Episodes

  • 213. The Power of Catch Up Super Contributions
    Nov 28 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast!

    In this episode, we break down catch-up concessional contributions—a government initiative that lets you maximize unused super contribution caps from the past five years. Perfect for anyone who's taken a career break, sold an investment property, or simply wants to optimize their tax position.

    We show you how to turn a capital gain windfall into retirement wealth at just 15% tax instead of your marginal rate. We explain why timing matters, how to track your unused caps on MyGov, and the critical mistakes that can cost you if you over-contribute.

    Tune in to find out if this strategy could save you thousands in tax this financial year.

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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

    • What catch-up concessional contributions are and who qualifies

    • The $500,000 super balance threshold and five-year rule

    • Converting 47% tax to 15% on high-income contributions

    • Strategic timing for capital gains and career breaks

    • How to track unused caps on MyGov without over-contributing

    • Pairing catch-up contributions with downsizer and other super strategies

    • Balancing tax savings against locking money away until retirement

    Connect with Billy and Andrew!

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    20 mins
  • 212. How to Protect Your Family's Future Without Overpaying for Insurance
    Nov 25 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast!

    In this episode, we reveal how to find the sweet spot: protecting your family adequately without draining your finances.

    Drawing from years of reviewing client insurance policies, we expose the most common mistakes—from relying solely on inadequate default super cover to over-insuring for circumstances that no longer apply. You'll discover how insurance needs evolve with life stages, how to structure policies tax-efficiently, and practical strategies to reduce premiums without sacrificing protection.

    Whether you're just starting out or reviewing existing cover, this episode will help you make informed decisions about one of the most important—yet most misunderstood—aspects of financial planning.

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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

    • The four types of personal insurance and when they overlap

    • Why default super cover usually isn't enough

    • How to calculate insurance needs based on your life stage

    • Structuring strategies to reduce premiums (step vs level, waiting periods, super funding)

    • Tax implications of holding policies inside vs outside superannuation

    • Common mistakes that leave families exposed or overpaying

    • Real cost perspective: What you're actually paying per day for peace of mind

    Connect with Billy and Andrew!

    360 Financial Strategists

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    23 mins
  • 211. Retirement Planning Has Changed - Why 60 Is the New 50
    Nov 18 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast!

    In this episode, we challenge everything you thought you knew about retirement planning. With Australians now living 25-30 years in retirement instead of 10-15, the old model of "save a lump sum and make it last" is dangerously outdated. We explore why income sufficiency matters more than capital targets, how to structure your drawdown across different lifestyle phases, and why superannuation's tax advantages completely change the game. From bucketing strategies to protect against volatility, to the 4% rule and sequencing risk, discover how to build a retirement plan that actually funds the life you want to live—not just survives until the money runs out.

    Tune in to discover what modern retirement planning really looks like.

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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

    • Why the ASFA benchmark of $690,000 is dangerously misleading

    • Income sufficiency vs. capital targets: Planning for lifestyle phases, not just lump sums

    • The phased retirement trend: Why people are working longer (and happier)

    • Superannuation vs. property: Tax implications that change everything

    • Protecting your retirement from inflation and market volatility using bucketing strategies

    • The 4% rule and sequencing risk: When market timing matters most

    • Warren Buffett's principle applied to retirement drawdowns

    Connect with Billy and Andrew!

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    23 mins
  • 210. Market Wrap
    Nov 11 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast!

    In this episode, we cut through the noise to explain what's really driving global investment markets. We break down why US markets surged 3.2% despite mixed signals, what inflation trends mean for your money, and why Australian rate cuts aren't coming anytime soon. You'll understand the disconnect between strong corporate earnings and economic uncertainty, plus discover what China's growth and rare earth deals mean for Australian investors.

    Tune in to get the clarity you need to make smarter investment decisions.

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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

    • US market rally: Why the S&P 500 gained 3.2% despite mixed signals

    • Inflation trends and Fed rate cut expectations

    • Australian interest rates: Why cuts are off the table

    • Property market surge and FOMO factors

    • China's GDP growth and the $8.5B rare earths deal

    • Gold's 57% gain and commodity market volatility

    Connect with Billy and Andrew!

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    19 mins
  • 209. The Power of Compounding - Why Starting Now Beats Starting Big
    Nov 4 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast!

    In this episode, we break down how compounding really works, using real examples to show why starting early matters more than starting big. We explain the Rule of 72, share Warren Buffett's wealth story, and discuss why most people struggle to grasp how powerful compounding can be.

    We also cover the psychology behind delaying investment, the importance of dividend reinvestment, and why superannuation works so well as a compounding vehicle.

    Listen to this episode to understand why the best time to start investing was yesterday, and the second best time is today.

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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

    • How compounding interest works (earning returns on your returns)

    • Comparing early versus late investing with real numbers

    • The Rule of 72 for calculating when investments double

    • Why people delay investing until they have "enough" money

    • Dividend reinvestment and automation strategies

    • Why interrupting compound interest is costly

    • How superannuation demonstrates compounding through preservation rules

    • The importance of staying invested and avoiding withdrawals

    Connect with Billy and Andrew!

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    21 mins
  • 208. How do you manage upsizing your family home
    Oct 28 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast!

    In this episode, we break down the mechanics of upsizing your family home. We walk through the classic dilemma of whether to buy first or sell first, exploring the pressures that come with each approach. We cover bridging loans, equity releases, matching settlement dates, and the hidden costs most people don't anticipate. We also discuss how to fund the gap between properties, what happens when you need to service two mortgages at once, and practical strategies like converting your current home to an investment property or temporarily moving in with family.

    Listen to this episode if you're planning to upsize and want to understand your options before you commit.

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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

    • The buy-first versus sell-first decision and the pressures each approach creates

    • How bridging loans work and when they make sense to use

    • Managing settlement timing and the risks of matching dates

    • Using equity release from your current property to fund the new purchase

    • The cost considerations beyond the property price

    • Serviceability requirements and why available equity doesn't guarantee approval

    Connect with Billy and Andrew!

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    20 mins
  • 207. How the rich stay rich - Tax-efficient investment strategies
    Oct 21 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast!

    In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the tax strategies that help wealthy Australians preserve their wealth. We walk through the importance of after-tax returns, not just what you earn but what you keep after the tax office takes its share. We cover different investment structures available in Australia, from discretionary trusts to superannuation, and why choosing the right structure early matters more than most people realize. We discuss good debt versus bad debt, the timing of asset sales, and how to create tax-efficient income streams. We also touch on estate planning strategies, including testamentary trusts and superannuation recontribution strategies that can minimize tax when passing wealth to the next generation.

    If you want to understand how to structure your finances more effectively and keep more of what you earn, this episode breaks down the strategies in plain terms.

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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

    • After-tax returns and why they matter more than gross investment returns

    • Using discretionary trusts for income distribution

    • Superannuation as the most tax-effective structure in Australia

    • Timing asset sales to minimize capital gains tax

    • Good debt versus bad debt strategies

    • Tax-efficient income streams

    • Strategies for those over 60 still working to accelerate wealth

    • Estate planning through testamentary trusts

    • Superannuation recontribution strategies

    Connect with Billy and Andrew!

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    29 mins
  • 206. Everything you need to know before buying your first property
    Oct 14 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of the 360 Money Matters Podcast!

    In this episode, we walk through the reality of property ownership in today's market. We discuss why mortgage means "life debt" in Latin and whether that's more accurate than ever. We cover getting pre-approvals, understanding what you can actually afford versus what banks will lend you, and strategies like rentvesting that never existed before. We explore government schemes, stamp duty concessions, and the debate around paying mortgage insurance now versus waiting to save a larger deposit. We also break down the practical steps: setting auction limits, getting building inspections, using buyer's advocates, and making sure you have money left over after settlement.

    Thinking about taking the plunge into property? This episode gives you the framework to make the decision that's right for you.

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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

    • Is property ownership the right strategy for you?

    • Pre-approvals: borrowing capacity vs actual affordability

    • Government schemes and stamp duty concessions

    • Paying mortgage insurance now vs saving for 20% deposit

    • Rentvesting and alternative property strategies

    • Setting auction limits and using buyer's advocates

    • Building inspections, contract reviews, and insurance

    Connect with Billy and Andrew!

    360 Financial Strategists

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    20 mins