This week's Dollar Dialogue features wealth coach Andrew Woodward who discusses a key savings trend to keep in mind for 2026 and explains why he feels the cost of living crisis is set to continue. Andrew also runs us through a money management system that everyday Aussies can implement this year. For an in-depth demonstration of how to use this system, try out Andrew's free mini course: 5 Steps to Financial FreedomIf you have any questions, comments, suggestions or feedback, send an email to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

This week Dom and Brooke discuss the concerning uptick in construction costs, the latest increases to home loan rates and whether term deposits are cool again.

Also, savings scribe Harry O'Sullivan joins to discuss his report on how many big bank bonus-rate savings account customers are failing to earn the top rate, which leads our jarheads to question the value of such products and whether they're simply an opportunity for banks to rip-off savers.

Finally, our Dollar Dialogue segment features wealth coach Andrew Woodward who discusses a key savings trend to keep in mind for in 2026 and explains why he feels the cost of living crisis is set to continue. Andrew also runs us through a money management system that everyday Aussies can implement this year. For an in-depth demonstration of how to use this system, try out Andrew's free mini course: 5 Steps to Financial Freedom.

And as always, plenty of savings tips!

If you have any questions, comments or feedback, email us at [email protected].

Bendigo Bank Chief Economist David Robertson joins Dom in the jar to explain why he feels it's 'too hasty' to expect the RBA to hike the cash rate early this year. David also shares his 2026 forecasts for inflation, the labour market, plus his thoughts on whether AI technology is the solution to Australia's flailing productivity rate.

We're back! But things have changed...

After more than three years as co-host, Harrison has hung up the microphone and tipped the last of his savings into the jar. We'll miss him dearly but thankfully we have a new permanent jarhead to take his place alongside Dom, and that's Your Mortgage Editor Brooke Cooper!

This first full episode of 2026 sees Brooke and Dom discuss the weaker-than-expected inflation results, the latest property price movements and an unexpected boost to savings account rates from a big four bank. They also sit down with savings scribe Denise Raward to discuss the big money changes of 2026.

Then we wrap up the show with our first Dollar Dialogue of the year, which features Bendigo Bank Chief Economist David Robertson, who runs us through his economic forecasts for 2026.

And of course, plenty of savings tips throughout! Enjoy the episode.

For any questions, comments or feedback, reach out to us at [email protected].

Summer Series rolls on. 2026 is set to be a big year for property with many research houses forecasting big gains in values. So, what's a first home buyer to do? Darragh Heard, founder and director of sales and marketing property at Tallpopie, explains to Brooke Cooper the challenges FHBs face now, including construction bottlenecks and actually having a series of good dwellings to choose from!

Reach out to us at [email protected]

00:39 - Savings tip - buy humbly

03:59 - FHBs in 2026

06:12 - Supply side struggles

11:21 - Demand side

13:19 - Taxes on developers

16:03 - Developers changing tack

20:18 - Repurposed sites for housing

Summer Series: In depth chats to keep you entertained and informed over the December-January lull where you don't know what day it is.

Melbourne remains an enigma in terms of property price performance. Prices are still flat in a lot of areas. Despite interest rate cuts, demand hasn't picked up too much and it remains a balanced market. Victoria is one of the only states broadly on track fulfilling its housing supply goals, and there are some ambitious densification projects going on.

Haz and savings scribe Harry sit down to digest the top suburb picks that real estate agents and property experts have identified for us.

Read Harry's article here https://www.savings.com.au/news/melbourne-suburbs-to-watch-in-2026

02:00 - Sunshine

04:21 - Footscray

07:11 - Point Cook

10:10 - Corio

11:59 - Thomastown

14:14 - Coburg

16:23 - Box Hill

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Summer series rolls on. In this episode we're talking about Darwin property. Property in the Top End has been a curious success story over the past year or so, neatly coinciding with the introduction of a $50k homeowners grant. On to discuss this and the suburbs to watch in 2026 is Belinda Tennant, the founder of Thrive Property NT.

The article about Darwin property here

https://www.savings.com.au/news/darwin-suburbs-to-watch-2026

Reach out to us at [email protected]

00:54 - Darwin CBD

02:15 - Lyons and Muirhead

03:30 - Fannie Bay

04:54 - Stuart Park, Parap, Larrakeyah, The Gardens

06:18 - Local bant

08:30 - Influence of $50k homebuyers grant

10:14 - Investors driving demand?

Summer Series continues on. Let Denise Raward's dulcet tones take you through some of the Gold Coast suburbs to watch in 2026, as marked by property experts. There's a central theme among most: Northern growth corridors. With Denise as a GC local herself, and with Haz growing up there, it's an entertaining one.

Read Denise's article with expert picks:

https://www.savings.com.au/news/gold-coast-suburbs-to-watch-2026

Reach out to us at [email protected]

01:08 - Overview

03:27 - Southport

07:18 - Labrador

09:37 - Pimpama

12:49 - Helensvale

16:30 - Biggera Waters

18:17 - Ashmore, Parkwood & Molendinar

22:20 - Miami

25:46 - Why no southern suburbs?

The first summer series kicks off! These episodes are designed to be more casual in nature over the quiet period.

In this episode Brooke and Haz sat down casually to talk about some of the biggest themes and stories of the year. From the RBA cuts to a continued pause, to the ongoing property price rebound, savings account conditions, mortgage rates under 5% - 2025 had a bit of everything.

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Experts' top savings tips wrap:

https://www.savings.com.au/news/how-can-i-financially-get-ahead-in-2026

02:15 - Best savings tips of the year

07:00 - Most impactful money habits

13:00 - New TD rates from ANZ, Macquarie, Heartland

16:55 - Domain housing affordability report

22:30 - Fixed home loan rate hikes from Macquarie, others

25:15 - RBA 2025 review

27:30 - Trump Tariffs Review

31:56 - Election and budget review

40:17 - Mid-year RBA and inflation review

41:10 - Changes to savings accounts in 2025

46:05 - Changes to home loans in 2025

51:41 - Property prices in 2025

55:55 - RBA forecasts for 2026

58:20 - Property forecasts for 2026

We speak to savings scribe Harry O'Sullivan on the latest GDP figures and what it all means for the economy and the RBA's rate setting agenda this week.

Reach out to us at [email protected]

00:37 - Savings tip

02:38 - GDP overview

04:12 - Household savings ratio

04:50 - GDP per capita

06:38 - Red flags in the economy?

08:01 - Will the RBA change the cash rate in December?