Episodes
For the first time in the history of The Money Puzzle, James Kirby is off sick. James will be back on Thursday with a new episode, but for now we hope you enjoy his chat from last December with Damon Kitney about the families behind Australia’s biggest companies. Who are they, and what can we learn from the way they invest?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Published 04/30/24
It might seem like only yesterday that rates were supposed to be coming down but the news changes fast: This week's inflation data has already prompted calls for RBA rate rises. One of the loudest calls comes from this week's guest... who should know - he's an expert in fixed income markets.
In today's show we cover:
Where to now for fixed income and bonds?
The limits of exchange-traded funds
What happens to 'big super' when everyone is on a pension?
Why we undervalue cash
Christopher...
Published 04/24/24
For renters it’s been tough, for property owners it’s been plain sailing as rents grew in double digits last year. With slowing immigration intake and some easing of wider pressures, rent increases are not going to stay at those high levels.Where do rents go from here?
In todays show we cover :
The changing outlook for rental growth
Why Melbourne and Hobart will struggle to keep pace
Brisbane property powers ahead
Budget hopes for HECs-laden home buyers
Nerida Conisbee, chief economist...
Published 04/23/24
June 30 this year is a unique tax opportunity for the simple reason your tax bill in FY 2024 is very likely to be higher than FY 2025: That means the deductions are better if you get them sorted in the next two months.
In today's show we cover:
The outstanding ways to save tax this year
Making the most of the looming tax cuts
Handbags and guard dogs - some unlikely deduction opportunities
Choosing a trading platform
Dr Adrian Raftery aka Mr Taxman joins wealth editor James Kirby in this...
Published 04/18/24
What does the property market look like to Gen Z? The generation born after 1997 that takes a one percent vacancy rate as 'normal'; The people who get 100 applicants for a spare bedroom in a shared house. They have a different story but it is a story we all need to know.
In today's show we cover:
The realities of property investment for Gen Z
Exploring the opportunities of being a 'rentvestor'* Using super for buy a home
Is the office sector rout over?
Sarah Petty real estate reporter for...
Published 04/16/24
The average HECs student debt is now $26,500 and rising rapidly. Once upon an inflation-free time HECs hardly mattered, now it matters a lot. Worse still, the way HECs is managed by the government is antiquated and unfair to former students. Meanwhile, banks use the debt to reduce your borrowing capacity. No wonder there is a push to change the process. In today's show we cover:
Why more than 200,000 people are pushing for change in student debt
How to manage your HECs situation
Expanding...
Published 04/11/24
As the economists continue to push their rate cut forecasts further out, it is now distinctly possible we will not see interest rate cuts this calendar year. What does it mean for the property market and your borrowing plans?
In today's show we cover:
The reality of higher-for-longer interest rates
Will commercial property problems spill over into the residential sector
Searching for multi-asset funds outside of super
Getting to know the 'six year' CGT primary residence exemption rule.
Dr...
Published 04/09/24
It might be hard to believe but the key numbers for both personal tax and super contributions are going to change again on July 1 2024 - Now is the time to make your plans.In today’s show, we cover:
How to position for lower personal tax rates
Catching up with planned super contribution changes
Investing based on demographics
Do share market index funds offer diversification any longer?
Financial adviser James Gerrard joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode
See...
Published 04/03/24
It's the biggest financial challenge for the new generation - how to get a toehold in the property market. In today's episode we cover
The first steps towards buying a property
Considering the 'rentvest' strategy
Should super be available to home buyers
Getting to know the '6-year rule' for your home and CGT
John Pidgeon of Solvere Wealth and the This is Money podcast joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in this episode
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Published 04/01/24
The ASX just hit a new record and the markets are on a roll: So what should investors be looking for? AI-themed technology stocks and - believe it or not - consumer discretionary companies, says fund manager Roger Montgomery.
In today's episode, we cover:
Why is the share market on a bull run?
AI hopefuls - Macquarie Technology and Megaport
Consumer favourites - Lovisa Jewellery and ARB
Does Bunnings have too much power?
Fund manager Roger Montgomery of Montgomery Investment...
Published 03/28/24
The promise of the investment property that 'pays for itself' is all too common in the property market and all too difficult to locate in practice. Is positive gearing feasible with high rates and low rental yields?
In today's show we cover:
Positive gearing - The fading prospect
Bad behaviour among buyers advocates
Using Federal and State home buyer grants in tandem
When advice lets you down
Real estate advisor Cate Bakos joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode.
See...
Published 03/26/24
In June 2023 we did our first special edition on AI when we introduced the issue and we talked about Nvidia - the AI chipmaker which is up 200 per cent since that time. Today we catch up on AI in mid-2024 with Matt Barrie, the founder and CEO of Freelancer: an executive at the frontline of AI changes.In this episode we cover:
Why are investment markets so excited over AI?* Threats and opportunities of the new technology
Why Google and Netflix should be very worried
The stocks ready to surf...
Published 03/21/24
For a long time it was a golden rule among financial advisers to pay down your mortgage before any other investment consideration. Well, not any longer…for some investors putting money into super should come first.
In today’s show we cover…
Mortgage payments versus super contributions
Selling a property without using a real estate agent
Should you self insure ?
Playing house with CGT exemptions and negative gearing
Financial adviser Bruce Brammall joins wealth editor James Kirby in...
Published 03/19/24
The annual Rich 250 has just been released with a whole new crew of debutants pushing the incumbents of previous generations to one side. In this episode, we cover:
The new network of tycoons emerging across Australia
The crypto king building the most expensive house...ever...in Australia
Two sisters who saved Blundstone boots and made a fortune
The Australian with a $2 billion empire in Estonia
John Stensholt editor of The List - Australia’s Richest 250 joins Wealth Editor James Kirby...
Published 03/14/24
The Victorian capital is the weakest of the major cities and its apartment market has been a loser for more than a decade. But the soft patch can't last forever: The investment fundamentals for the city are strong and long-term investors could do very well looking a little more closely at the Melbourne market.
In today's show, we cover:
Melbourne apartments - 'Be greedy when others are fearful'
How your HECs bill blocks your borrowing capacity
Is over-capitalization over-rated?
The two...
Published 03/12/24
The Future Fund's consistently strong returns and its big exposure to so-called 'unlisted assets' have captured the interest of many investors. But, until very recently, most investors could not get access to unlisted assets and were restricted to listed securities such as shares and managed funds. Usefully, things are changing - today we take a serious look at unlisted assets.
In this episode we cover
Introducing the risk spectrum of unlisted assets
Accepting a 5-7 year wait for...
Published 03/07/24
This was not supposed to happen: The regions were meant to return to their secondary position in the residential investment market after COVID-19. Instead, over the last three months, prices rose faster than in the cities and the rental vacancy rates remained tight as hell... what gives?In today's show, we cover:
The curious case of the regional property bounceback
How the national market is already looking better than last year's forecasts
Are investors in one-bedroom units facing a...
Published 03/05/24
Not for the first time a single stock has become the proxy for a red-hot theme: AI and Nvidia are now interchangeable - and the specialist chipmaker has become the world’s top stock. Today we look at the AI boom and the first steps every Australian investor should be taking.In today’s show, we cover:
The Australian stakeholders inside Nvidia
Playing the AI boom on the ASX
Exploring solar power and EVs* Selling shares without paying tax
Financial advisor James Gerrard joins Wealth Editor...
Published 02/29/24
The consensus view is that interest rates have peaked in this cycle. Banks are already snipping their fixed rate mortgage rates (which is good) while also reducing the rate they pay on cash deposits (which is not so good). It's time to find out what's going on in the finance market.In today's show, we cover:
The beginning of lower fixed-rate mortgages
Beyond the big four - where to hunt for cash rates
Why the First Home Super Saver scheme is too much trouble
The trouble with SMSF...
Published 02/27/24
Family offices are very much the fashion among the nation’s ultra-wealthy: What are they exactly and what might we learn from how they operate?In today’s show, we cover
The booming business of the family office
Safety in numbers - how the system works
How much do you need to start a family trust?
Fund manager performance fees - an explanation
Jacqui Clarke, author and family office adviser joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in this episode
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Published 02/22/24
Sydney prices have been soft in early 2024: It's not quite a 'buyer's market' but it is as good a time to find value as we have seen in years. Where are the opportunities in the city and which neighbourhoods should we watch?
In today's show we cover:
Taking advantage of a rare lull in the nation's top property market
Excitement builds around Sydney's new airport zone
Why one-bedroomed apartments have limited appeal
What is going on around the future of negative gearing?
Judy Schmidt of...
Published 02/20/24
In redrawing the plan for personal tax cuts while introducing a tax on unrealised gains in super the government has unleashed a whirlwind of speculation: All tax shelters from negative gearing to CGT discounts are now fair game.What to do?In today’s show, we cover
The political brawl on tax and how it affects you
Exploring investment bonds and family trusts
The looming importance of unrealised gains
Struggling with poor service at Big Super
Liam Shorte of Sonas Wealth joins wealth...
Published 02/15/24
Most property investors will aspire to have more than one property: Many in the market suggest strategies that allow an investor to accumulate a 'passive income portfolio' over time. But how do you approach this? What are the risks of running multiple properties? And would future tax changes make a difference? In today's show, we cover :
Behind the promise of passive property investment * Do you need a buyer's advocate?
Switching a mortgage from the home to an investment
The future of...
Published 02/13/24
The financial success of singer Taylor Swift is unprecedented: Show business will never be the same again. For millions, she is a champion who outsmarts the music industry at every turn. So is she a role model for younger investors?In today's show we cover...
The devilishly clever business brain behind the music
How Taylor Swift invests
The role of her dad who is a financial advisor
‘Swiftonomics’ - how it really works
Sociologist Dr Rachel Carroll joins wealth editor James Kirby in this...
Published 02/08/24