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Friends With Money

Friends With Money

By: Money Magazine
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We all have questions about money; how to earn it, how to spend it, and the best ways to invest so we can watch it grow. The Friends With Money podcast, created by Money Magazine (Australia’s longest-running and most-read personal finance magazine), shares its extensive network of finance experts, in-depth knowledge of markets and timely advice to help you understand the world of money. Hosted by senior writer, Tom Watson, Managing Editor, Vanessa Walker and editor-in-chief, Michelle Baltazar, Friends With Money is a weekly chat with a variety of credentialed guests that you won’t want to miss. Listening and learning will help you on the path to financial freedom.Copyright 2026 Money Magazine Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Card surcharge changes

    Card surcharge changes
    Sep 22 2026

    From October, card surcharges will become a thing of the past. But while the change promises savings for cardholders, it could have ripple effects beyond the checkout.

    On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Adele Eliseo, founder of The Champagne Mile, to explain what's changing, who's likely to benefit and why credit cardholders need to pay close attention.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:34 What happens to card surcharges from October?

    03:42 Why are card surcharges being banned?

    04:40 How much are consumers likely to save?

    05:32 The impact on rewards credit cards

    07:03 How banks are already changing rewards programs

    08:27 What rewards card holders should do now

    10:10 Conclusion

    #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #adeleeliseo #creditcardsPodcast Links:

    Listen on Apple Podcasts

    Listen on Spotify

    Money Website

    YouTube Podcast Playlist

    Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au

    Get stories like this in our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai
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    11 mins
  • Small caps, big upside?

    Small caps, big upside?
    Sep 15 2026

    Australia's sharemarket may be dominated by a handful of large miners and banks, but there are plenty of opportunities beyond the heavyweights.

    On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Jamie Hannah, deputy head of investments and capital markets at VanEck, to discuss the risks and rewards offered with small caps and mid caps.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:17 What are small caps and mid caps?

    03:33 Behavioural differences

    05:07 The mid cap sweet spot

    06:18 How have small and mid caps performed?

    08:36 The investment case for smaller companies

    11:21 How much should investors allocate to small and mid caps?

    13:19 The key risks of investing in smaller companies

    15:30 Options for gaining exposure to small and mid caps

    16:31 Local and international ETF opportunities

    19:25 Conclusion

    #friendswithmoney #tomwatson #jamiehannah #investing #smallcaps #midcapsPodcast

    Links:

    Listen on Apple Podcasts

    Listen on Spotify

    Money Website

    YouTube Podcast Playlist

    Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au

    Get stories like this in our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai
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    21 mins
  • The retirement revolution

    The retirement revolution
    Sep 8 2026
    💰 The retirement revolution: Why working longer isn't the real retirement plan❓ Question:How is retirement changing in Australia, why are so many people worried about running out of money, and what practical steps can Australians take now to improve their chances of a comfortable retirement?✅ Answer:According to journalist Nina Hendy, retirement is no longer a fixed destination reached at a particular age. More Australians are gradually transitioning into retirement through part-time work, flexible arrangements and second careers rather than stopping work completely. At the same time, many people are worried they won't have enough money to retire comfortably, despite having access to more retirement tools, guidance and income solutions than ever before. The challenge isn't a shortage of information. It's that many Australians remain disengaged from their superannuation until they're close to retirement.💡 Retirement is becoming more flexibleThe traditional model of working full-time until retirement age and then leaving the workforce entirely is fading. Many older Australians are reducing their hours gradually, changing careers or continuing to work beyond traditional retirement age. For some, it provides purpose and social connection. For others, it's simply a financial necessity.💡 You may not need $1 million to retire comfortablyOne of the biggest misconceptions discussed in the episode is the amount needed to retire. While many Australians believe they need more than $1 million in super, the figures cited suggest a comfortable retirement may require around $730,000 for couples and $630,000 for singles, assuming they own their home outright.A comfortable retirement lifestyle is estimated to require annual spending of approximately $78,000 for couples and $55,000 for singles. This includes private health insurance, maintaining a car, home repairs and everyday comforts without excessive financial stress.💡 Fear of Running Out is becoming a major retirement concernA growing number of Australians are experiencing FORO, the Fear Of Running Out of money. The prospect of no longer earning a regular income creates anxiety for many people approaching retirement. Concerns about rising healthcare costs, unexpected expenses and increasing longevity can leave retirees reluctant to spend the money they've spent decades accumulating.💡 New retirement income products are helping address longevity riskSuper funds are increasingly introducing retirement income products designed to provide greater certainty. These include lifetime income streams and annuity-style products that offer guaranteed ongoing payments. The aim is to reduce the risk of retirees outliving their savings while making it easier to convert accumulated super into reliable retirement income.💡 Super funds now offer more tools and guidanceRecent regulatory changes have encouraged super funds to provide more support to members approaching retirement. Many funds now offer calculators, retirement projections and guidance that can help people better understand how long their savings may last and how super can work alongside the Age Pension.🚩 Australians are living longer than everRetirement planning has become more important because Australians are living significantly longer. According to the discussion, men are living around 13 years longer than they were 50 years ago, while women are living around 11 years longer. Longer life expectancy means retirement savings may need to last for 25 to 30 years or more.🚩 Cost-of-living pressures are fuelling retirement anxietyHouseholds are facing higher grocery bills, petrol prices and energy costs, leading many people to assume retirement will require significantly more money than previous generations needed. Inflation and financial uncertainty are contributing to growing concerns about retirement preparedness.🚩 Supporting adult children is affecting retirement plansMany parents are continuing to provide financial support to adult children for living expenses, university costs and housing deposits. While understandable, this generosity can place additional pressure on retirement savings and make it harder to build the nest egg needed for later life.⚠️ Women continue to face bigger retirement challengesWomen frequently retire with lower super balances than men due to time spent out of the workforce raising children and caring for family members. As a result, women are more likely to report retirement-related stress and concerns about financial security in later life.⚠️ Too many Australians still ignore their superDespite superannuation being one of the largest assets many Australians will ever own, many people rarely review their balance, check fees or understand how their money is invested. Hendy argues that greater engagement is often the simplest and most effective way to improve retirement outcomes.🏦 Five simple ways to boost your retirement outlookConsolidate multiple super ...
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    14 mins
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