever...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! This week, Jonathan is joined by Bashir Naim , Head of Wholesale and Luxury Car Acquisition at McCarroll’s Group in Sydney 🚗 They explore the fascinating world of the second-hand car market — from how luxury dealerships price and source vehicles to the hidden factors that determine resale value. Bashir shares insider advice on selling smart, avoiding overpaying...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage ! In this episode, Jonathan takes a look back through financial history to uncover what past market booms can teach us about today’s investing climate. From the Nifty Fifty era to the dot-com frenzy and now the AI-driven surge led by Apple, NVIDIA, and Microsoft, he explores whether we’re once again walking into bubble territory 📈 Drawing lessons from Warren Buf...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! This week, Jonathan is joined by Hugh Selby, Co-CIO of Talaria Asset Management, who brings years of experience in developing options-based strategies to help investors manage risk while pursuing steady returns. Together, they break down how alternative investing methods can offer more consistent outcomes, why downside protection matters in volatile markets 📉,...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage ! In this episode, Jonathan breaks down the August 2025 ASX earnings season—a month packed with surprises as hundreds of listed companies revealed how they’re navigating higher rates, easing inflation, and shifting consumer behaviour. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or simply curious about how your Aussie stocks performed, this episode gives you the insights y...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan breaks down one of the sneakiest threats to a secure retirement—sequencing risk. It’s not just about how much your portfolio earns over time, but when those returns happen that can make or break your retirement. From real-world examples of retirees who faced the Global Financial Crisis, to practical strategies like the bucket approach,...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! This week, Jonathan is joined by Christopher Joye, Chief Investment Officer of Coolabah Capital, known for his sharp market insights and data-driven take on Australia’s housing sector and fixed income markets. They dive into the RBA’s recent rate cuts and what they signal for homebuyers, investors, and property prices in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Chris b...

In this episode, Jonathan breaks down the ultimate generational showdown: Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z. Who really had it tougher—those who faced 17% interest rates, those crushed by HECS and housing prices, or those navigating burnout and a broken gig economy? It’s not about pointing fingers—it’s about understanding the structural forces that shaped our lives. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time we s...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage. In this episode, Jonathan is joined by John Stavleiotis, Portfolio Manager at Antipodes, to unpack what’s really happening in China—beyond the headlines—after both recently visited the country themselves. Together, they challenge common investor assumptions and explore why slower economic growth doesn't necessarily mean weaker equity returns. John shares insight...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode of The Finance Garage , we tackle one of the most misunderstood parts of the Australian tax system: the difference between the Medicare Levy and the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) . You’ve likely seen both on your tax return and wondered—why am I paying two health-related taxes? Jonathan helps you to break it all down—what each levy means, who has...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan is joined by guest Matt Brown, CEO of Advice for Fortnum and PFS (part of the Entireti group). Together, they tackle the pressing issue of the financial advice gap in Australia. Matt breaks down why only about 20% of Australians receive professional, personalized financial advice—even when the need is huge. They explore common misconcep...