360 Money Matters

Billy Amiridis and Andrew Nicolaou

Welcome to the 360 Money Matters podcast where Financial Planners, Billy Amiridis and Andrew Nicolaou talk all things Financial Planning. This podcast aims to increase your knowledge and confidence with all thing's money. Each week we will cover topics such as investing, cashflow and budgeting, saving, passive income, debt management, and much more so you can live life on your terms without limits.

  1. 6 hrs ago

    250. 25 Biggest Money Lessons From 5 Years of Financial Advice

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! To mark a genuine milestone, hosts Billy Amiridis and Andrew Nicolaou are celebrating five years and 250 episodes of the podcast by distilling everything they've learned into one rapid fire episode: their 25 biggest money lessons.  Rather than a deep dive into a single topic, this episode moves quickly through some of the most important ideas Billy and Andrew have shared with clients and listeners over the years. They cover the psychology behind bad financial decisions, why being comfortable with your finances isn't the same as being financially secure, and why there's even such a thing as being too good with money if discipline has no clear purpose behind it.  This episode is for long time listeners who want a refresher on the podcast's biggest ideas, as well as new listeners looking for a fast, practical introduction to the topics Billy and Andrew cover most often. It's a genuine highlight reel of five years of financial planning conversations, packed into a single episode.  Listeners will come away with a broad, practical snapshot of the financial lessons that matter most, from psychology and behaviour through to debt, property, tax structure, superannuation, insurance and estate planning. Rather than covering one topic in depth, this episode works as a quick reference point for revisiting key ideas or discovering new ones, with real examples drawn from Billy and Andrew's years of experience advising clients. It's a useful listen for anyone wanting a refresher on the fundamentals of building and protecting wealth, or for identifying which areas of their own financial position might be worth a closer look.  This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis & Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorised representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706.    Episode Highlights  Why most bad money decisions come down to psychology rather than the numbers.  Why being financially comfortable is not the same as being financially secure.  Why property versus shares is the wrong debate, and why leverage can be both a powerful tool and a major risk.  Why the purchase price of a property is often the smallest number in the true cost of ownership.  Why getting your ownership and tax structure right from the outset can be one of the biggest wealth decisions you make.  Why superannuation remains one of the most underused tools for building long-term wealth.  Why insurance is less about protecting yourself and more about protecting the people who rely on you.  Why your reaction to market volatility matters more for your returns than the investment itself.  Why your 40s can be the most important decade for wealth creation, and why retirement isn't the finish line for your portfolio.  Why planning your estate and talking to your children about money early can prevent conflict and shape their financial habits.  Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists  Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

  2. 1 Sept

    249. Testamentary Trusts Explained: Estate Planning for Australian Families

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! This week, hosts Billy Amiridis and Andrew Nicolaou unpack a topic that comes up regularly in their estate planning conversations with clients: testamentary trusts.  They start with the basics: what a testamentary trust actually is, how it differs from other trust structures, and why it only comes into existence after someone passes away. From there, Billy and Andrew work through some of the main reasons families choose to set one up, including significant tax advantages when assets are left to children or minors, and the ability to stagger when a beneficiary gains access to their inheritance rather than handing over a lump sum at 18.  The conversation also covers how testamentary trusts can help protect vulnerable beneficiaries, provide for a spouse in a blended family while still preserving assets for children from an earlier relationship, and reduce the risk of family conflict after someone has passed away. Billy and Andrew are equally upfront about when a testamentary trust might be overkill, and the cost and complexity involved in setting one up.  This episode is for anyone thinking about their estate plan, particularly parents with young children, blended families, or anyone with a beneficiary who may not be well placed to manage a large inheritance on their own. It's a practical primer for understanding whether a testamentary trust deserves a place in your own estate planning conversation.  Listeners will come away with a clear understanding of what a testamentary trust is, how it can reduce tax on income earned by minor beneficiaries, and how it can be used to stagger access to an inheritance or protect a vulnerable beneficiary. The episode also explains how testamentary trusts can support blended families by providing for a spouse while still preserving assets for children from an earlier relationship, along with the trustee responsibilities involved and when the cost and complexity of a testamentary trust may outweigh the benefit. Real client examples throughout make the concepts easy to follow, whether you already have an estate plan in place or are only just starting to think about one.  This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis & Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorised representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706.    Episode Highlights  What a testamentary trust is and why it only comes into existence after someone passes away. Why leaving assets to a testamentary trust can dramatically reduce tax on income for minor beneficiaries. How a testamentary trust can be used to stagger a young beneficiary's access to their inheritance rather than handing over a lump sum at 18. Why testamentary trusts can help protect beneficiaries who may not be equipped to manage a large inheritance, including those with disabilities or addiction issues. How a testamentary trust can provide for a spouse in a blended family while still preserving assets for children from an earlier relationship. Why planning these decisions in advance can reduce conflict and burden on family members after a death. What's involved in appointing a trustee and the considerations around choosing the right person or professional service. When a testamentary trust may be unnecessary or overly complex for a simpler estate.  Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists  Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

  3. 25 Aug

    248. What to Do With a Lump Sum: Inheritance, Bonus or Payout

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! This week, hosts Billy Amiridis and Andrew Nicolaou tackle a question that catches a lot of people off guard: what should you actually do when you receive a lump sum of money? Whether it's an inheritance, a work bonus, a redundancy payout, or any other unexpected windfall, Billy and Andrew explain why the initial instinct to spend or invest it straight away often leads to poor outcomes. They unpack why the source of the money matters, how the emotional weight of a lump sum can cloud good decision making, and why pausing before acting is one of the most valuable things you can do. The conversation moves through practical options for anyone weighing up a mortgage payoff against investing, using an offset account, or exploring a debt recycling strategy, along with a real client example of what can go wrong when a big decision is made too quickly. Billy and Andrew also discuss the psychology behind lifestyle creep and why treating new wealth as permanent can undo years of good financial habits. This episode is for anyone who has recently received, or expects to receive, a lump sum of money, whether that's from an inheritance, a bonus, a redundancy, or another source. It's also a useful listen for anyone wanting a clearer framework for thinking through big financial decisions more broadly. As always, Billy and Andrew bring real client stories and practical, easy to follow advice, helping listeners understand not just what to do with a windfall, but how to think about it. This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis & Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorised representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706. Episode Highlights Why pausing before making any decision is the most important first step after receiving a lump sum. How the source of the money, whether inheritance, bonus, or redundancy, changes the right approach. Why the right question is what you're trying to achieve, not what you should invest in. The difference between paying down a mortgage, using an offset account, and debt recycling. A real example of how an emotional property purchase after an inheritance overlooked cash flow and affordability. Why your past history with money shapes how you're likely to handle a lump sum. How lifestyle creep can quietly erode a windfall if spending isn't deliberate. The long term impact of investing a lump sum, illustrated with a compounding example over 20 years. Why most people end up splitting a lump sum across several goals rather than choosing just one.  Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists  Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

  4. 18 Aug

    247. How AI Is Changing Money Management and Financial Advice

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! This week, hosts Billy Amiridis and Andrew Nicolaou dig into a topic that's front of mind for a lot of people right now: how artificial intelligence is changing the way we manage money. Billy and Andrew are upfront from the outset that AI is not replacing a financial advisor, but it is changing what's possible for everyday Australians who want to get more organised, ask better questions and understand their own finances more clearly. They walk through the practical ways people are already using AI, from analysing household budgets and tracking spending patterns to researching mortgage products and preparing for meetings with a financial advisor. The conversation also covers the darker side of the AI boom, including the rise of convincing scams that use AI generated voices, images and fake celebrity endorsements to target unsuspecting investors. Billy and Andrew share a real world example of how sophisticated these schemes have become and why staying alert to them matters more than ever. Listeners will come away with practical ideas for using AI as a personal financial assistant, including how to analyse a household budget, track tax deductible expenses like fuel receipts on the go, and research mortgage products, interest rates and investment options more efficiently. The episode also outlines the key cautions to keep in mind, from the risk of AI referencing outdated or incorrect information on tax and superannuation rules, to the growing sophistication of AI powered scams involving fake celebrity endorsements and voice cloning. It's a balanced, practical guide to getting real value from AI tools while understanding where human judgement and professional financial advice still make all the difference. This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis & Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorised representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706. Episode Highlights Why AI is best used as a financial assistant rather than a replacement for a financial advisor. How AI can analyse household budgets and detect unusual spending patterns. Practical ways to use AI for mortgage and investment research, including comparing rates and products. Why tracking deductible expenses like fuel receipts through AI can simplify tax time. The risk of AI referencing outdated tax and superannuation rules, and why fact checking still matters. Why entering sensitive information like bank details, TFNs, and dates of birth into AI carries real risk. How AI is fuelling more convincing scams, including fake celebrity endorsements and voice cloning. Why most poor financial outcomes come down to psychology and confidence rather than picking the wrong investment. Why human judgement, empathy, and understanding a client's full circumstances remain essential to good financial advice.  Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists    Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

  5. 11 Aug

    246. Financial Mistakes We See Every Week (And How to Avoid Them)

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew break down the financial mistakes that catch people out most, not the obvious ones like risky speculation, but the ones made by people who genuinely think they're doing the right thing. These are the quiet, compounding errors that cost the most in dollars and time. They walk through seven of the biggest patterns they see week in, week out:  buying assets in the wrong ownership structure,  letting insurance go unreviewed for years,  holding too much cash instead of putting it to work,  treating superannuation as a problem for "future you,"  investing without any real strategy,  mismanaging debt (deductible versus non-deductible, and consumer debt that never truly goes away),  and building a financial plan that never actually gets implemented.  Using a real client example, they show how one structuring decision on a home purchase led to an eye-watering land tax bill and an unexpected capital gain hit years later. If you've ever wondered whether your investment structure, your insurance, or your cash sitting in the bank is quietly working against you, this episode lays out exactly what to check and why waiting costs more than most people realise. - This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis &  Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorized representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706 Episode Highlights  Why buying assets in the wrong structure is one of the costliest, least obvious mistakes people make A real client example: a company-owned home that triggered a huge land tax bill and an unexpected capital gains hit The hidden cost of "set and forget" insurance, and what changes without you noticing Why holding too much cash can quietly guarantee you lose money to inflation Treating super as "future you's" problem, and what that really costs over decades DIY investing without a strategy: why it's closer to gambling than investing Good debt vs bad debt, and the offset account mistake that undoes your progress Why a financial plan that's never implemented is the most common mistake of all Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists    Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

  6. 4 Aug

    Melbourne Real Estate with Dimitri Damianos

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew sit down with Dimitri Damianos from Buxton in Oakleigh to answer the question every buyer and seller is quietly asking right now: is the Melbourne property market actually falling, or just changing shape? With ten years on the ground selling in Melbourne's south-east, Dimi cuts through the media headlines to explain what's really happening at inspections and auctions, why "wait for prices to drop further" is some of the worst advice a buyer can follow right now, and what the shift away from negative gearing and SMSF borrowing is doing to investor appetite. They also get into the emotional side of property that no spreadsheet can capture, and why timing your purchase around "readiness" beats timing it around the market. If you're sitting on the fence about buying or selling in Melbourne, this episode explains what's driving the hesitation, why it might be costing you, and what to watch heading into spring. - This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis &  Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorized representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706 Episode Highlights  Why auction clearance rates have dropped to around 50% and what's replacing the traditional auction The apartment slowdown: from four to five buyers per inspection down to one or two Why "I'm not buying because prices might come off" is the worst advice out there right now How the end of negative gearing and SMSF borrowing changes are pushing investors toward commercial property What buyers can do to negotiate respectfully and find out what comparable properties actually sold for Why emotional attachment to a home almost always outweighs the numbers, for both buyers and sellers Dimi's read on where the Melbourne market goes from here as stock stays low heading into spring   Connect with Dimitri Damianos Buxton Real Estate, Oakleigh Phone: 0412 092 944 Instagram: @dim.damianos Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists  Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

  7. 28 July

    The Hidden Costs of Buying Your Dream Home

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew tackle the question most buyers never ask until it's too late: what does a dream home actually cost once you move past the purchase price? Timed against recent federal budget changes, they break down why more people are pouring money into their own home instead of investment property, and why that decision carries far more hidden expenses than most realise. They walk through the layers that quietly stack up after settlement: rates, insurance, maintenance running 1 to 2% of property value every year, renovation blowouts that routinely exceed budget by 50%+, and the opportunity cost of what that money could have earned elsewhere. Using real numbers, they show how a $1 million mortgage can mean paying back close to $2 million over 30 years, and why "just buy the dream home" is no longer a safe default strategy in this market. If you're weighing up whether to upgrade your home, renovate, or invest instead, this episode lays out the real math and why diversifying beyond one asset class matters more than ever. - This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis &  Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorized representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706   Episode Highlights  Why it's not the purchase price that gets people, it's the ongoing cost of owning the property The renovation trap: budget for 50% more than you think, because it never stops there Why turnkey properties are winning buyers over on certainty alone The 1-2% rule: what ongoing maintenance really costs on a bigger, more expensive home Insurance, mortgage protection and income protection all climb with a bigger mortgage The opportunity cost most buyers never calculate: investing, education, lifestyle The real math: a $1M mortgage can mean paying back close to $2M over 30 years Why one strategy isn't enough anymore, and how to diversify beyond property   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists  Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

  8. 21 July

    243. What Would Happen If Something Were to Happen to Your Business Partner

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew tackle a question most business owners have never stopped to ask: what actually happens to the business, and to the people left behind, if something happens to your business partner? Using their own partnership as a real-world example, they break down why this isn't about replacing a role or keeping operations running. It's about what happens when a grieving spouse suddenly becomes a shareholder, the surviving partner needs to find hundreds of thousands of dollars they don't have, and neither side wants to be in business with the other. They walk through the two-part solution that solves this cleanly: a funding mechanism through life insurance, paired with a buy-sell agreement that guarantees ownership transfers smoothly and both parties get exactly what they need. If you're in business with a partner and have never had this conversation, this episode explains the blind spot, the fix, and why it costs far less than most people assume. - This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis &  Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorized representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706 Episode Highlights  Why "we'd just replace them" misses the real problem: the value your partner has tied up in the business The hypothetical: Andrew's wife Stacey becomes a shareholder overnight, grieving, with two kids, and no interest in the business Why time is of the essence when a business valuation can rise or fall after the event The funding mechanism: how a modest life insurance premium covers the payout gap The buy sell agreement: how ownership transfers smoothly so no one negotiates value while grieving Why annual business valuations matter to keep the policy in line with what the business is actually worth The real cost: a simple legal setup plus an affordable annual premium, compared to what most people pay for health insurance   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists  Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Welcome to the 360 Money Matters podcast where Financial Planners, Billy Amiridis and Andrew Nicolaou talk all things Financial Planning. This podcast aims to increase your knowledge and confidence with all thing's money. Each week we will cover topics such as investing, cashflow and budgeting, saving, passive income, debt management, and much more so you can live life on your terms without limits.

You Might Also Like