Weaving Gold | A Money Podcast

Nathan Fradley, Jordan Vaka

A podcast about retiring well, aged care, and navigating life's big transitions. Life is a tapestry—woven from every decision, every relationship, every moment. Weaving Gold is here to help you untangle the financial threads, so you can spend more time focusing on what matters. Hosted by independent financial planners Nathan Fradley and Jordan Vaka, this podcast is your companion through some of life's most complex chapters—whether you're planning retirement, supporting aging parents, facing separation, or grieving the loss of a loved one. Each week, we unpack real-life questions in plain language, covering topics like aged care, estate planning, superannuation, downsizing, and the emotional side of financial decision-making. Bite-sized episodes. Practical insights. No jargon. Just help, when and where you need it most. You can find more of our episodes where you've listened to this one, or on our website - www.weavinggoldpodcast.com where you can also get in touch.

  1. Mar 30

    074 Does Taking Money Out of Super Impact The Aged Pension?

    A listener asks a simple question: if Dad withdraws his super and puts it into a term deposit, will it affect his Age Pension? In this episode, Nathan and Jordan unpack why this is not as straightforward as it sounds. What starts as a pension question quickly opens up into a much bigger conversation around estate planning, death benefit tax, and the trade-offs of taking money out of the super system. They explain who can receive superannuation on death, how tax applies to adult children, and why some families consider withdrawing funds to avoid future tax. But they also highlight the hidden costs, including losing the tax-free environment of super and potentially paying more tax during retirement. The discussion also covers how Centrelink assesses super versus cash, and why the timing of when a pension was started can make a difference. This episode is a practical guide to thinking through the bigger picture before making a decision that may be difficult to reverse.     Visit www.weavinggoldpodcast.com for more episodes, blogs and to get in touch. Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au   The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143

    21 min
  2. Mar 16

    070 Wholesale Advice and what it means for you

    Some financial advisers only work with what are known as wholesale clients or sophisticated investors. But what does that actually mean and why does it matter? In this episode, Nathan and Jordan explain the difference between retail and wholesale investors and why the distinction is so important when seeking financial advice. They unpack how people qualify, what protections can disappear once you are classified as a wholesale client, and why that trade off may not always be in your best interests. They also explore why this conversation is becoming more common, the types of investments often associated with wholesale advice, and the risks that can come with pursuing opportunities outside the normal advice framework. Most importantly, they discuss how to think about your full financial situation before giving up the consumer protections that come with retail financial advice. Topics covered include: • What a wholesale client or sophisticated investor is • How the income and asset tests work • The key protections retail clients receive • Why some advisers only work with wholesale clients • The risks of focusing on a single investment instead of your full financial picture • How to decide whether this pathway is right for you Visit www.weavinggoldpodcast.com for more episodes, blogs and to get in touch. Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au   The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143

    20 min
  3. Mar 2

    069 Can I Gift Money Without Affecting My Pension?

    If you are thinking about giving money to your children or grandchildren, you may be wondering whether it will affect your Age Pension. In this episode, Nathan and Jordan unpack how Centrelink treats gifting, what it means for your pension payments, and why these decisions are often more complicated than they first appear. They explore how gifting can impact both Age Pension entitlements and aged care fees, the concept of deprived assets, and why trying to improve your Centrelink position without understanding the broader picture can create unintended consequences. They also discuss the emotional side of gifting: wanting to help family now, seeing your legacy in action, and balancing generosity with your own financial security. If you are considering transferring money, helping with a large expense, or restructuring assets later in life, this episode will help you understand the bigger picture before making a decision. Visit www.weavinggoldpodcast.com for more episodes, blogs and to get in touch. Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au   The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143

    19 min
  4. Feb 23

    067 What's the best thing to do with this lump sum gift for school fees?

    A listener has received a lump sum of money from her parents to help pay private school fees for her two children. She works full time, and shares costs with her ex. The question is simple on the surface: where should the money go? But underneath are deeper issues of risk, inflation, school fee increases, tax, emotional pressure, and long-term planning. In this episode, we unpack the real considerations behind investing lump sums for short and medium term goals. We explore cash versus offset accounts, conservative investing, investment bonds, prepaying school fees, and how divorce dynamics can affect decision making. Most importantly, we explain why the "best investment" depends on your broader life plan. If you are navigating school fees, separation, or a large gift from parents, this episode will help you think clearly and confidently.   Visit www.weavinggoldpodcast.com for more episodes, blogs and to get in touch. Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au   The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143

    24 min

About

A podcast about retiring well, aged care, and navigating life's big transitions. Life is a tapestry—woven from every decision, every relationship, every moment. Weaving Gold is here to help you untangle the financial threads, so you can spend more time focusing on what matters. Hosted by independent financial planners Nathan Fradley and Jordan Vaka, this podcast is your companion through some of life's most complex chapters—whether you're planning retirement, supporting aging parents, facing separation, or grieving the loss of a loved one. Each week, we unpack real-life questions in plain language, covering topics like aged care, estate planning, superannuation, downsizing, and the emotional side of financial decision-making. Bite-sized episodes. Practical insights. No jargon. Just help, when and where you need it most. You can find more of our episodes where you've listened to this one, or on our website - www.weavinggoldpodcast.com where you can also get in touch.