Dollars and Making Sense

Hosted by Ray Trevisan

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Episodes

185

Latest episode

Jun 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.

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60 recent

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/ .

May 18, 202628 min

Gender Super Gap

Jen Richardson is a Newcastle based accountant, former financial planner who has a passion for educating those who need help in money, budgeting and finance. Now being an accountant doesn't always mean you know a lot about making money. Jen explains some of the poorest money managers she's ever met were accountants!! This show, we're discussing the ongoing dilemma of the gap in super balances between men & women, and what can be done about it. In 2021, KPMG released a study, and 5 years on this is updated. We look at Jen's blog www.jenrichardson.co and specifically an excellent article on understanding why women in Australia retire with less super. https://jenrichardson.co/why-women-retire-with-less-super-in-australia/

May 11, 202626 min

Timing Your Super Contributions Part 2

We continue our series on timing your superannuation contributions with Stuart Sheary from the Institute of Financial Professionals of Australia (www.ifpa.com.au). This week we pick up on last week's theme and continue to discuss reversionary pensions, contribution strategies and ensuring you don't pay any more tax than you need to. This includes Div 296 and Div 293 considerations and ensuring your once in a lifetime Downsizer Contribution has the best "bang for buck".

May 4, 202626 min

Timing Your Super Contributions

Stuart Sheary from the Institute of Financial Professionals of Australia (www.ifpa.com.au) joins us for part 1 of a 2 part series on how to develop a contribution strategy for your concessional and non-concessional contributions for your super, and why timings these contributions will become increasingly important. Why? Because indexation and higher inflation is raising limits for your balance caps almost yearly, and knowing when to and when NOT to contribute could save you thousands in tax.

April 20, 202626 min

Super Changes July 2026 - Part 2

Natasha Panagis, superannuation expert for IFPA (www.ifpa.com.au) joins me this week to work through an expansive show in the second part covering the major changes happening in our superannuation system. Part 2 will cover changes in SMSF compliance, changes in contribution caps for CCs and NCCs, and Payday Super changes, updates in how we get our workers better off with super guarantees being paid at the same time as their normal pay.

April 13, 202628 min

Div296 Timing

Michelle Griffiths, a CPA and a FP rolled into one, a rare gem, and we're pleased to have her on the show discussing some nuance around the new Div296 legislation coming into play from 1 July 2026. Natasha and Stuart from IFPA have explained the facts, now we have a different perspective from Michelle on timing. To do nothing sometimes is the best strategy - if you know what the strategy should be. This week, we delve into some aspects on when to act with regard to super balances that need attention as a result of the upcoming laws. Not to be missed, on Dollars & Making Sense.

March 30, 202626 min

Super Dependents

Stuart Sheary, subject matter expert from IFPA (Institute of Financial Professionals of Australia) joins us as we start navigating through some major changes in our superannuation system. Much vaunted since compulsory super came in 30+ years ago, it can get increasingly complex. Determining who can and can't be paid a death benefit and what tax may apply is a subject of many assumptions and incorrect information. This week we seek to inform, educate and hopefully untangle some preconceptions surrounding what happens when a family member dies, and the estate and super are part of the settlement. Nasty tax bills could arise if you're not careful or informed.