Dreaming of owning a holiday home? Today we break down the true costs, hidden traps, and emotional pull of buying a weekender and why the numbers often don’t stack up. We explore smarter alternatives for lifestyle and wealth building, and share real strategies to enjoy more holidays without the financial stress.

On this episode, we discuss:

(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Why buying a holiday home might not make sense in 2025
(01:55) The emotional appeal vs. the financial reality
(04:30) Life is busier now — who really uses their holiday house?
(09:17) Tax headaches and ATO audit risks for holiday homes
(11:10) New government levies and regulations targeting short-term rentals
(12:59) Holiday Home Numbers Breakdown
(16:38) When buying a holiday home actually makes sense
(17:52) The hidden costs of Airbnb management
(19:14) Simplifying wealth strategies and lifestyle choices
(22:31) Changing work habits and where we choose to live
(23:38) Why consolidating your assets might be the real freedom move

Check out the free resources from Inovayt here.

Send us an email: hello@thenumbersgamepodcast.com.au

The Numbers Game is brought to you by Future Advisory & Inovayt.

Hosts:
Nick Reilly
Jason Robinson
Martin Vidakovic

This podcast is produced by VIDPOD.

HELP debt is now a $80 billion problem for Australia, and it’s only getting bigger. Today we dive into how HECS/HELP debt really works, why it’s impacting borrowing capacity, and whether the system needs a major rethink. From free money myths to the true cost of uni, we unpack the long-term financial consequences and what needs to change.

On this episode, we discuss:

(00:00) Intro
(00:38) What is Australia's $80 billion problem?
(04:05) 7.5% of your income gone to HELP repayments
(05:15) The impact of HELP debt on borrowing capacity
(07:00) Government wipes 20% of HELP debt-fair or not?
(08:10) Is the real issue the cost of education?
(09:00) Are uni campuses over-engineered and overpriced?
(10:40) Should education be delivered inside businesses?
(13:45) A look into homeschooling and self-directed learning
(15:45) The lack of financial education at school
(16:45) Would we make different uni decisions with better money knowledge?
(18:00) What if higher education was actually affordable?
(22:05) How the 20% HELP debt wipe will actually work

Check out the free resources from Inovayt here.

Send us an email: hello@thenumbersgamepodcast.com.au

The Numbers Game is brought to you by Future Advisory & Inovayt.

Hosts:
Nick Reilly
Jason Robinson
Martin Vidakovic

This podcast is produced by VIDPOD.

Today we unpack one of Australia’s hottest property topics: negative gearing. We dive into what it actually is, how it works, and why it may not be the game changer many think it is. We also explore some bold new ideas to reform the system, including an interesting proposal to simplify how property profits are taxed.

On this episode, we discuss:

(00:00) Intro
(00:55) Should We Scale Back Negative Gearing?
(02:05) Why Negative Gearing Still Dominates Investor Thinking in Australia
(03:20) How Much It's Costing the Government—and Who Gains
(04:55) The Overlooked Risks of Scrapping Tax Incentives
(06:15) Common Misunderstandings Around Negative Gearing
(08:45) Marty's Pitch for a Simpler, Fairer System
(15:10) Nick's Big Reform Idea
(22:35) Why No Tax Break on Your Home Loan?
(24:30) The Tax Deduction That Can Cost You Later
(26:00) How Gains Shrink Once Depreciation Is Factored In

Check out the free resources from Inovayt here.

Send us an email: hello@thenumbersgamepodcast.com.au

The Numbers Game is brought to you by Future Advisory & Inovayt.

Hosts:
Nick Reilly
Jason Robinson
Martin Vidakovic

This podcast is produced by VIDPOD.