In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Hayden Smith from Pearler to compare the money lessons they wish they had understood much earlier. What starts as a conversation about investing quickly turns into a practical discussion about the decisions that shape wealth in Australia: where you live, how you save, what tax does to returns and why good habits matter more than clever hot takes.
Owen and Hayden unpack why owner-occupied property is hard to ignore in Australia, especially when cheap leverage and the pension rules tilt the game. They also explain why many investors obsess over the wrong fees, how tax quietly touches almost every money decision, and why a strong saving rate still does more heavy lifting than most people expect.
The episode also explores the emotional side of investing. From scary headlines and market downturns to the temptation to constantly switch strategies, they make the case that behaviour is often more important than intelligence. Along the way they touch on diversification, ETFs such as VAS and IVV, the trade-offs between property and shares, and the value of staying invested for the long term.
If you want a grounded Australian take on money, investing and building wealth, this episode is full of honest lessons, avoidable mistakes and practical perspective.
