Australian Finance Podcast

AI can now generate prototypes, content and product ideas at speed — but Figma’s Andrew Hogan says the real edge is still human judgment. In this episode, Owen Rask chats with Andrew about what AI is changing inside teams, why design is becoming more valuable, and how leaders are using better tools to communicate ideas with more clarity. They explore why senior designers may be worth more than ever, how non-designers are increasingly doing design work, and why businesses are taking on bigger projects because AI expands what feels possible. If you want to understand where AI is creating value, how creativity is changing, and what this means for product teams, founders and investors, this is a sharp and practical conversation. Resources for this episode Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset” Speak with the Rask Advice team Ask a question (select the Finance podcast) Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds Rask resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on⁠⁠ Apple⁠⁠,⁠⁠ Spotify⁠⁠,⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠, or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow us on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠ for more investing insights. Topics Covered – What is PocketSmith and how does it track spending data? – Understanding the Global Spending Map – Mortgage spending trends in Australia vs NZ vs US – Why Australian mortgage costs have doubled in five years – Fixed vs variable mortgages across different countries – Rent increases and housing pressures in the US – Institutional landlords and rental markets explained – Are renters under more pressure than homeowners? – Utility spending trends across Australia and New Zealand – Why NZ energy costs swing more seasonally – How geography and energy infrastructure affect power bills – Everyday spending trends since 2021 – Why Australian spending is tracking inflation – Why New Zealand households are “trading down” – What trading down looks like in everyday life – How households adjust spending when budgets get tight Resources for this episode PocketSmith – Personal Finance Platform Episode with PocketSmtih Super-User Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset” Ask a question (select the Finance podcast) Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds Rask resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are only a couple of months into 2026 and we’ve already seen significant retirement changes announced. These updates could directly impact your super, Age Pension eligibility and contribution strategy. -In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Gemma Mitchell is joined by James O’Reilly- co host on the Australian Retirement Podcast and financial adviser at Northeast Financial Wealth, go through three big retirement changes you need to know in 2026 — and then take you through your practical 5-step retirement checklist. If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more everyday money tips. Topics Covered – 3 Big Retirement Changes in 2026 1) ASFA Retirement Standard Update This is the first time ASFA’s lump sum figures have increased in three years. New lump sum targets (homeowners aged 67): – $630,000 for singles (up from $595,000) – $730,000 for couples (up from $690,000) Annual income benchmarks: – Comfortable Couple: ~$77,375 per year – Comfortable Single: ~$54,840 per year – Modest Couple: ~$51,299 per year – Modest Single: ~$35,503 per year More detail here 2) Age Pension Changes – Payment Rates, Deeming & Asset Limits Check for updates here from March 20th 3) Super Contribution Caps Increasing (From 1 July 2026) – Concessional cap increases from $30,000 to $32,500 per year – Non-concessional cap increases from $120,000 to $130,000 per year – General transfer balance cap increases from $2 million to $2.1 million More info here and here Key areas discussed: - ASFA Retirement Standard benchmarks - Age Pension deeming rates and asset test limits - Super contribution caps and carry-forward rules - Transfer balance cap explained - How to build a retirement income plan (5 steps) Free Resources: Check out the free Rask Retirement Academy Budget mastery course Check how your super is tracking with the Rask Super Checker Tool Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset” Ask a question (select the Finance podcast) Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds Rask resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Alex Luck, financial adviser and co-founder of Everest Wealth Group, for a deep dive into financially preparing for kids. Alex works with many Australians in their 20s to 40s navigating career progression, property decisions and starting families. As a father of two himself, he shares both professional and personal insights into what really matters. This episode covers: - Planning maternity and paternity leave - Understanding Centrelink entitlements - Modelling cash flow during parental leave - Childcare costs and subsidies - Property decisions before and after kids - Insurance and wills - The psychology of financial independence within couples If you’re expecting, thinking about your second child, or simply planning ahead, this episode is essential listening. Episode Resources Get financial planning Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds Rask resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Owen Rask and Betashares’ Tom Wickenden construct two themed $100,000 ETF portfolios — one focused on the rise of China and Asia, the other built as an “existential” hedge against US dominance and structural risks. In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Tom Wickenden from Betashares to construct two high-conviction $100,000 ETF portfolios — each with a clear macro theme and five-year horizon. We cover: - What Tom has personally invested in recently — and why - Owen’s first ever investment and what it taught him - Two bold ETF portfolios with zero “vanilla” thinking - How to invest when you don’t have a strong view on the US market If you enjoy learning about ETFs, portfolio construction and macro themes, subscribe to the Australian Finance Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Key Takeaways - Most Australian portfolios remain US-heavy - Market concentration risk is elevated - Emerging markets deserve serious consideration - Factor tilts (momentum, value) can shift portfolio dynamics - Thematic investing requires discipline and long time horizons Resources for This Episode - Betashares ETF fund pages - view all the ETFs - Robot backflip video referenced Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds Rask resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell tackle the emotional side of money decisions, from learning how to actually enjoy financial progress, to handling early investing nerves, career burnout and retirement timing. This episode is less about spreadsheets and more about behaviour, mindset and realistic trade-offs, especially for people who are doing “well on paper” but still feeling stuck or unsure. If you liked this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more weekly episodes. Got a question for a future Q&A? Send it through here. Topics Covered – How to reward yourself after reaching financial milestones – Avoiding the trap of extreme saving & money guilt – Managing early investing nerves and ETF losses – When (and why) people sell shares too early – Why losses feel bigger than they are when you're just starting – Feeling stuck in a high-income job you don’t like – What “golden handcuffs” are & how to escape them – Retirement timing vs super access vs pension age – Building optionality and buffers before quitting a job Resources for this episode How to build a values-based money system Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset” Ask a question (select the Finance podcast) Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds Rask resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can support (and mislead) your financial planning, understand key differences between pre- and post-tax super contributions, and unpack SMSF concerns around ETF custodial ownership. In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack some of the most common and timely questions we’re seeing right now around AI, superannuation strategies and SMSF investing. With tools like ChatGPT becoming part of everyday decision-making, we talk about where AI can genuinely help with money organisation and planning, where it falls down, and why judgement, context and regulation still matter when real money is on the line. We also step through practical super contribution questions that confuse a lot of people, and clear up concerns around ETF custodial ownership for SMSFs. If you like this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, make sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast app. And follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more free insights. Topics Covered – Can ChatGPT help with your financial planning? – Where AI tools are useful (and risky) with money – Are AI-generated return estimates for super reliable? – Target date funds: what they are & how Aussies use them – What SMSF investors need to know about ETF custodial ownership – Betashares Direct & other SMSF platform structures – Pre-tax (concessional) vs post-tax (non-concessional) contributions – How to claim a tax deduction for super contributions – Why timing & paperwork matter for pre-tax strategies – Practical steps to avoid breaching your super caps Resources for this episode 📄 Learn more about this episode: – ChatGPT and Financial Planning – ASIC Guidelines - https://moneysmart.gov.au – ATO guide to Super Contributions - https://www.ato.gov.au Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith: https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds: https://bit.ly/beta-25 Rask resources All services: https://bit.ly/R-services Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by James Phelan, Senior Adviser at Rask Advice, to answer the big money questions that tend to come up when a baby is on the way. From planning for income changes to understanding parental leave, childcare costs and shared money dynamics, this episode focuses on practical, real-world decisions new and growing families are navigating right now. If you enjoyed this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, follow us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Got a parenting & money question for a future Q&A? Submit it here. Topics Covered – What to expect financially when a baby is on the way – Creating a cash buffer and planning for one-off baby expenses – Employer vs government parental leave: how to sequence it – Navigating Child Care Subsidy and estimating weekly costs – Understanding childcare waitlists & minimum day policies – Managing shared money when one partner stops or reduces work – Avoiding resentment in uneven financial contributions – Systems that work with low energy, low time, and a new baby – How to keep control of money in the early parenting fog Resources for this episode: – Paid Parental Leave – Services Australia – Child Care Subsidy Estimator – Gemma’s book: The Money Reset – Ask a question Show partner resources: - Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit - Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith - View Betashares range of funds Rask resources: 🔗 All Rask services – https://bit.ly/R-services 📋 Rask Financial Planning – https://bit.ly/R-plan 📈 Start investing with Rask – https://bit.ly/R-invest 📜 Access Show Notes – https://bit.ly/R-notes ❓ Ask a question – https://bit.ly/R-quest 📲 Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest – https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest/ TikTok: @rask.invest – https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest DISCLAIMER This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs before acting on it. If you’re unsure, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG) – https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices