Skip to content
Artwork for The Money Puzzle
BusinessEntrepreneurshipInvestingManagementNewsBusiness News

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

Play
  • 31 episodes
  • Avg 32 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • Monday · 33 min

    Cash is king again...here's why

    Interest rates are moving higher worldwide, but this time around it's for good reason: The AI boom is fuelling tremendous returns on global share markets. As the game gets riskier, your cash is now returning nearly 5 per cent risk-free; it's getting hard to beat In today's show, we cover... Why cash is beating total bond returns out the door Investing in a high-rate, high-return market New traps - Private credit is on the wrong side of the rate cycle Infrastructure shines through as rates run higher Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • Thursday · 33 min

    You can't take it with you...but you should do this

    If you don't have a Will, that's plain stupid. If you have a Will, you should also consider a Testamentary Discretionary Trust...and if you have done that too, you'd better watch the new Budget reforms because you may have to make changes. In today's edition, we cover... Estate planning - The basics for the everyday investor Testamentary Discretionary Trust - They escaped new taxes, check them out Trust reforms - If your family trust is being restructured, it may affect your Will Tackling the 17 per cent tax on inherited super. Estate planning lawyer, Rachael Rofe,+ joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • September 15 · 28 min

    How to invest in the data centre boom

    It's the biggest investment upsurge we have seen since the LNG gas expansion of more than a decade ago: Data centre construction will make or break investors in the years ahead...how to play it? Emanuel Datt of Datt Capital joins Associate Editor, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's show, we cover: * Your jungle guide to the $150bn data centre boom * The hottest stocks at the centre of the action * "Picks and shovels' - the service companies investors prefer * Proxy bets - how money is raised behind the scenes to fuel the boom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • September 10 · 26 min

    Gold...are you ready for a rebound?

    The gold price bounced in August, suggesting the yellow metal may soon recommence the rally that enthralled investors across 2025: It might be time to top up.... In today's show, we cover The outlook for gold A gold digger's favourite picks Why gold miners so often blow their prospects Raleigh Finlayson - The rise of a gold dynamo Cameron Judd of the Victor Smorgon Partners Resources Gold Fund joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • September 8 · 27 min

    Why property bargain hunters can hang tight... this downturn is only starting

    House price falls have some way to go, and now that we have the clear and present danger of more rate hikes, bargain hunters have time to kill. In today's show, we cover; How the downturn will deepen from here Can the first home market stay unaffected? Housing developer busts - Bathla will not be an isolated case The Spring pile-up - waiting for an avalanche of new listings Cameron Kusher of Kusher Consulting joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • September 3 · 28 min

    Mortgage or super? Where should I put my extra money?

    It's the hot-button question for so many investors - how to optimise any spare cash they may have on hand. For younger investors it's often the mortgage; for older investors it's often putting the money into super (before it's too late) But which is it for you? Olivia Maragna of Aspire Retire joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Super for mortgage...what to do? Did super win or lose in the Budget? Are we close to the peak in the current mortgage cycle The home that negative gearing forgot See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • September 1 · 44 min

    How to invest for your kids

    "I want to help the kids, how do I start?' It's one of the most common questions we get on the podcast, and it's time to tackle it head on. Dr Doug Turek of Minchin Moore joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: How to start an investment for a child A smart approach to school fees What to do about HECS Helping with a first home purchase See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • August 27 · 41 min

    Healthy rebound: How the ASX got its mojo back

    The ASX 200 is enjoying a solid earnings season, but the healthcare sector is shooting the lights out. Believe it or not, the market sector that offered the fastest way to lose money last year is suddenly red hot. Jun Bei-Liu of the Ten Cap Alpha Plus funds joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Up 25% in a month! - Healthcare stocks are back Why the healthcare blue chips can keep rising Will CSL ever be Australia's biggest stock again? Earnings season recap- where to now for banks and miners? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • August 25 · 28 min

    Property pile-up warning: Bracing for a listings overhang 

    Here comes Spring! Welcome to most, except perhaps to residential property sellers, who will be adding stock to an already bloated market where prices are falling. Louis Christopher of SQM Research joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: How bad is the listings overhang? Why banks may have forecasts wrong on property prices Yes, yields are rising, but are rents actually lifting too? The 40-year mortgage...should you ever? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • August 20 · 40 min

    The hunt for income heats up 

    The old formula for seeking income in the Australian market is fading: Dividend rates have dropped across the ASX. Yet, recent tax changes mean that investors will want to raise income from local markets. Hugh Robertson of the Centaur Financial Services group joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: How can I chase income safely? The income risk ladder - Bonds to high dividend funds Molino's move on SMSFs - More fees and a 'test' Is there any escape from the minimum 30 per cent CGT rate? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • August 18 · 25 min

    Why investor zones will be worst hit in the property downturn 

    Property investors are scrambling to sidestep the new property taxes and taking risks in areas they might never have considered before the May Budget. Rasti Vaibhav of Get RARE Properties joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The looming black spots for property investors Hidden dangers of 'new build' negative gearing A sober read on the reality of commercial property SMSF residential borrowing is now officially banned See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • August 13 · 34 min

    How rich listers are investing in the AI boom 

    At the top end of the market, Australia's richest investors are deeplyengaged in the AI boom: Some are betting the house on AI, others are fighting to rescue their reputation as AI sweeps through every industry sector. John Stensholt co-author of 'Tech Bros' the extraordinary story of Atlassian' joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Rich pickings in an AI bonanza How Atlassian's 'tech bros' are pivoting towards AI Wes Maas bets the house on Firmus Why did Gina Rinehart invest heavily in SpaceX? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • August 11 · 33 min

    How to buy your first property (post-Budget)

    The first principles for buying property never change. Whether it's your first home or your first move as an investor, you need a pathway. But following this year's landmark federal budget, it will pay to know where the government is aiming to 'help' and where market distortions could create new risks. Author and host of the 'Money, Money, Money' podcast, Glen James joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The quick-start guide to your first property Looking at the home from an investor perspective Getting to know the home grants system Warning on new property after negative gearing changes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • August 6 · 33 min

    Why it's time to get into alternative investing

    The swing towards 'alternative' investing is much more than a fad, it is now a core dimension of most investment portfolios among wealthy investors. But how does the everyday investor get started in this area? Cathy Ding of the Glory House group joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The basics of alternative investing Getting started in private credit and private equity The enduring role of gold Advanced alternatives: Royalty streams and coupon notes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • August 4 · 36 min

    Getting around the SMSF borrowing ban

    Starting August 10 Self-Managed Super Funds will be banned from borrowing to buy residential property. The Government's late move will catch many investors offside. But the market is responding quickly, new strategies and new products are emerging for active investors. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosolution Private Office joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today’s show, we cover: Yes, you can still use your SMSF in residential property: Here’s how Taking a second look at residential property finance options Market responds to negative gearing ban with new products The way forward for active property investors See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • July 30 · 38 min

    How to build your own ETF portfolio

    Investors love Exchange Traded Funds; these cheap and low-risk funds, which mirror indices such as the ASX 200, are increasingly popular.But how do you put them together to create a diversified portfolio? Chris Brycki, CEO of the Stockspot group, joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: ETF essentials - what you need to know Who are the main players in the market How to start a 60-40 ETF portfolio Building a deeper understanding of ETF offerings See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • July 28 · 29 min

    How much will house prices fall?

    Asked in today's episode if the house price downturn is 'a blip or a bust?', one of the market's top residential experts says 'Way more than a blip, as for a bust... It's too early to say.' Tim Lawless, research director at Cotality Australia, joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show we cover: How far will house prices fall Which city looks most vulnerable Can rents keep rising as prices drop The different outlook for homes and apartments See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • July 23 · 21 min

    Your retirement plan’s CGT shock (with Adrian Raftery)

    For a generation, Australian investors were advised to hold their investments until they retired. Then once they entered tax-free retirement, they could largely sidestep CGT tax. This central plank of financial advice is finished: Every retiree will now pay a minimum 30 per cent tax and nobody will escape. Dr Adrian Raftery, author of '101 ways to save money on your tax - legally' joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The shock change to investor retirement benefits How the CGT new minimum rate is the sleeper issue for long-term investors Examining how tax planning must reflect the wider budget changes My shares have gone to zero - can I claim a tax loss? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • July 21 · 38 min

    Commercial property suddenly looks attractive: Should you go near it?

    There is still a property sector where the outlook is improving, where yields are strong and anyone can negatively gear. Hey, you can even use borrowed funds in your Self-Managed Super Fund: It's time to take a second look at the commercial property sector. James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The pros and cons of commercial property Why Budget tax changes have lit up the sector The best entry points for the everyday investor Cash flow risk - the outstanding danger for new commercial property investors See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
  • July 16 · 29 min

    Why property investing will never be the same again

    We are only beginning to digest the full impact of the Budget changes for residential property.In short, it will never be the same again. That doesn't mean you can't invest successfully, but it does mean you need to know the new rules. Cameron Kusher of Kusher Consulting joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The hunt for yield in residential property Forget the interest-only loan How long-term negatively geared investors will thrive Taking a second look at commercial property See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • Transcript
Showing 1–20 of 31 episodes