

The Money Puzzle
The Australian
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 23, 2025 • 29min
Final cut on the new super tax
The Treasurer has finally clarified how the revamped plans for the new super tax will work - including how Capital Gains Tax will work...it's a template for the future, make sure you are up to speed. James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Final cut on the new super tax Is the gold sell-off serious? Tax consequences of renting your home* If annuities are so good...where are the deals? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 21, 2025 • 25min
Investors derailed! Hard lessons from Sydney Metro
The opening of a 30 km new line across the middle of Sydney should have been a bonanza for investors; But one year later prices inside the rail catchment area have lagged the wider city market.What happened - and what does it mean for investors betting on infrastructure projects across the nation? Tim Lawless, head of research at Cotality joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Why prices along Sydney's new rail line are trailing the market Too late to the party? Inside metro house price history Will Melbourne metro have the same story as Sydney? Brisbane's Olympic outlook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2025 • 34min
Is it too late to buy gold!?
Gold price records are being smashed. Moreover, the volume of money being sunk into gold ETFs and gold miner shares is also reaching spectacular levels: But does that mean it's the top of the market? Gemma Dale, head of investor behaviour at nabtrade joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The arguments for a continued escalation in gold prices How Australians are buying their gold What the world's most influential forecasts are predicting Why gold miners can still blow it...even in a boom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 14, 2025 • 25min
Property investors brace for new super tax squeeze
Investors who have held property as the backbone of their retirement portfolios will be the first in line for the new taxes on super…especially at the top end. But what will the ‘final’ template for the new super tax mean for everyone else? Stuart Wemyss of ProSolution Private Clients joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode In today’s show, we cover: Ouch! Super tax on many properties will double Top-end turnover…40% wealth tax will drive sales in luxury property Doing your numbers afresh, super should still beat the alternatives Why this time around the Treasurer will get his tax plan through parliament See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 9, 2025 • 37min
The common financial mistakes forcing people to work longer
Most people worry about whether they have enough money to have a comfortable retirement. Financial adviser James Wrigley has a framework to help people better plan and therefore enjoy the retirement they want. In this episode, James Wrigley joins The Australian's Wealth Editor Julie-anne Sprague to explain his top tips to knowing what you need to retire on and how to get there. Also on this episode: How to work out how much you need to retire on Strategies to build wealth into retirement How James Wrigley became big on social media Super contributions to maximise tax benefits See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 7, 2025 • 35min
Mortgage wars: why the banks are offering sweeter deals
The major banks don’t usually offer big deals to first home buyers, usually because beggars can’t be choosers. But that's changing. There's big incentives on offer, including massive amounts of frequent flyer points and lower interest rates. So, can you snag a better deal even if you're not a first home buyer? The Australian's wealth reporter Anthony Keane joins Julie-anne Sprague, Wealth Editor at The Australian, to unpack the latest. Also in this episode, we detail how you can build an investment property without parting with a single cent. How much equity do you need in your home to be able to do this, what are the traps to be aware of and how can you maximise returns? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 2, 2025 • 37min
The great wealth transfer: what you need to know before gifting money
Many parents and grandparents want to be able to help their children, and do so while they’re alive rather than leaving a large inheritance. But there are tax implications and gifting rules to be mindful of. In this episode, co-founder and head of financial advice at Leeuwin Wealth Jason Featherby sits down with The Australian’s Wealth Editor Julie-anne Sprague to explain the tips, tricks and traps to helping your adult children financially. In today’s show we cover: Tax implications by gifting property to family members How to know if you’re financially secure enough to help the kids Why you should never close out your mortgage And why it might not be a good idea to be a secondary credit card holder See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 51min
How to pick a suburb ripe for booming house prices
Ben Kingsley, managing director of Empower Wealth and chair of the Property Investors Council of Australia, shares essential insights on investing in real estate. He discusses the significance of auction clearance rates and demand signals in finding the right suburb. Kingsley warns about the risks of entering overheated markets and stresses the importance of economic fundamentals versus speculative bubbles. He also highlights potential markets to watch and the perils of overextending financially, offering a roadmap for savvy property investors.

Sep 25, 2025 • 28min
Is using an SMSF for property a million-dollar mistake?
A generation of investors have used Self Managed Super Funds for property investment, but steadily the numbers have changed in this area with higher rates, higher upfront costs and a growing realisation it is not the deal it used to be. Financial adviser James O'Reilly from NorthEast Wealth joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's show, we cover: SMSF property - A sub-optimal performer Survivorship bias - Why SMSF property may lose in the future Would you be better in a standard super fund? The limits of compulsory super rules See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 23, 2025 • 31min
Melbourne rebound - where are the bargains?
The nation’s second biggest city is climbing out of a decade-long period of severe property price underperformance - so where are the opportunities? Investors are scouring the inner-city, but our guest today takes a different tack - and as someone who runs a portfolio of 15 residential investments across the city…she should know! Anissa Cavallo of the Eda Property group joins Associate Editor- Wealth James Kirby in this episode. In today’s show, we cover: Melbourne bargain town - where the crowds are not hunting Hospitals and schools - growing wealth in new town clusters Tax and over-supply - two risks in Victoria’s rebound Knowing when to call it quits on a dud investment See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


