230. The Financial Checklist for Your 40s (The Critical Decade)
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew tackle the decade that most Australians sleepwalk through and can never get back. Your 40s are when income is climbing, debt is at its peak, and compound interest still has time to do its heavy lifting. Get it right and you build serious wealth. Take your foot off the accelerator — even just for a few years — and you arrive at 50 wondering where the decade went. Billy and Andrew break down the financial checklist every 40-something should be running through right now, from attacking...
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229. Bucket companies explained - The tax strategy most business owners don't understand
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew demystify one of the most talked-about — and most misunderstood — tax strategies in the business owner playbook: the bucket company. Billy and Andrew cut through the jargon and explain exactly how a bucket company fits into a discretionary trust structure, why it's a tax-deferral strategy (not a tax-avoidance one), and the specific circumstances where it can be genuinely powerful — including when you retire, when your spouse steps back from work, or when your adult children enter the...
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228. The retirement danger zone - The First 5 year risk
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew tackle one of the most overlooked risks in retirement planning and it's not about how much you save. You can do everything right. Save diligently, live within your means, build a solid nest egg. And still run out of money sooner than expected simply because of when markets fall. They break down why the first few years of drawing down your super are the most financially vulnerable of your retirement and what you can actually do about it. If you're within 5 years of retiring, already...
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227. What does the war in Iran mean for your portfolio and your financial plan
360 Money Matters
War in the Middle East. Oil past $100 a barrel. Markets swinging on a tweet. Your petrol bill climbing. What does any of this actually mean for your super, your investments, and your financial plan? Billy and Andrew have been fielding this question from clients all week and in this episode, they give you the honest, no-politics breakdown of what's happening, why it matters to everyday Australians, and what to do (and not do) with your money right now. Because in moments like this, the biggest risk to your wealth isn't the conflict. It's your reaction to it. - This podcast contains information...
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226. Should you buy your first home or put it into ETF's - A financial adviser's guide
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew break down one of the most common questions they get from first home buyers: Should you put your money into property… or into ETFs? With years of experience advising real clients, they go beyond social media opinions and look at the numbers, the risks, and the real-world behavior that actually shapes outcomes. If you’re trying to decide where your first serious investment should go, this episode will help you think clearly, avoid common traps, and choose a strategy you can stick with...
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225. Pay Yourself Properly Dividends Trust Distributions and Super Strategy
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew break down every method of paying yourself as a business owner, when each one makes sense, and how to structure your income to legally reduce tax, protect your wealth, and actually see how your business is performing. They also make the case for why superannuation remains the most overlooked wealth-building tool for the self-employed, and why ignoring it could cost you more than you think. Discover why how you pay yourself could be the difference between building wealth and just staying...
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224. From 2 Properties to 10- Scaling a Property Portfolio Safely
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! Most investors stall after their second property, not because they lose interest, but because they run out of borrowing capacity. In this episode, Billy and Andrew break down exactly why scaling a property portfolio beyond two gets hard fast, and more importantly, how to build a strategy that doesn't fall apart when interest rates move or the bank says no. Tune in to discover what separates investors who scale successfully from those who get stuck — or worse, are forced to sell. - This podcast contains information...
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223. Most common questions we get asked in a Market Decline
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew tackle the questions they hear most during market volatility—and explain why the biggest value a financial advisor provides isn't the perfect plan, but stopping you from making the one decision that could derail everything. Discover why market timing rarely works, how zooming out changes perspective, and why your portfolio behaves the way it does when news turns negative. If you've ever felt the urge to uproot your financial "tree" during a storm, this episode will help you stay the...
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222. Market Wrap
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew break down the shocking data you need to know: Australia's unexpected rate rise while the world cuts rates, the US earnings season that beat expectations by 85-90%, and why the Aussie dollar hitting 70 cents against the USD matters for your portfolio. Discover why China's 5% GDP growth is considered a slowdown, what Kevin Walsh's Fed appointment really means for your investments, and the simple truth about interest rates hurting only one-third of Australians while helping another third. -...
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221. The financial middle class squeeze - Earn more, feel poorer
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew tackle the paradox plaguing middle-class households: wages are up, but financial stress is higher than ever. We explore the hidden forces draining your wallet—from subscription creep and lifestyle inflation to housing costs and Australia's tax burden—and why it's exponentially harder to manage money today than even a decade ago. This episode unpacks why middle-class Australians are experiencing the squeeze despite rising incomes—and what you can do about it. - This podcast...
info_outlineWelcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! We are back again with our monthly ‘Market Wrap’ segment.
In this episode, we explore into a comprehensive market wrap covering July’s economic movements and global financial trends. We discuss the S&P 500's slight dip despite reaching record highs, highlight that 88% of reporting companies exceeded expectations, and analyze the market’s reaction—or lack thereof—due to preemptive pricing. We explore the stabilizing impact of key international trade deals, like those between the U.S. and the EU, Japan, and the Philippines, and assess the ongoing uncertainty in U.S. housing due to oversupply and affordability. We then shift focus to China’s slowed GDP growth and persistent property issues, with hopes pinned on further government stimulus.
Closer to home, we examine the ASX 200’s modest rise, the Reserve Bank of Australia's surprise rate hold, and the likelihood of an upcoming interest rate cut. We also note strengthening in the Victorian property market, supported by high clearance rates and spring demand, and touch on how resilient commodity demand from China is boosting Australia’s mining sector and northern property markets.
Tune in to this episode for a sharp, engaging breakdown of global markets, interest rates, property trends, and what it all means for your money.
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This podcast contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This information is provided by Billy Amiridis & Andrew Nicolaou of 360 Financial Strategists Pty Ltd, authorized representatives and credit representatives of Akumin Financial Planning – AFSL 232706
Episode Highlights
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S&P 500 hits all-time highs in July despite a slight monthly dip of 0.66%
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88% of reporting U.S. companies beat market expectations—the strongest result since Q2 2021
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Trade deal clarity with the EU, Japan, and China helps stabilize global markets
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U.S. housing data shows softening trends amid rising supply and affordability concerns
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China’s GDP growth slows to 5.2%, with ongoing property price declines and stimulus hopes
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ASX 200 rises 0.41% as the RBA surprises by holding rates steady in July
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Markets anticipate an August rate cut, with 50% odds priced in for a 50 basis point drop
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Victoria’s property market shows strength with clearance rates around 70% amid spring demand
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Australian mining and northern property markets benefit from steady Chinese commodity demand
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