Australian Finance Podcast

Could Australia slip into recession—and what would that mean for your money? Rather than treating every alarming headline as a prediction, this episode focuses on the practical moves you can make now.

In the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack what a recession is, why higher interest rates and the cost of living are weighing on households, and why the share market does not always move in step with the economy. They separate the economic numbers you cannot control from the everyday decisions you can.

The starting point is a savings buffer. Owen explains why even a modest emergency fund can matter, while Gemma suggests testing whether your current buffer would really cover an income shock—and agreeing on what counts as an emergency before one happens.

They also discuss a bare-bones budget alongside your normal one, trimming optional spending early, checking that mortgage offset accounts are actually offsetting interest, and reviewing insurance and super without making a fear-driven switch. For homeowners, they explore when refinancing or restructuring a loan might create breathing room—and why access to extra credit demands discipline.

Finally, Owen and Gemma talk about staying invested within your means, reviewing your skills and income options, and getting on the same page with your partner. The aim is not to forecast the next recession perfectly. It is to be more prepared for a difficult season while continuing to build a life that matters to you.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

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

The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk.

The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907.
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What does a night out really cost Australians — and what are households giving up to keep dining part of the budget?

In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by Jason Leong, CEO and co-founder of PocketSmith, for part three of their Global Spending Map series. They use anonymised data from PocketSmith users across 190 countries to compare how Australians, New Zealanders and Americans are spending on restaurants, takeaway, coffee, alcohol, subscriptions and entertainment.

The numbers are confronting. PocketSmith users in Australia spend about $1,000 a month across eating-out categories, while typical monthly restaurant and dining spend rose from $255 in 2021 to $400 in 2025 — a 57% increase. Jason explains why menu inflation accounts for only part of the rise, how interest rates have created a split between younger mortgage holders and older savers, and why Australian spending has moved differently from New Zealand and the US.

Gemma and Jason also explore what households are cutting to protect the things they value, including subscriptions, fashion and gambling. They unpack the rapid growth of delivery apps, the hidden premium on convenience and the difference between intentional spending and spending by default.

You’ll leave with practical ways to regain visibility without overhauling your entire budget: track one category at a time, set simple spending rules and decide which conveniences genuinely buy back time. Visit PocketSmith’s Global Spending Map to compare your habits with households around the world.

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

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

The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk.

The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How would you invest $20,000 over 10 years without ending up with a jumble of overlapping ETFs?

In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Cameron McCormack, Senior Portfolio Manager at VanEck, to build a simple core-and-satellite portfolio from scratch with $20,000. Owen also throws Cameron a curveball, in the way of an extra $3,000 for a satellite choice.

They unpack ETF overlap, home-country bias, concentration in the ASX 200, the difference between core and satellite holdings, and why every investment should have a clear role in the portfolio.

If you want a practical framework for combining Australian shares, international quality, emerging markets and gold, this episode gives you a clear place to start your research.

Episode resources

– Explore VanEck ETFs

– VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF (ASX: MVW)

– VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

– VanEck MSCI Multifactor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (ASX: EMKT)

– VanEck Gold Bullion ETF (ASX: NUGG)

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

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

The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk.

The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can young Australians still buy a home, or is property ownership slipping further out of reach?

In this Australian Finance Podcast livestream, Owen and Milli unpack the challenge of buying property in your 20s and 30s, while still building wealth through shares and super.

They cover practical ways to save a deposit, including high-interest savings accounts, investing and the First Home Super Saver Scheme. You’ll learn how FHSS contributions, withdrawals and deemed earnings work, plus the risks of investing money you may need for a home purchase.

The discussion also explores how parents and grandparents can help with a deposit through gifts, loans, co-borrowing or co-ownership, and why the legal structure matters.

Owen and Milli then turn to debt recycling: what it is, why more Australians are asking about it, and how interest rates, investment returns and tax treatment can affect the strategy.

Plus, they tackle listener questions on family loans and asset protection, the changing capital gains tax landscape, HSBC’s retreat from Australian retail banking, and the difficulty retirees can face when applying for a new credit card.

Stay until the end for “What am I?”

Episode resources

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

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

The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk.

The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really mean to raise “rich” kids — and how can parents teach healthy money habits without passing on fear, shame or entitlement?

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Gemma Mitchell sits down with finance journalist and author Sarah Megginson to unpack the ideas behind How to Raise Rich Kids. Sarah reframes wealth as choice, freedom and opportunity, then explains how parents’ own money stories quietly shape what children learn.

They cover practical, age-appropriate money lessons from early childhood through to young adulthood, including pocket money, chores, saving for a first car, family money meetings and involving children in real household decisions. Sarah shares how her family uses a simple points system for chores, why “fair” does not always mean “equal”, and how letting children make low-stakes spending mistakes can build confidence.

You’ll also hear how couples can discuss money without blame, why both partners should understand the family finances, and how to start helping children even when the budget is tight. Small, consistent actions — even saving a dollar or two a week — can build habits and momentum.

Sarah’s memorable rule, “speed to your needs and wait for your wants”, offers a simple way to teach delayed gratification without making money feel scary.

If you want to raise capable, confident and money-smart kids — while improving your own relationship with money — this episode is full of practical ideas you can use today.

Episode resources

– How to Raise Rich Kids book

– Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

– Speak with the Rask Advice team

– Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

– View VanEck's range of funds

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

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

The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk.

The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices