221. The financial middle class squeeze - Earn more, feel poorer
Release Date: 02/17/2026
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...
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220. Shares vs Property - The great debate that everyone gets wrong
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew reveal why most Australians - including the "experts" - fundamentally misunderstand this backyard barbecue favourite. The real question isn't which asset class has better returns. It's about leverage, tax structure, liquidity, and behavioral discipline. We break down the hidden costs everyone conveniently forgets (stamp duty, interest, maintenance, selling fees), explain why concentration risk matters more than you think, and expose the psychological tricks that make property "feel" safer...
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219. The Financial Risk of Buying Off the plan Property
360 Money Matters
Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast! In this episode, Billy and Andrew draw from real client experiences to expose the hidden financial risks of off-the-plan purchases that most buyers never consider until it's too late. From valuation gaps at settlement to developer insolvencies during COVID, they reveal why buying property you can't see yet might be one of the riskiest financial decisions you can make. Discover what you need to know before signing that contract and committing to a property that won't exist for another two years. - This podcast contains...
info_outlineWelcome 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.
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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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Why the "middle-class squeeze" hits hardest between upper and lower income brackets
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How businesses have become smarter at getting you to spend without noticing
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The real cost of social media comparison and lifestyle creep
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Why housing and taxation are compounding the problem
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Practical strategies to prioritize financial flexibility over lifestyle optimization
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