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Part two gets spicy. We break down the four stages of the property cycle (recovery, boom, cool-off, slump), why interest rates and prices move like a seesaw, how different countries can be in totally different seasons, and the biggie: your time horizon (think 7-10 years) matters more than crystal-ball timing. You’ll learn how to spot where your market is, when using equity makes sense (and when leverage can bite), and why personal finances beat FOMO every time. Expect practical insights on how interest rates, human behaviour, and timing shape the market - plus the kind of friendly arguing that somehow makes economics feel like reality TV.

🔔 We’ve made you a FREE handy little Property Cycle PDF - it’s got all the key takeaways, tips, and what to watch for in the market. It’s totally free, grab it here.

We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ, whose Home Loan Partners understand that no two journeys to home ownership are the same. With expert guidance, backed by BNZ’s research team, they’re here to help you make sense of interest rates, affordability, and timing - so you can navigate your property journey with confidence, no matter what stage you’re at.

👉To learn more, head here.

BNZ home loans are subject to BNZ’s lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees. An establishment fee of up to $150 may apply.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

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Chapters:

0:00 – Welcome to part two!1:09 – BNZ x The Curve1:57 – Vic’s vibrating bracelet4:04 – Our first thoughts and different approaches to property7:24 – Why it’s key to understand the stages of the property cycle14:08 – Spotting the lull in the cycle19:15 – How property cycles differ around the world24:01 – The role of FOMO in property markets25:31 – The fear of overpaying26:13 – Recap of the stages of the cycle35:16 – Grab our free PDF summary!36:07 – Final thoughts42:08 – Thanks for tuning in43:43 – Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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Happy Halloween from the trading floor (aka our studio) where Steven and Victor break down this week’s AI mayhem. We chat the $5T milestone and what chip demand really means, why a certain chatbot’s rumored mega-IPO could suck oxygen (and cash) from the room, PayPal’s new ChatGPT checkout moment, and earnings tea from Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta. Big takeaway: excitement is high, portfolios can quietly get AI-heavy, and rebalancing is your best friend: S&P 500 girlies, you’re already getting plenty of exposure. It’s educational, a little unhinged, and very watchable.

WTF Does That Mean? A Guide to All the Jargony Bits:

AI Boom - Everyone’s losing it over artificial intelligence.

Chips - The brain of AI. Not the potato kind.

IPO - A company’s first day on the stock market.

Valuation - What we think something’s worth.

Earnings Season - When companies spill their financial tea.Diversification - Don’t bet it all on one shiny stock.

Correction - The market’s hangover.

Long-Term Investor - The chill one who doesn’t panic.

Credits

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

Chapters:

0:00 - Coming Up in Today’s Episode...

0:52 - Welcome to the Trading Floor!

4:06 - The First $5 Trillion Company on the Stock Market

9:54 - How AI Companies Are All Interconnected

23:19 - OpenAI Prepares for an IPO

35:31 - PayPal x ChatGPT

37:08 - It’s Earnings Season!

41:57 - Wrap-Up

43:21 - Thanks for Listening!

44:01 - Financial Disclaimer

44:29 - Outtake

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Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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Ever wondered why the property market feels like it’s having mood swings? Soph and Vic break down the property cycle through the lens of the seasons - from the buzz of spring recovery to the chill of a winter slump - and explain how interest rates, supply, and demand shape each stage. You’ll learn how local “microclimates” impact prices, why you can’t really time the market, and how to read the signs of what’s coming next. Oh, and we’ve also designed a very professional seesaw diagram to explain the whole thing - let’s just say the art world isn’t calling. We’ll be back next month with part two, diving deeper into how long these cycles actually last, where we are right now, and what to watch for if you’re planning to buy or sell.

We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ, whose Home Loan Partners understand that the housing market moves in complex cycles and global trends. With access to economic insights, local market knowledge, and years of experience, they’re here to help you navigate your own property journey with confidence - no matter what stage you’re at.

👉To learn more, head here.

BNZ home loans are subject to BNZ’s lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees. An establishment fee of up to $150 may apply.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

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Chapters:0:00 – What’s Coming Up This Episode...1:00 – BNZ x The Curve1:49 – Welcome to the Property Series3:52 – How Market Cycles Really Work10:16 – The Property Seasons: From Summer Booms to Winter Slumps16:21 – How Property Cycles Differ Around the World26:36 – Recap: Seasons, Supply & Demand, and What Shapes the Market39:59 – Wrapping Up + See You Next Month for Part Two41:04 – A Big Thank You to BNZ!42:39 – Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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Why are fashion giants breaking up with beauty? This week, we dig into Kering’s $4B “it’s not you, it’s me” moment as it sells its beauty division to L’Oréal - and what that says about the state of luxury right now. Then we jump from catwalks to Korean skincare as Kylie Jenner’s casual TikTok shout-out turns a niche LED mask brand into a $6B sensation (seriously, one post!). There’s also gold’s not-so-glam fall (its biggest drop in a decade) and the return of meme-stock madness with Beyond Meat’s wild week on Wall Street. Plus, a sisterly lesson in latte logic, and a PSA on scams that proves: even the smartest among us can get duped.

🎧 Listen to our latest episode on Gold

🎧 ⁠Listen to our episode with Tracy Hall

Credits

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

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Chapters

0:00 – Coming up…

1:03 – Catch up & financial check-in

4:50 – Gold takes a tumble

11:48 – Beauty’s big breakup

20:17 – The return of the meme stock

29:32 – Warner Bros for sale?!

33:52 – Soph’s bonus story

39:12 – Before we go…

40:20 – Thanks for listening!

40:58 – Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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Something in the market is heating up fast - and everyone from central banks to everyday investors is taking notice. Prices have surged to record highs, headlines are everywhere, and FOMO is creeping in. In this episode, we unpack what’s driving the spike, why timing matters, and what this moment could mean for your portfolio. We’ll talk strategy, risk, and whether it’s a smart move to get involved… or sit it out. This one’s big - and moving quickly.

💡 Curious how we’d actually invest in it? Join the Curve Investing Club for our strategy and picks.

🎧 Listen to 'SARAH WILSON: Are We All F***ed? Systems Collapse Explained'

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Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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LVMH just put the champagne back on ice (in a good way) with a monster jump that hints luxury is officially out of its slump (handbags up, spirits high, clutches… still impractical). In other news, the US-China tariff tit-for-tat that spooked markets, pushed safe-haven gold even shinier, and could make your next smartphone pricier. Vic explains why volatility can be a sneaky gift for long-term investors, Strava is stretching for an IPO (run clubs, assemble), and the UK is eyeing a trim to cash ISAs to nudge more of us into investing -smart if you diversify, smarter if you don’t blindly go all-in on the FTSE. Plus, a tiny Taylor Swift sales flex and a very important programming note: should Curve Weekly land on Monday or Tuesday? Vote in the poll or leave a comment!

🎧 Watch our emergency episode on Gold ⁠here.⁠

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WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:Tariffs – A tax on imports. Governments love this drama.Trade War – Countries throwing tariffs at each other.Rare Earth Metals – Power your phone and EV.Volatility – Market mood swings. Big ups and downs.Active Management – Pros trying to beat the market.IPO – Company’s stock market debut.Market Cap – What a company’s worth.ISA – UK tax-free savings/investing account.S&P500 - Top 500 U.S. companiesFTSE 100 – Top 100 UK companies.Dollar Cost Averaging – Invest little by little, every month.ETF – A basket of shares in one.

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Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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Thinking about a “micro retirement” now instead of waiting till 65? Same - let’s put a number on that itch. In this ep, we unpack the micro-retirement trend, why burnout and non-linear life plans are pushing it, and the real money maths behind pressing pause - like how skipping a year of £500/month investing can cost ~£200k by retirement, and how saving for the break first (or eight years of missed contributions) can snowball toward seven figures in opportunity cost.

We get practical too: plan your expenses, consider renting out your place, keep investing if you can, and if one partner stays home, talk about splitting pension/retirement contributions so nobody gets financially punished for caregiving. You’ll leave with a sanity-saving checklist, a fresh respect for compounding, and permission to chase variety - just not at the expense of Future You’s nest egg.

Want the step-by-step guide we put together with Lexus on how to actually afford a big-ticket item (like a car that makes you feel as sleek as you look)? ⁠⁠Grab the free PDF ⁠⁠⁠here.

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Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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The BATMMAAN stocks are running the show - eight US giants dominating the global leaderboard while Europe quietly sips its tea in the slow lane. We unpack why the US has such a grip on the world’s biggest companies, what it says about innovation (and taxes), and where this might go next. Plus: OpenAI goes on a multi-billion chip shopping spree with Advanced Micro Devices, Japan’s new female prime minister isn’t quite the feminist icon some hoped for, and inflation is creeping back into the US while interest rates slide in New Zealand. And because we can’t resist a bit of chaos - Vic’s makeup haul, Sophie’s tragic colour-match saga, and the all-important Halloween costume vote. Leave a comment and have your say!

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

BATMMAAN Stocks – 8 US tech giants dominating the market.

S&P 500 – Top 500 US companies. Big investing benchmark.

Nikkei 225 – Japan’s S&P 500.

Tariffs – Taxes on imports = pricier stuff.

Interest Rates – Cost of borrowing money.

Inflation – Prices go up, money buys less.

Stimulus – Government spends to boost the economy.

Supply Chain – How stuff gets from A to B.

Chip Shortage – Not enough chips to meet AI demand.

Visa Hike – Making it pricier/harder to work abroad.

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Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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Gen Z gets written off as entitled and spend-happy - Maddie Borge proves otherwise. At 24, she lays out a disciplined, practical approach to money in a world where the old “degree → job → house” promise no longer holds. We discuss why renting in cities like London can be precarious, how that instability reshapes goals, and the trade-offs between owning and investing. Maddie shares the systems that actually move the needle - pay yourself first, ring-fence essentials, use high-yield savings and index funds/ISAs, audit subscriptions and day-to-day leaks, and gamify progress so it sticks. We also talk balance: enjoying small luxuries without derailing a deposit, and why building a portable career or business can be a smarter path than climbing a broken ladder. This isn’t “lazy Gen Z”; it’s thoughtful, disciplined, and quietly ambitious.

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Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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Kidulting is on the rise, and it’s not just about grown-ups buying plushies for their shelves - it’s shaping up to be a full-blown investing trend. We dive into why collectibles like Jellycats and Labubus are booming, and how to spot whether a “cute craze” could actually be a smart addition to your portfolio. From there, we get into the US government shutdown drama (and what it really means for interest rates, jobs, and your money), why investors are flocking to gold when things feel shaky, the surprising premium butter boom (yes, butter is the new luxury), and the London Stock Exchange’s fall from grace. Plus, we share a listener’s brilliant email on women buying “boring” businesses and what it would take to start one yourself. Packed with money insights, random tangents, and at least one stubbed toe story - this one’s worth the listen.

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🎧 Listen to Vic’s 'Review of ‘The Soul of Money’.

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Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.