The 2025 Budget managed to squeeze in a few pre-election surprises. A teeny tax cut, a decision to 'do nothing' on pension access (with unchanged deeming rates) and a genuine move to upgrade the government's signature Shared Home Ownership program. The so-called Help To Buy scheme will be very popular, but what are the risks? In this episode, Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby. ----- In today's show, we cover * The biggest thing for First Home Buyers in years- Help To Buy * Why bracket creep undermines all tax cuts  * Is the $3m super tax dead or alive? * Should long-term investors be influenced by today's dividend yields?   

The tug of war between property and shares never ends: But for many investors, one area is more attractive. My guest in this episode has spent a lifetime investing - along with commenting on investment markets - and has come to a clear conclusion.You may not agree, but you should definitely hear him out.  Anthony Keane, personal finance writer for News Corporation joins James Kirby in this episode. ------- In today's show, we cover Trouble-free' share market investing versus 'bricks and mortar' Why property investing should be kept outside of super Holding costs - the swing factor for the everyday investor  Should Adelaide really be more expensive than Melbourne? 

It now takes more than $600m to even feature on the Australian’s Rich 250:  But what does it take to build a fortune of that size in 2025? Today we get an inside view on the people behind Australia’s greatest fortunes. John Stensholt, Rich 250 editor joins James Kirby Associate Editor - Wealth in this week’s episode   In this episode, we cover Rich 250 - The Chemist Warehouse family arrives  Rich 250 -  Offshore gambling empires:  A new way to make money Billionaires might be impressive, but are they happy? Should you listen to ‘wealth coaches’?

One of the most popular features of the Money Puzzle podcast has been listener questions which we read on air: Now we want to hear you asking your questions! We're asking listeners to send in a voice memo from their phone and share it on the show to themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au. Also in today's show, we cover the problem with quirky properties. Buyer's advocate Cate Bakos warns lovers of converted churches and renovated show factories that standing out from the crowd is not always profitable. Bakos explains what makes a property valuable : It appeals to the widest possible audience. ----------------- In today's show, we cover: Irregular properties - quirky can be costly  Closed tenders - Good or bad? Tricky tax arrangements around 'granny flats' Why lending rates will keep falling   

It had to happen: Tariffs, recession indicators and an overpriced Wall Street: The sharemarket has taken a tumble. As luck would have it, the Money Puzzle has a top value investor on the show this week and he names three top stocks that can survive just about anything! Roger Montgomery of Montgomery Investment Management joins James Kirby in this episode. ----- In today's show, we cover... The sharemarket sell off - why did it happen? Ai and Tech face a new reality Three stocks with a value 'moat'  The conditions we need for a positive year on the ASX

Finally, after much flipping and flopping the government has decided to go ahead with a pre-election budget on March 25: What will it mean for your investment plans? James Gerrard of financialadviser.com.au joins James Kirby in this episode. ----- In today's show, we cover: What's the Coalition deal on tapping super to buy a home? How the ALP plans to offer a 20% discount on student debt Could financial advice be made fully tax deductible? The reality of taking out a reverse mortgage Why advisers are sceptical about annuities 

The US sharemarket has lost all of the gains it racked up since the Trump election and the spectre of a tariff war is casting gloom across global trade. What to do? First of all, give up on those stocks you were hoping would 'turn' and then do a full 'clean out' of your share portfolio.  Rudi Filapek-Vandyck of FNArena joins James Kirby in this episode  ---- In today's show, we cover: Why is confidence seeping out of the US sharemarket Can the ASX hold up if the dividend yield is fading? The reason why CBA is the best bank stock Goodman asks for more retail money - should you come to the party? 

The upper end of the market - defined by properties which rank in the 25 per cent of most expensive sales - is the layer that is moving up after the rate cut. And that means the post-rate cut bounce is concentrated in the two largest cities of Sydney and Melbourne. In fact, Melbourne might finally be turning a corner. Property analyst Eliza Owen of Corelogic joins James Kirby in this episode. ----- In today's show, we cover... What investors must know about property trends after the rate cut Melbourne manages a one-month rebound..is there more to come? The window for first-time home buyers may be closing Queensland towns notch up remarkable price activity - take a look at Townsville!

The superstar CEO is a complex package: You might love what they can do with the share price, but you might equally feel unsure about their behaviour day-to-day. What to do?  Author and family office adviser, Jacqui Clarke, joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------ On today’s show, we cover: Passive investing …it’s not what it used to be  Wealthy investors are getting cautious about the sharemarket How top investors deal with key person risk Big super funds under pressure on private investments

For many property investors stand-alone homes will always win: Similarly, there is an investor bias towards the metropolitan centres of Sydney and Melbourne. But Hotspotting expert, Terry Ryder, sees the market differently: He offers a fresh view on the prospects for investors in the year ahead and may challenge some cherished assumptions. Terry Ryder, director of the Hotspotting group, joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The powerful forces pushing Queensland higher How units are outperforming stand-alone homes nationwide Signs of a slowdown in the Perth Market Defending 'property pre-nups.'  

Every investor needs to digest the changed direction of rates after the first cut in four years from the RBA: The headlines are all about mortgage cost reductions but for many investors the big question is - What to do now that risk-free investing is a fading feature of the market? James Gerrard of financialadviser.com.au joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. -------- In today's show, we cover The alternatives to cash deposits Perfect timing for A-REITs and private credit? The true cost of franked dividends Is super biased against younger Australians?  

For some investors a Self Managed Super Fund is their only entry point to the property market: But does it make sense? Stuart Wemyss of ProSolution Private Clients joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover  The pros and cons of holding property in a SMSF The compromise: Co-investing with your own fund Property 'pre-nups' - the Bank of Mum and Dad loan agreements Splitting loans to optimise property returns   

Australian investors have never put so much money into the US market: That's largely because Wall Street stocks have been twice as profitable as ASX investments for years.The question now is how long can it last? In short, it can continue...but the composition of those share returns may change. Doug Turek of Minchin Moore Private Wealth joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------ In today's show, we cover How to play the next phase of the Trump trade Defending investment in private markets  Gold - the forever buffer ? How to replace your bank hybrids   

Rates are set to drop throughout 2025: But who knows if the RBA will get to cut much?And if they do, who knows if the banks will put the cuts through? They certainly dragged their tail during the last cycle. The key for investors is knowing how to get the best deal on rates in any part of the cycle. Sally Tindall of the Canstar group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------- In today's show, we cover: Finding the best saving and lending rates in the market The best way to cut your mortgage cost- call the bank!  Assessing CGT on property subdivisions  What's Division 293 tax..and when do I have to pay it?

Standby for a 'giveaway' pre-election Federal Budget on March 25. If history is any guide there is little for investors to worry about this time around: In fact, the main challenge might be keeping up with the areas of the economy which receive the most largesse from Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Financial adviser Will Hamilton joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: An early call on the forthcoming Federal Budget Private credit - Don't say you weren't warned The rebound in property trusts La Dolce Vita and the Australian pension system!  

Real estate transactions typically involve people who are not used to sending large amounts of money through the banking system; It's the perfect setting for internet fraud.  Real estate agents and conveyance lawyers are now struggling to get their daily work done as cybercrime accelerates...what to do? Buyer's advocate Kitty Parker joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Protecting your money from real estate cybercrime New anti-fraud technology for helping property investors Do you need a property manager?  The real estate costs that you never saw coming   

It's a defining feature of our economy: One in two Australians is involved in the Bank of Mum and Dad, and until now nobody had any hard numbers on the very big business of handing money to adult kids. Global investment bank UBS has finally got a measure on the 'elephant in the room' and it's time we talked to them. Richard Schellbach, equities strategist at UBS joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: How the Bank of Mum and Dad really works  The Deepseek sell-off and what it means for tech stocks  Trump's tariffs: Should we worry? Aus stock sectors set to outperform in the US   

They call it an 'information gap': Property professionals know property but can't be expected to offer independent advice. Meanwhile, independent financial advisors rarely know much about property. What's the best way forward for the everyday investor? Financial adviser James Gerrard joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------------ In today's show, we cover How to find financial advice on property Why most advisers are not much help The most common mistakes of property investors  Using super for residential property  --

Interest rates are set to fall in 2025 - and we may have to say goodbye to the days of 5 per cent returns for zero risk. Of course, there is no lack of opportunists standing in the wings with ideas for your money: The problem is that most of these 'opportunities' will come with a lot more risk than a bank deposit. What to do? Liam Shorte of the Sonas Wealth group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. --------- In today's show, we cover Preparing for lower fixed-interest returns  The risk of alternatives...especially private credit funds Taking profits on Commonwealth Bank stock How much time should you spend on your investments 

After the Los Angeles fires, it would be reasonable to assume that property values take a serious hit in the wake of a natural disaster. But this is not the evidence in the Australian market, a study from UNSW shows properties hit by fire and flood fully recover their values in line with the broader market.  Nerida Conisbee, chief economist at Ray White group joins wealth editor James KIrby in this episode. ------------ In today's show, we cover What the property investor needs to know about natural disasters? Top-down or bottom-up?   The best approach to buying a property  Using social media in selling your property   Is the 40-year mortgage a bad thing ?