

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

Sep 18, 2025 • 27min
Private markets - A beginner’s guide
Private credit, private debt...it's boom time out there for unlisted markets but how do you walk the fine line between shooting in the dark and making the best moves? Charlie Viola, is one of the best known advisers in Australia - he's got a method, it's worth hearing. Charlie Viola of Viola Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: An insider's guide to private markets Knowing the risk difference between private credit and equity The reason banks have left this business wide open Why stocks fall after dividends get paid See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 16, 2025 • 29min
Double tax on paper gains in property - welcome to the new super tax
Inside the Self Managed Super Fund sector, it is professionals - such as auditors - who are on the front line: They will be dealing with valuations which ultimately determine whether or not investors will be hit with the new super tax. One of the leading voices in the campaign against the new super tax is auditor Naz Randeria, here she lays out the faults of the new super tax regime and reveals how - if you are unlucky enough - you could end up paying unrealised gains tax twice over on a property held inside an SMSF. Naz Randeria of Reliance Auditing Services joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Valuation bunfights and other realities of the new super tax Land tax and Division 296 - how two paper gains taxes can be applied to the one property! Unleashing unrealised gains taxes Where can I find a 'pension eligibilty calculator?" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 11, 2025 • 24min
My guest today is an AI bot
It's looking very much like 2025 is going to be the year that Artificial Intelligence changes the investment sector beyond recognition. A hot spot of this change is going to be financial advice. So what can AI offer? Today my guest is Microsoft's 'Co-pilot' AI bot (ably assisted by human financial adviser James Gerrard) In this episode, we cover: AI for the investment beginner Testing Ai for advanced investment information Where Ai gets it wrong Ai - The IQ is excellent, the EQ not so much! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 9, 2025 • 30min
How 'rentvesting' could work for you
Renting where you live and investing your spare funds to maximise capital growth is steadily becoming a key factor in the residential market - especially for younger buyers. But the key to success in this area is optimising your position as an investor - rather than a homebuyer. Arjun Paliwal of buyer's agency, InvestorKit joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Perfect Match - How to optimise 'rentvesting' Borderless buying - Overcoming home bias The data points to monitor for success Will the government's universal first home scheme add risk to prices? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 4, 2025 • 26min
Is becoming a Sophisticated Investor in your best interest?
It sounds so good: Sophisticated Investor status is open to all investors who have enough money to get across the line. But did you know a financial adviser is no longer legally bound to act in your 'best interests' if you sign along the dotted line? Three million people now qualify for Sophisticated Investor status but the regime is creaking and it's time for serious overhaul of the rules. Peter Burgess, CEO of the Self Managed Super Funds Association joins Associate Editor - James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Sophisticated Investor status- Should you? Why regulators want to lift the $2.5m threshold Dumb money - The case for a knowledge test Where's the legislation? New super tax on hold See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 2, 2025 • 24min
How to cut your mortgage costs...now
A remarkable 100,000 Australians refinanced their mortgage to a better rate in the three months to June this year. If you have yet to join the party, the pathway to lower mortgage costs is now clear, here's what to do... Mortgage broker, Christian Stevens of the Flint group, joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: How to cut your mortgage rate without moving banks Reducing mortgage rates by switching banks Long-term interest-only loans for experienced investors Spare Bedroom tax: You cannot be serious! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 31, 2025 • 36min
BONUS: Roger Montgomery's investment journey: from fish and chips to fund management
Roger Montgomery is the founder of Montgomery Investment Management. While he is into adventure sports, when it comes to investing he's acutely focused on managing risk. From working at a fish and chip shop to managing $1.5bn in funds, he offers his advice on wealth creation for those in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. In this bonus episode of The Money Puzzle, Sydney fund manager Roger Montgomery sits down with The Australian's Wealth Editor, Julie-anne Sprague to chat about how he learnt to invest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 28, 2025 • 19min
The ultimate solution to investment scams
Investment scams empowered by AI are going to get worse in the years ahead - and no amount of regulation is going to stop 'bad actors' inside finance. Self-defence in the form of financial literacy is the answer: investors need it, kids in school need it, but the government has put the issue on the back burner. It’s time for a change. Tracey West, financial education manager at Ecstra, the financial literacy foundation joins Associate Editor - James Kirby in this episode. In today's episode, we cover: Scam watch - What investors need to know Why the First Guardian scandal is a taste of things to come Should schools make financial literacy mandatory? How AI 'fakes' will drive a new wave of investment fraud See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 26, 2025 • 24min
Fancy bidding against a super fund for your house?
The Federal government is pushing big super funds into the housing market: That market is currently dominated by 'mum and dad' investors - Would big funds do better? Overseas experience of major institutional ownership of housing shows that rents rise when big funds buy into housing because they need a higher running yield. In turn, traditional buyers get priced out. Nerida Conisbee, chief economist at Ray White joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The risk of letting big funds into housing Universal 5 per cent Home Deposit to launch early Investors monitor accelerated housing incentives Good news for renovators - the replacement cost is back to normal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 21, 2025 • 24min
Will the economic summit trigger wealth tax changes?
This week's economic summit coincided with a surprise move by the Albanese government to lift the deeming rate for the first time in four years: The measure reduces access to the pension for wealthier Australians. Moreover, it's exactly the sort of change that advisers have warned are set to come down the line as Treasurer Jim Chalmers exerts his influence in the second term government. Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor - Wealth James Kirby in this episode. In today's episode we cover Deeming rate lift -The first move? Super tax confirmed unchanged CGT and negative gearing - Key risks Save the super performance tests See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


