The Finance Garage

📊 Welcome back to The Finance Garage! This week, Jonathan unpacked the Division 293 tax — that extra 15% superannuation tax that’s quietly catching more Australians off guard each year. While many assume it’s only for the ultra-wealthy, Jonathan explains why even regular professionals, business owners, or SMSF members can suddenly find themselves hit with this charge after a big financial year. F...

💡Welcome back to The Finance Garage! This week, Jonathan is joined by Yehuda Gottlieb, Managing Director of Centuria Bass, to explore the ins and outs of Australia’s private credit landscape. With over 15 years in the space, Yehuda brings a wealth of insights into why developers turn to non-bank lending, what risks investors need to watch for, and how his team navigates rising costs, liquidity cr...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage ! This week, Jonathan is joined by Matt Brand, founder of CarSauce and a rising voice in the auto world, to break down the rise of Chinese EVs in Australia. From BYD to GWM, are these brands shaking up the market—or just misunderstood? If you’re following the rise of Chinese EVs, global car manufacturing shifts, or just want to understand how pricing, innovation,...

Welcome back to another episode of The Finance Garage ! This time, Jonathan dives deep into a topic that's on many young people's minds — investing. But is obsessing over investing really the best way to build wealth when you're starting out? Jonathan shares stories, lessons from his 20 years of experience, and practical advice on why growing your earning power often matters more than chasing quic...

Welcome back to The Finance Garage ! In this episode, Jonathan is joined by Dr. Shane Oliver, Chief Economist at AMP, for a timely discussion on what’s really going on with Australia’s economy. From a “bland” federal budget to deeper structural issues like housing shortages, tax reform, and productivity stagnation, they break down how politics and policy intersect—and what needs to change post-ele...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Gian Pandit, Deputy Head of Equities at Ausbill, to unpack one of the most volatile reporting seasons in recent years. They discuss how a 3.5% drop in the ASX 200 was driven by falling EPS, disappointing revenues, and global macro pressures, while also highlighting opportunities in sectors like banks, healthcare, and t...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan breaks down the 2025 Federal Budget. Discover how new tax cuts, energy relief, and reforms in childcare, student debt, and superannuation are designed to ease cost-of-living pressures ahead of the upcoming election. Whether you're balancing household budgets, planning for long-term investments, or navigating the complexities of perso...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan dives deep into the world of tariffs and trade policies. He breaks down the Trump administration’s swift actions together—especially the tariffs imposed on Australian steel and aluminium exports—and explains the complex supply chain dynamics that determine who ultimately bears the cost. Jonathan also demystifies how tariffs work, fro...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan teams up with Adam Morris from Redriven—marking his first deep dive with a car industry insider. Jonathan and Adam, both lifelong car enthusiasts share an engaging conversation that cuts through glossy marketing to reveal the true value of auto ownership. What if we said that servicing through your dealership is a major red flag? Dis...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan shifts gears from traditional investments to tackle the critical issue of personal cybersecurity. With digital threats growing more sophisticated, Jonathan sits down with cybersecurity expert Tony Visor to explore how a seemingly simple oversight can lead to massive financial losses—like a shocking $600,000 gone through a compromised...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan unpacks the simplicity and power behind the Rule of 72—a handy formula that shows you just how long it takes to double your money. We explore the magic of compounding growth by dividing 72 by your annual return rate, turning complex investment concepts into an easy mental math trick. From comparing stocks to bonds and weighing risk v...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage ! In this episode, we sit down with Mike Taylor, Managing Editor of Financial Newswire , to explore the evolving landscape of superannuation. We discuss APRA's heat maps and how they are influencing investment strategies, the potential shift toward more conservative fund management, and the implications for financial advisers. Are SMSFs the only option for act...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage ! In this episode of The Finance Garage , we explore the realities of capitalism, financial success, and the hidden emotional traps that can hold us back. Inspired by The Woke Salaryman , a thought-provoking book by Singaporean authors, we discuss how the system isn’t always fair—and how resentment can be one of the biggest obstacles to financial progress. Is...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage ! In this episode, Jonathan Wu is joined by Patrick Hodgens from Firetrail Investments, a veteran with over 40 years of experience in the financial sector. Together, they delve into the dynamic world of small-cap investing, often overlooked but brimming with innovation and growth potential. Discover how small-cap companies can deliver outsized returns, driven...

In this episode of The Finance Garage , we explore the double-edged sword of modern technology. From the convenience of AI tools to the simplicity of mobile banking, technology promises to make our lives easier—but at what cost? We dive into recent real-world examples, including a lawsuit against OpenAI for AI-generated misinformation and ASIC’s case against HSBC Australia for failing to protect i...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan Wu sits down with Paul Harding-Davis from Advice IQ to explore the complexities of ethical and ESG investing. Together, they tackle the challenge of aligning personal values with investment decisions, uncover the hidden pitfalls of greenwashing, and share insights on navigating cultural and livelihood influences in this space. With o...

🎙️ Welcome back to The Finance Garage! In this episode, Jonathan delves into the latest trends shaping self-managed super funds (SMSFs), examines new insights from ATO data, and unpacks the unique risks associated with smaller SMSFs. He also explores the complexities of holding direct property within these funds. Whether you're thinking about starting an SMSF or simply curious about how they opera...

In this episode of The Finance Garage , we have our first international guest. Tune in as we delve into the evolving landscape of Asian credit markets with industry expert Gordon Ip (CIO Fixed Income - Value Partners), who brings a wealth of experience from his career in the US and over a decade in Hong Kong. Gordon unpacks the ongoing turbulence in China's property sector, highlighting its stagge...

In this episode of The Finance Garage , we dive deep into the world of global small caps with special guest Tobias Bucks, Portfolio Manager for Global Small Caps at Ausbil. Tobias brings over 18 years of investment experience, having previously held senior analyst and head of research roles at Phillip Capital, Platypus Asset Management, and CLSA. Before moving to Australia, Tobias was a Fund Manag...

Join us in The Finance Garage podcast where we will explore market updates and investment news with special guests from all over the financial space. Hosted by SWU Groups' Jonathan Wu each episode we will be asking the tough questions to explore the minds of investment specialists to show you the types of investments out there. This week as we dive into China's new economic stimulus package. We'll...

Join us in The Finance Garage podcast where we will explore market updates and investment news with special guests from all over the financial space. Hosted by SWU Groups' Jonathan Wu each episode we will be asking the tough questions to explore the minds of investment specialists to show you the types of investments out there. We are pleased to be joined by Monik Kotecha from Insync. Monik brings...