Australian Finance Podcast

Different decades bring different money decisions—but the best move is rarely copying someone else’s timeline. In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell go decade by decade from your 20s to your 70s, sharing what to focus on and the common mistake to avoid at every stage. In your 20s, they cover good money habits, the First Home Super Saver Scheme and resisting lifestyle creep. Your 30s are about working as a team, using insurance and debt deliberately, and borrowing for the life you expect—not only the one you have today. For your 40s, the conversation turns to building a real financial plan, debt recycling, upgrading the family home and avoiding unsuitable SMSFs or cheap investment properties. In your 50s, the focus shifts to maximising super while still creating wealth outside it, protecting flexibility and refusing to panic as retirement gets closer. Owen and Gemma then unpack pension phase, turning assets into retirement income and “trying before you buy” major…

An ETF up 200% can feel like a win and a problem. Do you keep riding the momentum, sell part of it, or move the gain back into your core portfolio? In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Glen James answer listener questions across ETFs, property, tax and building wealth at different stages of life. They begin with high-performing satellite ETFs, including Betashares ASIA and Global X SEMI, and explain why a written portfolio rule can matter more than guessing whether AI is in a bubble. Owen and Glen also examine whether the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) could be held for 70 years, why index funds evolve with the market and why one asset class may still be too concentrated. For anyone who feels late to investing, the conversation turns to catching up in your 40s without taking reckless risks. The practical starting points include a spending plan, emergency fund, career review, super contributions, property and investing outside super. They also discuss whether recent tax changes…

Should an SMSF be your next super move—or is a simpler fund already capable of doing what you need? In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Gemma Mitchell sits down with Rask adviser Chamil Peiris to unpack self-managed super funds without the sales pitch. They explain what “self-managed” really means, from investment control to the trustee, compliance, record-keeping and audit obligations that remain yours even when accountants and advisers help. You’ll learn why investors consider SMSFs for direct property, commercial property, crypto, physical assets or broader investment choice; where retail and member-directed options may solve the same problem with less work; and why greater control does not automatically produce a better outcome. Gemma and Chamil also examine the costs of establishing and running a fund, the risks of concentrating personal wealth and super in property, pension-phase liquidity issues, family disputes and estate planning. They cover common property mistakes, the dangers of…

In this Q&A livestream of the Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma takes us through her $24,000 trip to Japan. She shares what was good about it and what could have been better, along with the best part of the whole trip. Owen and Gemma then share their best tips for saving money on a holiday. Owen covers Virgin reward seats and the Wise card, plus how to get more out of Booking.com with Genius discounts and Raiz. They also talk about when it's worth checking Airbnb instead, and whether chasing points actually makes sense. Gemma explains why travel insurance is a must and how a cashback app saved her $3,000. She also shares how she lines up deals and uses AI to plan her itinerary so she's not backtracking. Finally, they run through the travel mistakes to avoid. These include not having the right card, getting caught out on cash vs card and booking during local holidays. They also explain why credit card points can end up feeling like Monopoly money. Episode resources – Japan TikToks @iampaulconway – Buy Gemma’s…

What do wealthy Australians consistently get right — and which parts of their playbook can ordinary households use? In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack three pillars that repeatedly show up in financially secure households: a right-sized home, investments outside superannuation and an actively managed super balance. First, they explain why home ownership can provide security, tax advantages and flexibility later in life — without requiring a grand or expensive property. Second, they explore how shares, ETFs and investment property outside super can create choice, fund an earlier retirement and bridge the years before super becomes accessible. Third, they show why wealthy people treat super as real money and use its three “superpowers”: lower tax, discipline and compounding. Owen and Gemma also examine data from Rask’s Wealth Checker. Property represents 50.4% of assets entered by the community and super another 21%, meaning more than 70% is tied up in two…

Could Australia slip into recession—and what would that mean for your money? Rather than treating every alarming headline as a prediction, this episode focuses on the practical moves you can make now. In the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack what a recession is, why higher interest rates and the cost of living are weighing on households, and why the share market does not always move in step with the economy. They separate the economic numbers you cannot control from the everyday decisions you can. The starting point is a savings buffer. Owen explains why even a modest emergency fund can matter, while Gemma suggests testing whether your current buffer would really cover an income shock—and agreeing on what counts as an emergency before one happens. They also discuss a bare-bones budget alongside your normal one, trimming optional spending early, checking that mortgage offset accounts are actually offsetting interest, and reviewing insurance and super without making a fear-driven…

What does a night out really cost Australians — and what are households giving up to keep dining part of the budget? In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by Jason Leong, CEO and co-founder of PocketSmith, for part three of their Global Spending Map series. They use anonymised data from PocketSmith users across 190 countries to compare how Australians, New Zealanders and Americans are spending on restaurants, takeaway, coffee, alcohol, subscriptions and entertainment. The numbers are confronting. PocketSmith users in Australia spend about $1,000 a month across eating-out categories, while typical monthly restaurant and dining spend rose from $255 in 2021 to $400 in 2025 — a 57% increase. Jason explains why menu inflation accounts for only part of the rise, how interest rates have created a split between younger mortgage holders and older savers, and why Australian spending has moved differently from New Zealand and the US. Gemma and Jason also explore what households are…

How would you invest $20,000 over 10 years without ending up with a jumble of overlapping ETFs? In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Cameron McCormack, Senior Portfolio Manager at VanEck, to build a simple core-and-satellite portfolio from scratch with $20,000. Owen also throws Cameron a curveball, in the way of an extra $3,000 for a satellite choice. They unpack ETF overlap, home-country bias, concentration in the ASX 200, the difference between core and satellite holdings, and why every investment should have a clear role in the portfolio. If you want a practical framework for combining Australian shares, international quality, emerging markets and gold, this episode gives you a clear place to start your research. Episode resources – Explore VanEck ETFs – VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF (ASX: MVW) – VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL) – VanEck MSCI Multifactor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (ASX: EMKT) – VanEck Gold Bullion ETF (ASX: NUGG) – Buy Gemma’s…

Can young Australians still buy a home, or is property ownership slipping further out of reach? In this Australian Finance Podcast livestream, Owen and Milli unpack the challenge of buying property in your 20s and 30s, while still building wealth through shares and super. They cover practical ways to save a deposit, including high-interest savings accounts, investing and the First Home Super Saver Scheme. You’ll learn how FHSS contributions, withdrawals and deemed earnings work, plus the risks of investing money you may need for a home purchase. The discussion also explores how parents and grandparents can help with a deposit through gifts, loans, co-borrowing or co-ownership, and why the legal structure matters. Owen and Milli then turn to debt recycling: what it is, why more Australians are asking about it, and how interest rates, investment returns and tax treatment can affect the strategy. Plus, they tackle listener questions on family loans and asset protection, the changing capital gains tax landscape,…

What does it really mean to raise “rich” kids — and how can parents teach healthy money habits without passing on fear, shame or entitlement? In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Gemma Mitchell sits down with finance journalist and author Sarah Megginson to unpack the ideas behind How to Raise Rich Kids. Sarah reframes wealth as choice, freedom and opportunity, then explains how parents’ own money stories quietly shape what children learn. They cover practical, age-appropriate money lessons from early childhood through to young adulthood, including pocket money, chores, saving for a first car, family money meetings and involving children in real household decisions. Sarah shares how her family uses a simple points system for chores, why “fair” does not always mean “equal”, and how letting children make low-stakes spending mistakes can build confidence. You’ll also hear how couples can discuss money without blame, why both partners should understand the family finances, and how to start helping…

What actually happens to your super when you retire? Try our free wealth checker tool Get financial advice It sounds like there should be a giant red button that says “retirement mode” — but, as usual with super, it’s a little more paperwork-y than that. In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, also shared on The Australian Retirement Podcast, Owen is joined by Tahli Cavagnino, Senior Financial Adviser and co-head of financial advice at Rask Advice, to unpack what happens to your super as you move towards retirement. General advice warning: This episode contains general information and general advice only. Please consider your own circumstances and seek professional advice before making financial decisions. We cover when you can generally access your super, what “pension mode” actually means, how super can be taxed before and after retirement, and some of the big trade-offs people face as they approach retirement. Plus, we answer listener questions on indexed versus active high growth super…

This episode was originally featured on the Australian Investors Podcast. In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask speaks with Jon Stahl from Salesforce about how AI agents are moving beyond answering questions and starting to complete real work inside businesses. Jon explains the difference between a chatbot and an agent, including how agents can reason through multistep tasks, call tools and APIs, update business systems and retain useful context. He shares where the technology is already creating value across customer service, software development, research, order management and commerce. The conversation also tackles the controls businesses need before giving an AI agent meaningful autonomy. Jon compares an agent to the “world’s smartest but least experienced intern” and explains why permissions, clear identities, audit logs, hard-coded guardrails and human escalation remain essential. Owen and Jon then explore what must happen before agents can safely buy products or make payments on…

Is AI in a bubble, or are today’s soaring share prices backed by real business growth? In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack what an investment bubble actually is and why price, profit and valuation are different things. Using examples from tulip mania, Beanie Babies, NFTs, pandemic-era puppy prices and Pokémon cards, they explain how scarcity, hype and FOMO can push prices far beyond fundamentals. The conversation then turns to AI. Owen walks through the extraordinary spending behind data centres and chips, why NVIDIA has captured so much of the industry’s revenue, and how circular financing between chipmakers and customers can complicate the picture. They also revisit Microsoft after the dot-com crash, when investors waited about 15 years to recover the previous share-price peak. So what happens if the AI bubble bursts? Owen and Gemma explain why the technology is unlikely to disappear, but prices, access and business models could change sharply. They also…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask explores why the business stack of the future may be changing investing faster than most markets really appreciate today. Starting with Stripe’s 2025 annual letter, Owen breaks down four business clocks now speeding up at once: how fast companies can build, distribute, monetise and scale. He explains why APIs, cloud software, AI tools and global payments infrastructure are compressing the path from idea to paying customer. This is not just an AI hype story. Owen looks at what faster growth means for investors, including why power-law winners may pull away harder, why weaker competitors can still launch more easily, and why speed is not the same thing as durability. Using Stripe, Anthropic and WiseTech, he shows how stronger products can create reinforcing flywheels of usage, revenue, talent and trust. He finishes with a practical framework for analysing fast-growing businesses: what has actually become faster, what reinforces the lead, whether the…

Are you a wage slave? Do you WORK for money? (yawn) Do you also think Crypto is an investment? Is your investment strategy "buy low, sell high"? In this live weekly Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell break down your questions and pull apart 9 money and investing myths people tell you all the time. From "buy low, sell high" and "cash is king" to "rent money is dead money" and "you should always pay off your mortgage before investing", we'll break down what these sayings actually mean, where they fall short and what you should be thinking about instead. What we cover in today's money episode: - Money Advice We Hear All the Time: The common financial sayings and rules that sound sensible at first glance. - What's Actually Wrong With It?: We unpack why some popular money advice can be misleading, incomplete or just plain unhelpful. - Is There Some Truth To It?: Because most money sayings aren't completely wrong. We look at the useful principle hiding underneath the…

In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Scott Phillips to unpack one of the biggest investing questions of the moment: is stock picking dead? Scott explains why investing is cumulative, how experience builds pattern recognition over time, and why AI may shrink some information gaps without eliminating the need for judgment. Together, Owen and Scott explore where value is still likely to accrue, why the future remains hard to predict even with better tools, and what that means for investors trying to build long-term wealth. The conversation also gets practical on ETFs. Scott makes the case that broad, low-cost index ETFs should be the default for most Australians, while still arguing that stock picking is far from dead for investors with the temperament, process and patience to do it well. They also discuss Scott’s book, The One Page Investing Plan, and why simple frameworks matter so much for newer investors. The big takeaway is that successful investing does not need to be…

In this special Pearler x Rask live episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell break down the practical strategies that could help you grow your super by an extra $100,000 over your working life. Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit Owen & Gemma look at the three big levers: adding more, earning more and losing less, and how the right strategy can look very different depending on your age, income, time frame and circumstances. What we cover in today's super episode: – The $100k Super Boost: How could you potentially add an extra $100,000 to your super? – Super 101: A quick refresher on how super works and why it matters. – The Three Levers: Add more, earn more and lose less. – The Power of Time: Why starting earlier can make a huge difference. – Making Extra Contributions: How small additional contributions can add up over time. – Your Investment Option: How the way your super is invested can affect your long-term balance. – Fees and Costs: Why…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Cameron McCormack, Senior Portfolio Manager at VanEck, to unpack factor investing in a way that actually makes sense for everyday ETF investors. The conversation starts with the basics: what factor investing is, how it differs from broad market-cap investing, and why terms like smart beta, rules-based investing and factor investing are often talking about the same idea. From there, Cameron breaks down the major factor lenses investors are likely to hear about, including quality, value and growth, and explains the types of company traits that sit behind each one. Owen and Cameron then make the discussion practical by walking through real ETF examples such as QUAL and MVW, showing how factor strategies can change portfolio weights, sector exposure and diversification. They also explore when quality can behave defensively, why value can come back into favour in stronger economic environments, and how investors might think about using factor…

If you had $500 to invest in Australia every month, where would you actually put it? Join Rask's new platform In this live weekly Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell break down their top strategies for investing $500/month in Australia today. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to automate your wealth-building habit, we share practical ways to construct a sensible, low-cost portfolio designed for the long haul. What we cover in today's investing episode: - The $500 Portfolio Pick: Owen and Gemma reveal where they’d invest $500 right now. - Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA): Why regular, fixed investments beat trying to time the market. - The Math of $500/Month: How small monthly amounts compound into long-term wealth over 10, 20, and 30 years. - Sensible ETF & Index Strategies: How to keep brokerage low and diversification high. - Live Community Q&A: Answering your pre-sent and live chat questions on money, stocks, and personal finance. Episode resources – Buy…

In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack 10 legitimate ways Australians can access their super and why the rules matter more than most people realise. From the two most common pathways, retiring after preservation age and turning 65, through to transition-to-retirement strategies, incapacity rules, terminal illness provisions, the First Home Super Saver Scheme, severe financial hardship, compassionate grounds and leaving Australia permanently, this episode gives listeners a practical map of what is possible and what can go wrong. Owen and Gemma also tackle one of the internet's dumbest myths: that super is a scam. Instead, they explain why super is best understood as a tax-effective structure, why your age and employment status change the rules, and why insurance inside super can make fund-switching riskier than people expect. You'll also hear why early access is rarely just a paperwork exercise. The discussion walks through the trade-offs behind each condition of…

This is a special rewind episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, bringing back one of our favourite Q&A conversations because the questions are still incredibly relevant today. In this episode, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell work through practical money decisions that many Australians wrestle with: whether extra cash should go into super or against the mortgage, what to do when you’ve saved a first-home deposit but life changes stall the next step, and how to think about retirement when you’re worried you’re behind. They also unpack why discipline matters when comparing super with debt reduction, how to weigh flexibility against tax benefits, and what to consider if you’re building wealth outside super before preservation age. There’s also a thoughtful discussion about defined benefit schemes, planning for uncertainty, and why a simple, steady plan can matter more than chasing the perfect answer. If you’ve ever wondered whether to boost super, hold cash, invest, or rethink the timing of a big financial…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Hayden Smith from Pearler to unpack why so many money goals fall over before they ever become real habits. Rather than setting huge targets that feel inspiring for a day and overwhelming for the next six months, Hayden explains why shorter timeframes, smaller milestones and cleaner systems give people a far better chance of following through. They talk through how to turn vague financial intentions into something measurable, why automation matters, and how to reduce the friction around saving and investing. Owen and Hayden also explore the idea of a research stake - putting a small amount of money to work so you become more curious, more engaged and more accountable to your own future. It is a practical way to build momentum without needing to be perfect from day one. Along the way, Hayden shares how his thinking has softened on owner-occupied property, why housing still matters in a long-term plan, and how tools like debt recycling may…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Glen James to talk about buying your first property in Australia when the market feels tougher than ever. Glen explains why so many buyers feel stuck, why the old 20% deposit playbook no longer fits reality for many people, and what first home buyers can do instead of giving up. The conversation centres on Glen’s new book, The Quick Start Guide to Your First Property, and the practical mindset shift behind it. He argues that buyers need a clear why, a realistic time frame and a willingness to use every legitimate tool available, from the First Home Super Saver Scheme to low-deposit pathways and state-based support. Rather than obsessing over the perfect property straight away, Glen says the goal is to build a workable strategy and keep moving. Owen and Glen also cover the emotional side of property, why a good mortgage broker can help sooner than most people think, when professional advice is worth paying for, and how parents can better…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with James Gil, Head of Product at VanEck, to unpack the relaunch of GOAT and why it matters for ETF investors. Rather than simply buying “AI stocks”, GOAT uses AI inside the portfolio construction process to rank global companies, score signals and build a 150-stock portfolio designed to adapt as markets change. James explains why VanEck sees GOAT as a new stage of smart beta or “ETF 3.0” that sits between plain-vanilla index investing and traditional active management. The conversation walks through the four-step engine behind the fund: generating signals from huge datasets, scoring those signals, learning from what has worked across market cycles, and validating the model against live conditions. Owen and James also dig into the difference between GOAT and MOAT, why monthly rebalancing matters, how the portfolio avoids becoming a pure tech bet, and where country and sector tilts are showing up today. They touch on the 21-year simulated track…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask speaks with Sarah Court, Chair of ASIC, about what the regulator is seeing across the financial system and why everyday Australians need to pay closer attention to how their money is being handled. Sarah explains ASIC’s role in licensing firms, holding financial institutions to account and stepping in when consumers or investors are at risk. The core of the conversation focuses on mortgage offset accounts after ASIC uncovered failures at banks that meant some customers were not receiving the interest savings they expected. Sarah explains why these problems matter, why legacy systems and weak processes can create real financial harm, and why banks need to fix the basics instead of assuming customers will spot issues themselves. Owen and Sarah also talk about scams, risky investments and the importance of slowing down before handing over money. She shares why MoneySmart can be such a valuable resource for Australians who want plain-English guidance on…

In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Hayden Smith from Pearler to compare the money lessons they wish they had understood much earlier. What starts as a conversation about investing quickly turns into a practical discussion about the decisions that shape wealth in Australia: where you live, how you save, what tax does to returns and why good habits matter more than clever hot takes. Owen and Hayden unpack why owner-occupied property is hard to ignore in Australia, especially when cheap leverage and the pension rules tilt the game. They also explain why many investors obsess over the wrong fees, how tax quietly touches almost every money decision, and why a strong saving rate still does more heavy lifting than most people expect. The episode also explores the emotional side of investing. From scary headlines and market downturns to the temptation to constantly switch strategies, they make the case that behaviour is often more important than intelligence. Along the way they…

In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack a grab bag of money questions that hit a lot of Australians at exactly the wrong time: when tax, super and property rules all seem to be changing at once. They break down Div 293 tax, catch-up concessional contributions and whether high-income earners should still tip more into super when the tax savings are not as generous as they first appear. From there, they work through the proposed SMSF borrowing crackdown, why using super to buy residential property is about to get harder, and what that could mean for people who were relying on leverage inside a self-managed fund. The episode also tackles real first-home and upgrade dilemmas. Should a couple buy together or separately if they want to maximise schemes and flexibility? If you outgrow your townhouse, should you sell it, keep it as an investment, or use the six-year rule before making a call? Owen and Gemma explain the trade-offs around negative gearing, CGT, debt, cash…

In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Brandon van der Kolk, the creator behind New Money and author of New Money Strategy, to unpack how a former physio built one of Australia’s biggest investing channels and what he has learned from nearly a decade of teaching people about money online. Brandon explains why he rebranded from Aussie Wealth Creation to New Money, how YouTube rewards trust and evergreen content, and why relying only on AdSense leaves creators without a moat. He also shares the investing framework that shaped his work, drawing on Warren Buffett, Phil Town and Berkshire Hathaway to explain how he thinks about business quality, management, valuation and margin of safety. Owen and Brandon also explore what value investing still looks like in 2026, why Google and Meta stood out to him as long-term winners, what he learned from the Berkshire shareholder meeting in Omaha, and why most investors need a process they can actually stick to. They also touch on Brandon’s…

Australian Finance Podcast host Owen Rask sits down with Hayden Smith from Pearler to answer one of the biggest questions investors ask once they get serious about money: should you take more control of your super, or leave it alone? Using listener questions as the backbone, they unpack the practical differences between large super funds, direct investment options and self-managed super funds, then explain where people often get tripped up by acronyms, fees and structure. That includes HIN versus custodial models, whether brokerage costs really matter, what ETFs inside super can and cannot solve, and why an SMSF is not automatically the smarter move just because it feels more hands-on. The conversation also widens into the trade-offs Australians face when building wealth more broadly, including leverage, investment property stress, negative gearing and the temptation to over-optimise every financial decision. Throughout the episode, Owen and Hayden keep coming back to the same idea: good investing should be…

In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Hayden Smith, CTO at Pearler, for a practical masterclass on what AI actually is, why it matters for investors, and where the real money may be made across the supply chain. Rather than stopping at ChatGPT headlines, Owen and Hayden break the theme into layers: transformers, data centres, GPUs, memory, networking, cooling, electricity and the raw materials that keep the whole machine running. They explain why AI is not one stock or one app, but a chain of businesses that stretches from software giants like OpenAI, Google and Microsoft through to chip leaders like NVIDIA and the infrastructure companies supporting them. The conversation also brings the investing lens back to earth. Hayden explains why broad exposure still beats heroic single-stock bets for most people, while Owen walks through ETFs investors are already using to get exposure, including IVV, VGS, NDQ, FANG and AINF. Along the way, they talk about bubbles, bottlenecks,…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell dive into money coaching, financial advice, and the simple 5-step framework anyone can use to take control of their finances. They cover: - The difference between education, coaching, and financial advice - Why most people aren’t as “bad with money” as they think - Real-life insights from working with Christian Hull - How mindset, behaviour, and systems shape your financial success Topics covered - What is the difference between podcasts, money coaching & financial advice? - Education vs action vs strategy: what actually drives change - Inside money coaching: what a session really looks like - Case study: Christian Hull’s money journey - Why high income doesn’t equal confidence with money - The role of mindset, behaviour & organisation in financial success - Common money beliefs: “I’m bad with numbers” & control vs clarity - Quick wins in coaching: simple changes that make a big impact - Building systems: accounts, habits &…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Gemma Mitchell is joined by Anita Challen, Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), to bust some of the biggest tax myths Australians still believe. They cover: – What makes an expense genuinely tax deductible – Common mistakes people make with work-related claims – Car expenses and the records you need to keep – When a side hustle becomes income the ATO cares about – Rental property deductions and renovation traps – Why gifts, freebies and endorsements may need to be declared as income – The latest tax scams and how to protect yourself this tax time Topics Covered – What makes something tax deductible? – Common tax myths around clothing and meals – Car expense claims: what you can and can't claim – Record keeping requirements for tax deductions – Business expenses versus personal expenses – Side hustles, hobbies and taxable income – When does a hobby become a business? – Declaring gifts, freebies and endorsements as income – Rental…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Gemma Mitchell is joined by Phil Thompson from Skye Wealth to answer your biggest insurance questions. They cover: – How insurance claims actually work from start to finish – The difference between Any Occupation and Own Occupation cover – Whether you can claim Income Protection and Trauma Insurance at the same time – What exclusions, loadings and occupation ratings really mean – The truth about insurance commissions – Whether younger Australians should consider cover before automatic super enrolment – Why group insurance isn't always cheaper than retail cover – The $1.4 million insurance dispute that highlights the importance of disclosure Topics Covered – What happens when you make an insurance claim? – Understanding the insurance claims process from start to finish – Any Occupation vs Own Occupation TPD cover – Can teachers and other professionals rely on Any Occupation cover? – Income Protection and Trauma Insurance: Can you claim both? – How…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, host Gemma Mitchell is joined by Emma Rosenzweig, Deputy Commissioner of the Payday Super Program at the Australian Taxation Office, to unpack the Payday Super changes. They cover: – What Payday Super is and why it’s changing – What employers and employees should be doing – How super guarantee payments will need to be timed – What qualifying earnings means – How Single Touch Payroll (STP), contractors, excess concessional contributions and compliance may be affected Topics Covered – What is Payday Super? – Why Super Guarantee Is Moving to Payday – What Employers Need to Do and When – Timing Rules for Super Guarantee Payments – What Qualifying Earnings Means – Payments Not Included in Qualifying Earnings – Single Touch Payroll Changes – Contractors and Super Under Payday Super – Member Verification and Rejected Contributions – ATO Compliance Approach From 1 July 2026 – Voluntary Disclosure for Underpaid Super – ATO Support Materials and Employer Resources – Key…

In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell sits down with Christian Hull for the final instalment of the Hot Money Mess series and a candid look at what has actually changed after months of money coaching, better systems and a few big life decisions. Christian began this series describing himself as chaotic with money. He returns sounding calmer, clearer and much more intentional. The conversation unpacks the practical shifts that made the difference: separating business and personal cash flow, using simple account buckets, planning for bills before they hit and relying on better numbers instead of panic. They also dive into Christian’s biggest update yet: buying a Sydney property far sooner than expected. Gemma and Christian talk through the values behind that move, what it means to feel calm around debt, and why having a plan matters more than pretending you will never feel fear. If you have ever felt behind with money, overwhelmed by decisions or unsure how to turn goals into…

In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by Milli Russell for a practical Q&A covering some of the money questions that can feel small in the moment but have a huge impact over time. They unpack what a 21-year-old should focus on if buying a first home is only 12 months away, including why speaking to a mortgage broker early matters, what lenders may look for, and how to think about cash flow before you apply. From there, they break down the difference between offset accounts and redraw facilities, when flexibility matters, and why the tax treatment of a future investment property can make that choice more important than people realise. Gemma and Milli also talk through what to do if you think you have received bad financial advice, including when to go back to the adviser, when to escalate a complaint, and what role AFCA and ASIC can play. They also answer a thoughtful question about retirement boredom and explain how returning to work can interact with super, pension…

In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell sits down with Jason Leong from PocketSmith to unpack one of the biggest pressure points for modern households: childcare and education costs. Using PocketSmith's Global Spending Map, they compare what families are spending across Australia, New Zealand and the US and explain why childcare can feel like a second mortgage. They unpack how subsidies shape Australia, why New Zealand costs are rising, and what the data says about the cost-of-living squeeze on parents. But this is not just about big numbers. Gemma and Jason explore the real trade-offs behind those bills: going back to work, public versus private schooling, and why childcare should be assessed as a whole-of-family money decision rather than a simple net-income test. They also cover the factors households often miss, including tax, superannuation, career momentum, workplace flexibility and the mental load that can sit behind family planning. For couples thinking about children, they…

This Rask Rewind episode is pulled from the Australian Finance Podcast archives, with plenty of timeless money lessons worth revisiting. Investment hacks, AI fears, Debt recycling, family trusts & whether you really need VAS – there is a lot packed into this one! In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen and Gemma are back for your weekly Q&A and answering your questions on: - Why some people invest through bucket companies- If you actually need a lot of money to see a financial adviser - What to do once you’ve fully debt recycled your home loan - Whether fees in your super are tax-deductible- Is it still worth having a family trust if it’s not saving you tax (yet)?- And how to clean up your financial life if it feels like a mess Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. And send in your questions via the link below. Resources for this episode - Sign up for the Ladies Finance Club Online summit - Epiosde- Family Trusts - Get Rich Quick episode -…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell tackle the questions Australians are asking right now as post-Budget uncertainty ripples through property, super and long-term wealth plans. From negative gearing and borrowing power to super contributions, calculators and inheritance, this is a practical Q&A for people who want clearer next steps. Owen and Gemma explain why property decisions feel harder when tax rules move, how lenders may react before the broader market does, and what to focus on if you’re trying to build wealth without blowing up your cash flow. You’ll also hear why negative gearing should never be the whole investment thesis, how “accidental investors” may need to think more intentionally, and why good financial advice often means revisiting the plan as the rules change. They also break down why popular calculators can spit out wildly different answers, how spouse super contributions, co-contributions and splitting actually work, and the rule details that can catch…

In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask is joined by Cameron Gleeson from Betashares for a practical challenge: if you could only use three ETFs for your whole portfolio, which ones would you choose — and why? Rather than keeping it theoretical, they build two example portfolios from the ground up. The first is for a 34-year-old couple with young kids, a $50,000 portfolio and $1,000 a month to invest. The second is for a 54-year-old couple moving towards retirement, with part of their wealth outside super and a growing need for flexibility, stability and income. Along the way, Owen and Cameron unpack how to think about diversification, asset allocation, risk tolerance, income versus growth, and why the right ETF mix changes with your stage of life. They also dig into some of the biggest mistakes investors make with ETFs, including chasing past performance, misunderstanding what is actually inside a fund, and focusing on yield without understanding the trade-offs. The episode covers…

In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell sits down with website investor and digital business educator Matt Raad to explore a different way Australians can think about building wealth. Instead of focusing only on shares, property or super, Matt explains why websites and online businesses can behave like investable assets when they are bought carefully and run well. They unpack what makes a digital business attractive, how buyers should think about traffic, earnings and risk, and why due diligence matters before handing over a dollar. The conversation also explores the appeal of semi-passive income, the role of digital assets in a broader wealth plan, and the mindset shift required if you want to treat a website like a real business rather than a quick flip. If you have ever wondered whether buying an online business could become a side hustle, future income stream or long-term wealth strategy, this episode is a practical place to start. Matt shares the kinds of opportunities people…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell answer listener questions and give an update on the Finders Keepers $10,000 Challenge. They cover: – Managing money fairly in blended families – Whether weekly mortgage repayments actually save interest – How offset accounts change the equation – When it makes sense to consolidate super funds – The differences between AustralianSuper and REST – What a condition of release really means for super access – Whether a statutory declaration is enough to access your super legally If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights. Topics covered – Finders Keepers $10,000 Challenge update – Managing money in blended families – What’s “fair” when children aren’t biologically shared – Shared expenses vs separate expenses in relationships –…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Navarre Trousselot, founder of Navexa, to unpack why the proposed 2026 Federal Budget tax changes could make ETF record-keeping and capital gains reporting much messier for everyday investors. Instead of glossing over the hard bits, they walk through how capital gains tax works in Australia, why parcel selection matters, and why ATO pre-fill can give ETF investors a false sense of security. Navarre explains the trap most ETF investors miss: annual cost base adjustments. If you have been dollar-cost averaging into ETFs for years, every member statement can change the cost base of earlier parcels, which means your future CGT calculation is probably more complicated than you think. Owen and Navarre also explore how tools like Navexa can model rebalancing decisions, compare FIFO with lower-gain methods, and estimate the tax impact before you sell. They also discuss what the mooted post-July 2027 rules could mean in practice, why better records…

In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell are joined by money systems expert Andrew Fisher for Episode 3 of the Christian Hull Hot Money Mess series. After unpacking Christian’s money story and coaching framework, this episode dives into the power of data and why understanding your numbers can completely change how you feel about money. Because whether you feel like a total money mess or think you’ve got things mostly sorted, confidence with money starts by understanding what’s actually happening behind the scenes. They cover: – Why data helps turn money goals into momentum – Christian Hull’s $2 million tiny home goal and how to track it – Why spreadsheets aren’t for everyone (and what works instead) – The power of monthly money check-ins – Why net worth matters more than your bank balance – How seeing the full picture changes behaviour – Using financial dashboards to stay motivated and on track – How to model big life decisions before they happen – Why “can I…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell answer your end-of-financial-year tax questions and put Owen to the test with an ETF pop quiz challenge. They cover: – How tax works when you’re self-employed – When and how much tax sole traders need to pay – The difference between tax deductions and tax offsets – How spouse super contributions can reduce your tax – Why some property investors receive huge tax refunds – Whether PAYG withholding variations can improve your cash flow – Owen’s ETF guessing challenge using minimal clues Topics Covered – EOFY tax prep for Australians – Tax basics for self-employed people – How taxable income is calculated – When sole traders pay tax – PAYG instalments explained – Tax deductions vs tax offsets – Common misconceptions about deductions – Spouse contributions to superannuation – Super contribution tax offsets – Negative gearing and tax refunds – PAYG withholding variations for investors – Managing cash flow throughout the year – ETF…

AI is one of the biggest investing themes in markets right now, but the smarter question is not just whether OpenAI, Anthropic or Nvidia win. It is who else makes money when AI demand explodes. In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Cameron Gleeson from Betashares to unpack the AI supply chain from hyperscalers, semiconductors and cloud infrastructure through to copper, energy, uranium and the broader commodities complex needed to build and power data centres. They discuss whether AI already looks like a bubble, who is making the money across the hardware, cloud and application layers, and why listed-market investors may need to think beyond the obvious names. The conversation also explores ETFs such as NDQ, ASIA, XMET, FUEL, QAU and MNRS, plus the case for a barbell portfolio that blends technology exposure with hard assets. If you want a practical, non-hype guide to investing in AI beyond the chatbot headlines, this episode is a strong place to start. Episode resources – Buy…

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Hugh Lam from Betashares to build a six-ETF watchlist for investors chasing passive income without sleepwalking into yield traps. Rather than treating income as a race to the highest percentage, they step through where ETF income actually comes from, why total return still matters, and how to think about blending shares, bonds, credit and cash inside one portfolio. Hugh brings three Betashares ideas to the table: ROYL for global royalties, INCM for global dividend-paying companies, and ECRD for enhanced credit income. Owen counters with HYLD for Australian dividend and momentum exposure, GGOV for long-duration US Treasuries, and MMKT for money-market cash exposure. Along the way, they explain why a 7% yield is not automatically better than 4%, how rebalances and capital gains can distort payout figures, and why investors need to look under the hood before buying any income ETF. The conversation also unpacks the trade-offs that matter most in…

This episode was originally featured on The Australian Investors Podcast. In this episode, Owen Rask sits down with Senator Andrew Bragg for a wide-ranging conversation about the Federal Budget, housing supply, tax, productivity and why so many Australians feel the country has become harder to get ahead in. Rather than getting stuck in party talking points, they focus on the practical questions investors, business owners and workers are asking right now: what happens when policy makes it harder to build homes, why does productivity matter so much for living standards, and how do taxes, regulation and incentives shape whether Australia creates more wealth or simply fights over what already exists? Andrew explains why he believes cutting housing supply is one of the worst policy choices Australia can make, how rising rents, higher rates and broader cost-of-living pressure are changing the national mood, and why small business, private investment and simpler rules still matter if Australia wants to stay…

How rich are you really, and how do you stack up against other Australians? In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack early results from Rask’s free Wealth Checker after around 3,000 community members benchmarked their finances. Together, they explore what the data says about net worth, debt, super, property, shares and crypto, and why context matters more than comparison alone. Owen and Gemma break down some of the standout findings so far, including the age groups with the highest crypto balances, when men and women typically hit millionaire and multi-millionaire status, and how wealth gaps widen over time. They also look at why property still dominates household wealth, what the data suggests about debt and business ownership, and why benchmarking can be reassuring when you feel behind. Instead of doom-scrolling everyone else’s wins, this conversation shows how tracking your own net worth can help you spot progress, reset goals and focus on the decisions that…

What is value investing? To Gaurav Sodhi, investing is the act of applied curiosity about the world. It’s not just about knowledge; a lot of it comes down to figuring out what matters and what doesn’t. Plus, a sprinkle of hard-earned confidence to top it off. Today’s episode provides a fascinating overview of the world of value investing with someone who lives and breathes this stuff. Kate, Owen and Gaurav discuss why investing in individual companies can be a game changer, how he researches companies and makes decisions, and some of the major red flags that would stop him from investing in a company. 💸 Join The Intelligent Investor & save This podcast is brought to you by The Intelligent Investor, Australia's premier investment research membership service, where you can read research from great analysts like Gaurav Sodhi. Use the code "RASK", to get $100 off your annual membership or get a free 15-day trial (no credit card details required): 📈 Click here for a free 15-day trial 💸 Click here to join today…