Money Mechanics with Scott Malcolm

With fewer than 100 days left in the year, money starts moving fast. Christmas, school holidays, travel, end-of-year catch-ups and January bills can all land at once. Scott and Ara share a practical way to finish the year with more intention and less financial stress.

In this episode:

• Why the end of the year is a pressure point for money

• Why you should look at your calendar before you set a budget

• Building a full festive-season spending plan, not just a gift list

• Planning for holidays and travel without the January hangover

• Managing social pressure and learning to say no kindly

• Checking subscriptions, debt and cash flow before the new year

• Setting yourself up for a calmer January

Key takeaway: Keep the joy, reduce the regret, and spend on what matters most to you.

 

 

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.

 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we record and listen today, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

We recognise the continuing connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to Country, community, culture and knowledge.

We also acknowledge that long before colonial settlement, First Nations peoples maintained sophisticated systems of trade, exchange, reciprocity and resource sharing across this continent.

As we talk about money and financial wellbeing, we recognise that economic life on this land has deep roots in the world’s oldest continuing cultures.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Money Mechanics, Scott and Ara explore the beliefs, memories, emotions and family messages that shape the way we earn, spend, save, invest and talk about money. From childhood phrases like “money doesn’t grow on trees” to adult patterns around guilt, fear, security, success and enough, this episode looks at how our money stories quietly influence our decisions.

Rather than blaming the past, this conversation invites you to get curious about it. What did your money story teach you? What parts are still useful? And what are you ready to update?

A thoughtful episode for anyone wanting to better understand their financial behaviour and write a more intentional next chapter.

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.

 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we record and listen today, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

We recognise the continuing connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to Country, community, culture and knowledge.

We also acknowledge that long before colonial settlement, First Nations peoples maintained sophisticated systems of trade, exchange, reciprocity and resource sharing across this continent.

As we talk about money and financial wellbeing, we recognise that economic life on this land has deep roots in the world’s oldest continuing cultures.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tax can feel deeply personal, especially when it comes out of your pay, shows up in the price of what you buy, or applies when an investment makes a gain.

In this episode of Money Mechanics, Scott and Ara unpack why tax exists, what it helps fund, and how it fits into a functioning civil society. They explore the difference between tax as a cost and tax as a contribution, why Australia may feel highly taxed even though it is not at the top of OECD comparisons, and why being tax-aware is very different from being tax-obsessed.

This is a practical, balanced conversation about understanding the system, claiming what you are legally entitled to, and making strong financial decisions based on your long-term after-tax outcome.

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re talking about something retirement plans often miss: the people, purpose and sense of belonging that make life after work feel rich in every sense of the word.

 

Joining us are two wonderful guests bringing this human side of retirement into sharp focus: Phil McAuliffe from Humans:Connecting, whose work explores loneliness, belonging and relational infrastructure, and Tatia Power from Inclusee, who helps older Australians build confidence, connection and participation.

 

We talked about 21 November.  Australians are invited to take part in Say G’day Day – a simple, powerful reminder that connection starts with a hello.

This grassroots movement encourages individuals, organisations, and communities to prioritise social connection as a vital part of good health.

Started by Inclusee, Say G’day Day is Australia’s local expression of the global event World Hello Day, which has been celebrated in over 180 countries since 1973. The idea is simple: greet ten people to show the power of personal communication in building peace and connection.

 

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Unpacking Money, Scott Malcolm and co-host Ara Jansen unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning in Australia: the Age Pension. Rather than treating it as an all-or-nothing entitlement, they explore how the Age Pension can fit as one layer within a broader retirement income framework alongside superannuation, savings, investments and lifestyle goals.

 

Scott and Ara break down the key moving parts, including eligibility, income and assets testing, deeming rules, the different treatment of the family home, and why part-pension access can still be valuable. They also discuss why financial decisions should not be made purely to maximise Centrelink outcomes, and how a calm, values-based plan can help retirees feel more informed and prepared.

 

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the Age Pension is not simply “yes” or “no”
• How the income test and assets test can affect pension entitlement
• Why deeming rules matter for savings, shares and super-related assets
• How housing, asset mix and lifestyle needs can change retirement outcomes
• Why retirement income planning should start with your goals, not just the rules

 

Resources and Calculators:

https://moneysmart.gov.au/retirement-income-sources/age-pension-and-government-benefits

https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator

 

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Unpacking Money, Scott Malcolm and Ara Jansen explore how winter can quietly reshape household spending. From delivery fees, online shopping and takeaway coffees to heating bills, subscriptions and travel daydreams, they unpack the “convenience tax” that can creep into everyday cashflow.

The conversation focuses on practical, low-pressure ways to notice spending patterns, set a weekly convenience cap, build a winter bills buffer and redirect small savings toward goals such as debt reduction, emergency funds, investing or a future holiday. It is not about removing comfort; it is about choosing the comforts that genuinely support the life you want.

 

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Unpacking Money, Scott Malcolm and Ara Jansen unpack what the post-Budget 2026 SMSF and LRBA conversation may mean for Australians considering property inside super.

We will slow down the headlines, explain why limited recourse borrowing arrangements require careful review, and explore the practical questions trustees should ask before establishing, refinancing, restructuring, or exiting an SMSF property strategy.

From residential property restrictions and business real property considerations to liquidity, cashflow, compliance and retirement purpose, this episode is a calm reminder that big financial decisions should be strategy-led, documented, and supported by personalised specialist advice.

 

Resources and Calculators:

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/self-managed-super-funds-smsf

 

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Unpacking Money, Scott Malcolm and co-host Ara Jansen use the start of the new financial year as a practical reset point for your money life. Rather than treating 1 July as just a tax year, they unpack how to review what changed over the past year, reconnect your financial choices with your values, and create a simple framework for better money decisions in the year ahead.

 

You’ll hear how to build a one-page money framework, use a values filter before making financial decisions, identify the habits that helped or held you back, and choose one practical action that can make your financial year feel calmer and clearer.

 

This conversation is for anyone who starts the financial year with good intentions but wants a plan that actually sticks — one that supports security, freedom, family, contribution, adventure, or whatever matters most to you.

 

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we demystify recession by separating economic headlines from household reality and focusing on what listeners can actually control. We explore what recessions are, how they typically affect jobs, markets, borrowing, and confidence, and why thoughtful planning around emergency savings, debt, and investing matters far more than panic-driven decisions.

 

Demystify recessions, cut through media fear, and empower listeners to focus on what they can control financially.

 

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we unpack what redundancy really means, how it affects people emotionally and financially, and the practical steps to take when work suddenly changes. With some focus on public sector employees, we explore genuine redundancy, voluntary redundancies, redeployment rights, and how to make calm, confident decisions about cash flow, debt, and super during a period of uncertainty.

 

Beyond Blue Link:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/work/job-loss

Money Smart Links:

https://moneysmart.gov.au/work-and-tax/losing-your-job

 

Thanks for listening!  We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!

 

Check out more about us here:

www.moneymechanics.com.au

www.scottmalcolm.com.au

Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here.

 

Follow and like us on socials:

Instagram: @moneymechanics

Twitter: @moneymechanics

 

Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523

 

General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. 

 

Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.  Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.  Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance.  Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.