The Money Puzzle

There are now several efforts afoot to use super for home buying: Liberal party politicians are pushing to allow first-home buyers to tap up to  $50,000. Separately, there is a move to allow single and divorced women special access to super to avoid homelessness. Does it all make sense? Unfortunately, due to the skewed nature of our tax system, the case for using super for houses is increasingly c...

Australia has no inheritance tax, or so they say: In reality, many people will have most of their life savings in super - and much of that money may be taxed when inherited by the next generation. It's one of the important points made by our special guest today, who's just written a book on the entire subject of wills, death and taxes. Author Noel Whittaker joins wealth editor James Kirby in this...

Property tax concessions are highly popular - and widely debated - because they work so well. So why would you water down those concessions by having a property inside a super fund?  Duncan Perkins of Tax Time Accountants joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Should investment property be inside super? Why the government's home equity access scheme is a winner...

Today's guest runs a social enterprise, owns several investment properties and got out of school as fast as he could. He's just written his first book - 'Young, dumb and financially independent' - oh yes, and his mentor is Shark Tank celeb Steve Baxter. Taj Pabari of the ASE group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. --------- In today's show,  we cover: * The importance of starting yo...

  For property investors looking long term, the future shape of Australia will dictate the future shape of investment returns...and the single biggest trend is going to be the movement of millennials from the inner suburbs to the middle suburbs where they are going to search for a family home. In today's show, we dig deep on demographics.... * The march of the millennials (to the middle suburbs) ...

It's usually too late to act when you realise you need a lawyer. And when it comes to money and finances, it is always good to be clued up on the legal side of things. We cover a range of legal matters from the simplex to complex that involve your finances. Lawyer Peter Kernan from Aubrey Brown Lawyers joins Wealth contributor James Gerrard of  FinancialAdvisor.com.au In this episode we cover: - H...

Warren Buffett once remarked that “forecasters will fill your ears but never your wallet.” With the media saturated by property price predictions, it's essential for long-term investors to focus on the right economic indicators. In today’s episode, guest host Stuart Wemyss talks with David Bassanese, chief economist at Betashares, to help investors navigate the complexities of property market fore...

Like the old saying goes there are only a few things certain in life - death and taxes. In this episode we cover some of the most important tax strategies for people in different age brackets: 18 to 40, 40 to 60 and over 60 years of age. Each one of these groups have unique opportunities to manage and legally reduce what they pay in tax. Accountant Timothy Ricardo from Accounting Advisor Group joi...

Lending to property investors has surged by 47% over the past 5 months, despite high interest rates, a drop in interest-only loans from 40% to 10%, rising property taxes, and stricter tenancy laws. In today’s episode, guest host Stuart Wemyss speaks with Ben Kingsley from the Property Investors Council of Australia. In today’s show we cover: ·         The negative effects of the 2017 lending restr...

Ever thought about investing in private equity but not sure where to start, what sort of returns are on offer and how to assess the risks, well this episode is for you as we open the lid and unpack the key issues that anyone thinking about private equity investment should consider. Private equity investor and tech entrepreneur Rudi Engelbrecht joins Wealth contributor James Gerrard of FinancialAdv...

Spring's peak property market begins in September, making it the ideal time to for us explore what to expect. Capital city markets are at various stages: Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane are thriving, Sydney is a relatively balanced market, while Melbourne is quite soft. It's important to understand how buyers and sellers should navigate these differing market conditions. Joining guest host and finan...

How to pick a financial adviser?  It's one of the most common questions for investors...but a more realistic question is: Should you even bother?  Another valid issue to ponder is whether the adviser wants you in the first place?  One in six clients were cut from the client lists of financial advisers last year. Many advisers will not admit it, but they only want 'sophisticated investors' with $2....

The Australian property market has always been a collection of regional sectors: But one regional property sector stands out with the strongest long-term fundamentals: Queensland. Louis Christopher of SQM Research joins wealth editor James Kirby for this episode. ------------- In today's show, we cover: * Why Queensland tops the bill for this top property analyst  * Unit prices are rising and that...

It's taken about two decades for the wider investment public to understand ETFs: The index funds that allow you to buy anything from the ASX 200 to the S&P 500 are now very popular. But just as the message on passive investing broke through, the sector has turned the idea upside down by going head-to-head with active managers. It's time to figure out what's going on. Marc Jocum of GlobalX join...

We hear it more and more: 'Property is so dear, it's impossible...so we are just going to give up now.' Today the author who coined the contentious line about renting forever if you never purchase a home explains his distinct point of view. Not everyone will agree. Financial adviser Bruce Brammall joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Look again - Maybe you ca...

Anyone with an investment portfolio has experienced stress: But what if you had nearly two million people depending on your investment skills to manage their retirement money? And what if you created your own pressure because your $120 bn fund has been the top super fund in Australia for a decade? It's time to talk to Sam Sicilia, chief investment officer at Hostplus. Sam Sicilia, chief investment...

The big banks have jumped the gun, putting through hefty cuts on deposit rates before the RBA has even conceded that official rates can move lower. Money markets dictate money prices: If they are right, the rate cut you have been expecting is just around the corner. AMP economist Diana Mousina joins wealth editor James Kirby. ------ In today's show, we cover  Rates finally drop - but not for borro...

Our guest today has been rated as one of the top advisers in the market for many years. He makes the point that virtually every Australian investor loves property - a notoriously illiquid asset. But then very few investors are willing to move into illiquid assets outside of bricks and mortar...it's time to change your mind. Charlie Viola of Pitcher Partners joins wealth editor James Kirby in this...

One of the biggest ‘movements’ in finance is the FIRE concept. You work hard, you save even harder and you retire early. Does it work? Does it pay off? Does it even make sense? James Gerrard of  www.financialadviser.com.au joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------ In today’s show we cover: *Facing FIRE - It’s a neat acronym, but is it for real? *Insurance - The unavoidable cost that...

As today's guest points out, we are looking at a 'most distrusted share market rally' where investors are still trying to figure out what on earth prompted a shock reversal earlier this week. Maybe investors might be better off looking at fundamentals such as results, and interest rates and take less heed of exotic explanations for the downturn such as Buffett's offloading of Apple or the 'Japanes...

The worst share market drop on the ASX for four years will have ripple effects for investors in every asset class.  For a start, it takes speculation of further rate rises off the table and it could prompt a swing towards property: Either way, it is going to mean a red alert for the next few weeks. Anthony Keane, personal finance writer at News Corporation joins wealth editor James Kirby in this e...

It had to happen: The excitement around Artificial Intelligence ran hot on the share market and now the question is, where are the profits?  For investors backing AI-fuelled stocks, it is time to take a breath - but at least they can take comfort in one fact: These stocks make money...it's not a bubble (so far). In today's show, we cover  * The AI share market boom takes a step backward * Can you...

New data this week reveals the key to a slump in Victoria: Believe it or not there has been too much new property built in Melbourne. Moreover, there are now more sellers than buyers across the state: How long can it last?  In today's show, we cover  * Why prices and rents will keep rising ? * The state that overbuilt  * Shared house - the ultimate investment property  * Where can I get a 40-year...

So, you probably did very well in the year to June as an active investor: But what are your plans for the year ahead? Do you still believe rates are going down? Will small caps outperform large caps? It's time to take stock. In today's show we cover  * Setting your sails for FY 2025  * The Biden moment - When it's time to quit * The theory behind a potential small-cap rebound  * CGT tangles in the...

Whether you are an investor or an owner-occupier, the interest rate rises of recent years can be a squeeze.  But you do have options, including extending the life of your mortgage or switching to interest-only: Under both these arrangements you will pay less each month. Or maybe you could hold on a little longer, economists still believe we will see rate cuts early next year. In today’s show we co...