In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell move from money mindset to money momentum in Episode 4 of the Christian Hull Hot Money Mess series.

After unpacking Christian’s money story, coaching framework and financial dashboards, this episode focuses on what actually helps you make progress toward big goals.

They cover:

– How to invest if your timeframe is 5 years or less

– Investing vs paying down debt: what matters most?

– Christian Hull’s $2 million tiny home goal and possible pathways to get there

– How high-income earners think about wealth building

– How to work out how much wealth you actually need

– Why net wealth and investable assets are different

– The levers that help bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be

– The role of super, property, investment bonds and debt in long-term wealth building

– What financial planning steps still matter, including insurance and estate planning

If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode on investing, debt and wealth building, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on⁠ Apple⁠,⁠ Spotify⁠,⁠ YouTube⁠, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on⁠ Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠ for more investing insights.

⁠⁠Download your workbook here⁠⁠

Topics Covered

– Recap: Christian Hull’s Hot Money Mess journey so far

– From goals to momentum: how to actually build traction with money

– Christian’s $2 million tiny home goal: where do you even start?

– Investing when your timeframe is only 5 years or less

– Investment options: offset account, investing, investment bonds and trade-offs

– Investing vs paying down debt: what should come first?

– Understanding new debt and property strategy decisions

– Does negative gearing still matter for future property plans?

– How much money do you actually need to retire or feel financially secure?

– Does the 4% rule still work? What about 5%?

– Net wealth vs investable wealth: why the difference matters

– Bridging the gap between goals and reality using practical financial levers

– Christian’s wealth-building mix: super, investment bonds and property

– Insurance reviews and estate planning: the financial jobs people forget

– Tools to support better money decisions, including Wealth Checker, Super Checker and financial modelling

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View Betashares range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell tackle the questions Australians are asking right now as post-Budget uncertainty ripples through property, super and long-term wealth plans. From negative gearing and borrowing power to super contributions, calculators and inheritance, this is a practical Q&A for people who want clearer next steps.

Owen and Gemma explain why property decisions feel harder when tax rules move, how lenders may react before the broader market does, and what to focus on if you’re trying to build wealth without blowing up your cash flow. You’ll also hear why negative gearing should never be the whole investment thesis, how “accidental investors” may need to think more intentionally, and why good financial advice often means revisiting the plan as the rules change.

They also break down why popular calculators can spit out wildly different answers, how spouse super contributions, co-contributions and splitting actually work, and the rule details that can catch people trying to do the right thing. Finally, they unpack inheritance planning and why gifting or restructuring property too early can create tax, Centrelink and family complications that are easy to underestimate. If you want calm, plain-English guidance on property, super and estate questions in a messy policy environment, this is a strong episode to queue next.

Correction: This episode has been updated to reflect the correct 2025/26 government co-contribution income thresholds. An earlier version incorrectly referenced the 2026/27 thresholds. The audio has now been amended and all information in the current version is accurate for the 2025/26 financial year.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View Betashares range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask is joined by Cameron Gleeson from Betashares for a practical challenge: if you could only use three ETFs for your whole portfolio, which ones would you choose — and why?

Rather than keeping it theoretical, they build two example portfolios from the ground up. The first is for a 34-year-old couple with young kids, a $50,000 portfolio and $1,000 a month to invest. The second is for a 54-year-old couple moving towards retirement, with part of their wealth outside super and a growing need for flexibility, stability and income.

Along the way, Owen and Cameron unpack how to think about diversification, asset allocation, risk tolerance, income versus growth, and why the right ETF mix changes with your stage of life. They also dig into some of the biggest mistakes investors make with ETFs, including chasing past performance, misunderstanding what is actually inside a fund, and focusing on yield without understanding the trade-offs.

The episode covers passive income, covered calls, credit and fixed income, and the role simple portfolio construction can play for Australians who want to invest with more clarity and less complexity. If you want a practical framework for choosing ETFs and building a portfolio that actually fits your goals, this episode is a strong place to start.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View Betashares range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell sits down with website investor and digital business educator Matt Raad to explore a different way Australians can think about building wealth. Instead of focusing only on shares, property or super, Matt explains why websites and online businesses can behave like investable assets when they are bought carefully and run well.

They unpack what makes a digital business attractive, how buyers should think about traffic, earnings and risk, and why due diligence matters before handing over a dollar. The conversation also explores the appeal of semi-passive income, the role of digital assets in a broader wealth plan, and the mindset shift required if you want to treat a website like a real business rather than a quick flip.

If you have ever wondered whether buying an online business could become a side hustle, future income stream or long-term wealth strategy, this episode is a practical place to start. Matt shares the kinds of opportunities people overlook, the mistakes beginners can make, and why patience, process and clear thinking matter just as much online as they do in any other investment market.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View Betashares range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell answer listener questions and give an update on the Finders Keepers $10,000 Challenge.

They cover:

– Managing money fairly in blended families

– Whether weekly mortgage repayments actually save interest

– How offset accounts change the equation

– When it makes sense to consolidate super funds

– The differences between AustralianSuper and REST

– What a condition of release really means for super access

– Whether a statutory declaration is enough to access your super legally

If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights.

Topics covered

– Finders Keepers $10,000 Challenge update

– Managing money in blended families

– What’s “fair” when children aren’t biologically shared

– Shared expenses vs separate expenses in relationships

– Weekly vs monthly mortgage repayments explained

– How interest is calculated on home loans

– Offset accounts and repayment frequency

– Should you consolidate old super funds?

– Comparing AustralianSuper and REST

– Fees, insurance & investment options in super

– What is a condition of release?

– Can you access super with a statutory declaration?

– How super funds verify eligibility for release

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View Betashares range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Navarre Trousselot, founder of Navexa, to unpack why the proposed 2026 Federal Budget tax changes could make ETF record-keeping and capital gains reporting much messier for everyday investors. Instead of glossing over the hard bits, they walk through how capital gains tax works in Australia, why parcel selection matters, and why ATO pre-fill can give ETF investors a false sense of security.

Navarre explains the trap most ETF investors miss: annual cost base adjustments. If you have been dollar-cost averaging into ETFs for years, every member statement can change the cost base of earlier parcels, which means your future CGT calculation is probably more complicated than you think. Owen and Navarre also explore how tools like Navexa can model rebalancing decisions, compare FIFO with lower-gain methods, and estimate the tax impact before you sell.

They also discuss what the mooted post-July 2027 rules could mean in practice, why better records may become non-negotiable, and how investors can avoid handing extra money to the ATO just because their admin is a mess. If you own ETFs, buy shares regularly, or expect to rebalance in the years ahead, this is a practical episode worth hearing before tax time gets even trickier.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View Betashares range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell are joined by money systems expert Andrew Fisher for Episode 3 of the Christian Hull Hot Money Mess series.

After unpacking Christian’s money story and coaching framework, this episode dives into the power of data and why understanding your numbers can completely change how you feel about money.

Because whether you feel like a total money mess or think you’ve got things mostly sorted, confidence with money starts by understanding what’s actually happening behind the scenes.

They cover:

– Why data helps turn money goals into momentum

– Christian Hull’s $2 million tiny home goal and how to track it

– Why spreadsheets aren’t for everyone (and what works instead)

– The power of monthly money check-ins

– Why net worth matters more than your bank balance

– How seeing the full picture changes behaviour

– Using financial dashboards to stay motivated and on track

– How to model big life decisions before they happen

– Why “can I afford it?” is the wrong question to ask

– Finding hidden spending leaks without tracking every dollar forever

– How better spending categories can reveal surprising habits

– The simple systems that make managing money easier

Download your workbook here

If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode on money systems, spending habits and building financial confidence, you’ll love the full Hot Money Mess series. Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights.

– Recap: Christian Hull’s Hot Money Mess journey so far

– Meet Andrew Fisher: money systems, behaviour and financial data

– Christian’s $2 million tiny home goal and building a money dashboard around real outcomes

– Why visual tracking makes big goals feel real and achievable

– Monthly money check-ins: the habit that matters most

– Why motivation disappears when progress feels invisible

– Net worth tracking: why it matters (even if you don’t feel wealthy)

– Seeing the full financial picture, not just fragments

– How dashboards can shift behaviour and reduce money stress

– Modelling major life decisions before they happen

– Why loan approval doesn’t always equal affordability

– Forecasting cash flow and stress-testing decisions

– Spending leaks: the hidden categories quietly costing you money

– Why categories tell stories about your habits

– How better budgeting categories lead to better decisions

– Practical ways to track problem spending without overwhelm

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View Betashares range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell answer your end-of-financial-year tax questions and put Owen to the test with an ETF pop quiz challenge.

They cover:

– How tax works when you’re self-employed

– When and how much tax sole traders need to pay

– The difference between tax deductions and tax offsets

– How spouse super contributions can reduce your tax

– Why some property investors receive huge tax refunds

– Whether PAYG withholding variations can improve your cash flow

– Owen’s ETF guessing challenge using minimal clues

Topics Covered

– EOFY tax prep for Australians

– Tax basics for self-employed people

– How taxable income is calculated

– When sole traders pay tax

– PAYG instalments explained

– Tax deductions vs tax offsets

– Common misconceptions about deductions

– Spouse contributions to superannuation

– Super contribution tax offsets

– Negative gearing and tax refunds

– PAYG withholding variations for investors

– Managing cash flow throughout the year

– ETF pop quiz challenge with Owen

– Guessing ETFs from minimal clues

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View Betashares range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is one of the biggest investing themes in markets right now, but the smarter question is not just whether OpenAI, Anthropic or Nvidia win. It is who else makes money when AI demand explodes.

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Cameron Gleeson from Betashares to unpack the AI supply chain from hyperscalers, semiconductors and cloud infrastructure through to copper, energy, uranium and the broader commodities complex needed to build and power data centres.

They discuss whether AI already looks like a bubble, who is making the money across the hardware, cloud and application layers, and why listed-market investors may need to think beyond the obvious names. The conversation also explores ETFs such as NDQ, ASIA, XMET, FUEL, QAU and MNRS, plus the case for a barbell portfolio that blends technology exposure with hard assets.

If you want a practical, non-hype guide to investing in AI beyond the chatbot headlines, this episode is a strong place to start.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Hugh Lam from Betashares to build a six-ETF watchlist for investors chasing passive income without sleepwalking into yield traps. Rather than treating income as a race to the highest percentage, they step through where ETF income actually comes from, why total return still matters, and how to think about blending shares, bonds, credit and cash inside one portfolio.

Hugh brings three Betashares ideas to the table: ROYL for global royalties, INCM for global dividend-paying companies, and ECRD for enhanced credit income. Owen counters with HYLD for Australian dividend and momentum exposure, GGOV for long-duration US Treasuries, and MMKT for money-market cash exposure. Along the way, they explain why a 7% yield is not automatically better than 4%, how rebalances and capital gains can distort payout figures, and why investors need to look under the hood before buying any income ETF.

The conversation also unpacks the trade-offs that matter most in 2026: dividend traps, duration risk, leverage inside credit products, and the role cash-like ETFs can play when markets get jumpy. If you want a practical framework for researching passive-income ETFs, comparing yield with quality, and building a more resilient portfolio, this episode is a strong place to start.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View Betashares range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

Rask resources

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices