Friends With Money

Summary: Thinking of helping your kids buy their first home? Discover the potential risks to your retirement & explore smart strategies like the First home super saver scheme
Want to help your kids buy their first home? Learn how it could pose a risk to your retirement plans and the smarter ways to help.
This week on the Friends With Money podcast, Michelle Baltazar speaks with Aware Super's Kate Rolfe about new research showing most parents and grandparents are willing to help younger family members buy a first home, often by gifting cash, reducing their mortgages or offering low to no-interest loans, but how their good intentions could potentially put their retirement savings at risk.
They discuss how giving financial support without proper planning can affect tax outcomes and Centrelink age pension eligibility, including potential consequences such as losing access to their benefits for years.
Rolfe recommends getting professional financial advice before money changes hands, considering whether to gift the funds or to structure it as a loan, and weighing lump sum versus drawdown payments.
01:09 How families can help
02:45 Retirement and pension risks
05:26 Tax advice and structuring gifts
06:43 First home super saver explained
08:32 Lump sum vs drawdown
11:09 Where to start
Links: First home super savers scheme

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Disclaimer
“To find out more from Aware Super, go to aware.com.au/member/what-we-offer
General advice only. Consider your objectives, financial situation or needs, which have not been accounted for in this information, and read the relevant PDS and TMD before deciding to acquire, or continue to hold, any financial product.
Consider if Aware Super is right for you and access the PDS and TMD on their website, aware.com.au/firsthomebuyer
Advice provided by Aware Financial Services Australia Limited (ABN 86 003 742 756, AFSL 238430), wholly owned by Aware Super.
Aware Super’s research involved a national online survey of 1,094 Australians aged 45 and over who indicated they were open to financially supporting younger family members. Fieldwork was completed in December 2025. All research was carried out in accordance with ISO 20252:2019 and ISO 27001:2013 quality and data-security standards.”

Tax Time Shake-Up: What Every Aussie Needs to Know for 2026–27!
Tax time is just around the corner, with a number of changes set to kick in from July 1. So what do you need to know and how can you prepare?
On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Mark Chapman, director of tax communications at H&R Block, to break down the key updates and the moves to make before and after June 30.
00:00 Introduction
01:07 Federal budget tax changes overview
01:36 What’s changing with negative gearing?
03:09 Capital gains tax overhaul
04:50 Family trusts and the 30% minimum tax
06:22 $1,000 instant deduction
08:24 Working Australians Tax Offset
09:51 Lower income tax rates and super changes
11:42 Who the ATO is targeting this year
14:49 EOFY checklist: practical steps to take now
17:10 — Common mistakes when preparing a tax return
18:30 Conclusion
#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #markchapman #tax
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Market Madness: The Stocks Flying and Failing
It’s been a volatile start to 2026 for the Australian share market, with some stocks surging and others struggling.
On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Dale Gillham, chief investment analyst at Wealth Within, to discuss the standout stocks, underperformers and what investors should look for in the months ahead.

00:00 Introduction
01:52 A tale of two markets
04:24 Macro forces and the market
07:09 Resource sector shines
10:02 CSL slump and other underperformers
12:33 Investor playbook for the second half of 2026
16:15 Conclusion

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #dalegillham #shares #investing

Podcast Links:
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Two million households are expected to consider downsizing in the next five years — but is it always the right move financially or emotionally?
On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined by Catriona Graham, financial planner at Bridges Financial Services, to explore the costs, trade-offs and timing of downsizing, and what Australians should consider before making a move.

00:00 Introduction
01:19 What is downsizing?
02:56 Key benefits and motivations
04:38 Hidden costs and risks
05:50 Downsizer super contributions
Clarification: To be eligible to make downsizer contributions from the sale of your home, your home must have been owned by you and/or your spouse for at least ten years before the sale. The sale must also qualify for the main residence capital gains tax exemption – either fully (e.g. you’ve lived in it the whole time) or partially (you’ve both lived in it and rented it out).
07:50 Downsizing and the Age Pension
08:53 The importance of timing
10:33 Lifestyle options and retirement living
11:23 Final tips

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #catrionagraham #downsizing

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Federal Budget 2026: CGT discount ends, negative gearing tightens & new tax offsets explained
From major tax changes to new housing initiatives, the 2026 federal budget was packed with measures set to shape Australians’ finances.
On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, managing editor Vanessa Walker is joined by senior journalist Tom Watson to break down the key financial measures outlined in the budget and what they mean for your money.
00:36 CGT discount overhaul
01:46 New CGT rules explained
03:20 Negative gearing shakeup
04:33 Housing Supply Measures
07:03 Working tax offset
08:43 Instant $1000 deduction
09:40 Trust tax minimum rate

Links:
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Money Website
YouTube Podcast Playlist
Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au

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