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Ben Kingsley on 2GB’s Money News with Deborah Knight: Can Property Really Deliver $3,000 a Week?

What does it take to retire on $3,000 per week — and is it really achievable for everyday Australians?

That’s the question Empower Wealth Founder and The Property Couch co-host Ben Kingsley tackled in a recent interview on 2GB Sydney’s Money News with Deborah Knight.

The conversation unpacked the real meaning of passive income, the myths around building big portfolios, and the smart, strategic use of property and planning to create a financially secure retirement — the exact themes explored in the newly released book How to Retire on $3,000 per Week.

🎥 Watch the full interview here on 2GB Sydney or tune in to the video below:

💡 Key Takeaways from the Interview

  • Passive income from property is possible — but it’s not magic. You don’t need ten properties. In fact, for many Australians, two or three well-chosen properties alongside superannuation can be enough.
  • You’re never too late to start. Ben explains how people in their 50s can still work toward a comfortable retirement — if they avoid risky shortcuts and follow a methodical, well-planned approach.
  • The “ABCD” of property investing matters more than hype. Ben breaks down the four pillars covered in the book:
    • Asset selection
    • Borrowing power
    • Cashflow management
    • Defence (risk mitigation)
  • Debt isn’t a dirty word — it’s a tool. Used productively, debt can help accelerate your ability to build wealth and gain financial freedom — as long as it’s managed within your risk tolerance and life plans.
  • It’s not about property moguls. This isn’t about owning 20 properties — it’s about designing a sustainable plan that supports your ideal lifestyle without overexposure or unnecessary complexity.
  • Investors have a role in the housing market — and a responsibility. Ben acknowledges the tension between investors and housing affordability and highlights the importance of balance, sensible ownership levels, and sufficient housing supply to support workforce mobility and productivity.

 

This interview is a great snapshot of the values, frameworks and real-world insights we’ve built the book around — and it’s a reminder that with the right plan, passive income from property can be a powerful part of a bigger picture.

If you haven’t grabbed your copy of How to Retire on $3,000 per Week – The Property Couch’s Playbook for Passive Property Investing yet, you can find it at:

 

545 | Burnt-Out Vans, Mouldy Eaves & Broken Trust: A Cautionary Buyer’s Agent Tale

When long-time listener and four-property investor Jayson reached out to Bryce on LinkedIn, we knew this was a conversation worth having on the couch. 

Why? 

Because he’s been through something many won’t talk about publicly:  

What happens when you put your trust—and your money—in a so-called “top tier” buyer’s agent 

And things go bad. 🙁  

In this candid, courageous chat, Jayson walks us through:

✅ The real story behind his borderless investing experience
✅ What went wrong with not one—but THREE—properties
✅ The moment that shattered his confidence in the professionals he hired
✅ And how he rebuilt that trust and bought interstate (successfully!) on his own terms. 


We also unpack:  

📌 What to look out for before signing on with a buyer’s agent
📌 The clauses in a contract that could cost you thousands
📌 Why yield alone should never be your north star
📌 And how to spot red flags that might not show up on a spreadsheet. 

Folks, this one’s a cautionary story with a positive ending.  

It’s for anyone considering hiring a professional—and a reminder that communication, transparency, and trust must be non-negotiables when building a property portfolio. 


Free Stuff  

    • Just 3 WEEKS Left to Help Us Restore Sight! 👁️
      To celebrate Bryce’s 50th birthday, we’ve teamed up with the John Fawcett Foundation to give the life-changing gift of sight to those in need in Indonesia through cataract surgeries. Thanks to our generous community, we’ve already raised $4,184.93 – but we’ve got 3 more weeks left to hit our $10,000 goal by 27th May. Whether you’re a long-time listener of The Property Couch or simply believe in giving back — every dollar counts.Here’s what your donation can do:
      👁️ $100 = Restores sight to 1 person
      👁️👁️ $200 = 2 people
      🖐️ $500 = 5 people
      ✋✋ $1,000 = 10 people
      Donate now and help us to transform lives!
       
    • Time’s Running Out to Pre-Order & Save!
      Our brand-new book — How to Retire on $3,000 a Week — is almost here! With just weeks to go before launch, now’s the perfect time to lock in up to 10% off and be one of the first to get your hands on it. Pre-order today from these retailers: 

  • (RRP is $32.99 — so whichever option you pick, you’re ahead!). Or join the waitlist for exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, bonuses, and sneak peeks you won’t find anywhere else!
  • MyKNOWLEDGE Has Landed! 🚀
    This episode isn’t just packed with evergreen lessons— it also marks the official launch of MyKNOWLEDGE, our brand-new digital learning hub designed to fast-track your property, finance, and MoneySMARTS. As a special thank you to our podcast community, we’re offering 50% off MyKNOWLEDGE — but only until 31 May! Simply create or log in to your Moorr account, and you’ll see MyKNOWLEDGE on the sidebar.
    👉 Redeem your discount here
    💬 Or use code: ACT50 at checkout 

Timestamps  

  • 0:00 – Burnt-Out Vans, Mouldy Eaves & Broken Trust: A Cautionary Buyer’s Agent Tale 
  • 1:32 – Footy Banter: Is Bryce questioning his support for Freo? 😮  
  • 7:48 – Federal Election Results  
  • 13:23 – Join the waitlist for our latest book: “How to Retire on $3K a Week”  
  • 15:13 – Bryce’s 50th: Just 3 WEEKS left to help us restore sight  
  • 16:37 – MyKNOWLEDGE has just launched! Get 50% off for a limited time only 
  • 21:22 – Mindset Minute:  The painful cost of overthinking  
  • 25:12 – Welcome, Jayson!  
  • 25:58 – Why he turned to a buyer’s agent—and what he was chasing 
  • 26:54 – Money Story: Invoices, QuickBooks, and watching mum & dad invest 
  • 33:47 – From tradie to investor: DIY confidence & an aggressive approach 
  • 37:14 – Jayson’s Safety Net  
  • 39:08 – “Accidental investors” and building their property portfolio  
  • 44:28 – Why did they decide to engage a “top-tier” buyer’s agent?  
  • 45:51 – Property #1: Mould, misdirection & a burnt-out caravan next door 😬 
  • 51:05 – Cooling-off confusion: The clause that could’ve cost thousands 
  • 57:20 – Property #2: Shaky walkthroughs, low yield & misleading comparables 
  • 1:00:49 – Property #3: The final straw that broke the camel’s back 
  • 1:05:46 – After the two burns, why did they go back for a third swing?  
  • 1:08:19 – The refund request 
  • 1:13:53 – A surprising response from the CEO 
  • 1:16:11 – The Walkaway Test: The overlooked fourth component 
  • 1:21:22 – How Jayson rebuilt confidence!  
  • 1:23:02 – The red flags & real lessons learnt 
  • 1:26:39 – Jayson’s North Star: Freedom, flexibility & financial springboard 
  • 1:28:20 – The true power of lived experience 

And… 

  • 1:30:57 – Life By Design: The best way to teach your kids about taxes  
  • 1:32:18 – WMPN:  The most common landlord insurance claims…  

 

TPC Gold | Top 4 Monopoly Lessons for Property Investors

In today’s bonus snippet, Bryce and Ben delve into timeless lessons from the classic board game Monopoly that are surprisingly relevant to real-life property investment. 

Lesson #1: Be patient 🕰️
Lesson #2: Expensive isn’t always better 💸
Lesson #3: Cash flow is key 💵  

Now…can you guess what lesson #4 is? 

By understanding these key concepts, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the world of property investment with confidence and foresight. Don’t miss out on these game-changing insights! 

For a deeper dive, tune in to the full episode here: Episode 343 | “Pass Go & Collect $200” – 6 Property Lessons from Monopoly! 

 

This Will Help with Monopoly Lesson #4!

Now that you know what lesson #4 is, here’s something that might be of interest: our Free Property Report! 

This comprehensive 39-page report is a treasure trove of data insights. Covering 20 key statistics including long-term growth, market cycle timing, days on market, and much more – all conveniently packed into one single report!

Don’t miss out – pick the suburb of your choice and get instant access to a wealth of knowledge that could inform your property decisions. 

 

Similar Episodes to Top 4 Monopoly Lessons for Property Investors

 

472 | “We’re Moving to Kalgoorlie!”: Sacrifices, Savings, and Three Investment Properties Later – Chat with Amy

 

This week’s episode is about many things… 

💎 The boundless rewards that come from delayed gratification,
📚 The enlightening power of financial empowerment, and…
🧑‍🌾 Getting out of your comfort zone by heading to the outback.  

Meet Amy, today’s brave and resourceful Summer Series guest!  

Growing up with “tangible money values”, Amy would spend her early 20’s prioritising life experiences over financial gain until the age of 26 when she made 1 life-changing decision…  

This would completely change her financial future and allow her and Sam, her wife, to leap onto the property ladder in less than a year.   

Tune in to hear what this revolutionary decision was, their experience moving from the East Coast to the Outback and their diverse property investing journey.    

From their first hands-on property investment to the land purchase near Byron Bay to the joint venture with her parents, Amy’s story has many chapters full of laughs and good lessons along the way.  

An episode for those who are willing to get outside their comfort zone to get into the property game, listen in now! 

 

P.S. Did we mention…Amy’s been a Property Couch listener for 9 years?! What an honour to talk to a long-time listener 😊🌌✨ 

 

Free Stuff Mentioned

 

Timestamps

  • 0:00 – “We’re Moving to Kalgoorlie!”: Sacrifices, Savings, and Three Investment Properties Later 
  • 1:23 – Welcome Amy!  
  • 2:30 – Tangible money values & having parents who “taught them how to fish”  
  • 5:52 – 2 sisters, 2 different investing pathways  
  • 6:54 – Passing on these values to the kids… 
  • 8:08 – Travelling & spending on experiences in her 20s  
  • 9:47 – The money system she’s always used to save…  
  • 10:55 – The big sacrifice they had to make to get onto the property ladder  
  • 12:21 – From the Coast to Outback: The Move to Kalgoorlie!  
  • 14:19 – Why did Amy decide to financially educate herself?  
  • 17:00 – Why they chose their investing strategy!  
  • 17:21 – Their first investment property  
  • 19:19 – THIS is best asset they purchased!  
  • 21:13 – Why did they choose to invest and build a Granny Flat?  
  • 23:23 – Releasing Equity & Starting a Family  
  • 24:57 – Going borderless!  
  • 27:38 – Would she do it again?  
  • 29:51 – The joint venture with the parents!  
  • 32:45 – Her pragmatic approach to rates and land tax 
  • 36:16 – Into the future: Kids growing up and outgrowing the family home?  
  • 38:04 – What does money mean to Amy?  
  • 40:59 – Why she wanted to come onto the couch!  
  • 44:07 – Key Takeaways  
  • 45:37 – What an incredible story! Thank you Amy! 😊  

216 | Margaret Lomas – Everything You Need To Know To Invest In 2019!

Folks, our Summer Series just wouldn’t be complete without the Titan of property investing paying a visit!!

So here to give you the insights is none other than one of Australia’s most recognised and respected Property Experts…… Margaret Lomas!

As the Director and Founder of Destiny Financial Solutions, a best-selling author of EIGHT property investment books and the host of the brand new Web TV show, My Property TV, Margaret is an active property investor, a Qualified Property Investment Advisor and is also on the board of Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA).

PLUS, you might recognise her voice from Episode 150 | Margaret Lomas: How this mother of 5 turned $80,000 into a multimillion dollar property empire!

 

Here’s what you can expect from today’s show…

 

 

Missed earlier episodes in The Summer Series?

Episode 204 |Peter Koulizos – What he’d like to do about Negative Gearing

Episode 205 | Expelled at 15 and 3 properties by 22 – Chat with Jack Henderson

Episode 206 | Nerida Conisbee – What’s Happening Around the Ground in the Australian Property Market?

Episode 207 | Pete Wargent – The Real Story Behind the Charts

Episode 208 | Tom Panos – Making MORE Money While You Sleep in 2019

Episode 209 | Veronica Morgan – From the coalface of the Sydney Property Market

Episode 210 | How to Recover from Making Every Mistake Possible in the Investing Game – Chat with John Hartill

Episode 211 | How to build a portfolio OUTSIDE the capital cities – Chat with Jill Stewart

Episode 212 | Stuart Wemyss – The Common Sense Approach to Superannuation, Royal Commission and Negative Gearing

Episode 213 | Jane Slack-Smith – How to Adjust your Renovation Strategy for 2019?

Episode 214 | Fiona Bengtsson – From Near Bankruptcy to 11 Renovations and counting!

Episode 215 | Jordan Bill – How Money S.M.A.R.T.S. Transformed Their Family’s Life

 

 

P.S. Don’t forget,

DOWNLOAD our Free Binge Guide Here – The First 20 Episodes

This 80-odd page document is the vault containing all the foundational tips and insights you need to be a successful investor.
Want a Free Copy of The Golden Highlights? You can get it here.

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