242. Should you pay off your mortgage before you invest
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 common questions they get asked: should you be debt free before you invest? With Australia's 30-year mortgage terms, waiting until the house is paid off before investing can mean losing decades of compound growth — so the real answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. They break down good debt versus bad debt, why psychology often beats mathematics when it comes to money decisions, and how tools like offset accounts and debt recycling can let you pay down...
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241. Changes to Tax Rules - Joined by Ryan Finlay
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew are joined by Ryan Finlay from Willis Partners. Together they unpack the most significant tax reform Australia has seen in 30 years, breaking down what's coming, who's affected, and what you need to do before July 1, 2027. The federal budget introduced sweeping changes to capital gains tax, negative gearing, and trust distributions that will impact investors, business owners, and families planning for retirement. The government says these changes help younger Australians into housing. But the...
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240. Investment and education bonds
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew explore investment bonds and education bonds, a tax-effective vehicle most people have never heard of. But with recent federal budget changes, these are about to become far more popular. If you're a high-income earner looking for tax-efficient investing outside of superannuation, or a parent planning to fund school fees, investment bonds offer a compelling alternative. They cap your tax rate at 30% (often reducing to 21-22% effective rate), eliminate capital gains tax when held for 10+ years,...
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239. The Hidden Cost of Being Comfortable
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew explore the hidden cost of being comfortable, and why financial comfort can actually sabotage your wealth-building. When your bills are paid, money's left over each month, and life feels good, it's easy to stop pushing forward. But comfort breeds complacency. Andrew and Billy break down why getting comfortable is just the first step, and the real danger lies in mistaking it for financial security. If you're earning solid income and feel like you're doing okay financially, but you're...
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238. The Next Generation Won't Retire Like Their Parents
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew In this episode, Billy and Andrew explore why the traditional retirement model—work until 65, collect your gold watch, live on age pension—is completely obsolete for the next generation. They unpack the real reasons retirement looks so different now: property costs, extended mortgages, lifestyle expectations, and longer lifespans have fundamentally shifted the goalposts. If you're wondering whether you'll actually retire, or how your retirement might look different from your parents', this...
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237. Subscription economy - death by a thousand cuts
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew unpack the subscription economy and why it has become one of the biggest hidden threats to household budgets. From streaming services and AI tools to meal deliveries, memberships, and recurring payments, they explain how convenience has made spending almost invisible. They share practical strategies for identifying subscription creep, auditing your expenses, and deciding which services genuinely add value to your life. Most importantly, they discuss how to redirect the money you save toward...
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236. The government just changed property rules – Does rent vesting still make sense
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! The government just moved the goalposts on property investors and if you're rentvesting, or even thinking about it, you need to know what's changed and whether the strategy still stacks up. Negative gearing on established properties is on the way out. Capital gains tax treatment has shifted. And for the first time in a long time, the rules that made rentvesting such a compelling wealth-building strategy have been tampered with. So is the juice still worth the squeeze? In this episode, Billy and Andrew break down...
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235. Inside a $2M Portfolio How It Should Actually Be Structured
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew open up a real client case — a $2 million investment portfolio — and walk through exactly how it should be built, structured, and managed. Most people with serious wealth ask the wrong first question. It's not "what should I invest in?" — it's "what am I actually trying to achieve?" Getting that wrong means every decision that follows is built on sand. This episode is for anyone who has accumulated significant wealth and wants to make sure it's working as hard — and as smart — as...
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234. Why Most Financial Plans Fail Within 12 Months — And How to Avoid It
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew tackle the real reason most financial plans fall apart — and it's not the strategy. It's everything that happens after. Drawing on real client stories, including a $15,000 mistake made by going it alone, they break down the six most common reasons people abandon their financial plan within the first 12 months and, more importantly, what to do about it. If you've ever started strong and quietly let a financial plan fade out, this episode will show you exactly where it went wrong. - This...
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233. Financial Advice Fees: What Are You Really Paying For?
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew break down exactly what sits behind a financial advice fee — from the initial Statement of Advice to ongoing service reviews, the compliance infrastructure, the research, and the team that makes it all work. They challenge the assumption that a lower fee means better value, and explain why understanding what you're paying for is just as important as the dollar amount itself. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered whether their advice fee is worth it, or who has avoided getting...
info_outlineWelcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast!
In this episode, we go behind how to financially prepare for the arrival of a baby. We explore everything from understanding parental leave entitlements and modeling cash flow changes to budgeting for upfront and ongoing baby expenses. We share practical strategies like using half-pay to stretch income, adjusting emergency funds, and planning for unexpected costs like childcare. We also emphasize the importance of reviewing insurance coverage and estate planning to protect your growing family. Ultimately, we reflect on how flexibility, mental preparedness, and temporary financial pivots are key to navigating this exciting yet vulnerable life stage.
Tune in to this episode to gain practical, real-world financial tips that will help you confidently prepare for the life-changing journey of becoming a parent.
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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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Understanding government and employer parental leave entitlements
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How to calculate and prepare for changes in household cash flow
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The benefits of taking parental leave at half pay to extend financial support
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Creating a realistic baby budget: upfront vs. ongoing costs
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Why an emergency fund needs to grow when a baby is on the way
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The importance of reviewing life, trauma, and income protection insurance
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Planning ahead for childcare and education expenses
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When and why to update your will, guardianship, and beneficiaries
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The psychological impact of temporary financial setbacks—and how to cope
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Practical strategies for staying flexible and financially resilient during big life changes
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