The Money Puzzle

The Australian
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.

All Episodes

The focus might be on interest rates, but the outstanding driver for residential prices is the lack of supply: We already know home building is falling behind, but apartment numbers are also being held back because the numbers don't add up for developers.In today's show, a leading developer explains why he believes investors can bet the momentum in the market will be very hard to stop under current conditions. Max Shifman CEO of residential developer, Intrapac Property joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: It's not about interest rates, it's about supply The future of the one-bedroom investment apartment Should investors concentrate on transport hubs? What happens if rates start rising again?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today

22 min

Australian investors are perfectly placed to profit from the critical minerals boom.In fact, fortunes have already been made and lost on the market.Now the game enters a new phase as both the Australian and US agree to bankroll the sector. Where to start? Josh Chiat, mining correspondent with Stockhead joins Assoicate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Critical minerals - what you need to know? Are you ready to ride the roller-coaster  Key stocks in the sector The ETF route into critical minerals  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 30

31 min

It's hard to believe that during the Covid crisis, nearly half of all mortgages were being 'fixed' - today the level is less than 5 per cent. With economists calling the end of the cutting cycle for the RBA, early movers could gain a serious competitive advantage if they fix their borrowing costs in the months ahead. Sally Tindall, data insights director at Canstar joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Back from the dead: Fixed rates return to centre stage Why we may already be looking at the bottom for bank mortgage rates 'Split mortgages'- a bet both ways?  The outlook for deposit rates  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 28

28 min

The Treasurer has finally clarified how the revamped plans for the new super tax will work - including how Capital Gains Tax will work...it's a template for the future, make sure you are up to speed. James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Final cut on the new super tax  Is the gold sell-off serious? Tax consequences of renting your home* If annuities are so good...where are the deals?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 23

28 min

The opening of a 30 km new line across the middle of Sydney should have been a bonanza for investors; But one year later prices inside the rail catchment area have lagged the wider city market.What happened - and what does it mean for investors betting on infrastructure projects across the nation? Tim Lawless, head of research at Cotality joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Why prices along Sydney's new rail line are trailing the market  Too late to the party? Inside metro house price history Will Melbourne metro have the same story as Sydney? Brisbane's Olympic outlook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 21

25 min

Gold price records are being smashed. Moreover, the volume of money being sunk into gold ETFs and gold miner shares is also reaching spectacular levels: But does that mean it's the top of the market?  Gemma Dale, head of investor behaviour at nabtrade joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The arguments for a continued escalation in gold prices  How Australians are buying their gold  What the world's most influential forecasts are predicting Why gold miners can still blow it...even in a boom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16

33 min

Investors who have held property as the backbone of their retirement portfolios will be the first in line for the new taxes on super…especially at the top end. But what will the ‘final’ template for the new super tax mean for everyone else? Stuart Wemyss of ProSolution Private Clients joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode In today’s show, we cover: Ouch! Super tax on many properties will double Top-end turnover…40% wealth tax will drive sales in luxury property Doing your numbers afresh, super should still beat the alternatives Why this time around the Treasurer will get his tax plan through parliament  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 14

25 min

Most people worry about whether they have enough money to have a comfortable retirement. Financial adviser James Wrigley has a framework to help people better plan and therefore enjoy the retirement they want. In this episode, James Wrigley joins The Australian's Wealth Editor Julie-anne Sprague to explain his top tips to knowing what you need to retire on and how to get there.  Also on this episode: How to work out how much you need to retire on Strategies to build wealth into retirement How James Wrigley became big on social media Super contributions to maximise tax benefits  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 9

36 min

The major banks don’t usually offer big deals to first home buyers, usually because beggars can’t be choosers. But that's changing. There's big incentives on offer, including massive amounts of frequent flyer points and lower interest rates. So, can you snag a better deal even if you're not a first home buyer? The Australian's wealth reporter Anthony Keane joins Julie-anne Sprague, Wealth Editor at The Australian, to unpack the latest. Also in this episode, we detail how you can build an investment property without parting with a single cent. How much equity do you need in your home to be able to do this, what are the traps to be aware of and how can you maximise returns? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 7

35 min

Many parents and grandparents want to be able to help their children, and do so while they’re alive rather than leaving a large inheritance. But there are tax implications and gifting rules to be mindful of. In this episode, co-founder and head of financial advice at Leeuwin Wealth Jason Featherby sits down with The Australian’s Wealth Editor Julie-anne Sprague to explain the tips, tricks and traps to helping your adult children financially. In today’s show we cover:  Tax implications by gifting property to family members How to know if you’re financially secure enough to help the kids Why you should never close out your mortgage  And why it might not be a good idea to be a secondary credit card holder See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 2

36 min

House prices across most capital cities are expected to rise over the next 12 months. So how do you pick which is the best one to buy an investment property? How can you pick a stand-out market and what are the traps for investors when buying property in rising markets?  Empower Wealth managing director and podcast co-host Ben Kingsley joins The Australian's Wealth Editor, Julie-anne Sprague. In today's show, we cover: The government's expanded First Home Buyer Scheme Is there a potential property bubble forming in parts of the market? What investors should prioritise when buying a property How to choose one suburb over another to maximise profits  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 30

51 min

A generation of investors have used Self Managed Super Funds for property investment, but steadily the numbers have changed in this area with higher rates, higher upfront costs and a growing realisation it is not the deal it used to be. Financial adviser James O'Reilly from NorthEast Wealth joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby,  in this episode. In today's show, we cover:  SMSF property - A sub-optimal performer Survivorship bias - Why SMSF property may lose in the future Would you be better in a standard super fund? The limits of compulsory super rules    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 25

27 min

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