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. 2d ago

    Investment and education bonds

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew explore investment bonds and education bonds, a tax-effective vehicle most people have never heard of. But with recent federal budget changes, these are about to become far more popular. If you're a high-income earner looking for tax-efficient investing outside of superannuation, or a parent planning to fund school fees, investment bonds offer a compelling alternative. They cap your tax rate at 30% (often reducing to 21-22% effective rate), eliminate capital gains tax when held for 10+ years, and sit perfectly between short-term flexibility and long-term wealth-building. The catch? You need patience. These vehicles require a 10-year horizon and consistent contributions to unlock their full benefits. But if you match the timeframe to your goals, the tax advantages become a hidden weapon against rising government tax rates. - 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  How investment bonds create a concessionally taxed environment  Why zero capital gains tax after 10 years makes these outperform personal name investments The 10-year timeframe: limitation or feature? Why long-term investing actually wins Annual contribution rules: the 125% escalation trap and how to avoid it Two cohorts who benefit most: education-focused parents and high-income earners bridging to retirement Split strategy: combining flexibility with tax efficiency using $500/month approaches Recent budget changes that make investment bonds even more attractive   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists    Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

    20 min
  2. Jun 23

    The Hidden Cost of Being Comfortable

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew explore the hidden cost of being comfortable, and why financial comfort can actually sabotage your wealth-building.  When your bills are paid, money's left over each month, and life feels good, it's easy to stop pushing forward. But comfort breeds complacency.  Andrew and Billy break down why getting comfortable is just the first step, and the real danger lies in mistaking it for financial security. If you're earning solid income and feel like you're doing okay financially, but you're unsure whether you'll actually be able to retire on your terms, this episode reveals what's holding you back, and the simple micro-actions you can start today. - 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 The critical difference between being financially comfortable and financially secure How lifestyle inflation sneaks in and erodes your surplus faster than you realize Why paying yourself first is non-negotiable  The compound cost of delaying investment, and how it sets you back years High income doesn't equal wealth: why surplus is what actually matters The psychology of comfort: how it leads to drifting without a plan Why your superannuation alone won't deliver the retirement lifestyle you expect Micro-actions that work: direct debit, starting small with $20/week, and building from there   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists    Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

    23 min
  3. Jun 16

    The Next Generation Won't Retire Like Their Parents

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew In this episode, Billy and Andrew explore why the traditional retirement model—work until 65, collect your gold watch, live on age pension—is completely obsolete for the next generation. They unpack the real reasons retirement looks so different now: property costs, extended mortgages, lifestyle expectations, and longer lifespans have fundamentally shifted the goalposts. If you're wondering whether you'll actually retire, or how your retirement might look different from your parents', this episode breaks down what's changed, why it matters, and what you actually need to do 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, authorized representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706 Episode Highlights Why the old retirement model no longer works How mortgages became a 30+ year burden requiring two incomes The cost of living and lifestyle expectation squeeze Why you're living longer but have less time to build wealth Inheritance as a requirement, not a bonus and the wealth inequality gap Technology enabling extended working careers (by choice and necessity) The strategies that still work and why you need a personalized plan   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists    Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

    20 min
  4. Jun 9

    Subscription economy - death by a thousand cuts

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew unpack the subscription economy and why it has become one of the biggest hidden threats to household budgets. From streaming services and AI tools to meal deliveries, memberships, and recurring payments, they explain how convenience has made spending almost invisible. They share practical strategies for identifying subscription creep, auditing your expenses, and deciding which services genuinely add value to your life. Most importantly, they discuss how to redirect the money you save toward goals that actually improve your financial future. Listen now to discover where your money may be quietly disappearing and how a few small changes could free up hundreds of dollars each month. - 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 subscription services are creating "death by a thousand cuts" for household cash flow How convenience and automation remove the pain of spending The hidden cost of multiple streaming services, apps, memberships, and recurring payments Why higher-income earners often experience the biggest subscription leakage A simple process for reviewing and categorising your subscriptions Why cancelling subscriptions is easier than most people think How to turn subscription savings into wealth-building opportunities The importance of spending intentionally instead of spending by default   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists  Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

    23 min
  5. Jun 2

    The government just changed property rules – Does rent vesting still make sense

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! The government just moved the goalposts on property investors  and if you're rentvesting, or even thinking about it, you need to know what's changed and whether the strategy still stacks up. Negative gearing on established properties is on the way out. Capital gains tax treatment has shifted. And for the first time in a long time, the rules that made rentvesting such a compelling wealth-building strategy have been tampered with. So is the juice still worth the squeeze? In this episode, Billy and Andrew break down rentvesting in the post-budget environment: what it is, why people do it, and whether the numbers still make sense now that the tax landscape has changed. This episode is for anyone who is rentvesting right now, considering it, or simply trying to figure out which property path — owning or investing — is actually right for them. - 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 What rentvesting actually is and why it's become more popular than ever The real financial trade-offs: capital growth, cash flow, and opportunity cost compared side by side How the latest budget changes to negative gearing and CGT shift the calculation for investors Why the emotional pull of home ownership is real and when it's actually the right call The question you must answer before choosing any property strategy: what are you actually trying to solve for? The key risk most people miss: once governments start adjusting property tax rules, what stops them doing it again?   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists    Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

    23 min
  6. May 26

    Inside a $2M Portfolio How It Should Actually Be Structured

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew open up a real client case — a $2 million investment portfolio — and walk through exactly how it should be built, structured, and managed.  Most people with serious wealth ask the wrong first question. It's not "what should I invest in?" — it's "what am I actually trying to achieve?" Getting that wrong means every decision that follows is built on sand. This episode is for anyone who has accumulated significant wealth and wants to make sure it's working as hard — and as smart — as it should be. - 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 starting with your investment goal — not your investment choice — changes everything What a core satellite strategy actually looks like in practice, and why it suits a larger portfolio The real difference between holding assets in super vs. your personal name and why the tax gap is massive How to design income from a portfolio without triggering unnecessary capital gains Why debt recycling can be a smart tool, not just added risk The "silent killer" — how tax drag quietly erodes returns over time Why a great strategy still needs to adapt when life circumstances change   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists    Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

    23 min
  7. May 19

    Why Most Financial Plans Fail Within 12 Months — And How to Avoid It

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew tackle the real reason most financial plans fall apart — and it's not the strategy. It's everything that happens after.  Drawing on real client stories, including a $15,000 mistake made by going it alone, they break down the six most common reasons people abandon their financial plan within the first 12 months and, more importantly, what to do about it. If you've ever started strong and quietly let a financial plan fade out, this episode will show you exactly where it went wrong. - 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 complexity kills momentum before it even starts The danger of having no clear first step and how to fix it Why implementation support is worth more than the strategy itself  How your own behaviour is a bigger threat to your wealth than any market downturn Why trying to be perfect and timing the market is a plan to fail The power of anchoring your financial plan to a personal goal — your real "North Star" How accountability is the missing ingredient most people overlook   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists    Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

    21 min
  8. May 12

    Financial Advice Fees: What Are You Really Paying For?

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew break down exactly what sits behind a financial advice fee — from the initial Statement of Advice to ongoing service reviews, the compliance infrastructure, the research, and the team that makes it all work.  They challenge the assumption that a lower fee means better value, and explain why understanding what you're paying for is just as important as the dollar amount itself. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered whether their advice fee is worth it, or who has avoided getting advice altogether because the cost felt unclear. - 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 most people misunderstand what an advice fee actually covers The difference between one-off advice and an ongoing client relationship How fee structures (percentage vs. flat fee vs. hourly) change what you receive What to expect at each stage: upfront advice vs. annual review The compliance and infrastructure costs behind every recommendation How to assess whether your current adviser fee represents real value Questions you should be asking your adviser right now   Connect with Billy and Andrew! 360 Financial Strategists    Check out our latest episode here:  Apple Podcast Spotify

    23 min

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.

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