Dollars and Making Sense

Hosted by Ray Trevisan

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Episodes

192

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

A weekly radio show and podcast about money, finance and investing. Broadcast weekly on community Radio Northern Beaches (www.rnb.org.au), and nationally throughout Australia on the Community Radio Network (www.cbaa.org.au). With a focus on education, no sales talk - we're all about empowering our listeners to reach their financial goals. Each week we welcome special guests that are experts in their field whether it be tax, investing, super, budgeting, finance, share trading. We also discuss the softer skills and issues in and around mental health, financial stress & well being.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 3, 202626 min

Kids & Money

How to teach your kids about money before the habits stick - great opening from our Financial counselor - Jen Richardson, joining us from her accounting practise in the Hunter Valley in NSW. From an early age, instilling sound life habits around money and managing finances is important. It doesn't always mean our kids have to be spreadsheet experts in kindergarten, however a grasp of understanding the principles of work/labour in return for money/rewards is an early lesson well instilled for our children for the future. Associating transactions and work that correlate and coexist in relative harmony if understood. Jen provides some excellent examples of how kids can learn to handle money from an early age right through to young adults.

August 3, 202626 min

Pension Updates - 1 July 2026

Into the new financial year and if you haven't noticed yet, there have been changes afoot, not only in your take home pay, but if you're receiving a government payment, there are changes there as well. We welcome back Juston Bott, media information officer from Services Australia (CentreLink) to explain what the changes mean to those receiving the age pension, but also for those who have never been near a government office, and what you may be entitled to - yes, even if you're over retirement age and still working. Justin explains the differences, and the impact.

July 27, 202627 min

How to Get Out of Debt

We welcome back Jen Robinson, an accountant by trade and an experienced Financial Counselor from the Hunter region of NSW. This week we visit the troublesome topic of debt, how we get into it, and most importantly how to get out of debt. We cover off "good debt" and "bad debt", and what kind of headspace these discussions can sometimes destructively take up in our brains. Important tips and tricks on how not to let this get the better of you. Financial education is what Dollars & Making Sense is all about.

July 27, 202627 min

Investing with AI

This week, ASA membership manager, Nathan Hood joins us discussing what's near and dear to his heart, using AI when investing. There are many skeptics out there, (me included), and this discussion is a sobering and realistic view of what AI can really achieve without overstating or promising beyond what is reasonable. Prompt engineering is a consultant's term - however in my chat with Nathan, framing a question correctly, just like in real life, AI gives a solid reply. And like the calculators or old, AI is no different to computers or the like - GIGO - garbage in garbage out still applies. Tune in to find out more.

June 29, 202624 min

Life Insurance Inside Super

While Australia's superannuation retirement system is the envy of many countries around the world, so many Australians are still not aware of what is available as standard offerings within their super funds. Today we explore the various components of Life Insurance cover within superannuation funds, and what's under the hood. This includes death cover, terminal illness, temporary or permanent disability as well as income protection. Today's episode is the "keep it simple" KISS version, and we have Lisa Saliba, Chief Marketing & Customer Officer from MetLife Australia to help understand what's available, and what we should be doing as a starting point on this very important part of your financial well being.

June 22, 202627 min

The Impact of Menopause

A troubling subject that has been swept under the carpet for too long. This week, Lina Saliba, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer from MetLife Australia joins us to discuss a recent study of the financial and health impact of menopause and perimenopause on Australian women. The study involving over 1000 Australian women provides some sobering results about a much hidden issue with women, and their families. Join us to learn about the data, and what is being done to address and support these issues in our communities, and what we can all do to listen more closely and be there to assist. Find out about a MetLife program launched to assist and support women suffering through this life stage. The report can be found at this link.

June 15, 202626 min

When to Retire

Understanding retirement age is rather important. Is it 60, 65 or 67? or none of the above? Justin Bott from Services Australia joins us to discuss some interesting considerations when deciding on when to retire. Money is just a small part of the equation, albeit important! We need to consider aspiration, health, finances, super, retirement aims, and what to do with the nest egg you've been planning for all your life. Now its time to spend it all - but can we? Tune in to find out what are some of the many considerations of when is the right time to retire - or maybe not retire at all?

June 8, 202626 min

CentrePay & GoodShep

Justin Bott, media information officer from Services Australia is back with us and covering off information that is brand new to me and possibly many others out there. There is a budgeting and cash management tool available for all Services Australia payments recipients called Centrepay https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/centrepay - tune in to find out how this free service provides recipient easy to use payment structures to better manage ongoing payments like rent, utilities and other regular payments. And for emergency situations, Good Shep - a not-for-profit charity is there is support those in need with interest free loans and ongoing support - what a great service! https://goodshep.org.au/

June 1, 202627 min

Capital Gains & Budget 2026

Kirk Wilson, subject matter expert from the Institute of Financial Professionals of Australia ( www.ifpa.com.au ) joins us to work through the myriad of changes introduced in this year's Federal budget surrounding Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Bringing down some of the most dramatic changes in tax law pertaining to capital gains and housing policy in probably 25 years. Kirk provides an interesting view on the details of the changes while also ensuring we understand these changes are yet to be legislated, and subject to much consultation and conjecture before it becomes L A W law between now and July 2027 when the majority of these changes are slated to come in.

May 25, 202627 min

Australian Shareholders Association

Rachel Waterhouse, CEO of the ASA was last on the show in 2023. Much has happened since then, and it has been too long since we've caught up with what's happened in that time. Shareholder advocacy, community investor groups, ongoing financial education are all part of the ASA delivers to its members. Rachel rejoins us to refresh this information and also catch up on new online initiatives to engage with younger investors and the growing cadre of those interested in digital assets and how best to consider their next moves. Never a dull moment when you're engaging with Australian listed companies, here on Dollars & Making Sense. Check ASA out at https://www.australianshareholders.com.au/ .