Podcast
The Money Puzzle
Hosted by The Australian · EN
Unlock your wealth potential with The Money Puzzle.
Featuring two power-packed episodes each week packed with smart money-making strategies, from superannuation to investing in shares, plus in-depth analysis of property markets.
Get tips from leading experts and practical tools to help build lasting wealth.
Submit your questions at themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au.
61episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
You're biased! - The six signs of investment bias that hold you back
Apr 2800:31:19Tap to summarizeOnce you get on top of the basics, then investing should get a lot easier. But the hidden factors that make a difference between winning and losing inside the investment market - including the property market - often have more to do with bias. Rasti Vaibhav of the Get RARE property group joins Associate Editor, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's episode, we cover: The six signs you're a biased investor The specific issues where bias hits the property investor How lessons from the sharemarket transfer to property CGT - If the reforms are only for residential property, what about A-REITs? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Private credit - How bad is this going to get?
Apr 2300:31:55Tap to summarizeThe private credit boom is having a shake-out: But not before many Australian investors - and big super funds - placed a lot of money into what has been, until very recently, a boom business. What's on the line and where is the exposure? Andy Darroch of Independent Financial Advice joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The problems plaguing private credit How local wealth managers and big funds are linked with the crisis Liquidity - If you did not know what it meant, you will now How to assess private credit as an asset class from here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →What you should be paying on your borrowings (and getting on your cash)
Apr 2100:26:24Tap to summarizeThe upside of higher interest rates is that you might get more on your money in the bank. But it turns out that anyone who uses a 'bonus' account (which is where the banks offer the best rates) must satisfy the terms and conditions each month.And guess what? More than 40 per cent of savers in this category don't meet their T&Cs each month - that means they don't get the rate rise. With rates rising it’s time to get across the numbers. In today's show, we cover: Sally Tindall, data insights director at Canstar joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The best cash and borrowing rates in the market How the other half gets short-changed - with bonus rates Should you ever use a bank you never heard of? The NDIS...is there a way out of the mess for the government? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Your top tax hacks for FY 2026
Apr 1600:28:11Tap to summarizeYou've only got a few months to go before the end of the financial year: It's time to plan your tax returns...and yes, this year - with soaring transport costs and changing super caps - it will be different. 'Mr Taxman' Dr Adrian Raftery author and tax adviser joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode In today's show, we cover: Don't miss the chance to claim your soaring transport costs How to optimise your work from home deductions The excellent deal available to anyone leasing an electric car Why superannuation is not the only deduction for the salaried investor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Why residential rental income is about to move higher (again)
Apr 1400:22:31Tap to summarizeIt was not supposed to happen this year: Vacancy rates were meant to rise in 2026 and income was expected to flatten…not at all. Property investors are suddenly grappling with a reshaped market where forecasts have been turned upside down. Louis Christopher of SQM Research joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode. In today’s episode, we cover: As you were! The upset trend of the year for property investors The downgrades keep coming for house prices CGT looks set to increase Will a two-property negative gearing limit hurt? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Separately Managed Accounts: Advisers love them, but should you?
Apr 900:31:04Tap to summarizeSMAs are booming inside the financial advice sector: But if they are so terrific, then why is regulator ASIC asking so many probing questions around fees and conflicts of interest?Nathan Fradley of Fradley Advice joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover... The good, bad and potentially ugly side of the SMA boom Will SMSFs get a fair deal in the new Compo scheme of last resort Reward points and super funds- a marriage made in the marketing department Why are financial advice fees not coming down if AI cuts costs? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Where investors will hunt in the looming property downturn
Apr 700:22:11Tap to summarizeYou can’t have a run of interest rate hikes and expect property to shoot out the lights. The chances are we are going to see a price slowdown in the major cities later this year…especially at the top end. But a string of factors point to serious resilience at the other end of the market. Independent housing analyst, Eliza Owen, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode In today’s show, we cover: The key factors keeping demand strongest at the entry level How the 5% home deposit scheme skewed house prices A new CGT discount rate of 33% is now the most likely Budget change The problem with ‘grandfathering’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Bringing it all back home - Why the oil shock is turning investors back to the ASX
Mar 3100:27:15Tap to summarizeWhat are investors doing in reaction to the shocking turn in markets during the first three months of 2026? One of the first moves is a distinct retreat from Wall Street back to the ASX, as investors seek mining and energy stocks along with blue chips that can deliver reliable dividends. It's early days but we are also seeing a pick-up in defensive investments such as infrastructure and a little less enthusiasm for gold. David Bassanese, chief economist at ETF provider Betashares, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The surprise swing back to the ASX Where to invest now? The continuing case for gold (despite a bad run) CGT - To grandfather or not to grandfather? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →How wealthy investors are dealing with the Iran crisis
Mar 2600:29:10Tap to summarizeIf you want to get advice from today's guest, Ben James of Escala Partners, you need to have at least $5m in your investment portfolio. In other words, his clients are strictly from the top end of town. So what have his clients been doing since the Iran crisis broke in February, and what is he telling them to do next? Ben James, CEO of Escala Partners, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode In today's show, we cover: The inflation shock to markets and what you must do next? Liquidity beyond cash for the everyday investor The next hot spots for active investors Are dividends vulnerable in the months ahead See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →'Pump and dump' warning for interstate property investors
Mar 2400:17:15Tap to summarizeBuyer's agents armed with rubber-stamp qualifications are herding investors into overpriced regional hot spots just in time for a looming wave of rate rises...it's an accident waiting to happen. Veronica Morgan from Good Deeds Property Advisors joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover A warning for investors buying outside their home markets The off-the-shelf buyer's agent qualification you should know about Crunch looms for first home buyers on the 5% home deposit scheme Why property owners may sell up prior to CGT Budget change See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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