The Curve

No full episode this week—but Vic and Soph are still popping in for a quick chat (and a tiny bit of chaos). With their Investing Bootcamp launching on June 30th, the duo is deep in prep mode, so they’re keeping it light and casual in this short catch-up.Expect some very relatable investing reflections, a few laughs about workouts gone wrong, and a surprise cameo from Miso. If you've been meaning to start investing but keep putting it off, the Bootcamp is made for you. It’s everything Vic and Soph have learned, simplified and glow-up’d for beginners.⁠⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This week, Vic and Soph are jumping from investing confidence to global headlines—and back again. They kick things off with a reminder about The Curve’s beginner bootcamp (starting June 30!), perfect if you’ve been putting off learning how to invest.They also chat through the world’s first-ever dad strike in the UK, rising tensions in the Middle East and what it means for oil prices and your portfolio, AMEX’s new fee hike, Gen Z’s love of credit cards, and Nintendo’s latest boom.Plus: vintage fashion obsessions, podcast photo fails, and a few too many thoughts on thirst traps. ________________Raising the Curve: 114 - Work Life Balance And Working Out What Is Important________________WTF Does That Mean? A Guide to All the Jargony BitsInvesting BootcampA four-week course by The Curve for beginners to learn personal finance and investing, including live sessions and community access.Dad StrikeA UK protest where fathers are demanding more paid parental leave—currently only two weeks are offered.Middle East TensionsOngoing conflict affecting oil supply, leading to higher prices and market volatility.Global DiversificationInvesting across different countries to reduce risk, especially during geopolitical instability.AMEX (American Express)A premium credit card company that’s recently increased its annual fees.Nintendo SurgeA major share price jump after the launch of Nintendo’s new gaming console.Vintage FashionPre-loved clothing finds—Vic shares her new appreciation for it.Thirst TrapsPhotos meant to attract attention; Soph and Vic reflect on past photo shoot moments.________________⁠⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠⁠________________For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠________________Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

You’ve heard about them, you’ve nodded politely when someone mentioned them - but do you actually know what bonds are? And more importantly, should you have them in your investment portfolio? In this episode, we break down bonds in a way that finally makes sense. You’ll learn how bonds work, who they’re for, when they make sense, and what kind of returns you can expect - plus why the word “junk” in finance isn’t as trashy as it sounds. Whether you’re saving for a house, want something a bit more chill than shares, or are just curious if bonds are the grown-up move your money needs - this ep is for you. Spoiler: you might already own bonds without even knowing it.💸 Want to know which bond funds are worth looking at? Vic’s sharing her top picks in The Curve Investing Club - become a member and get access to practical investing ideas, tools, and confidence.Click to listen to 'Should You Be Investing in Fixed Income?'Want the step-by-step guide we put together with Lexus on how to actually afford a big-ticket item (like a car that makes you feel as sleek as you look)? Grab the free PDF ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. You're welcome in advance.This episode is proudly sponsored by BePure - your go-to for immune health this winter. Whether you’re already sniffling or just prepping to dodge the seasonal lurgy, check out their Immune Essentials Bundle: three hero products, delivered monthly, and 20% off exclusively for The Curve community. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab the bundle here⁠⁠⁠⁠ (discount auto-applied, no faffing required).If you’ve been meaning to finally do something with your money and build confidence with investing, join us for our ⁠investing bootcamp⁠ that kicks off on the 23rd June!You'll learn:How to split your pay and manage your moneyThe foundations of investing (without the jargon)How to actually get started - and stay consistentYou’ll get access to: Our brand new Money + Investing Course2x live sessions with VicA private community of new investorsTools + tips to grow a strong, diversified portfolio12 months access to The Investing Club⁠Click here to join⁠!⁠⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

From Dublin’s cloudy charm to the bizarre world of Labubu dolls, Vic and Soph cover a lot this week. They kick off with travel debates (beach club vs. ruins), before diving into one of the most unexpected stock surges of the year - and how spotting a trend like Labubu could’ve made you 600% richer.Then it’s into something more personal: IVF and egg freezing. Soph opens up about her own experience, while Vic breaks down why the fertility industry is booming and what the Monash embryo mistake means for investing in this space.They also touch on how feedback shapes the podcast, the evolving value of interviews, and that now-infamous “girls are fighting” comment. Plus, US politicians' suspicious stock moves, mega-CEO paydays, and a quick shoutout to the incredible Emily.This one’s part chit-chat, part curveball headlines, and part financial deep-dive - with a side of egg freezing quiz in the show notes.________________If you’ve been meaning to finally do something with your money and build confidence with investing, join us for our investing bootcamp that kicks off on the 23rd June!You'll learn:How to split your pay and manage your moneyThe foundations of investing (without the jargon)How to actually get started - and stay consistentYou’ll get access to: Our brand new Money + Investing Course2x live sessions with VicA private community of new investorsTools + tips to grow a strong, diversified portfolio12 months access to The Investing ClubClick here to join!________________WTF Does That Mean? A Guide to All the Jargony Bits________________LabubuA collectible toy character designed by a Hong Kong artist, made popular through blind-box unboxing culture. It’s become a viral sensation, with some rare versions selling for thousands.Blind BoxA packaging style where the specific item inside isn’t revealed until it’s opened. Common in collectible toys and figures, often used to encourage repeat purchases.Pop MartA publicly listed Chinese company that owns and distributes Labubu and other collectible figures. It’s behind the booming success of the Labubu trend.IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)A medical procedure used to help people conceive a child. Eggs are fertilised by sperm outside the body and then implanted into the uterus.Egg FreezingA fertility preservation method where a woman's eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored for future use.Insider TradingThe illegal practice of trading stocks or other securities based on material, non-public information—like confidential plans or upcoming announcements.SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)A U.S. government agency that regulates the securities markets and enforces laws against market manipulation and insider trading.ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund)A type of investment fund that’s traded on stock exchanges, like a stock. It holds a collection of assets (e.g., stocks, bonds) and can track specific sectors or trends.S&P 500An index of the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the U.S., often used as a benchmark for the overall performance of the stock market.________________Egg Freezing Survey________________The Curve Investing Club Free Trial________________⁠⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠⁠________________For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠________________Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

What’s the real cost of unpaid labour, emotional load, and being the ‘nice girl’ in a relationship? In this fiercely eye-opening episode, author Melissa Browne blows the lid off the money myths holding women back. From the dangerous mindset of “it’s not worth her going back to work” to why 7 out of 10 men manage long-term investments for control, this conversation is packed with jaw-dropping stats, empowering reframes, and financial red flags every woman needs to know. Melissa shares practical advice on retirement savings splitting, negotiating unpaid labour, protecting yourself before and during relationships, and the truth about why investing is never selfish. If you’ve ever felt uneasy talking money in your relationship, this episode will give you the clarity, tools, and confidence to change the game.👉 Want more from Melissa? She’s put together a bunch of free money goodies just for Curve listeners - head to melissabrowne.com.au/curve to check them out.Want the step-by-step guide we put together with Lexus on how to actually afford a big-ticket item (like a car that makes you feel as sleek as you look)? Grab the free PDF ⁠here⁠. You're welcome in advance.This episode is proudly sponsored by BePure - your go-to for immune health this winter. Whether you’re already sniffling or just prepping to dodge the seasonal lurgy, check out their Immune Essentials Bundle: three hero products, delivered monthly, and 20% off exclusively for The Curve community. ⁠⁠⁠Grab the bundle here⁠⁠⁠ (discount auto-applied, no faffing required).⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This week on Curve Weekly: political chaos, market meltdowns, and a Swiftie-sized power move. Vic and Soph unpack the billionaire breakup of Elon and Trump (EV shade, Twitter tantrums, and all), dive into what’s next for Tesla, and chat about why space is suddenly the place to invest.They also get into the IPO buzz (hi, Virgin Australia and Wise), plus Taylor Swift’s epic move to buy back her music — and what it taught them about contracts, control, and calling the shots.Finance meets pop culture, with zero snore-factor. Let’s go.________________⁠Here is the link for the free investing workshop for beginners on June 16.⁠________________WTF Does That Mean? A Guide to All the Jargony Bits________________EV Subsidies – Govt discounts for buying electric cars. Bye subsidies = bye Tesla share price.IPO – A company’s stock market debut. A financial coming-out party.Fintech – Money tech like Wise, Sharesies, and your phone’s wallet.Master Rights – Who owns the actual song recording. Taylor wanted these.Publishing Rights – Who wrote the song. Think lyrics + melody.Private Equity – Big money buying stuff to resell for more.Stock Exchange – Where shares are bought + sold.S&P 500 – The 500 biggest US companies.Capital Markets – Fancy term for the world of investing.Scott Galloway – Bold, brainy biz guy. Says what we’re all thinking.________________⁠⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠⁠________________For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠________________Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This one’s for the mums - the ones juggling packed lunches, work meetings, and trying to remember when the last load of washing was switched. In this honest and thoughtful conversation, Amy Fraser shares her journey into motherhood (which did not go to plan), navigating single parenting, rebuilding her career, and the invisible labour so many women carry without question. We talk about the real cost of taking time out of the workforce, why your family is an asset, and how guilt seems to sneak into every corner of parenting. It’s equal parts validating and practical - a reminder that if you’re doing your best to hold it all together, you’re not alone.Link to read Amy's blog.Want the step-by-step guide we put together with Lexus on how to actually afford a big-ticket item (like a car that makes you feel as sleek as you look)? Grab the free PDF here. You're welcome in advance.This episode is proudly sponsored by BePure - your go-to for immune health this winter. Whether you’re already sniffling or just prepping to dodge the seasonal lurgy, check out their Immune Essentials Bundle: three hero products, delivered monthly, and 20% off exclusively for The Curve community. ⁠⁠Grab the bundle here⁠⁠ (discount auto-applied, no faffing required).⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This week, we dig into Hailey Bieber’s not-quite-a-billion-dollar beauty deal - what she actually made and what it says about celebrity brands, equity, and the power of a loyal follower count. We also chat about a US proposal to give every newborn $1,000 to invest (move over, plastic toys), Trump’s oddly personal vendetta against Harvard, and the rumour that Conor McGregor might buy OnlyFans. Oh, and the rise of the “stay-at-home son” - equal parts hilarious and mildly alarming. Plus, is alcohol the new cigarettes? The wellness wave might be stronger than your Sunday hangover.Got kids or planning to? Take our quick poll and tell us if you’re investing for them!Plus, here is the link to our episode on Grace Wears LaceWTF Does That Mean? A Guide to All the Jargony BitsEquity – Owning a slice of a company. Like business pie.Endowment Fund – Uni savings pot they invest to fund stuff.Creative Director – Boss of the brand’s vibe. Mood boards galore.Celebrity Endorsement – When a celeb’s paid to like something.Generational Wealth – Money passed down, not just old jumpers.S&P 500 – The 500 biggest US companies. Stock market all-stars.Investment Account – Where your money goes to (hopefully) grow.Private Company – Not on the stock market. No app-share buys here.Public Listing / IPO – When a company goes public. Finance’s big debut.PR (Public Relations) – Managing a brand’s image. Spin, but make it shiny.⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

Ever dreamed of turning your passion into a global business? Jordan Rondel did just that - with cake. In this ep, Sophie chats with the legendary founder of The Caker, who started her brand at 21 and baked her way from Auckland to L.A., serving up cakes to the likes of Miley Cyrus and Flea from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. We get into the highs, the hustle, and the heartbreak - including that time Chrissy Teigen maybe definitely copied her. Jordan spills on what it’s really like scaling a biz internationally, taking massive risks, staying creative and commercially sharp, and eventually selling it all. It’s inspiring, it’s juicy, and it’ll make you want to chase your wildest ideas.This episode is proudly sponsored by BePure - your go-to for immune health this winter. Whether you’re already sniffling or just prepping to dodge the seasonal lurgy, check out their Immune Essentials Bundle: three hero products, delivered monthly, and 20% off exclusively for The Curve community. ⁠Grab the bundle here⁠ (discount auto-applied, no faffing required).⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

She’s back! Soph has returned to the studio - and just in time, because there’s a lot to unpack this week. First up, big changes to KiwiSaver: if you’re earning over $180K in NZ, the government has decided you’re rich enough and doesn’t want to chip in anymore. Cool cool cool. Meanwhile, Vic unpacks the UnitedHealthcare scandal - including CEO assassinations (yes, really), fraud investigations, and share price plummets. Then it’s over to Victoria’s Secret, where one Aussie mogul is sneakily trying to buy his way in, but the board’s not having it (cue poison pill drama). And to round it off, UK inflation’s jumped to 3.5% - so maybe hold off on that second maple bacon pastry.WTF Does That Mean? A Guide to All the Jargony Bits:KiwiSaver – NZ’s retirement savings scheme.Means Testing – Only get it if you earn under a certain amount.Employer Contributions – Free money from your boss.Default Contribution Rate – Auto-set % taken from your pay.High Growth Fund – Risky but could make more.Conservative Fund – Safer, smaller returns.Member Tax Credit – Gov’s yearly top-up if you contribute enough.Auto-enrolment – You're signed up unless you opt out.Poison Pill – A move to stop someone taking over a company.Hostile Takeover – Someone trying to buy a company without permission.Shareholder – You own a slice of the company.ETF – A bundle of investments in one.⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing Club⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.