Defence stocks explained: ETFs, cyclical risks, and ethical investing | Friends With Money

In this week's Friends With Money, editor-in-chief Michelle Baltazar speaks with Alex Jamieson of Jamieson Private Wealth about why defence shares have rallied amid widening Middle East conflict, disrupted shipping lanes, and higher oil prices.

Jamieson explains how “defence” now spans drones, robotics, AI, cybersecurity, and software, and argues rising geopolitical risk and NATO catch-up spending make it a longer-term structural theme, though stocks can be cyclical and require active rebalancing and profit-taking.

01:30 What counts as defence stocks

02:22 Why defence stocks are rallying

04:02 Do you already have exposure

05:46 Cyclical stocks and profit-taking

07:49 Fear trade or structural trend?

09:58 Defence ETFs to consider

11:53 Stock spotlight: DroneShield

13:21 Ethics of defence investing

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Third-Party Marketplaces on Woolworths, Big W, Kmart & Bunnings: What Australian Shoppers Need to Know

In this Friends With Money Podcast episode, Money Magazine managing editor Vanessa Walker speaks with journalist Ryan Johnson about the rise of third-party marketplaces and why Australians are often confused when trusted retailers like Woolworths, BigW, Bunnings, Kmart and others sell items supplied by third-party sellers.

They discuss how widespread online shopping is in Australia, how marketplaces benefit retailers through rapid range expansion without holding inventory, and what consumers gain—and risk—through wider product choice.

Ryan shares an example of a BigW marketplace return dispute and outlines common issues such as inconsistent delivery, extra fees, and return complications, plus concerns about lower-quality or unsafe products.

They also explain that Australian Consumer Law guarantees still apply, but shoppers should check who the seller is and escalate unresolved disputes to fair trading agencies or the ACCC.

01:20 How many Australians shop online

02:01 Why shoppers get confused

04:34 Why retailers love it

05:31 Consumer upsides and tradeoffs

06:17 Hidden traps and returns

08:01 Safety and trust risks

09:00 Your rights under ACL

10:04 How to protect yourself

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Debt recycling explained: how Australians turn home equity into investments

In this Friends With Money episode from Money magazine, host Ryan Johnson chats with mortgage broker Joseph Daoud (It’s Simple Finance) to unpack debt recycling in plain English. They explain how splitting your home loan or using a line of credit lets you access equity to invest in property, shares or a business, with potential tax benefits from deductible interest and investment expenses. They work through a $1 million home example, outline who this suits (often higher-income earners and many self-employed borrowers), and step through setup essentials: pick the right lender and structure (often interest-only), team up with a good broker and accountant, and keep the investment purpose clear. They also flag the big risks—bad advice, risky assets, rising rates, thin buffers—and why retirees or lower-income earners can be overexposed without a solid exit plan.

Timestamps

00:00 What debt recycling is

01:09 How the structure works

02:38 Who it suits

04:33 Goals and tax benefits

05:35 A real case study

08:02 Setting up the loan split

11:23 Choosing investments

12:13 Risks and rate rises

16:38 Which pros to call

17:34 Who should avoid it

20:43 Three rules and wrap

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In this week's Friends With Money episode, host Ryan Johnson speaks with financial adviser David Sharpe, chair of the Financial Advice Association Australia FAAA) about how to react to a sudden windfall—from $100,000 to $1 million, $10 million and even $1 billion.

Sharpe advises first confirming the money is real, then slowing down to avoid emotional decisions, and keeping the news private (limited to a spouse and trusted professionals).

They discuss balancing lifestyle spending with long-term goals, and how priorities shift by amount and life stage: using $100,000 for a home deposit or improving retirement cashflow, weighing debt repayment by interest cost (credit cards first; student debt is typically lower-cost), and the tax advantages versus access restrictions of superannuation.

00:38 First steps after a windfall: Verify, pause, and avoid emotional moves

01:53 Who to tell (and who not to): Keeping your windfall private

02:33 Spend vs save: Building a plan that matches what you value

04:00 Windfall playbook: What to do with $100,000

05:05 Debt, HECS and priorities: Paying down the right loans first

06:13 Superannuation trade-offs: Tax benefits vs access to your money

07:30 If the $100k came from selling an investment: Reinvesting and tax

08:05 Scenario two: How $1 million changes the plan

09:43 Mortgage vs shares: Tax smarts, borrowing back and debt recycling

11:43 Inheritance checks: Asset types, CGT and what you actually keep

12:21 Scenario three: $10 million—Financial freedom, purpose and relationships

14:26 Trusts and SMSFs explained: When structures help (and when they don’t)

16:06 Intergenerational wealth transfer: Common estate and entity mistakes

18:00 Just for fun: What to do with $1 billion (and the responsibility)

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ASIC Warns on Super “Health Check” Ads: How Lead Gen Funnels Push Risky Switches | Alan Kirkland

Money Magazine’s Friends With Money podcast host Ryan Johnson speaks with ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland about online “free super health check” sites, quizzes, and social media ads used as lead‑generation funnels that collect contact details, trigger telemarketing, and can pressure people to switch super into riskier, more expensive products.

Kirkland explains ASIC’s review and its transparency list (44 firms so far), noting that listing is not a finding of wrongdoing and the list will be updated while the review continues. He outlines common funnel tactics, investor harms seen in cases like First Guardian and Shield, and why switching into platform products or self‑managed super funds can reduce protections. Key red flags include unsolicited calls, pressure to act quickly, and offers to “find lost super.”

Consumers are directed to ASIC’s MoneySmart website (moneysmart.gov.au) for trusted guidance and complaints.

00:43 What lead generation means

01:42 ASIC transparency list explained

03:52 Who ASIC Is targeting

04:58 Inside the sales funnel

06:52 When marketing breaks laws

08:12 Case study: First Guardian

10:28 APRA vs ASIC and SMSFs

12:51 Red flags for consumers

14:15 Where to get help

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Welcome to another episode of the Friends With Money podcast. Hosted by Ryan Johnson, filling in for Tom Watson. In today’s episode, we unpack the world of IPOs (initial public offerings) with Simon James from HLB Mann Judd Sydney.

We break down why companies choose to list on the ASX, analyse how the IPO market performed in 2025, and look ahead to the sectors and standout companies to watch in 2026 — including major global names like SpaceX, Canva and Guzman y Gomez. Simon also shares expert insights and practical tips for anyone considering investing in IPOs.

00:24 Understanding IPOs: Basics and importance

01:50 2025 IPO market analysis

03:08 Materials sector dominance in iPOs

04:08 Private capital vs public listings

05:31 Top Performers and Future Prospects

09:38 Global IPO landscape

14:13 Investing in IPOs: Practical tips

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Are you looking to buy a new home?

This week on the Friends with Money podcast, Vanessa Walker, managing editor of Money, and journalist Ryan Johnson dive deep into the home buying process for first-time buyers.

They discuss the essential steps from initial research, engaging with mortgage brokers and financial advisors, to pre-approval, making offers, and the final settlement.

Get practical tips for navigating real estate websites, understanding mortgage pre-approval, and the importance of conveyancers.

#friendswithmoney #vanessawalker #ryanjohnson #homehunting #firsthomebuyers

00:20 First steps for first-time home buyers

01:38 Researching and narrowing down your options

03:05 Engaging with professionals: Mortgage brokers and financial advisors

05:42 Understanding mortgage pre-approval

07:51 Making an offer and preparing for settlement

10:25 Settlement day and moving in

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Should you put extra money into your mortgage, super or personal investments? It’s not always a simple decision.

On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money’s Tom Watson is joined Terry Vogiatzis, director of wealth management at Omura Wealth Advisers, to discuss the pros, cons and trade-offs involved with making use of extra funds.

01:11 Why people find the decision tricky

02:11 Factors to consider before diving in

03:50 Assessing extra mortgage contributions

06:33 Superannuation vs other personal investments

11:38 The benefits of seeking financial advice

14:04 Final thoughts and additional tips

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #terryvogiatzis #investing #super #mortgages

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