Friends With Money
Money Magazine
We all have questions about money; how to earn it, how to spend it, and the best ways to invest so we can watch it grow. The Friends With Money podcast, created by Money Magazine (Australia’s longest-running and most-read personal finance magazine), shares its extensive network of finance experts, in-depth knowledge of markets and timely advice to help you understand the world of money. Hosted by senior writer, Tom Watson, and editor-in-chief, Michelle Baltazar, Friends With Money is a weekly chat with a variety of credentialed guests that you won’t want to miss. Listening and learning will help you on the path to financial freedom.
- 22 minutes 23 secondsStocks for your stocking 2025
After a turbulent year for the local market, which Australian stocks could shine in 2026?
This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Dale Gillham, chief investment analyst at Wealth Within, to run through the Australian companies that investors may want to consider adding to their Christmas lists.
00:00 Introduction
02:31 2025 Australian market recap
07:54 Large cap picks for 2026
12:55 The world of micro caps
18:43 Concerns about index funds
21:04 Conclusion
#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #dalegillham #shares #investing
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9 December 2025, 2:00 pm - 16 minutes 48 secondsWhat is a reverse mortgage?
Rising property values have left many retirees rich on paper but short on cash, so are there options for those looking to utilise their home equity?
This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Chris Grice, chief executive of National Seniors Australia, to discuss reverse mortgages, equity releases schemes and the government-run Home Equity Releases Scheme.
00:00 Introduction
00:28 The 'asset rich, cash poor' dilemma
01:24 Exploring reverse mortgages
07:03 Addressing concerns about reverse mortgages
9:24 Equity release schemes
10:11 Introduction to the Home Equity Access Scheme
13:54 Comparing equity release options
16:02 Conclusion
#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #chrisgrice #reversemortgages #homeequity
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2 December 2025, 2:00 pm - 21 minutes 1 secondFirst home super saver scheme
Ready to start building a deposit towards your first home? The First Home Super Saver Scheme could help you reach your target faster.
This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Derek Gascoigne, private client adviser at UniSuper, to run through the nuts and bolts of the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS).
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Overview of the First Home Super Saver Scheme
05:40 Eligibility criteria
09:21 How to access your FHSSS contributions
14:36 Planning and important considerations
17:23 Final thoughts and advice
20:15 Conclusion
#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #derekgascoigne #superannuation #fhsss
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25 November 2025, 2:00 pm - 24 minutes 15 secondsChristmas survival guide
With the festive season fast approaching it's time to get serious about budgeting, spending and avoiding post-Christmas debt.
This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Sarah Meggison, personal finance expert at Finder, to run through a survival guide and a host of financial tips for the 2025 festive season.
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Financial hurdles of the festive season
02:14 Black Friday: The perfect time for Christmas shopping?
05:55 Budgeting and planning for Christmas expenses
13:37 Avoiding post-Christmas debt
16:50 Are these festive season scenarios faux pas or fair play?
23:16 Conclusion
#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #sarahmegginson #christmas
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18 November 2025, 2:00 pm - 16 minutes 35 secondsInside Super: Understanding "living insurance"
In this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Michelle Baltazar speaks with Alex Homer, chief customer and brand officer at insurance group TAL, about navigating life and living insurance.
They discuss the importance of insurance for younger people, different types of living insurance, and how superannuation funds can help.
Alex also shares practical tips for young workers and the self-employed on obtaining and managing insurance.
01:19 Defining life and living insurance
01:54 Understanding living insurance types
05:23 Insurance in superannuation funds
11:02 Practical tips for young workers
14:24 Bonus Round: Superannuation payments for gig workers
15:57 Conclusion and final thoughts
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11 November 2025, 2:00 pm - 17 minutes 27 secondsSuper changes and you
A new wave of superannuation changes is on the horizon, so what could they mean for your retirement?
This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Shane Hancock, general manager of retirement at AustralianSuper, to unpack proposed changes to higher super balances and the low income super tax offset (LISTO) and provide an update on payday super.
00:00 Introduction
01:28 Tax changes on higher super balances
05:31 Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO) explained
10:44 Payday super update
13:40 The importance of staying informed about super
16:40 Conclusion
#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #shanehancock #superannuation
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4 November 2025, 2:00 pm - 15 minutes 46 secondsWhat are franking credits?
In this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Vanessa Walker, managing editor of Money Magazine, delves into the topic of franking credits with Matthew Gibbs, the author of 'Frankly Speaking' in Money Magazine's October issue.
Matthew explains the concept of franking credits, how they work, and their implications for shareholders in Australia. He discusses the benefits and potential downsides, highlighting the impact of corporate tax rates and providing examples to illustrate these points.
#friendswithmoney #vanessawalker #matthewgibbs #frankingcredits
00:20 Understanding Franking Credits
00:54 Detailed Explanation of Franking Credits
03:56 Tax Implications for Shareholders
07:37 Examples and Calculations
11:52 Potential Changes in Corporate Tax Rates
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28 October 2025, 2:00 pm - 21 minutes 37 secondsWhat is an Annuity?
One of the great uncertainties in retirement is how long your savings will need to last. So, could annuities provide an answer?
On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Aaron Minney, head of retirement income research at Challenger, to unpack everything annuities.
00:00 Introduction
00:50 What are annuities?
01:33 Understanding how annuities work
04:40 Annuities vs account-based pensions
06:32 Pros and cons of annuities
09:02 Which retirees could annuities suit?
13:23 Sequencing risk and annuities
16:42 Perceptions and awareness
20:20 Conclusion
#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #aaronminney #annuities
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21 October 2025, 1:15 pm - 21 minutes 15 secondsEstate Planning Essentials
From superannuation to digital assets, there’s much more to think about with estate planning than just creating a will.
On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by William Moore, partner and head of private client advisory at Hall & Wilcox, to run through some of the essential components of estate planning.
00:00 Introduction
01:45 Why you need a will and when to update it
04:51 Power of attorney
08:05 Superannuation and naming beneficiaries
12:17 Digital assets in estate planning
15:04 Tax implications for beneficiaries
18:43 Final Thoughts and Advice
20:28 Conclusion
#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #williammoore #estateplanning
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14 October 2025, 2:00 pm - 13 minutes 36 secondsThe cost of financial procrastination
Procrastination is a bad habit at the best of times, but when it comes to our finances, failing to act can have serious consequences.
On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Shayne Sommer, a private wealth adviser at Shadforth Financial Group, to discuss the topic of financial procrastination and the ways in which it can be tackled.
00:00 Introduction
01:37 Common examples of financial procrastination
04:03 Psychological factors behind it
06:10 The consequences of financial procrastination
09:50 Strategies to combat procrastination
11:51 Imbedding good habits
12:45 Conclusion
#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #shaynesommer #financialprocrastination
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7 October 2025, 1:30 pm - 23 minutes 7 secondsShould you invest in emerging markets?
Emerging markets have had a strong showing so far in 2025. But is the allure of growth and diversification worth the risk?
On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Hugh Lam, investment strategist at Betashares, to take a deep dive into the world of emerging markets.
01:24 Defining emerging markets
04:48 Opportunities in emerging markets
07:12 Risks in emerging markets
08:34 The place of emerging markets in a portfolio
12:50 Recent performance of emerging markets
15:30 China and India: Key markets
19:00 Investment options
friendswithmoney #tomwatson #hughlam #investing #emergingmarkets
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