The Money Puzzle, with James Kirby

Need some advice about advice? At The Australian, we have expanded our annual roll call of the best advisers: The List: Top 150 Financial Advisers is out this week. To mark the occasion I'm joined by an adviser who has managed to make the list every year since it was launched in 2017. Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. -------------- In today's show, we cover * How to find a top financial adviser  * What an adviser is looking for when they meet you * If the industry is thriving, why are there no new recruits? * Are all traditional ETFs the same ?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Big Super funds are having a woeful run of high-profile cock-ups where customers have been let down by inept management procedures: Led by Cbus, the roll-call includes ART, Hesta and Unisuper. At what point do investors need to be concerned about failings in their super fund?  James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ---------- In today's show, we cover  * Big Super's bad management * The realities of switching  super funds *  Commercial property triggers tough times for super sector*  Are property trusts really turning the corner?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian investors have flocked to Wall Street in recent times favouring the 'Magnificent Seven' big tech stocks - and Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway group. But Donald Trump's new regime looks set to favour old-school blue chips, not to mention oil and gas stocks. What to do? Gemma Dale, head of investor behaviour at nabtrade, joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ----------------- In today's show, we cover: * How to play the share market under Trump* From Elon to Warren - what's going to change?* The ETFs for global exposure * Dollar cost averaging - don't ever forget it See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many property investors never know if they will win or lose on a property until the day they finally sell it: In contrast, professional investors don't fly blind, instead they concentrate on their Internal Rate of Return. Here's how it works. Stuart Wemyss of Prosolution Private Clients joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ---------- In today's show, we cover: * Assessing the Internal Rate of Return on your property * The secret of high-yielding investment property* Why homeowners win in the pension system * Land tax traps (especially in Victoria)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The average HECs bill is now $27,000 and many listeners will have bills that are higher than that: This week the government restructured the entire working of the student debt system - and threw in a universal 20 per cent cut on all existing HECs bills - how will it work? Hugh Robertson of the Centaur Financial Services joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------------- In today's show, we cover: HECs - The new deal Prioritising tax-deductible debt  Why Trump won't help your ASX shares  The ETFs to buy for the new US presidency  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are two classes of private investor in Australia: Everyday retail investors and legally certified sophisticated investors (defined by law as having an annual income of at least $250,000 or assets of more than $2.5m),Today we examine the sophisticated investor regime - how it works and whether you would gain anything from making the cut. Ray Tubman of Heirwealth joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode  ------- In today's show, we cover: The great Australian $3.5 trillion wealth transfer The good and bad of becoming a sophisticated investor Property options for the High Net Worth brigade SMSF versus index funds inside Big Super  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEO scandals are flooding the share market: Qantas, Wisetech, MinRes...the list keeps growing. The thing is, each of those companies has a board that is paid handsomely for supposedly keeping the CEO under control.What could be done to change this risk?  Fund manager Roger Montgomery joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Coralling the larger-than-life CEO: A proposal The problem with independent company directors Is AI any smarter than a cat? Why can't we get after-tax returns from big funds? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying at auction might seem straightforward, but unfortunately you are likely to become a bunny in the headlights when it comes to the big day. Still, knowing what can go wrong is the first step to enlightenment - and that includes being very careful in choosing a buyer's agent because some of them have so little in the way of credentials...it's alarming. Property educator, Veronica Morgan, joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------In today's show, we cover The problem with buyer's agents How to handle auction day Queensland property black spot Building costs inflation...how bad is it?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week - in 1987 - the ASX fell 25 per cent IN A DAY. Just now the local share market is going gangbusters: In fact, it is testing its all- time valuation peak. But here's the thing: The market will crash again - we just don't know when this will happen or what might trigger the downturn. What was it like to sit through a 25 per cent drop in a matter of hours and what can we learn from it as investors? Alex Moffatt of Joseph Palmer and Sons joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------ In today's show, we cover: Lessons from the great crash of 1987 Why markets overheat and how to protect yourself Is the scandal at MinRes a sign of things to come  NextDC - Why this value investor thinks it too hot to handle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every spring property investors are tempted again by the lure of the beach house: This year the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made his move with a high-profile $4.3m purchase on the Central Coast. Is a holiday home a good investment? Let's find out... James Gerrard of www.financialadvisor.com.au joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode   In today's show, we cover: *Assessing holiday homes as an investment*Why beach houses often don't work out as planned*Making money from rentals at the beach house *Sub-dividing and CGT exposure   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chances are that your share portfolio is going gangbusters. But a paradox of our bull market on the ASX is that the dividend payouts are sliding: Anyone starting today as a share investor is going to find it much harder to get the sort of dividend income that made our market a standout.What's happening...and what should you do? Don Hamson managing director of the Plato Investment group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: * Fading dividends - Why dividend yields are shrinking?* Forward with franking - dividend imputation is more important than ever* Could A-REITs be the answer ?* The failings of ETFs which Jack Bogle may not have mentioned  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are now several efforts afoot to use super for home buying: Liberal party politicians are pushing to allow first-home buyers to tap up to  $50,000. Separately, there is a move to allow single and divorced women special access to super to avoid homelessness.Does it all make sense? Unfortunately, due to the skewed nature of our tax system, the case for using super for houses is increasingly compelling. Sarah Petty, property reporter on the Herald Sun joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover; * The attractions of using super to buy your first home* Melbourne's ever-improving relative value * Why it's time to put the 'mortgage buffer' back in its box* Testing Elon Musk's 'boxable' houses  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has no inheritance tax, or so they say: In reality, many people will have most of their life savings in super - and much of that money may be taxed when inherited by the next generation.It's one of the important points made by our special guest today, who's just written a book on the entire subject of wills, death and taxes. Author Noel Whittaker joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: * Why you need a will and you need to review it every four years * The hidden death tax in your super savings * Understanding the enduring power of attorney system* Asked to be the executor of a will? What should you do .See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Property tax concessions are highly popular - and widely debated - because they work so well. So why would you water down those concessions by having a property inside a super fund?  Duncan Perkins of Tax Time Accountants joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Should investment property be inside super? Why the government's home equity access scheme is a winner  If you gear property why don't you gear ETFs The history of the six-year rule for CGT   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's guest runs a social enterprise, owns several investment properties and got out of school as fast as he could. He's just written his first book - 'Young, dumb and financially independent' - oh yes, and his mentor is Shark Tank celeb Steve Baxter. Taj Pabari of the ASE group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. --------- In today's show,  we cover: * The importance of starting your investment journey early  * Why financial literacy should be taught in schools * Property investing as a fun side hustle  * Do you really need a car? (if you are serious about saving)   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  For property investors looking long term, the future shape of Australia will dictate the future shape of investment returns...and the single biggest trend is going to be the movement of millennials from the inner suburbs to the middle suburbs where they are going to search for a family home. In today's show, we dig deep on demographics.... * The march of the millennials (to the middle suburbs)  * Understanding the aging of Australia  * Has Work From Home changed property prices? * South East Queensland and Geelong - Two future hotspots  Simon Kuestenmacher of the Demographics Group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's usually too late to act when you realise you need a lawyer. And when it comes to money and finances, it is always good to be clued up on the legal side of things. We cover a range of legal matters from the simplex to complex that involve your finances. Lawyer Peter Kernan from Aubrey Brown Lawyers joins Wealth contributor James Gerrard of FinancialAdvisor.com.au In this episode we cover:- How to deal with a simple fence dispute- Tips and traps when buying 'off the plan' property- Getting your Will right in blended families- Legal considerations when investing with friendsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warren Buffett once remarked that “forecasters will fill your ears but never your wallet.” With the media saturated by property price predictions, it's essential for long-term investors to focus on the right economic indicators. In today’s episode, guest host Stuart Wemyss talks with David Bassanese, chief economist at Betashares, to help investors navigate the complexities of property market forecasts. In today’s show we cover: Long-term property prices in Australia are influenced by overall economic conditions and affordability, often measured by the price-to-income ratio. Invest in locations that are less reliant on incomes. Interstate migration can server as a leading indicator for a shift in market sentiment. Increasing housing affordability hinges on boosting supply through density and/or infrastructure development to allow the population to spread out, though significant changes over the next 1-2 decades are unlikely in Australia. Invest accordingly.   David shares his views on the Reserve Bank of Australia's cautious approach and forecasts the first interest rate cut could come in February 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like the old saying goes there are only a few things certain in life - death and taxes. In this episode we cover some of the most important tax strategies for people in different age brackets: 18 to 40, 40 to 60 and over 60 years of age. Each one of these groups have unique opportunities to manage and legally reduce what they pay in tax. Accountant Timothy Ricardo from Accounting Advisor Group joins Wealth contributor James Gerrard of FinancialAdvisor.com.au In this episode we cover: - Tax tips for younger people to get into the property market- Who should be thinking about getting a family trust- Strategies to minimise tax leading up to and during retirement- Top tax deductions you didn't realise you could claimSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lending to property investors has surged by 47% over the past 5 months, despite high interest rates, a drop in interest-only loans from 40% to 10%, rising property taxes, and stricter tenancy laws. In today’s episode, guest host Stuart Wemyss speaks with Ben Kingsley from the Property Investors Council of Australia. In today’s show we cover: ·         The negative effects of the 2017 lending restrictions. ·         The impact of rising property holding costs, including increased taxes and levies. ·         Investor sentiment as reported in the PIPA survey, and strategies for navigating the current challenges for investors. ·         How the government's policies on building more homes and increasing density in established suburbs might affect new and existing investors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.