The Money Puzzle

Hosted by The Australian

Business News

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Episodes

663

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Unlock your wealth potential with The Money Puzzle. Featuring two power-packed episodes each week packed with smart money-making strategies, from superannuation to investing in shares, plus in-depth analysis of property markets. Get tips from leading experts and practical tools to help build lasting wealth. Submit your questions at themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au .

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 15, 202638 min

FIRE- Finding your magic number for financial independence

The Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement has been re-energised through an offshoot tagged as COAST. It's all about the magic number you need to save, which allows you to ahem coast through the rest of your life without money issues. Would it work for you? Lionel Lee, author of 'Into The Moneyverse' joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: FIRE - What you need to know How the COAST principle works Adapting for the Australian super system Should you save inside or outside super? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 13, 202626 min

'Stock overhang'- Inside the property market's biggest issue

The Spring season's 'stock overhang' will determine the outlook for the property market. It will also provide an early guide on where the bargains will emerge for investors. Angus Moore, senior economist at Realestate.com.au joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Stock overhang - The markets with the most for sale Will vacancy rates stay low if prices drop further? Is Melbourne the value hunter's opportunity? Negative gearing new homes - signs of life inside industry data See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 8, 202621 min

Higher rates, lower returns: Is Australia still investable?

Higher taxes, an aging population and hopeless productivity growth ...is Australia the best place to put your money? In today's show, we cover... What investors can draw from the government's inter-generational report Does the productivity gap with the US explain Wall Street's superior returns? Why rates will be higher for longer Gold takes a step backwards in its forward march Paul Bloxham, chief economist at HSBC Australia, joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 6, 202631 min

Investing in your home versus building a share portfolio

The removal of negative gearing from existing residential property, coupled with sliding values for investment property, has changed the game for every investor. The new dilemma is whether you invest in your CGT free family home or instead place that money in the long-running bull market for shares. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosolution Private Office joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Running the numbers on the family home versus a share portfolio Gearing into the share market while only paying a mortgage rate of interest The power of Exchange Traded Funds in a geared share portfolio Why foreign currency in a local bank is not guaranteed See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 1, 202632 min

Why the $175 billion man still likes the sharemarket (with UniSuper's John Pearce)

Managing $175 billion for UniSuper would keep anyone on their toes. It also helps to clarify a clear view on every asset class from US shares to private credit. So what does UniSuper's chief investment officer think will happen next? John Pearce, the chief investment officer at UniSuper joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The outlook for shares Why a 'back to normal' bond market has an upside Keeping clear of AI-linked IPOs The true definition of a 'balanced fund' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 29, 202626 min

Wall Street rewards...but should you hedge?

Big super funds hedge up to 50 per cent of their offshore investments: The textbooks say you should hedge about one third of any exposure overseas. But the hedging level of most Australian investors, including ETF investors, is generally close to zilch! In today's show, we cover... Should you be hedging that increased offshore share allocation ? Electrified economy - The long-term investment attraction of electrification Second thoughts on bonds...when the tide turns, could they save you? Why gold will pay off longer term Dr Sam Wylie of the Windlestone Education group and the University of Melbourne joins associate editor, James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 24, 202645 min

The career choices that matter for long term wealth

How do you get a pay rise? Should you join that start-up that promises to go to the moon, or should you simply buy your first home a lot sooner than you had planned? In today's show, we cover: Career Control - The finances of career navigation Catching up - Investment tips for the late starter Your career and your SMSF - Getting business to pay you rent Sweat equity - Deciding if you should jump to a start-up Adviser and author, Jacqui Clarke, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby, in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 21, 202633 min

Cash is king again...here's why

Interest rates are moving higher worldwide, but this time around it's for good reason: The AI boom is fuelling tremendous returns on global share markets. As the game gets riskier, your cash is now returning nearly 5 per cent risk-free; it's getting hard to beat In today's show, we cover... Why cash is beating total bond returns out the door Investing in a high-rate, high-return market New traps - Private credit is on the wrong side of the rate cycle Infrastructure shines through as rates run higher Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 17, 202633 min

You can't take it with you...but you should do this

If you don't have a Will, that's plain stupid. If you have a Will, you should also consider a Testamentary Discretionary Trust...and if you have done that too, you'd better watch the new Budget reforms because you may have to make changes. In today's edition, we cover... Estate planning - The basics for the everyday investor Testamentary Discretionary Trust - They escaped new taxes, check them out Trust reforms - If your family trust is being restructured, it may affect your Will Tackling the 17 per cent tax on inherited super. Estate planning lawyer, Rachael Rofe,+ joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 15, 202628 min

How to invest in the data centre boom

It's the biggest investment upsurge we have seen since the LNG gas expansion of more than a decade ago: Data centre construction will make or break investors in the years ahead...how to play it? Emanuel Datt of Datt Capital joins Associate Editor, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's show, we cover: * Your jungle guide to the $150bn data centre boom * The hottest stocks at the centre of the action * "Picks and shovels' - the service companies investors prefer * Proxy bets - how money is raised behind the scenes to fuel the boom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.