The Property Couch

Most people don't avoid insurance because they think it's bad. They avoid it because they'll "get around to it later."

In this episode of Friday Fundamentals, Shane sits down with insurance specialist Don Glendinning to bust some of the biggest myths surrounding life insurance, income protection and personal cover.

They unpack why so many Australians delay getting insurance, what can happen when unexpected events strike, and why even basic cover can be better than having none at all.

Whether you're buying a home, starting a family, building wealth, or simply trying to protect your future, this conversation will help you understand why insurance is a key part of any financial plan.

In this episode:

✅ Why people keep delaying insurance decisions
✅ The risks of relying on luck and good health
✅ What income protection actually does
✅ Insurance through super vs personal cover
✅ Why financial advisers play a critical role
✅ Common misconceptions about insurance costs
✅ The importance of reviewing your cover before major life events

If you've ever thought "I'll sort that out later", this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

🏡 Thinking About Buying A Home?

Check out PRE-Purchase, our free 10-part video series designed to help Australians buy property with greater confidence.

From creating a property brief through to auctions, negotiations and settlement, each episode tackles a key stage of the buying journey.

🎥 https://thepropertycouch.com.au/prepurchase

⌛Timestamps

00:00 Why insurance can't always wait
00:25 Introduction to the insurance myth
00:58 The "I'll get around to it later" mindset
01:31 Real stories of insurance regrets
02:25 What happens when income suddenly stops?
02:56 Understanding income protection
03:41 The backup plan most people overlook
03:49 Why you should review your cover today
04:51 Major life events and insurance timing
05:05 Is insurance really too expensive?
06:23 Insurance through advisers, super and direct providers
07:10 Why super insurance may not be enough
08:24 Australia's underinsurance problem
09:08 Industry changes and fewer advisers
09:55 Why professional advice matters
10:04 Pre-Purchase podcast update

#Insurance #LifeInsurance #IncomeProtection #FinancialPlanning #PersonalFinance #MoneyTips #FinancialAdvice #FridayFundamentals #WealthBuilding #PropertyCouch

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
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👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
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What if the property that solves your cash-flow problem today creates a much bigger problem tomorrow?  🚨 

With property investors reassessing their next move, high-yield apartments and commercial property are attracting attention. But behind the attractive numbers, are buyers asking enough questions about asset quality, vacancy risk and who will eventually buy the property from them? 

In Episode 620, Lachlan Delahunty from Follio returns to join Ben for a post-budget follow-discussion in Episode 601. 

🔍 They unpack the risks emerging as investors chase yield, why some regional property owners could struggle to find an exit buyer, and how to review your existing portfolio before committing to another purchase. 

📍 Then it’s around the grounds for Melbourne, Sydney and Perth: where Lachlan sees opportunity, where he believes patience is needed, and what could help confidence return. 

Listen now!  

FREE STUFF MENTIONED

• 🎟️ FREE WEBINAR: Where Does Your Money Go?
  7:30pm AEDT, Tuesday 27 October
  Find more money, keep more money and turn spare cash into financial progress with Ben’s practical household finance tips. 👉  Register free >>  
• 🏡 FREE PRE-PURCHASE SERIES: Get Ready Before You Buy
  Thinking of buying? Join Shane and Ben Thompson for practical preparation tips from both sides of the property transaction. 👉 Watch the series >>  
• 📊 FREE PROPERTY REPORTS: Look Beyond the Headlines
  Before choosing your next location, dig into the data. Explore Moorr’s free property reports to make a more informed decision.
  👉 Download your free property reports
• 🏘️ CONNECT WITH LACHLAN & FOLLIO
  Find out more about Lachlan and the Follio team.👉 https://follio.com.au/ 
• 🎙️ REVISIT EPISODE 601: Lachlan’s Previous Appearance
  Go back to Ben and Lachlan’s post-budget conversation for the context behind this week’s follow-up.👉  https://thepropertycouch.com.au/ep-601-lachlan-delahunty/ 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
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Ask most people what financial freedom looks like and you’ll get a number. A portfolio size, a passive income figure, a date on the calendar.

Michael Kemp answers it with three words instead: friends, family, freedom.

In this week’s Throwback Tuesday snippet, Michael (author of The Ulysses Contract) explains why he sees money as a pool of capital rather than simply a way to buy things... and why the goal is to live off the harvest, not the farm itself.

Plus: the 2,300-year-old Greek philosopher who was thinking about these same ideas, his mother’s lesson about why owning more makes life more complicated, and the Buffett principle he still holds onto.

📖 What Financial Freedom Actually Looks Like
🎧 Listen to the original episode
📗 How to Retire on $3,000 a Week

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
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If a property reaches its advertised reserve price... doesn't it have to sell?

Surprisingly, no.

In this week's FUNdamental Friday, Shane Pope is joined by veteran auctioneer Glen Coutinho to unpack Victoria's recent auction rule changes and explain why they may be creating more confusion rather than clarity.

They discuss:

✅ What happens when a reserve price is published
✅ Whether a vendor is actually required to sell
✅ Why buyers may be misunderstanding the new rules
✅ How auctions are changing in response to the legislation
✅ Why some properties may still sell below their advertised reserve
✅ The opportunities that confusion can create for prepared buyers

Because in today's market, not understanding the rules could mean missing the right property altogether.

🏡 Thinking About Buying A Home?

Check out PRE-Purchase, our free 10-part video series designed to help Australians navigate the buying journey with confidence.

From creating a property brief and researching suburbs through to negotiations, auctions and settlement, each episode tackles a key stage of the purchasing process.

🎥 Watch now:
 https://thepropertycouch.com.au/prepurchase

⌛Timestamps
0:00 Has the new legislation made auctions harder?
0:24 Why Shane is frustrated
1:11 The reserve price question
1:16 Does a vendor have to sell?
1:53 Why the legislation creates confusion
2:14 Has the policy achieved its goal?
2:34 Alternative selling methods emerge
2:50 Why expressions of interest are increasing
3:14 Why buyers may miss opportunities
3:31 Shane's advice to buyers
4:01 The buyer's agent question
4:20 The key clue buyers miss
4:47 Why you should still attend auctions
5:04 Opportunity in a confusing market
5:23 Some of the best buying opportunities
5:58 PRE-Purchase success stories

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

Some properties keep attracting buyers. Others need a discount to get their attention. 

What separates the two? Is it the renovation? The suburb? The school around the corner? Or could moving just one street over change what you’re really buying? 

This week, Glen Coutinho, RT Edgar Sales Manager, returns to The Property Couch almost a decade after his first appearance, joining Ben Kingsley and Shane Pope to unpack the lessons that come from 40 years in real estate. 

From Melbourne to Beverly Hills and back, Glen has built his career in what he calls “the rejection business”. Along the way, he’s learned how to spot buyer mistakes, build relationships with competitors, and recognise the properties people keep coming back for. 

Tune in for an episode jam-packed with wisdom! 

FREE STUFF MENTIONED

• 🎟️ FREE WEBINAR: Where Does Your Money Go?
  7:30pm AEDT, Tuesday 27 October
  Find more money, keep more money and turn spare cash into financial progress with Ben’s practical household finance tips.
  👉  Register free today
• 🎧 FREE PRE-PURCHASE SERIES: Prepare, Research & Execute
  Don’t let your first lesson come after you’ve signed. Get prepared for the research, decisions and negotiations ahead.
  👉 Get ready to buy >> 
• 🌳 FREE INFOGRAPHIC: What Makes Some Locations Outperform?
  Love the house? Take a closer look at the land. Explore Ben’s framework for understanding what drives location value over time.
  👉 Explore the Land Value Framework >> 
• 🎙️ FINAL SUMMER SERIES CALL-OUT: Someone Could Learn From Your Story
  The turning point. The tough lesson. The years of staying the course. Your experience could help another listener find their way.
  👉 Share your story >> 
• 🤝 CONNECT WITH GLEN COUTINHO 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

You get paid. You’re careful. You don’t do anything extravagant. Then a week later, you check your bank account and think… where did it all go?!

In this week’s Throwback Tuesday snippet, Ben and Bryce unpack the idea of slippage (the small, everyday spending that quietly adds up...) and explain why the answer isn’t necessarily more willpower.

📖 How to Stop Money Slipping Through Your Fingers
🎧 Listen to the original episode
📗 Get Make Money Simple Again free

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

Is owning more investment properties always better?

Not necessarily.

In this week's FUNdamental Friday, Ben Kingsley sits down with Lachlan Delhunty from The Folio Group to discuss one of the biggest misconceptions in property investing:

The belief that more properties automatically means more wealth.

Lachlan shares a real-world example of an investor who accumulated 12 properties across four years, only to discover the portfolio wasn't producing the results they expected.

They discuss:

✅ Quality vs quantity in property investing
✅ Why equity matters more than property count
✅ The risks of aggressive portfolio building
✅ Negative equity and misleading valuations
✅ Why exit strategies matter
✅ The dangers of investor-only markets
✅ Interest rates, cash flow buffers and risk management

Because property investing isn't about collecting houses.

It's about building wealth.

🏡 Thinking About Buying A Home?

Check out PRE-Purchase, our free 10-part video series designed to help Australians buy property with greater confidence.

From creating a property brief through to auctions, negotiations and settlement, each episode tackles a key stage of the buying journey.

🎥 https://thepropertycouch.com.au/prepurchase

🕧Timestamps
0:00 One investor's 12-property mistake
0:17 Quality vs quantity
1:15 The real cost of a 12-property portfolio
1:54 PRE-Purchase Series
2:37 Why more properties aren't always better
3:13 The "quick 60k" property myth
3:32 When investors need to sell
3:52 Why quality assets matter
4:14 Negative equity risks
4:46 Property portfolio comparison culture
5:07 When the music stops
5:49 The danger of groupthink
6:06 Risks investors ignore
6:24 Stress testing interest rates
6:44 Why some modelling is flawed
7:05 Cash flow, vacancies and risk
7:30 The tide is going out
8:13 Forced sellers explained
8:32 The long-term property investing formula

#PropertyInvesting #PropertyMarket #ThePropertyCouch

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

Your biggest asset may not be your home or property portfolio. It could be your ability to keep earning an income. But what happens to everything you’ve built if illness, injury or death suddenly takes that income away? 

In Episode 618 of The Property Couch, Ben is joined by Chemere Brown, Head of Financial Planning at Empower Wealth, and Don Glendinning, Regional Sales Manager at NEOS, to unpack the personal insurance safety net behind your wealth plan. 

Through real-life claim stories, they explore: 

• 🏠 Whether your family could keep the home and investment properties without your income 
• 🛡️ What life, TPD, critical illness and income protection actually cover 
• 💰 Why default insurance through super may not be enough 
• 📉 The danger of cutting cover when household budgets are already stretched 
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Why both partners may need protection—even when one earns significantly less 
• 🩺 How underwriting and disclosure affect future claims 
• 🔄 When your insurance should be reviewed as your life, debt and portfolio change 

You’ll also hear how one melanoma led to a $317,000 payout, why some Australians may be entitled to claim without realising it, and how the right protection can give a family choices at the moment they need them most. 

Because building wealth is only half the plan. You also need to protect it. 

FREE STUFF MENTIONED

🛡️ FREE 2-Minute Insurance Health Check
Could your family maintain its lifestyle and keep its properties if your income stopped? Work through the checklist and identify areas worth reviewing.
👉 Take the quiz now! 

🏡 BONUS Case Study: Existing Investors
See what happens when existing investors buy again under different negative gearing rules...and where their cash and offsets should sit for the strongest outcome.
Use code COUCH17 to access the complete series for just $17 (RRP $197). 
👉 Start watching the series now 

📞 Complimentary Insurance Review
Unsure whether your current cover still reflects your income, debts, family and financial goals? Speak with an Empower Wealth specialist to understand your current position and any potential protection gaps.
👉 Book a complimentary review 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

Victoria has introduced major changes to the way residential properties are sold, including new reserve price rules for auctions and fixed-date sales. But will the reforms actually make things easier for buyers?

In this breaking news episode, Ben Kingsley is joined by Couch Crew regular Ben Thompson (qualified property investment adviser by day and licensed auctioneer on weekends) to unpack the new rules and the unintended consequences buyers need to know about. 

📖 Read our full breakdown
🎥 Watch PRE-Purchase, our free 10-part “How to Buy a Home” series
🤝 Book a free buyer's agent consultation with Empower Wealth
📋 Official Consumer Affairs Victoria guidance

Timestamps
0:00 Why Victoria is changing the rules 
1:22 Understanding property price discovery 
5:17 What underquoting actually means 
6:35 The new reserve price disclosure rules 
9:26 The new Property Price Statement explained 
13:05 Rejected above reserve? What buyers should understand 
15:39 Why reserve prices may become inflated 
19:59 The hidden impact on private sales 
24:37 Who wins and loses from these reforms? 
28:14 Final thoughts and key takeaways 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

Can Australia continue funding the level of concessions, subsidies and benefits we're currently providing?

In this week's FUNdamental Friday, Ben Kingsley is joined by Evan Lucas for a thought-provoking discussion about government spending, welfare, pensions and the growing cost of supporting an ageing population.

The conversation explores whether Australia's safety net is targeted in the right places, and whether some government benefits should be better aligned with financial need.

They discuss:

✅ Age pensions and means testing
✅ Concession cards and public transport benefits
✅ The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
✅ Superannuation and retirement funding
✅ The rising cost of welfare programs
✅ Housing, retirement and financial independence
✅ Why future governments may face difficult decisions

Whether you agree or disagree, it's a conversation that challenges some widely held assumptions.

🏡 Thinking About Buying A Home?

Check out PRE-Purchase, our free 10-part video series designed to help Australians buy property with greater confidence.

From creating a property brief through to auctions, negotiations and settlement, each episode tackles a key stage of the buying journey.

🎥 https://thepropertycouch.com.au/prepurchase

⌚Timestamps
0:00 Should wealthy retirees receive benefits?
0:24 Why this debate matters
0:52 Government spending and inflation
1:43 Pensions, concessions and welfare
2:24 PRE-Purchase Series
3:07 State concessions explained
4:01 The growing cost of the PBS
5:00 Should pension income be taxed?
5:27 "I worked all my life"
6:12 Why superannuation exists
7:08 Why accessing super early is controversial
7:37 Should the family home be means tested?
8:40 The case for supporting vulnerable Australians
9:03 What is middle-class welfare?
9:29 Australia's $292 billion welfare bill
10:34 Why pensions dominate welfare spending
11:02 The promise politicians made
11:49 Revenue reforms vs spending reforms
12:53 Where should support be targeted?
13:21 Evan's final thoughts

#PersonalFinance #RetirementPlanning #Superannuation #PropertyTok #ThePropertyCouch #FUNdamentalFridays

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube