Here Comes The Money Podcast

#15 - Stop Guessing, Start Measuring: What Most Australians Never Find Out

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Most Australians are flying blind with their finances — paying too much tax, stuck in a 30-year mortgage, and heading toward retirement with a gap they don't even know exists.
In this episode, Peter and Hobby pull back the curtain on the exact tools SmartMoney uses with every client to turn confusion into clarity — and inaction into results.
You'll discover:

The one repayment switch that saves 5 years and $133,000 in interest — without paying a cent more
How an extra $100 a week could cut nearly 7 years off your mortgage
Why throwing money at your home loan might actually be slowing you down
The debt recycling strategy that took one client's 30-year mortgage down to 12
The retirement shortfall tool that finally connects the dots — and makes people act

Plus, a real client win: Cheryl's investment portfolio grew by $820,000 in a single year — built safely, step by step, over six years.
Want the tools sent straight to your inbox? Reach out to the SmartMoney team and we'll send them through.
General information only. Not personal financial advice. Please seek advice tailored to your situation.

#14 - Self-Managed Super Funds Explained: Risks, Mistakes & What Nobody Tells You

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Is setting up a Self-Managed Super Fund really the smart move… or can trying to save money upfront end up costing you much more in the long run?
In this episode of Here Comes The Money, Hovig and Peter unpack one of the biggest traps they continue to see: Australians trying to go down the DIY path with Self-Managed Super Funds and financial planning. While SMSFs can be an incredibly powerful strategy when structured correctly, there are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes that people often don’t see.
From lending structures and bare trusts to contribution caps, insurance pitfalls, liquidity requirements and compliance obligations, one small mistake can create major consequences down the track.

Throughout the episode, Hovig and Peter explain why simply setting up an SMSF isn’t the goal — setting it up properly is.

Topics discussed include:

• Why cheap or “$0 setup” SMSF offers aren’t always what they seem
• The risks of getting structures wrong
• Common mistakes people make trying to DIY their finances
• Insurance issues many Australians accidentally overlook
• Why balance size and income matter more than people think
• Real client examples and lessons learned

All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance.
Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846.
Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

#13 - Why the Government Wants Your Capital Gains (And Why It’ll Fail)

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In this episode of Here comes the Money, Peter and Hovig tackle the hot topic of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and the rumors swirling around the government's plan to plug a massive budget hole.

They break down how CGT actually works, why property prices might actually rise if the tax changes, and share some mind-blowing facts about how much you're being taxed on your weekend beer compared to multi-billion dollar gas exports.

🕒 Key Chapters:

00:00 – The $56 Billion Deficit: Why the government needs more of your money.

02:30 – CGT 101: How the 12-month holding rule and 50% discount work right now.

04:30 – The Supply Trap: Why removing tax discounts could drive house prices and rent even higher.

07:30 – Hidden Taxes: The fuel excise that quietly increases every six months.

08:00 – The Beer vs. Gas Shock: Why your local pint is a bigger tax earner than gas exports.

09:00 – Taking Control: How to treat your household like a "mini-government" to win back your tax.

📩 Have a question you want answered on the show?
Email [email protected]

General Advice Warning: All information discussed is general in nature and does not consider your personal circumstances. Seek personal financial and taxation advice before acting

#12 - The Real Cost of Your Car Repayment

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The Real Cost of Your Car Repayment

Why “normal” car loans delay wealth more than people realise
In Episode 12 of Here Comes the Money, Peter and Hovig unpack one of the most common — and least questioned — financial decisions Australians make:car repayments.

With car loans and vehicle leases now considered “normal” household expenses, this episode breaks down what those repayments are really costing you over time — and why they often prevent people from ever creating surplus, investing consistently, or getting ahead financially.
In this episode, they cover:

• The real long-term cost of car loans and vehicle leases
• Why people underestimate what car repayments cost them over time
• How “normal” lifestyle decisions quietly delay wealth creation
• Why spending first and trying to invest later almost never works
• The behavioural trap of upgrading lifestyle before building assets
• A simple money rule Hovig teaches his kids
• Why investing first removes reliance on willpower
• How letting investments fund lifestyle changes long-term outcomes

They also share real-world examples and conversations showing how car repayments don’t just impact cashflow — they shape behaviour, limit opportunity, and keep people stuck in “normal” financial patterns.

This episode is essential listening for anyone who:
• Has a car loan or vehicle lease
• Feels like they earn good money but have little left over
• Wants to invest but struggles to create surplus
• Has never questioned the true cost of lifestyle debt
• Wants practical, real-world financial insight — not theory

📩 Have a question you want answered on the show?
Email [email protected]

General Advice Warning: All information discussed is general in nature and does not consider your personal circumstances. Seek personal financial advice before acting.

#11 - The Power of Leverage: How Borrowing Can Multiply Wealth (When Done Right)

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Debt gets a bad reputation — but not all debt is created equal.

In Episode 11 of Here Comes the Money, Peter and Hovig dive deep into financial leverage and explain why borrowing, when used correctly, can be one of the most powerful tools for wealth creation.

Using clear, simple examples, they compare:
• Investing $100,000 without leverage
• Investing the same $100,000 with borrowed funds
• The compounding impact over 10 and 20 years
• Why leverage can turn modest growth into life-changing outcomes

They also cover:
• The psychological fear of debt and why it holds people back
• Property vs shares and volatility differences
• How income and tax benefits can offset borrowing costs
• Why leverage is about discipline — not speculation
• Real client wins achieved through long-term strategy

General Advice Warning: All information discussed is general in nature and does not consider your personal circumstances. Seek personal financial advice before acting.

#10 - This Is Why You’re Always Broke (Even on a Good Income)

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Cashflow Management Explained: Why Budgeting Fails (And What Actually Works)

In Episode 10 of Here Comes the Money, Peter and Hovig tackle one of the most important — and most ignored — foundations of financial success:
Cashflow management.

With rising mortgage repayments, rent stress, and cost-of-living pressure across Australia, this episode breaks down what you can control — and why failing to manage cashflow keeps people stuck, no matter how much they earn.

In this episode, they cover:
* Why cashflow is the foundation of every financial strategy
* The difference between fixed expenses and variable expenses
* How lifestyle creep quietly destroys surplus cash
* Why budgeting fails when money has no direction
* A simple mental framework to understand where your money goes
* Why “if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it” is always true
* How automatic transfers and account separation create discipline
* Why removing access to money is often more effective than willpower
* The role cashflow plays in reducing debt, building buffers, and investing

They also share real client examples showing how getting control of cashflow doesn’t just improve finances — it reduces stress, strengthens relationships, and creates real optionality.

This episode is essential listening for anyone who:
* Feels like money disappears each pay cycle
* Wants to build savings without feeling restricted
* Is trying to reduce debt or invest but can’t create surplus
* Wants practical, real-world financial control — not theory

📩 Have a question you want answered on the show?Email [email protected]

General Advice Warning:All strategies and information provided are general advice only and do not take into consideration your personal circumstances. You should seek personal financial and taxation advice before acting. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.

#9 - I Want To Invest In Property… But Where Do I Start?

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In Episode 9 of Here Comes The Money, Peter and Hovig tackle the question almost every Australian eventually hits:

“I want to invest in property… but where do I start?”

This episode breaks down the things you must understand before jumping into the market — not hype, not ‘hotspot’ traps, not advice from your neighbour who bought a duplex in 2009 and “reckons it’ll boom again.” Just the real fundamentals that matter.

We unpack:
📍 Why affordability and cash flow clarity come before suburb hunting
💰 How to build buffers so a job loss or rate rise doesn’t sink you
🏠 Why “buy the house next door” is usually the wrong move
📊 Understanding growth vs yield (and why chasing one breaks the other)
🏗 The 8-point approach: infrastructure, population, vacancy, rental reality & more
🚢 “Cruise ship vs speedboat” — property cycles vs stock market volatility
💡 The power of leverage and why the bank is effectively your business partner

Property investing is less about finding the ‘perfect suburb’ and more about building a structure that lets you sleep at night.

Perfect for anyone about to buy their first investment property — or someone who already owns one and wants clarity before moving again.

⚠️ GENERAL ADVICE WARNING
All strategies and information provided in this episode are general advice only and do not take into consideration your personal circumstances. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice before acting on anything discussed.

#8 - You’re Refinancing Wrong (And It’s Costing You)

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If you refinance your mortgage, are you really starting again with a 30-year loan?

In this episode of Here Comes the Money, Peter and Hovig break down one of the biggest misconceptions in personal finance. Using real-world examples, they explain how refinancing can actually reduce your remaining loan term, improve cash flow, and put you back in control — if done correctly.

They discuss repayment structures, interest rates, equity, serviceability, and why blindly following minimum repayments keeps people trapped in debt longer than necessary.

This episode is practical, direct, and designed to help homeowners make better financial decisions — without hype or fear-based advice.

Questions for the show?
Email [email protected]

General Advice Warning:
This podcast provides general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. You should seek appropriate professional advice before acting. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.

#7 - Good Debt vs Bad Debt: The Strategy That Can Save You Thousands

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Why do smart investors always pay principal & interest on their home loan…
but interest only on their investment properties?

In this episode, we break down the real difference between good debt and bad debt, how banks quietly penalise loyal customers through the lazy tax, and why your investment loan’s actual interest cost is far lower than the number you see on paper.

We also share a real client example:

A $1M home, a $500k mortgage, and how using good debt to invest — instead of just refinancing — became the key to paying off the home faster without squeezing his lifestyle.

You’ll learn:
✔️ Why your home loan is your most expensive debt
✔️ Why investment debt becomes “easy debt” when structured correctly
✔️ How tenants + tax benefits reduce your investment loan to near 1%
✔️ Why winning $500k should pay off your home — NOT your investment
✔️ How interest-only periods work (and why they quietly switch to P&I)
✔️ How to avoid the hidden “lazy tax” banks hit you with
✔️ Why property is one of the most tax-effective wealth tools in Australia

If you’ve ever wondered how to structure your loans to build wealth faster, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

General Advice Warning:
All strategies discussed are general in nature and do not consider your personal circumstances. Always seek professional advice before acting.

Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance.

#6 - The Magic Number That Truly Predicts Your Wealth

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Episode #6 dives into one of the most important numbers that defines your true financial position: your net financial assets. Peter and Hovig unpack why your home, cars and lifestyle assets don’t count toward the wealth that will actually fund your life, how to calculate the number that really matters, and why most Australians dramatically overestimate where they stand. If you want clarity on whether you’re genuinely on track—or just looking good on paper—this episode is a must-watch.

General Advice Warning: All strategies and information provided in this video are general advice only and do not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance. SmartMoney Wealth Management Pty Ltd (ABN 44 658 973 689) is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1308857) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (AFSL 411846). Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on any of the information provided.

#5 - Invisible Money: The Wealth Hidden in Your Super, Equity & Tax

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In this episode, Hovig and Peter break down one of the biggest misconceptions everyday Australians have about money:

“I need more before I can start.”
…when the truth is, most people already have the ingredients — they just don’t know where to look.

From super, to equity, to tax dollars you’re already paying, this episode uncovers the “invisible money” sitting right under your nose — and how everyday mums and dads can use it to build wealth sooner, instead of waiting years to “save enough”.

They unpack:
💡 Why you don’t need to be rich to start building wealth
💡 The three main types of invisible money almost everyone has
💡 Why doing nothing is often the most expensive mistake
💡 How simple tweaks (home loan structure, cashflow clean-ups, using tax dollars smarter) can accelerate your financial position
💡 Real client stories — from people who started with little and still transformed their future
💡 The real cost of procrastination: renting vs buying, missing compounding, retiring on the pension
💡 Why advice needs to be personalised — not from Google, not from ChatGPT, not from guesswork
💡 What the top 5% of Australians do differently

Packed with straight talk, humour, and real-world examples, this episode will help you rethink what’s possible — no matter your income, age or starting point.

📞 Want to chat with our team?
Email us at [email protected]
or visit 👉 https://smartmoneygroup.com.au
A quick 10-minute conversation can show you whether there are areas we can help with — and the worst case?
You learn something valuable.

📘 General Advice Warning
All strategies and information provided in this video are general advice only and do not take into consideration your personal circumstances. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information.
Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance.

SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741), a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533), the holder of Australian Financial Services Licence No. 411846.
© SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

#4 - $2 Million Retirement Reality Check: Why Doing Nothing Is Riskier Than You Think

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The $2 Million Retirement Reality Check

In this episode, Hovig and Peter dive into one of the biggest financial wake-up calls facing Australians — retirement. Do you really need $2 million to retire comfortably, and what happens if you fall short?

They unpack the truth behind the retirement gap, how inflation and lifestyle creep eat away at your future, and why doing nothing might be the most dangerous financial move you can make.

With real examples, simple logic, and a few laughs along the way, this episode will help you see retirement planning in a whole new light — and inspire you to take action today.

📩 Want to chat with our team?
Email us at [email protected]
or visit 🌐 https://smartmoneygroup.com.au

All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846.
Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

#3 – The Mortgage Trap: Why Your $650K Loan Really Costs $1.3 Million

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Most Aussies think their mortgage is simple — you borrow, you pay it back, end of story.

But what if your $650,000 home loan actually costs you $1.3 million? 😳
In Episode #3 of Here Comes the Money, Peter Kaleski and Hovig Evanian break down the real cost of your mortgage — and how the banks quietly make you pay double without you even noticing.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why interest rates aren’t the real issue — time is
• How offset accounts and equity leverage can slash years off your loan
• The smarter way to use your tax dollars and build wealth faster
• How the average Aussie can turn their home loan into a financial weapon

🏠 Don’t just pay your mortgage — master it.

🎧 Watch now and discover how to escape the 30-year debt trap and take control of your financial future.

⚖️ General Advice Disclaimer

All strategies and information discussed in this episode are general advice only and do not take into consideration your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance.
Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information.
SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741), a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533), the holder of Australian Financial Services Licence No. 411846.
© SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

#2 - Why Working Harder Is Actually Making You Poorer 💸

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This episode of Here Comes the Money with Peter & Hovig tears apart the myths that keep everyday Aussies trapped in the financial system. From the illusion of “working harder” leading to freedom, to the hidden truth that your biggest debt might actually be retirement, Peter and Hovig expose the lies, traps, and systemic flaws that keep people poor. With bold insights into mortgages, government policy, and the psychology of money, they reveal how the game is rigged—and more importantly, how to play it smarter. Packed with shock-value truths, relatable examples, and a touch of humour, this episode flips traditional financial advice on its head and empowers viewers to take control of their financial future.

To reach out contact us via [email protected] for a obligation free consultation

All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846.
Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

#1 - What No One’s Telling You About Money, Property & Wealth in Australia

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You’ve heard the headlines — but here’s what’s really happening. In the first episode of Here Comes The Money, SmartMoney Directors Peter Kaleski and Hovig Evanian unpack the truth about finance, property, and wealth that most Aussies never hear. Straight talk. No fluff.

All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only and does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Past Performance is not an indicator of future performance. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal financial and taxation advice prior to acting on this information. SmartMoney Wealth Management is the parent company of SmartMoney Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN: 67 618 468 741) a Corporate Authorised Representative (No: 001265087) of Bluewater Financial Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN: 99 153 118 533) the holder of the Australian Financial Services Licence no. 411846.
Copyright © SmartMoney Wealth Management. All Rights Reserved.

with Peter & Hovig

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