Friends With Money

Money Magazine
  • 4.6 (79)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

We all have questions about money; how to earn it, how to spend it, and the best ways to invest so we can watch it grow. The Friends With Money podcast, created by Money Magazine (Australia’s longest-running and most-read personal finance magazine), shares its extensive network of finance experts, in-depth knowledge of markets and timely advice to help you understand the world of money. Hosted by senior writer, Tom Watson, Managing Editor, Vanessa Walker and editor-in-chief, Michelle Baltazar, Friends With Money is a weekly chat with a variety of credentialed guests that you won’t want to miss. Listening and learning will help you on the path to financial freedom.

  1. Your EOFY super game plan

    2 days ago

    Your EOFY super game plan

    The end of the financial year may be just around the corner, but it’s not too late to make some superannuation moves that could benefit your balance. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Greg Elias, senior private client adviser at UniSuper, to discuss the steps you can take before June 30 and the upcoming super changes worth knowing about. 01:44 Making a concessional contribution 05:35 Contribution caps explained 06:18 The benefits of salary sacrificing 09:00 Division 296: who it affects and what to know 12:01 What are the payday super changes? 15:03 Market volatility and superannuation 18:40 Common EOFY mistakes 20:38 Conclusion #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #gregelias #superannuation #eofy Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website YouTube Podcast Playlist Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR

    22 min
  2. Commercial property: Buy or pass?

    16 June

    Commercial property: Buy or pass?

    REITs explained - A property expert explains the next investment hotspots This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's editor-in -chief Michelle Baltazar speaks with Justin Blaess, principal and portfolio manager at REIT specialist Quay Global Investors, to explain real estate investment trusts (REITs) and how investors can earn investment income through them. They discuss REITs as listed businesses that owns buildings and collect rent, how the sector has evolved since the late 1990s and the GFC, and new opportunities beyond traditional retail, office, and industrial. 01:05 What Is a REIT? 01:48 How REIT investing evolved 03:29 Investment hotspots: data centres, storage and senior living 05:59 Expected returns basics 09:34 Interest rates myth 12:43 How to start investing Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website YouTube Podcast Playlist Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR

    15 min
  3. Helping kids buy property with super

    9 June

    Helping kids buy property with super

    Summary: Thinking of helping your kids buy their first home? Discover the potential risks to your retirement & explore smart strategies like the First home super saver scheme Want to help your kids buy their first home? Learn how it could pose a risk to your retirement plans and the smarter ways to help. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Michelle Baltazar speaks with Aware Super's Kate Rolfe about new research showing most parents and grandparents are willing to help younger family members buy a first home, often by gifting cash, reducing their mortgages or offering low to no-interest loans, but how their good intentions could potentially put their retirement savings at risk. They discuss how giving financial support without proper planning can affect tax outcomes and Centrelink age pension eligibility, including potential consequences such as losing access to their benefits for years. Rolfe recommends getting professional financial advice before money changes hands, considering whether to gift the funds or to structure it as a loan, and weighing lump sum versus drawdown payments. 01:09 How families can help 02:45 Retirement and pension risks 05:26 Tax advice and structuring gifts 06:43 First home super saver explained 08:32 Lump sum vs drawdown 11:09 Where to start Links: First home super savers scheme Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website YouTube Podcast Playlist Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR Disclaimer “To find out more from Aware Super, go to aware.com.au/member/what-we-offer General advice only. Consider your objectives, financial situation or needs, which have not been accounted for in this information, and read the relevant PDS and TMD before deciding to acquire, or continue to hold, any financial product. Consider if Aware Super is right for you and access the PDS and TMD on their website, aware.com.au/firsthomebuyer Advice provided by Aware Financial Services Australia Limited (ABN 86 003 742 756, AFSL 238430), wholly owned by Aware Super. Aware Super’s research involved a national online survey of 1,094 Australians aged 45 and over who indicated they were open to financially supporting younger family members. Fieldwork was completed in December 2025. All research was carried out in accordance with ISO 20252:2019 and ISO 27001:2013 quality and data-security standards.”

    15 min
  4. Tax Time 2026!

    2 June

    Tax Time 2026!

    Tax Time Shake-Up: What Every Aussie Needs to Know for 2026–27! Tax time is just around the corner, with a number of changes set to kick in from July 1. So what do you need to know and how can you prepare? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Mark Chapman, director of tax communications at H&R Block, to break down the key updates and the moves to make before and after June 30. 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Federal budget tax changes overview 01:36 What’s changing with negative gearing? 03:09 Capital gains tax overhaul 04:50 Family trusts and the 30% minimum tax 06:22 $1,000 instant deduction 08:24 Working Australians Tax Offset 09:51 Lower income tax rates and super changes 11:42 Who the ATO is targeting this year 14:49 EOFY checklist: practical steps to take now 17:10 — Common mistakes when preparing a tax return 18:30 Conclusion #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #markchapman #tax Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website YouTube Podcast Playlist Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR

    20 min
  5. ASX update: Winners and losers

    26 May

    ASX update: Winners and losers

    Market Madness: The Stocks Flying and Failing It’s been a volatile start to 2026 for the Australian share market, with some stocks surging and others struggling. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Dale Gillham, chief investment analyst at Wealth Within, to discuss the standout stocks, underperformers and what investors should look for in the months ahead. 00:00 Introduction 01:52 A tale of two markets 04:24 Macro forces and the market 07:09 Resource sector shines 10:02 CSL slump and other underperformers 12:33 Investor playbook for the second half of 2026 16:15 Conclusion #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #dalegillham #shares #investing Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website YouTube Podcast Playlist Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR

    18 min
  6. Downsizing the family home

    19 May

    Downsizing the family home

    Two million households are expected to consider downsizing in the next five years — but is it always the right move financially or emotionally? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Catriona Graham, financial planner at Bridges Financial Services, to explore the costs, trade-offs and timing of downsizing, and what Australians should consider before making a move. 00:00 Introduction 01:19 What is downsizing? 02:56 Key benefits and motivations 04:38 Hidden costs and risks 05:50 Downsizer super contributions Clarification: To be eligible to make downsizer contributions from the sale of your home, your home must have been owned by you and/or your spouse for at least ten years before the sale. The sale must also qualify for the main residence capital gains tax exemption – either fully (e.g. you’ve lived in it the whole time) or partially (you’ve both lived in it and rented it out).  07:50 Downsizing and the Age Pension 08:53 The importance of timing 10:33 Lifestyle options and retirement living 11:23 Final tips #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #catrionagraham #downsizing Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website YouTube Podcast Playlist Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR

    14 min
  7. Federal Budget 2026

    12 May

    Federal Budget 2026

    Federal Budget 2026: CGT discount ends, negative gearing tightens & new tax offsets explained From major tax changes to new housing initiatives, the 2026 federal budget was packed with measures set to shape Australians’ finances. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, managing editor Vanessa Walker is joined by senior journalist Tom Watson to break down the key financial measures outlined in the budget and what they mean for your money. 00:36 CGT discount overhaul 01:46 New CGT rules explained 03:20 Negative gearing shakeup 04:33 Housing Supply Measures 07:03 Working tax offset 08:43 Instant $1000 deduction 09:40 Trust tax minimum rate Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website YouTube Podcast Playlist Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR

    12 min
  8. Love, lies, and money

    5 May

    Love, lies, and money

    Romance Scams: ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe on Red Flags, AI Risks & How to Protect Yourself | Friends With Money Romance scams are evolving fast, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission wants Australians to recognise the warning signs earlier. On this week’s Friends With Money podcast, managing editor Vanessa Walker speaks with ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe about the regulator’s romance scam awareness campaign and why these crimes cause serious financial loss and long‑lasting emotional harm. Lowe explains that romance scams involve fake relationships designed to steal money and personal data. They often start on dating apps or social platforms before quickly moving to encrypted messaging services. She outlines two common scam models, fast investment pitches and long‑running “slow burn” requests, and reveals Australians reported more than $28.6 million in losses to Scamwatch through 2025. The episode also explores the ACCC’s taskforce approach, a new online relationship health check tool, the incoming scams prevention framework for banks, telcos and digital platforms, the role of organised crime and trafficking, and how AI could help ddefeat reverse image searches. Links: ACCC Scamwatch 00:30 What are romance scams? 02:42 How big the losses are 04:45 How scams move online 06:18 Industry crackdown tools 07:49 Scams prevention framework 11:13 Who runs these rings 13:47 AI and future scams 16:08 Who Is most at risk 19:02 Warning signs and next steps Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Money Website YouTube Podcast Playlist Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR

    23 min
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Trailer

4.6
out of 5
79 Ratings

About

We all have questions about money; how to earn it, how to spend it, and the best ways to invest so we can watch it grow. The Friends With Money podcast, created by Money Magazine (Australia’s longest-running and most-read personal finance magazine), shares its extensive network of finance experts, in-depth knowledge of markets and timely advice to help you understand the world of money. Hosted by senior writer, Tom Watson, Managing Editor, Vanessa Walker and editor-in-chief, Michelle Baltazar, Friends With Money is a weekly chat with a variety of credentialed guests that you won’t want to miss. Listening and learning will help you on the path to financial freedom.

Information

  • Creator
    Money Magazine
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    286
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Money Magazine
  • Show Website
    Friends With Money

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