Q&A: My target audience, investing in US domicile ETFs and whether to repay P&I to minimise interest rate...

Jun 2, 2025

Stuart dives into the wealth gap in Australia, emphasizing the importance of broad financial strategies. He clarifies the nuances of investing in US-domiciled ETFs, tackling the tax implications and risks involved. The discussion shifts to investment loans, weighing the pros and cons of interest-only versus principal and interest repayments. Finally, he provides insights on family financial planning, evaluating whether to stretch a home budget or focus on ETFs and super, while considering future expenses like education and inheritance.

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ANECDOTE

Listener Feedback Inspires Stuart

Stuart shares a personal experience meeting podcast listeners at wine events who expressed gratitude.
This unexpected feedback energizes him to improve and reach more people with financial knowledge.

INSIGHT

Investopoly Targets Wealthiest 20%

Stuart targets the wealthiest 20% of Australians, as this group holds most of the household wealth.
He believes helping those with investable money make smart decisions creates significant impact.

ADVICE

Prefer Australian-Domiciled ETFs

Avoid heavy investment in US-domiciled ETFs due to currency risk, tax complexity, and legislative risks.
Prefer Australian-domiciled ETFs for simpler tax treatment and growing product options domestically.

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In this Q&A episode, Stuart explores whether his financial strategies apply broadly or mainly to wealthier Australians, responding to recent data showing few households have $2M+ in super. He explains how his goal is to equip a wide range of listeners to make better decisions, regardless of starting point, and why aiming high with financial goals can still be relevant and motivating.

He also answers a question on US-domiciled ETFs, covering tax implications, currency risk, and whether Irish-domiciled UCITS ETFs can provide a more efficient option for long-term Australian investors. He discusses how income, reporting, and capital gains are treated, and clarifies some common misconceptions.

Next, Stuart tackles whether it’s worth switching investment property loans from interest-only to principal and interest, weighing the opportunity cost of redirecting cash flow toward debt versus other investments or paying down a PPR loan.

Finally, a listener outlines their detailed financial plan and asks if they should stretch their home budget, buy an investment property, or stay the course with ETF investing and super. Stuart walks through key considerations around private school costs, inheritance timing, and borrowing strategy.

Do you have a question? Email: questions@investopoly.com.au or for a faster response, post a comment on the episode's video over on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@investopolypodcast/podcasts

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IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.