Considering seeking financial advice, but not sure what to expect? We explore the process, the costs involved and what to look for in an advisor.

On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Sarah Abood, chief executive of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), to run through some of the most frequently asked questions about financial advice.

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Benefits of financial advice

05:07 Is advice worth it for younger Australians?

12:14 How much does advice cost?

14:02 Finding the right financial adviser

19:43 What to expect from the financial advice process

25:20 Final thoughts

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #sarahabood #financialadvice

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The Bank of Mum and Dad is booming, but without the right planning a generous gesture can turn into a legal and financial headache.

On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by William Moore, partner and head of private client advisory at Hall & Wilcox, to discuss gifts, loans and the potential pitfalls of the Bank of Mum and Dad.

00:00 Introduction

01:47 Family financial support: Trends and options

04:52 Gifts vs loans: Key differences and considerations

10:10 Legal and financial structures for family loans

14:19 Family loans and estate planning

16:46 Conclusion

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #williammoore #property #bankofmumanddad

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Help to Buy is finally here. So how do shared equity schemes work and are they a solution to unlocking homeownership?

This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Jack Elliott, mortgage broker and national first home buyer specialist at Alcove and First Home Unlocked, to discuss shared equity schemes and the first home buyer market.

00:00 Introduction

01:31 Understanding shared equity schemes

03:27 The federal government's Help to Buy scheme

03:55 Eligibility and key points of Help to Buy

06:43 Considerations and drawbacks of shared equity schemes

13:35 Market insights for first home buyers

16:19 Final words of advice

18:03 Conclusion

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #jackelliott #property #sharedequity

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After a turbulent 12 months for markets, how are Australian stocks shaping up heading into 2026?

This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Jun Bei Liu, co-founder and lead portfolio manager at Ten Cap, to discuss the key factors likely to influence local markets in the year ahead and the sectors worth watching.

00:00 Introduction

01:19 Reflecting on the surprises and volatility of 2025

04:11 Previewing 2026: Key themes for Australian equities

10:01 Sector and company insights for 2026

11:01 US equities outlook

13:38 Final thoughts on the year ahead

15:00 Conclusion

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #junbeiliu #investing #shares

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Coming up with financial resolutions for the new year is easy. Setting realistic goals – and following them through – is the real challenge.

This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by behavioural economist and psychologist, Phil Slade, to discuss financial goals and the psychology behind goal setting.

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Why resolutions fail

03:02 Reflecting on past goals

05:38 Setting new goals

12:23 Accountability and shared goals

13:40 Conclusion and final thoughts

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #philsalde #financialgoals

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From super scandals to market swings, 2025 certainly kept us on our toes. So before 2026 begins, it’s time to reflect on the year that was.

This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s editor-in-chief, Michelle Baltazar, is joined by senior journalist, Tom Watson, to discuss the biggest financial news stories of 2025 and the topics they’ll be watching closely in 2026.

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Biggest financial news events of 2025

09:05 Positive and surprising developments in 2025

11:46 Looking ahead to 2026

14:10 Closing remarks

#friendswithmoney #michellebaltazar #tomwatson #financialnews

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You’ve booked flights, hotels and activities for your summer trip. But have you considered how you’re going to pay your way?

This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Tristan Dakin, Wise’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, to discuss travel money options and other tips for your summer holiday abroad.

01:42 Choosing the right payment method

04:57 Local or home currency?

07:07 The most expensive ATM withdrawal fees

09:28 Can digital wallets be used everywhere?

11:32 How to keep your money safe

13:44 Final tips

15:51 Conclusion

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #tristandakin #travel

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After a turbulent year for the local market, which Australian stocks could shine in 2026?

This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Dale Gillham, chief investment analyst at Wealth Within, to run through the Australian companies that investors may want to consider adding to their Christmas lists.

00:00 Introduction

02:31 2025 Australian market recap

07:54 Large cap picks for 2026

12:55 The world of micro caps

18:43 Concerns about index funds

21:04 Conclusion

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #dalegillham #shares #investing

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