Friends With Money

Money Magazine
  • 3.5 (2)
  • Investing
  • 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. 14h ago

    Top performing ETFs

    From technology to fixed income, ETF investors have been putting their money to work in a range of different ways. But which ETFs have delivered the strongest returns? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Chris Brycki, founder and chief executive of Stockspot, to unpack the latest ETF trends and what they mean for Australian investors. 00:00 Introduction 01:55 The pull of AI and semiconductors 03:16 Resources, energy and emerging markets 04:20 Why investors are adding fixed income ETFs 06:00 The standout ETF performers of the last 12 months 10:00 Gold and cryptocurrency volatility 12:38 Outlook for ETFs in 2027 16:14 Conclusion #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #chrisbrycki #investing #etfsPodcast 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: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai

    Top performing ETFs

  2. Oct 27

    The art of selling shares

    Investors spend plenty of time agonising over buying shares, but knowing when to sell can be just as crucial. 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 art of selling shares and the factors investors should consider before hitting the sell button. 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Why selling shares is harder than buying 08:00 The importance of having an exit strategy before you buy 13:00 Signs that it's time to sell up 16:00 Should you sell after big gains? 20:00 How tax should affect your selling decisions 22:40 Conclusion #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #dalegillham #shares 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: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai

    The art of selling shares

  3. Oct 20

    Travel insurance mistakes that could cost you

    Planning an overseas holiday? Once you've booked your flights and accommodation, travel insurance should probably be next on your checklist. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Natalie Smith, travel insurance expert and head of marketing at Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, to run through what travel insurance really covers and the common mistakes travellers make. 00:00 Introduction 01:44 When should you buy travel insurance? 03:13 Basic vs comprehensive travel insurance 03:38 How much does travel insurance cost? 05:23 Does travel insurance cover adventure activities? 07:00 Can you rely on credit card travel insurance? 09:00 The most common travel insurance mistakes 10:20 Natalie’s top travel insurance tip 11:14 Conclusion #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #nataliesmith #travelinsurance 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: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai

    Travel insurance mistakes that could cost you

  4. Oct 13

    Rate rise survival guide

    With interest rates at their highest level in years, could homeowners be doing more to keep their mortgage costs down? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Richard Whitten, money and home loans expert at Finder, to discuss the outlook for rates and the practical steps borrowers can take to cut their home loan costs. 00:00 Introduction 02:01 Are lenders passing on the latest rate rise? 03:08 What does the latest hike mean for borrowers? 04:22 Will there be another rate rise this year? 05:44 First steps to reduce your mortgage costs 08:00 How to negotiate a lower rate with your lender 10:00 When refinancing makes sense and what to watch for 12:00 Why refinancing may be harder right now 13:23 Richard's top tip for homeowners facing higher repayments 14:34 Conclusion #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #richardwhitten #homeloans #rbaPodcast 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: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai

    Rate rise survival guide

  5. Oct 6

    How to maximise frequent flyer points

    ✈️ Are frequent flyer points still worth it after the rewards shake-up? ❓Question: With banks reducing rewards and changes to card surcharges coming into effect, should Australians still be chasing frequent flyer points? ✅ Short Answer: Yes, but only if you play the game strategically. Frequent flyer points can still deliver significant value, particularly for travel, but the rules are changing. According to points expert David Moloney, Australians need to focus on earning points efficiently, avoiding interest charges, and redeeming points before they lose value. 💡 Key Takeaways: New RBA rules are reducing the amount banks earn from credit card transactions, which means some rewards programs are becoming less generous.Around 35% of credit card payments are linked to frequent flyer programs, meaning millions of Australians could be affected by changes to rewards schemes.Two-thirds of Qantas Frequent Flyer points are now earned on the ground rather than in the air through shopping, credit cards and loyalty partnerships.Simple strategies such as linking supermarket rewards programs, using airline shopping portals and pooling family points can boost balances with little extra effort.The most valuable points collectors focus on the highest return for the lowest level of effort, rather than chasing every available promotion. 🚨 Watch Out For: Never carry credit card debt just to earn points. Interest charges can wipe out any rewards value.Credit card annual fees only make sense if the value of the points and benefits exceeds the cost.Paying card surcharges that are greater than the value of points earned can leave you worse off.Avoid making unnecessary purchases simply to earn points. The points should be a bonus, not the reason for spending.Redeem points regularly rather than hoarding them for years, as airlines and loyalty schemes can devalue points over time. 🎯 Who This Matters To: This episode is for travellers, credit card users, frequent flyer members and anyone looking to get more value from everyday spending. If you collect Qantas Points, Velocity Points or other loyalty rewards, you'll learn practical ways to maximise your rewards while avoiding costly mistakes. 📚 Resources & Links: Points: Mastering the Game of Frequent Flyers by David MoloneyQantas Frequent Flyer ProgramReserve Bank of Australia payments and surcharge reforms discussed in the episode ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:08 How the new RBA rules are changing rewards programs 02:10 Why Australians should still collect points 03:05 Why most points are now earned on the ground 04:13 The "highest return for lowest effort" strategy 05:45 Three easy ways to earn more points 07:29 Are points really free? 08:00 The dangers of credit card debt and rewards chasing 09:11 The hidden "lazy tax" points collectors pay 10:37 Why you should redeem points before they lose value 11:00 Final thoughts 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: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai

    How to maximise frequent flyer points

  6. Sep 29

    Smarter Super Advice

    Financial advice can be valuable, but for plenty of Australians, the cost puts it out of reach. So could super funds hold the key to closing the advice gap? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Rudy Leong, senior private wealth adviser at UniSuper, to discuss the type of financial advice members can currently access through their super funds and how that could change in the future. 00:00 Introduction 01:56 What is the financial advice gap? 04:00 What advice can super funds currently provide? 06:10 Does advice through a super fund cost money? 07:42 Overview of the financial advice reforms 10:00 What the reforms could mean for super fund members 11:49 The opportunities and risk of AI in financial advice 14:34 One question everyone should ask their super fund 15:46 ConclusionPodcast 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: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai

    Smarter Super Advice

  7. Sep 22

    Card surcharge changes

    From October, card surcharges will become a thing of the past. But while the change promises savings for cardholders, it could have ripple effects beyond the checkout. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Adele Eliseo, founder of The Champagne Mile, to explain what's changing, who's likely to benefit and why credit cardholders need to pay close attention. 00:00 Introduction 01:34 What happens to card surcharges from October? 03:42 Why are card surcharges being banned? 04:40 How much are consumers likely to save? 05:32 The impact on rewards credit cards 07:03 How banks are already changing rewards programs 08:27 What rewards card holders should do now 10:10 Conclusion #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #adeleeliseo #creditcardsPodcast 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: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai

    Card surcharge changes

  8. Sep 15

    Small caps, big upside?

    Australia's sharemarket may be dominated by a handful of large miners and banks, but there are plenty of opportunities beyond the heavyweights. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Jamie Hannah, deputy head of investments and capital markets at VanEck, to discuss the risks and rewards offered with small caps and mid caps. 00:00 Introduction 01:17 What are small caps and mid caps? 03:33 Behavioural differences 05:07 The mid cap sweet spot 06:18 How have small and mid caps performed? 08:36 The investment case for smaller companies 11:21 How much should investors allocate to small and mid caps? 13:19 The key risks of investing in smaller companies 15:30 Options for gaining exposure to small and mid caps 16:31 Local and international ETF opportunities 19:25 Conclusion #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #jamiehannah #investing #smallcaps #midcapsPodcast 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: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai

    Small caps, big upside?
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Ratings & Reviews

3.5
out of 5
2 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
    305
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Money Magazine
  • Show Website
    Friends With Money

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