The sales season is fast approaching, so how can shoppers make sure that they actually grab a bargain on Black Friday or Boxing Day? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, to preview this years’ sales season and discuss the steps consumers can take to maximise their savings. Are sales events like Black Friday genuinely a good time to shop? Should Aussies do anything before the sales to help them get a...

There’s a raft of new superannuation initiatives and reforms set to come online in the next few years, so how will these affect super members? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Peter Hogg, general manager for guidance and advice at Aware Super, to talk through the changes which kick off from July 2025. They discuss: Superannuation on paid parental leave The upcoming super guarantee increase Proposed changes to tax concessions on higher balances...

With inflation falling and interest rates starting to do the same, is now an opportune time to consider investing in fixed income or has the window passed?   This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Marc Jocum, product and investment strategist at Global X ETFs, to chat all things fixed income. They discuss: The assets included in the fixed income basket How bonds deliver returns to investors The benefits of having a fixed income allocation How fixed...

From Boomers to Zoomers, which stock-picking style is better? Craig Keary, CEO of trading platform Selfwealth, is back in the studio with Money's Michelle Baltazar to discuss the latest investment trends and which generation is leading the way. Compare the share portfolios of Boomers, Gen X, Millenials and Gen Z based on 2024 trading data What are the factors influencing each generation's investment choices? What tactic is likely to succeed? Who invests in ETFs? #friendswithmoney...

Purchasing a home isn’t a simple process. So, for buyers looking for help or an extra edge on the competition, could a buyers’ agent be worth the cost?  This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Michelle May, founder and principal agent at Michelle May Buyers Agents, to break down the services that buyer’s agents can provide. The discuss: How buyers’ agents differ from selling agents The range of services that buyers’ agents can provide The world of...

The secret to success lies in the execution. On this week's Friends With Money Podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with author, financial adviser, and co-founder of Pivot Wealth, Ben Nash, about wealth-building strategies to help you achieve your goals. What are the fundamental strategies?  Why buying your own home first can slow your wealth-building What's the first crucial step? Two strategies to accelerate your financial journey Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts ...

Plastic isn’t always fantastic, but credit cards can be an effective money management tool. The question is though, what kind of card will match your needs? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Rachel Wastell, personal finance expert at Mozo, to dig into the different types of credit cards on the market and the features they offer. They discuss: Suitable cards for everyday spenders The benefits of balance transfers Travel-friendly credit cards...

Are you getting the best deal from your bank? Open banking is set to transform the Australian banking industry, putting power back in your hands Maxime Chaury, co-founder of Upworth and open banking specialist, joins Money's Michelle Baltazar together they reveal how to make your money work harder under the new financial landscape. Are we getting the most out of our banks? What exactly is open banking? How can you harness its power to take control of your finances? is open banking safe...

Thematic ETFs can give investors exposure to particular sectors, geographies or trends happening in the broader market, but they’re not without their risks. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by founder and chief executive of Stockspot, Chris Brycki, to dig into thematic exchange traded funds and the role they can play in portfolios. They discuss: What thematic ETFs actually are The thematic ETF versus index ETF approach Tech and sustainability as...

Did you know that most superannuation accounts come with insurance? In this week's Friends With Money podcast, Michelle Baltazar sits down with lawyer and author Melisa Sloan to unravel the world of superannuation insurance. They delve into: The pros and cons of insurance within and outside your super fund What is TPD insurance and when can you use it How you might unintentionally void your own super insurance  The two types of occupation insurance, and more! #friendswithmoney...

Private credit as an asset class has grown into a $3 trillion sector after super funds and big investors started piling in. But is it a good addition to a typical investor portfolio? Money's Michelle Baltazar takes a deep dive into this investment opportunity with private credit expert Paul Miron, co-founder of Msquared Capital, on this week's episode of Friends With Money. What exactly is private credit? How much do you need to get started? What fees are involved?  Most importantly, what...

It’s easy to start investing, but have you got the foundations, goals and financial structures in place to set yourself up for success? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson talks with author and host of the This is Money podcast, Glen James, about the tips and lessons he’s taken away from his investment journey so far. What made you want to write The Quick-Start Guide to Investing? What should investors do before they even start trading? How can investors...

With the rising cost of living squeezing budgets, many are finding it harder than ever to make ends meet. Sometimes, turning to family and friends for help can feel like the only option. But lending money can be tricky. How do you balance financial support with protecting your relationships? On this episode, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with the founder of Chipkie, Michelle Lomas, about the best way to lend money to family and friends. They discuss: The financial pressure created by a...

Been scammed? You're not alone. Scams cost nearly $3 billion dollars in 2023 according to the ACCC, but there's hope at hand. In this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, financial adviser and "On Your Own Two Feet" author Helen Baker joins Money's Michelle Baltazar as they unlock the secrets to help rebuild your finances and protect yourself from cybercriminals. What should you do in the first 48 hours after being scammed? How do you protect yourself from future fraud? Don't get...

How have local and international markets performed in 2024 and how are things shaping up in the months to come? That’s the topic of discussion on this episode of the Friends With Money podcast featuring Money's Tom Watson and chief investment analyst at Wealth Within, Dale Gillham. What’s driven the performance of the ASX so far this year? Which Australian companies and sectors have performed well? What have been the standout international markets? How are markets expected to fair over the...

Planning for aged care can feel overwhelming, but it's an important conversation to have. This week on the Friends With Money Podcast, financial expert Michelle Baltazar and aged care specialist Caroline Rees tackle your questions about: Key considerations for making informed decisions Funding options to navigate the financial aspects Tax implications to understand the financial landscape Getting started on the planning process #friendswithmoney #tmichellebaltazar #carolinerees #agedcare ...

In this bonus episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Grant Hackett, the CEO of GenLife, joins Money's Vanessa Walker to discuss why Bonds might be the right choice for your portfolio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love it or loathe it, cryptocurrency has made its way into the mainstream. So for the crypto curious, what are the fundamentals worth knowing about? This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Janine Grainger, founder and chief executive of cryptocurrency trading platform EasyCrypto, to chat about some of the basics of cryptocurrency. What is cryptocurrency? Are there different types of cryptocurrency? Why should Australians care about it? What are some of...

Feeling the financial pinch? Your money can do more for you! Maybe it's time to make your money work smarter. This week on Friends With Money, Michelle Baltazar chats with financial adviser and author of Insufficient Funds James Millard. Grow your wealth and learn the secrets to making your money work harder, not the other way around. The 4 Pillars of Financial Success  Understanding Concessional vs. Non-Concessional Contributions Why a Financial Advisor Can Be Your Best Friend ...

Building wealth through investing is a gradual process – one that naturally comes with its fair share of success and setbacks. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson talks with financial educator and author Natasha Etschmann (@tashinvests) about her investment journey and the insights she’s gained along the way. What made you want to get into investing? Why did you decide to write How To Not Work Forever? How do you find the money to invest? What’s your view on...

July 1st brings money-savings changes! In this BONUS episode of the Friends With Money Podcast, Money's Vanessa Walker and Tom Watson break down the latest financial changes that could save you money. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website YouTube Podcast Playlist Email Us: [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a lot of misinformation out there about building a property portfolio, and making the wrong decisions can seriously stall your investment journey. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar cuts through the noise with Damian Collins, property expert and financial guru.   Together they help you: Debunk the median price myth Become a neighbourhood insider New vs Old: Make an informed choice Avoid emotional pitfalls Craft your dream portfolio ...

Should your investment portfolio have a home bias, an international focus or something in between? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG Australia, to discuss local and international markets and asset allocation. How optimistic are traders about local and global markets? Which Australian and international stocks are investors trading? Is there any issue with having a home bias? What are the pros and cons of...

Can't afford to BUY a house on your own?  Property pals might be your answer! With the typical home loan repayment between $3000-$7000 PER MONTH, sharing the burden with your friends may be the key to home ownership. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar chats with Matt Bowen, head of consumer and market insights at ING, about this NEW option for purchasing property. IT COVERS The latest survey on home ownership What is a property pal? How do you start?...