The Money Cafe with Kirby and Kohler

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Immigration numbers were meant to float lower this year but a surprise pick up in numbers over the last few months coincides with a tightening of the rental vacancy rates across the market. For renters it means any short-term easing in pressure is now off the table, but for property investors it signals a return to rising rental income. Pete Wargent of the AllenWargent Property Buyers joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's episode, we cover The 'you can rent anything market' returns Investors respond to stronger outlook for rental returns The gap between residential and office vacancy rates tells a WFH story Should older property investors change their habits? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new super tax may dominate the headlines, but for most investors with less than $3m in super, a bigger headache is navigating increasingly risky marketing promotions in finance.Off the back of the recent First Guardian scandal - where some investors were offered 'free super reviews' - today we take a hard look at booming business of luring people into switching super funds. Liam Shorte of the Sonas Wealth Group joins Associate Editor - Wealth James Kirby in today's episode. In today's episode, we cover: New super tax facing delays ‘Free Super Reviews’ could turn out expensive An easy way to check if your fund is doing well Optimising tax-free income outside super See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If it wasn’t said by a top financial adviser, you might dismiss it as a quote out of context, but Partners Wealth Group Jack Tossol is not kidding: He says a generation that has ‘sunk everything’ into the family home will miss the chance to have a successful tax-deductible investment plan. It’s a provocative notion, challenging die-hard principles of money management, but with house prices moving higher again...you have to listen. Financial adviser Jack Tossol of Partners Wealth Group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby, in this episode. In today’s show, we cover No tax deduction, no income…Is home ownership overrated? Why ‘Rentvesting’ is worth revisiting Are you facing decades of ‘dead money' in your home mortgage? Challenging the ‘retirement sweet spot’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode of The Money Puzzle, The Australian’s Wealth Editor, Julie-anne Sprague, unpacks what it takes to be a great investor with one of the nation's top stockpickers, Jun Bei Liu. How did Liu learn to invest? What did she learn when things went wrong and what's her advice for everyday investors wanting to build their wealth?Jun Bei Liu of Ten Cap joins Wealth Editor Julie-anne Sprague in this bonus episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside the advice sector, they call it ‘the sweet spot’: The perfect amount of money to have in super that also guarantees you access to a government pension. With the majority of Australians accessing full or part-time pensions, it’s a big game and the rules have been clear for a long time. But those ‘pension access’ rules may soon be overhauled as the government launches a major tax review this month at the so-called ‘productivity summit. Hugh Robertson of Centaur Financial Services joins Associate Editor - Wealth James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover... The retirement sweet spot for optimising pension access The retirement black spot - just missing out on a pension Why the pension asset test may soon be tightened Dividend Reinvestment Plans - Not for everyone See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Property investors have watched the Melbourne market sink for a decade. But the tide is turning, early investors are being rewarded as the latest numbers for Victoria show green shoots in the nation’s second biggest city. Stuart Wemyss of the ProSolution Private Clients group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Green shoots for Melbourne as city prices lift A long way to go, how Victoria did nothing for a decade Property tax - Victoria no worse than interstate rivals The townhouse opportunity in our major cities See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's special edition to mark the online launch of The Australian's 'Wealth Vertical', wealth editor Julie-anne Sprague joins James Kirby to talk about how an experienced financial journalist sets about investing. Wealth editor Julie-anne Sprague joins Associate Editor-Wealth in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Do the very rich tell us anything useful? Financial advice: Getting it is one thing, using it is another Taking risks when you know how often things go wrong The way to start your wealth journey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So the story goes, you buy inside the 'zone' of a top public school and your property purchase can only be a winner. Well actually... the numbers don't really say that: In fact, as an investor you may do better somewhere else! Eliza Owen, head of research at Cotality Australia, joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Are public school zones hot property or not? School fees versus property price premiums Underquoting is back with a vengeance Downsizing into apartments See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The markets are overheating : Records are being made on the ASX while profits are actually falling. As we inch towards the most dangerous time of the year for the share market, you should be rebalancing your investment portfolio. Adviser and family office chair, Dr Doug Turek joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby, in this episode. -----In today's show, we cover: Rebalancing time - whether you like it or not The alternatives to shares...especially gold A very obvious way to avoid the new super tax Could the AI boom throw up a new Enron? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 started slowly for house prices - and the absence of a second rate cut mid -year might have cooled sentiment - but economists are now upgrading their forecasts as prices move significantly higher.Bank of Queensland is now calling a 6 per cent price increase for houses across the nation this year and next year. Peter Monckton, chief economist at Bank of Queensland joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ----- In today's show, we cover:Property prices get upgraded...but it's only for houses Will apartments catch up this time? The cities set to rebound Why is negative gearing on shares shunned? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The extensive wealth of triple murderer Erin Patterson is almost certain to now be the subject of claims from the estates of her victims: The extraordinary story highlights some key changes in the world of wills and inheritance. In today's show, we cover: Rich from inheritance, Erin Patterson now set to face money claims The rapidly changing rules for wills and inheritance Why Wills left on iphones will become more common What you need to know about inheriting super Lawyer and financial adviser Chris Hill of Inherit Australia joins Associate Editor Wealth, James Kirby in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If buying off the plan property is so long associated with later problems, why do investors ever do it?Today we take a look at the value proposal offered by off the plan property with its discounts, tax breaks and guarantees... In today's show, we cover... The best and worst of off the plan investments Who is offering the guarantee? Buying through Self-Managed Super funds A listener wants to construct their own index fund. James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it the end of the US markets as we once knew them? No way! But the US dollar is fading and that creates a major shift in global investment markets.For Australian investors it's time to hedge and it's also time to look at two key investments you may not have considered until now. Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ----------------- In today's show, we cover: Gold...the outlook from here Emerging Markets present an opportunity Are European shares really going to pay at last? Is there an inheritance tax on super or not? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rates are falling, demand is strong and rental vacancy levels remain at rock bottom: No wonder auction clearance rates across Australia are returning to normal. What happens next? It's looking like we are at the start of a rebound. Louis Christopher, managing director of the SQM Research Group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Why property experts believe a recovery in the property market is underway Will Melbourne come to the party? Brisbane's Olympic run-up New super tax casts a cloud on SMSF property investment See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it really this easy? You buy a share market index fund and it goes up by 10 per cent every year.....Hmm...Well, actually, the ASX 200 index is comprised of 50 per cent banks and miners: When they rise together, an index fund will fly high. But if the going gets tough, your share portfolio will not be as diversified as you may think. What's more, major problems are forming in the market where enormous amounts of money are pouring into stocks often because ETF algorithms are blindly following market momentum...how will it end? Adviser Jack Tossol from the Partners Wealth Group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's show, we cover... The hidden dangers of index funds Polluting the pond - New wave ETFs reintroduce risk Ethically oblivious passive investing Sophisticated investor rules should be scrapped See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the first week of the new financial year: Time to reset your portfolio for the year ahead. Hot share markets, patchy property prices and new rules for super: You need to get up to speed but more than that, you need to stick with your investment principles. Author Noel Whittaker joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode In today's show, we cover: Property - Challenging the positive outlook After double-digit returns for shares, prepare for the Black Swan Yes, Super rules are changing, but be careful, don't overreact! Crypto - This sceptic remains...ahem, very sceptical See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our recent show on crypto, which was openly sceptical about Bitcoin, triggered a storm of response from listeners who believe Bitcoin is a very worthy asset.Today, we hear another point of view: AMP recently invested $27m in Bitcoin and that decision has returned around 40 per cent in profits. In today's show, we cover... The bull case for Bitcoin from a mainstream investor Must you understand something to invest in it? The widening 'use case' for crypto FY 2025 investment wrap - too good to be true? Shane Oliver, chief economist at AMP joins Associate Editor- Wealth, James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The residential property market is about to be split into very clear segments thanks to a wave of generous home loan incentives. For investors, there is a clear opportunity here: Competition will be slim and values will improve in the market categories just above the incentive thresholds. In fact, the government has usefully provided a guide to how and where the opportunities will arise. Cameron Kusher of Kusher Consulting joins Associate Editor, Wealth James Kirby. In today's episode, we cover: * The new opportunity for investors in a distorted market * Queensland takes the prize for loan incentives with a 2% deposit scheme* The bad news for those waiting for the apartment gap to narrow * Capital Gains and Land tax tipped as new tax targets See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One in three Australian investors now have crypto, and that includes an estimated $1 billion inside the SMSF sector alone.Bitcoin is up more than 40 per cent over the last year...it's time to reconsider 'digital gold'. Author and family office director Jacqui Clarke joins Associate Editor-Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ---------In today''s show, we cover Why has crypto jumped again? The big end of town gets involved How it still fails the 'intrinsic value' test Beyond betting...the post-Trump scenario See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buyer's advocates spend their entire time professionally working on the business of buying residential property: As our guest today suggests: "It's both a science and an art." In fact, the secret is that you can make compromises to get what you want.But those compromises can be quite different for the home buyer compared to the residential investor. Jarrod McCabe of Wakelin Property Advisory joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ---- In today's episode, we cover: The compromises you can make in buying propertyThe mistakes to avoid in having a property managed for youMaking the big jump to owning more than one propertyHow does the First Home Buyer Guarantee scheme work?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McGrath’s Tony O’Doherty is one OF Australia’s top real estate agents: He has sold more than $270m worth of residential property over the last year…and he’s got some very useful information to impart, one secret in particular will fascinate you. Tony O’Doherty of the McGrath property group in Bulimba joins Associate Editor -Wealth, James Kirby in this edition. ------ In today’s show, we cover: * The biggest risk facing today’s property investors * Hottest areas for long-term property investment * Queensland - Why it’s so popular right now * Oh yes, the secret..well, you’ll just have to listen… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second term of Donald Trump has been marked by a roller coaster global sharemarket: Even the biggest players among Australian industry funds are openly debating whether it's worth sticking with Wall Street. But you have to make a decision... Nick Griffin, chief investment officer at Munro Partners joins Associate Editor Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ---- In today's show, we cover: * It's the earnings, stupid! - Trump or no Trump * Why global software giants will keep winning * The case against banks, airlines and consumer fashion stocks * AI -It's the real deal for long-term investors See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our show on the incentives available (federal and state) on turning your home into a clean energy powerhouse brought in a flood of questions.Today we return to the issue with top questions from listeners. Financial adviser James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. -----In this episode, we cover... The best way to go solar at home Do second hand electric cars have any value The future of battery power at home The latest on the new super tax See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most original ideas in property investment is the ThirdHome group, a global exchange club for holiday home properties that opens up what in many cases is an under-utilised asset to the wider world: Just quietly, the group has signed up more than 500 Australian luxury holiday homes - it's a fascinating story. Wade Shealy, founder and CEO of the ThirdHome group, joins Associate Editor Wealth James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover... * The upmarket holiday home swap * The rules of luxury property * Wade Shealy on how he built a global property enterprise * New directions for the luxury holiday home market See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyday shareholders have always been at the back of the queue when it comes to takeovers, but this year global private equity players have clearly emerged as the 'Barbarians at the gate'.Healthscope, once a $5 billion stock is now in receivership along with its chain of 37 hospitals after a private equity deal went very wrong...what's next? Eric Johnston, Associate Editor- Business, joins James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover... How do we navigate around private equity plunder?Can social infrastructure such as hospitals ever make useful listed investments?Have we been unfair to Bitcoin?How productivity makes a difference to your share portfolio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

pmarket property is, well, in a league of its own: Shane Smollen is a specialist in the area…and the creator of some of the most impressive heritage-focussed developments in the country.In today’s episode, we cover…* Quality first - Setting your property ambitions higher* Expect the unexpected - surviving whatever gets in your way* The distinct business of luxury property* Can I live in my SMSF-owned property ?Shane Smollen of the Central Element group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episodeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investors at all levels are up in arms over the new super tax largely because it is based on 'paper gains' and it will not be indexed for inflation. Don't miss this special edition... In today's show, we cover...* The essential problems with the new super tax Why it will affect you faster than you may realise Alternative options to keeping money in super What is likely to happen next with so-called 'Division 296'? Hugh Robertson of the Centaur Financial Services group joins Associate Editor- Wealth James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holding residential property inside your super fund has always been demanding - but also lucrative. Higher rates, higher deposits, and a shortage of lenders have always restricted this activity to the most determined investors: Now, the new super tax adds another layer of challenges for property investors. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosolution Private Clients group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover * Property investment inside super...all too hard?* The threat to borrowing inside super from the Greens* How to negotiate a lower mortgage rate with your bank* Should sharemarket listed property funds be classified as shares or property? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hottest investment of the year has been one of the oldest known investments... Gold! It's increased at ten times the pace of the wider ASX 200 over the year to date... and that's after years of 20 per cent plus returns.Is it for you..and how might a new investor get started? In today's episode, we cover: Why has the gold price raced higher? The ETF versus bullion debate Can gold keep going up if Trump settles down? A clarification on concessional (pre tax) super contributions Jordan Elesio, general manager of ABC Bullion joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The re-elected Albanese government is offering to effectively cut the price of home batteries for solar by half. That's on top of the generous tax incentives it has already rolled out for electric cars: It's time to cash in on the greening of Australia. In today's show we cover The new federal incentive to cut home battery costs in half How to have a fully tax deductible electric car Renting your home and Capital Gains tax Is the deeming rate now 'deemed' untouchable? James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Associate Editor- Wealth, James Kirby in this episodeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ALP is back with a renewed mandate for government - what does it mean for your portfolio, or your SMSF or your investment property?In the space of the last few days we have got a much clearer picture of what the election result will imply for the active investor.. today we take you through what you must know.Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor- Wealth James Kirby in this episode we cover...* The risk of new tax changes* The latest on the super 'paper gains' tax * A clear threat to borrowing in SMSFs * Getting to know the new power of 'The Greens'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems like a good idea - rent your home and buy an investment property where you can deduct the mortgage payments against your annual income tax. In fact, it all works...to a point: But this increasingly popular investment strategy does not mean you get to buy your own home...worse still, it may mean the bank won't lend you any more funds. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosolution Private Clients group joins Associate Editor-Wealth, James Kirby in this week's episode as we cover... * The problem with 'rentvesting'* A predictable pick up in house prices * The new government's menu for first-home buyers * How HECs changes will also boost the housing market See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fund manager Geoff Wilson is at it again...campaigning for investors against poorly designed tax changes...and this time he has a major fight on his hands. Taxing unrealised gains (or paper gains) in super is a shocker, but it's a key policy for the government...and the government is set to be returned after the election. Geoff Wilson of Wilson Asset Management joins James Kirby, Associate Editor-Wealth in this episode ------In today's show, we cover... * The problem with the new super tax...and how it could be fixed * Why Australian interest rates may fall a lot further than the market expects * The case for sticking with US shares * Defensive stocks for the months ahead See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to tax affairs, it's never easy: Many investors believe they do not get a fair deal: But some people clearly suffer financial abuse (which often begins with how a partner has behaved in the past). Sometimes too, the issues don't fit neatly for a financial adviser or a financial counsellor: That’s where the Tax Clinic, an experiment at UNSW, fills the gap. Ann Kayis-Kumar of the Tax Clinic at UNSW joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ------In today's episode, we cover How to spot financial abuse Planned legal changes that could make a difference The short straw of being a secondary credit card holder Tax pitfalls and financial literacy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.