#12 - The Real Cost of Your Car Repayment

#15 - Stop Guessing, Start Measuring: What Most Australians Never Find Out

Most Australians are flying blind with their finances — paying too much tax, stuck in a 30-year mortgage, and heading toward retirement with a gap they don't even know exists. In this episode, Peter and Hobby pull back the curtain on the exact tools SmartMoney uses with every client to turn confusion into clarity — and inaction into results. You'll discover: * The one repayment switch that saves 5 years and $133,000 in interest — without paying a cent more * How an extra $100 a week could cut nearly 7 years off your mortgage * Why throwing money at your home loan might actually be slowing you down * The debt recycling strategy that took one client's 30-year mortgage down to 12 * The retirement shortfall tool that finally connects the dots — and makes people act Plus, a real client win: Cheryl's investment portfolio grew by $820,000 in a single year — built safely, step by step, over six years. Want the tools sent straight to your inbox? Reach out to the SmartMoney team and we'll send them through. General information only. Not personal financial advice. Please seek advice tailored to your situation.

#14 - Self-Managed Super Funds Explained: Risks, Mistakes & What Nobody Tells You

Is setting up a Self-Managed Super Fund really the smart move… or can trying to save money upfront end up costing you much more in the long run? In this episode of Here Comes The Money, Hovig and Peter unpack one of the biggest traps they continue to see: Australians trying to go down the DIY path with Self-Managed Super Funds and financial planning. While SMSFs can be an incredibly powerful strategy when structured correctly, there are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes that people often don’t see. From lending structures and bare trusts to contribution caps, insurance pitfalls, liquidity requirements and compliance obligations, one small mistake can create major consequences down the track. Throughout the episode, Hovig and Peter explain why simply setting up an SMSF isn’t the goal — setting it up properly is. Topics discussed include: • Why cheap or “$0 setup” SMSF offers aren’t always what they seem  • The risks of getting structures wrong  • Common mistakes people make trying to DIY their finances  • Insurance issues many Australians accidentally overlook  • Why balance size and income matter more than people think  • Real client examples and lessons learned All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846. Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

#13 - Why the Government Wants Your Capital Gains (And Why It’ll Fail)

In this episode of Here comes the Money, Peter and Hovig dive into the hot-button topic of Capital Gains Tax (CGT)and why it’s currently dominating political headlines. With a $56 billion deficit to plug, the guys break down whether the government is serious about changing the rules or just looking for a distraction from rising interest rates. All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846. Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

#12 - The Real Cost of Your Car Repayment

The Real Cost of Your Car Repayment Why “normal” car loans delay wealth more than people realise In Episode 12 of Here Comes the Money, Peter and Hovig unpack one of the most common — and least questioned — financial decisions Australians make: car repayments. With car loans and vehicle leases now considered “normal” household expenses, this episode breaks down what those repayments are really costing you over time — and why they often prevent people from ever creating surplus, investing consistently, or getting ahead financially. In this episode, they cover: * The real long-term cost of car loans and vehicle leases * Why people underestimate what car repayments cost them over time * How “normal” lifestyle decisions quietly delay wealth creation * Why spending first and trying to invest later almost never works * The behavioural trap of upgrading lifestyle before building assets * A simple money rule Hovig teaches his kids * Why investing first removes reliance on willpower * How letting investments fund lifestyle changes long-term outcomes They also share real-world examples and conversations showing how car repayments don’t just impact cashflow — they shape behaviour, limit opportunity, and keep people stuck in “normal” financial patterns. This episode is essential listening for anyone who: * Has a car loan or vehicle lease * Feels like they earn good money but have little left over * Wants to invest but struggles to create surplus * Has never questioned the true cost of lifestyle debt * Wants practical, real-world financial insight — not theory 📩 Have a question you want answered on the show? Email info@smartmoneygroup.com.au All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846. Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

#11 - The Power of Leverage: How Borrowing Can Multiply Wealth (When Done Right)

In Episode 11 of Here Comes the Money, Peter and Hovig dive deep into financial leverage and explain why borrowing, when used correctly, can be one of the most powerful tools for wealth creation. Using clear, simple examples, they compare: • Investing $100,000 without leverage • Investing the same $100,000 with borrowed funds • The compounding impact over 10 and 20 years • Why leverage can turn modest growth into life-changing outcomes They also cover: • The psychological fear of debt and why it holds people back • Property vs shares and volatility differences • How income and tax benefits can offset borrowing costs • Why leverage is about discipline — not speculation • Real client wins achieved through long-term strategy All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846. Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.