Here Comes The Money

Property prices are falling. Interest rates are high. Confidence is down. And if you believe the headlines, now might seem like the worst possible time to invest.

But is that actually what the numbers are telling us?

In this episode of Here Comes the Money, Peter and Hovig break down what’s really happening in the Australian property market and why falling median property prices don’t necessarily mean the entire market is going backwards.

They discuss how median property prices can be distorted by where buying activity is occurring, why lower-priced markets may tell a very different story to the headline numbers, and why periods of uncertainty can create opportunities for long-term investors.

They also unpack:

• Why falling median prices don’t mean every property has fallen in value
• How fear and consumer confidence influence property markets
• Why supply and demand remain critical to the long-term property outlook
• The importance of looking beyond national and city-wide averages
• Why different suburbs can be at completely different stages of the property cycle
• Property vs shares and the power of leverage
• Why property should generally be approached as a long-term investment
• How borrowing capacity and changing bank lending policies can affect your opportunities
• Why waiting for the media to announce that the market has recovered could mean you’ve already missed part of the opportunity

The key message? Don’t make a major financial decision based purely on the headlines.

Understand your numbers, your borrowing capacity, your timeframe and what makes sense for your individual circumstances.

Because sometimes the periods when everyone else is sitting on the sidelines are the periods worth paying the most attention to.

General Advice Warning: The information discussed in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider seeking professional financial advice before making financial decisions.

What does it really mean to be “conservative” with your money — and could playing it too safe actually cost you more in the long run?

In Episode 19 of Here Comes the Money, Peter Kaleski and Hovig Evanian explore the hidden cost of financial inaction and why simply focusing on paying off your home may not be enough to prepare for retirement.

They discuss the importance of understanding your complete financial position, including how your savings are structured, the potential role of an offset account, maintaining appropriate liquidity and safety buffers, and balancing mortgage reduction with longer-term investing.

Using a client scenario involving a $500,000 mortgage and $100,000 in savings, Peter and Hovig show how seemingly small financial decisions can have a much larger impact when compounded over time. 

HCTM - EPISODE 19 - FULL EPISODE.txt

They also explore the difference between risk and volatility, the importance of time when investing, and why being financially conservative doesn’t necessarily have to mean doing nothing. 

HCTM - EPISODE 19 - FULL EPISODE.txt

In this episode:

• The hidden cost of financial inaction
• Why paying off your mortgage may not be the only goal
• Offset accounts vs term deposits
• Building appropriate cash and liquidity buffers
• Balancing debt reduction with investing
• Risk vs volatility
• The importance of time when building wealth
• Preparing for the lifestyle you want in retirement

Learn more about SmartMoney:
smartmoneygroup.com.au

Important Information

All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information.

SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741), a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533), the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846.

Australia’s Capital Gains Tax changes have become one of the biggest talking points for investors, property owners and small business owners.

In this episode of Here Comes The Money, Hovig and Peter break down how Capital Gains Tax works, discuss the changes, and explain what they could mean for everyday Australians looking to build wealth.

They cover:

• How Capital Gains Tax works
• The changes to the CGT rules
• The impact on property investors, ETF investors and small business owners
• Whether the changes should alter your long-term investment strategy
• Why making informed financial decisions is more important than reacting to headlines

Please note: This episode was recorded before the legislation was passed, so parts of the discussion refer to the changes as proposed at the time of recording. The core concepts and investment principles discussed remain relevant.

General Advice Warning: The information discussed in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any financial decisions, consider seeking professional advice to determine what is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

Everyone’s talking about interest rates—but should they really be driving your financial decisions?

In Episode 17 of Here Comes The Money, Peter and Harvey break down what the current interest rate environment means for Australians, why consumer confidence matters just as much as the cash rate, and why waiting for the “perfect time” could cost you more than acting today.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Where interest rates could be heading
• Why headlines don’t always tell the full story
• The impact of rates on property prices and borrowing capacity
• How to avoid paying the bank’s “loyalty tax”
• Why refinancing is about more than just chasing the lowest rate
• How to build a financial strategy that works regardless of market conditions

If you’re wondering whether to refinance, invest, or simply want to understand what’s really happening in today’s economy, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to follow the podcast for more practical conversations about building long-term wealth.

General Advice Warning

The information discussed in this podcast is general information only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on anything discussed, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and seek professional financial advice. Investing and borrowing involve risks, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

In Episode 16 of Here Comes The Money, Peter Kaleski and Daniel break down the latest negative gearing changes, what they actually mean for investors, and why the media headlines may not tell the full story.

They unpack:

• What negative gearing actually is
• How the proposed changes may impact property prices and rental supply
• Why supply and demand still drives the market
• The potential effects on first home buyers and investors
• Property cycles, interest rates, and market uncertainty
• Why long-term strategy matters more than short-term noise

If you’ve been confused by the budget announcements, property market commentary, or constant media fear campaigns — this episode helps simplify the conversation and explain what may really happen moving forward.

General Advice Warning:
All strategies and information discussed in this podcast are general advice only and do not take into consideration your personal circumstances, objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before acting on any information, you should seek personal financial and taxation advice from a qualified professional.

Contact SmartMoney Wealth Management:
🌐 smartmoneygroup.com.au
📧 [email protected]

#PropertyInvestment #NegativeGearing #AustralianProperty #FinancePodcast #SmartMoney #PropertyMarket #WealthCreation #InterestRates #InvestingAustralia

Most Australians are flying blind with their finances — paying too much tax, stuck in a 30-year mortgage, and heading toward retirement with a gap they don't even know exists.

In this episode, Peter and Hobby pull back the curtain on the exact tools SmartMoney uses with every client to turn confusion into clarity — and inaction into results.

You'll discover:

• The one repayment switch that saves 5 years and $133,000 in interest — without paying a cent more
• How an extra $100 a week could cut nearly 7 years off your mortgage
• Why throwing money at your home loan might actually be slowing you down
• The debt recycling strategy that took one client's 30-year mortgage down to 12
• The retirement shortfall tool that finally connects the dots — and makes people act

Plus, a real client win: Cheryl's investment portfolio grew by $820,000 in a single year — built safely, step by step, over six years.

Want the tools sent straight to your inbox? Reach out to the SmartMoney team and we'll send them through.

General information only. Not personal financial advice. Please seek advice tailored to your situation.

Is setting up a Self-Managed Super Fund really the smart move… or can trying to save money upfront end up costing you much more in the long run?

In this episode of Here Comes The Money, Hovig and Peter unpack one of the biggest traps they continue to see: Australians trying to go down the DIY path with Self-Managed Super Funds and financial planning. While SMSFs can be an incredibly powerful strategy when structured correctly, there are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes that people often don’t see.

From lending structures and bare trusts to contribution caps, insurance pitfalls, liquidity requirements and compliance obligations, one small mistake can create major consequences down the track.

Throughout the episode, Hovig and Peter explain why simply setting up an SMSF isn’t the goal — setting it up properly is.

Topics discussed include:

• Why cheap or “$0 setup” SMSF offers aren’t always what they seem
 • The risks of getting structures wrong
 • Common mistakes people make trying to DIY their finances
 • Insurance issues many Australians accidentally overlook
 • Why balance size and income matter more than people think
 • Real client examples and lessons learned

All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance.

Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846.
Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of Here comes the Money, Peter and Hovig dive into the hot-button topic of Capital Gains Tax (CGT)and why it’s currently dominating political headlines. With a $56 billion deficit to plug, the guys break down whether the government is serious about changing the rules or just looking for a distraction from rising interest rates.

All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance.

Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846.
Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

The Real Cost of Your Car Repayment

Why “normal” car loans delay wealth more than people realise

In Episode 12 of Here Comes the Money, Peter and Hovig unpack one of the most common — and least questioned — financial decisions Australians make:
car repayments.

With car loans and vehicle leases now considered “normal” household expenses, this episode breaks down what those repayments are really costing you over time — and why they often prevent people from ever creating surplus, investing consistently, or getting ahead financially.

In this episode, they cover:

• The real long-term cost of car loans and vehicle leases
• Why people underestimate what car repayments cost them over time
• How “normal” lifestyle decisions quietly delay wealth creation
• Why spending first and trying to invest later almost never works
• The behavioural trap of upgrading lifestyle before building assets
• A simple money rule Hovig teaches his kids
• Why investing first removes reliance on willpower
• How letting investments fund lifestyle changes long-term outcomes

They also share real-world examples and conversations showing how car repayments don’t just impact cashflow — they shape behaviour, limit opportunity, and keep people stuck in “normal” financial patterns.

This episode is essential listening for anyone who:

• Has a car loan or vehicle lease
• Feels like they earn good money but have little left over
• Wants to invest but struggles to create surplus
• Has never questioned the true cost of lifestyle debt
• Wants practical, real-world financial insight — not theory

📩 Have a question you want answered on the show?
Email [email protected]

All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance.

Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846.
Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

In Episode 11 of Here Comes the Money, Peter and Hovig dive deep into financial leverage and explain why borrowing, when used correctly, can be one of the most powerful tools for wealth creation.

Using clear, simple examples, they compare:
• Investing $100,000 without leverage
• Investing the same $100,000 with borrowed funds
• The compounding impact over 10 and 20 years
• Why leverage can turn modest growth into life-changing outcomes

They also cover:
• The psychological fear of debt and why it holds people back
• Property vs shares and volatility differences
• How income and tax benefits can offset borrowing costs
• Why leverage is about discipline — not speculation
• Real client wins achieved through long-term strategy

All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance.

Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846.
Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.