It's been a week of highlights for the ASX and lowlights for Westpac. James and Alan chew over the fallout from the major bank scandal in this week's Money Cafe, as well as Gerry Harvey's fierce performance at the Harvey Norman AGM, the ...

Westpac's unforgivable indifference. What's to celebrate in a new ASX record? High drama at Harvey Norman AGM.

The Money Puzzle covers all the important property, business, money and finance news. 
With two episodes published every week, The Australian’s Wealth Editor James Kirby, along with business, property and finance experts share insights and information that you will use on your wealth building journey.
Submit your questions on all things property, business and finance here - themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au 

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For renters it’s been tough, for property owners it’s been plain sailing as rents grew in double digits last year. With slowing immigration intake and some easing of wider pressures, rent increases are not going to stay at those high levels.Where do rents go from here?
In todays show we cover :

The changing outlook for rental growth
Why Melbourne and Hobart will struggle to keep pace
Brisbane property powers ahead
Budget hopes for HECs-laden home buyers 

Nerida Conisbee, chief economist at the Ray White real estate group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode 

 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why rental growth is going to weaken

June 30 this year is a unique tax opportunity for the simple reason your tax bill in FY 2024 is very likely to be higher than FY 2025: That means the deductions are better if you get them sorted in the next two months.
In today's show we cover:

The outstanding ways to save tax this year
Making the most of the looming tax cuts
Handbags and guard dogs - some unlikely deduction opportunities
Choosing a trading platform 

Dr Adrian Raftery aka Mr Taxman joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Secrets of a successful tax return this year

What does the property market look like to Gen Z? The generation born after 1997 that takes a one percent vacancy rate as 'normal'; The people who get 100 applicants for a spare bedroom in a shared house. They have a different story but it is a story we all need to know.
In today's show we cover:

The realities of property investment for Gen Z
Exploring the opportunities of being a 'rentvestor'* Using super for buy a home
Is the office sector rout over?

Sarah Petty real estate reporter for the News Ltd network joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Generation Z perspective

The average HECs student debt is now $26,500 and rising rapidly. Once upon an inflation-free time HECs hardly mattered, now it matters a lot. Worse still, the way HECs is managed by the government is antiquated and unfair to former students. Meanwhile, banks use the debt to reduce your borrowing capacity. No wonder there is a push to change the process. 

In today's show we cover:

Why more than 200,000 people are pushing for change in student debt
How to manage your HECs situation 
Expanding an SMSF to include six people
Is leasing an electric car a better way to go?

Advisor James Wrigley of First Financial joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HECs... something's gotta give

As the economists continue to push their rate cut forecasts further out, it is now distinctly possible we will not see interest rate cuts this calendar year. What does it mean for the property market and your borrowing plans?
In today's show we cover:

The reality of higher-for-longer interest rates
Will commercial property problems spill over into the residential sector
Searching for multi-asset funds outside of super
Getting to know the 'six year' CGT primary residence exemption rule.

Dr Doug Turek of Minchin Moore Private Wealth joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac's unforgivable indifference. What's to celebrate in a new ASX record? High drama at Harvey Norman AGM.

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