Friends With Money

Downsizing the family home

Two million households are expected to consider downsizing in the next five years — but is it always the right move financially or emotionally? On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Catriona Graham, financial planner at Bridges Financial Services, to explore the costs, trade-offs and timing of downsizing, and what Australians should consider before making a move. 00:00 Introduction 01:19 What is downsizing? 02:56 Key benefits and motivations 04:38 Hidden costs and risks 05:50 Downsizer super contributions 07:50 Downsizing and the Age Pension 08:53 The importance of timing 10:33 Lifestyle options and retirement living 11:23 Final tips #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #catrionagraham #downsizing Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/3mV0Cbr] Listen on Spotify [https://spoti.fi/3fSPI2h] Money Website [https://moneymag.com.au/] YouTube Podcast Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrvCe5FhuuSn2KNn_oKLjDDH_Ls5rSQbz] Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au [podcast@moneymag.com.au] Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR [https://my.captivate.fm/bit.ly/3GDirbR]

Federal Budget 2026

Federal Budget 2026: CGT discount ends, negative gearing tightens & new tax offsets explained From major tax changes to new housing initiatives, the 2026 federal budget was packed with measures set to shape Australians’ finances. On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, managing editor Vanessa Walker is joined by senior journalist Tom Watson to break down the key financial measures outlined in the budget and what they mean for your money. 00:36 CGT discount overhaul 01:46 New CGT rules explained 03:20 Negative gearing shakeup 04:33 Housing Supply Measures 07:03 Working tax offset 08:43 Instant $1000 deduction 09:40 Trust tax minimum rate Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/3mV0Cbr] Listen on Spotify [https://spoti.fi/3fSPI2h] Money Website [https://moneymag.com.au/] YouTube Podcast Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrvCe5FhuuSn2KNn_oKLjDDH_Ls5rSQbz] Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au [podcast@moneymag.com.au] Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR [https://my.captivate.fm/bit.ly/3GDirbR]

Love, lies, and money

Romance Scams: ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe on Red Flags, AI Risks & How to Protect Yourself | Friends With Money Romance scams are evolving fast, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission wants Australians to recognise the warning signs earlier. On this week’s Friends With Money podcast, managing editor Vanessa Walker speaks with ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe about the regulator’s romance scam awareness campaign and why these crimes cause serious financial loss and long‑lasting emotional harm. Lowe explains that romance scams involve fake relationships designed to steal money and personal data. They often start on dating apps or social platforms before quickly moving to encrypted messaging services. She outlines two common scam models, fast investment pitches and long‑running “slow burn” requests, and reveals Australians reported more than $28.6 million in losses to Scamwatch through 2025. The episode also explores the ACCC’s taskforce approach, a new online relationship health check tool, the incoming scams prevention framework for banks, telcos and digital platforms, the role of organised crime and trafficking, and how AI could help ddefeat reverse image searches. Links: ACCC Scamwatch [https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23518528207&gbraid=0AAAAArAcbkDyqT2bWV21VvrkPbxkZWXoX&gclid=CjwKCAjw5NvPBhAoEiwA_2egfluEuSKHPvxiZZrnjn_eZIUVxA0zQZ-8_5JSWeCV-eqXKtRdxnaVthoCup8QAvD_BwE] 00:30 What are romance scams? 02:42 How big the losses are 04:45 How scams move online 06:18 Industry crackdown tools 07:49 Scams prevention framework 11:13 Who runs these rings 13:47 AI and future scams 16:08 Who Is most at risk 19:02 Warning signs and next steps Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/3mV0Cbr] Listen on Spotify [https://spoti.fi/3fSPI2h] Money Website [https://moneymag.com.au/] YouTube Podcast Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrvCe5FhuuSn2KNn_oKLjDDH_Ls5rSQbz] Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au [podcast@moneymag.com.au] Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR [https://my.captivate.fm/bit.ly/3GDirbR]

Fuel crisis: Is it time to buy an EV?

Should You Switch to an EV? Fuel shortages, charging costs & best electric cars in Australia The war in Iran and resulting oil shortages are driving petrol and diesel supply anxiety in Australia, while more EVs from Asia, better home charging options, and typical fuel savings of $1200–$2000 per year are boosting interest in electric vehicle sales. This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's managing editor, Vanessa Walker, is joined by motoring contributor Matt Campbell to discuss the pros and cons of buying an EV. Campbell explains the main barriers that held Australians back — price, range anxiety, resale and battery concerns, fit-for-purpose models, and charging infrastructure — then outlines what has changed, including emissions rules, improved plug-in hybrid and EV ranges, and growing price parity. They cover economical charging (EV plans, solar and home batteries), insurance and resale considerations, suggested EV models across sizes, and why faster charging speeds are the next major battleground. 01:38 Why Aussies hesitated 03:14 Policy shifts and better range 05:23 Charging network bottlenecks 08:04 Cheapest ways to charge 09:19 Affordable EV price points 12:07 Must-have features vs gimmicks 13:46 Hidden costs insurance and resale 16:01 Top picks small to large 18:27 Future faster charging tech Links: Matt's Youtube channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ybPXbbLnfkxe7y7XKWuSQ] Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/3mV0Cbr] Listen on Spotify [https://spoti.fi/3fSPI2h] Money Website [https://moneymag.com.au/] YouTube Podcast Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrvCe5FhuuSn2KNn_oKLjDDH_Ls5rSQbz] Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au [podcast@moneymag.com.au] Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR [https://my.captivate.fm/bit.ly/3GDirbR]

Family trusts

Family Trusts Explained (Australia): Tax Flexibility, Asset Protection & Who They’re For | Friends With Money This week on The Friends With Money podcast, Money Magazine’s Ryan Johnson speaks with licensed Australian financial adviser and author Helen Baker to explain family trusts in plain english and challenge the idea they’re only for the ultra-wealthy. They break down how a family trust is its own entity, the roles of beneficiaries, trustees and the appointor (who holds ultimate power), and why separation of control matters for potential asset protection. Helen clarifies that the trust owns the assets and beneficiaries generally have rights to income or capital distributions, not ownership, and discusses when a trust may be worth considering (often with significant funds, varying household incomes, or positive income/capital), how tax flexibility works via distributing income across beneficiaries, the need to distribute to avoid the trust being taxed at the top rate, costs to set up and run, risks of poor management, and why investment suitability and liquidity matter. 00:00 Family trusts explained 02:03 Trust roles breakdown 05:12 Who owns what 06:13 When trusts make sense 08:23 Tax flexibility in action 10:25 Your advisory team 11:57 Risks and penalties 12:56 Costs to run and unwind 14:55 Choosing investments 16:49 Who trusts are for Podcast Links: Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/3mV0Cbr] Listen on Spotify [https://spoti.fi/3fSPI2h] Money Website [https://moneymag.com.au/] YouTube Podcast Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrvCe5FhuuSn2KNn_oKLjDDH_Ls5rSQbz] Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au [podcast@moneymag.com.au] Get stories like this in our newsletter: bit.ly/3GDirbR [https://my.captivate.fm/bit.ly/3GDirbR]