The Money Puzzle

Liam Shorte, a financial planner at the Sonas Group, dives into essential strategies for managing cash efficiently. He discusses the current landscape of cash rates and how investors can find the best returns. Liam shares tips on optimizing offset accounts and navigating dividend reinvestment plans. He emphasizes the significance of maintaining cash buffers during market downturns and explores the complexities of superannuation and inheritance, providing vital insights for smart financial planning.

The bargain hunters are in the market but many big funds and family offices are concentrating more on building cash: That’s because investment markets are more than 'uncertain' just now - in reality they are unfathomable.Today's guest spot goes to one of the best-known investors (and philanthropists) in Australia, Chris Cuffe. --------- In today's episode, we cover: * Asset allocation in an age of extreme uncertainty * What investors at the big end of town are doing now * Philanthropy for the active investor * Tax optimisation in charitable giving  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Falling interest rates, a wild share market and an election campaign where both parties are falling over each other to throw money at first-home buyers...it's the perfect conditions for a lift in residential prices throughout 2025. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosolution Private Clients group joins Associate Editor- Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ….In today's show, we cover Green light for price growth in the residential market An investor's guide to the election promises made to home buyers Why apartments may do better than stand-alone homes Keeping up with the ATO clampdown on property investors  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, the current market crisis has been 'caused' by the US: You could say the same for the dot.com crash and the GFC. But is that an argument for stepping away from the country which represents more than 60 per cent of the global share market - and hosts the world's most important bond market? Dr Sam Wylie of the Windlestone Education group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. -----In today's show, we cover: Buying the dip  Why retreating to the ASX will cost you in the long run  How gold paid off in the market rout The winning ways of unhedged funds  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The share markets have dropped hard following a severe bout of selling by institutional investors, but share-broker data suggests that everyday investors are bargain hunting.What's really going on? Gemma Dale, head of investor behaviour at NABtrade joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ------ In today's show, we cover: * What bargain hunters are buying * Gold drops from the favoured list * In a Covid-style replay, ETFs underpins the action* Getting rid of unwanted shares See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump's upending of world trade happens to coincide with challenging times for Big Super: The major funds face weak share markets while battling a range of administrative failures that have put Australian Super and CBUS  in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.It might be time to take control. Hugh Robertson of Centaur Financial Services joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. -----In today's show, we cover: Tariff turmoil triggers a second look at Self Managed Super Funds  The Banks are offering 7 per cent yields again The minimum you need for an SMSF Learning about education bonds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's unleashing of his tariff program through the Liberation Day plan has the share market reeling - and the US market is reeling the most with the weakest numbers so far this year. As Trump's old colleague, Steve Bannon, calls for Liberation Day to be made a public holiday in the US, it's time to take a serious look at Trump and your investments. Cameron Stewart, Chief International Correspondent of The Australian joins Associate Editor Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ----In today's show episode, we cover: Liberation Day - A milestone or a millstone? How long will Musk last at the top table with Trump? The role of crypto in Trump's plans* In defence of Defined Benefit Super schemes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025 Budget managed to squeeze in a few pre-election surprises. A teeny tax cut, a decision to 'do nothing' on pension access (with unchanged deeming rates) and a genuine move to upgrade the government's signature Shared Home Ownership program.The so-called Help To Buy scheme will be very popular, but what are the risks? In this episode, Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby. ----- In today's show, we cover * The biggest thing for First Home Buyers in years- Help To Buy* Why bracket creep undermines all tax cuts * Is the $3m super tax dead or alive?* Should long-term investors be influenced by today's dividend yields?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tug of war between property and shares never ends: But for many investors, one area is more attractive. My guest in this episode has spent a lifetime investing - along with commenting on investment markets - and has come to a clear conclusion.You may not agree, but you should definitely hear him out.  Anthony Keane, personal finance writer for News Corporation joins James Kirby in this episode. -------In today's show, we cover Trouble-free' share market investing versus 'bricks and mortar' Why property investing should be kept outside of super Holding costs - the swing factor for the everyday investor  Should Adelaide really be more expensive than Melbourne?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It now takes more than $600m to even feature on the Australian’s Rich 250:  But what does it take to build a fortune of that size in 2025? Today we get an inside view on the people behind Australia’s greatest fortunes. John Stensholt, Rich 250 editor joins James Kirby Associate Editor - Wealth in this week’s episode  In this episode, we cover Rich 250 - The Chemist Warehouse family arrives  Rich 250 -  Offshore gambling empires:  A new way to make money Billionaires might be impressive, but are they happy? Should you listen to ‘wealth coaches’? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.