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533 | Case Study: How to Retire on $3,000 a Week – Chat with David Robertson

As we gear up for the highly anticipated launch of our third book, “How to Retire on $3,000 a Week: The Property Couch’s Playbook for Passive Property Investing,” we’re diving deep into one of its most eye-opening case studies! 

But we’re not doing it alone… 

Joining us is David Robertson, Head of Property Wealth Planning at our very own Empower Wealth!  

With a unique, high-level view of property wealth plans across Australia, he’s here to break down the real numbers and strategies behind achieving financial freedom with just 2 investment properties. 


In this episode, you’ll hear:

🔹 The biggest property wealth planning mistakes (Are you making one?) 

🔹 How couples can align on lifestyle spending vs. long-term wealth

🔹 What if you’ve recovered from a relationship breakdown? How to get back on track building a passive income 

🔹 David & Elizabeth’s case study: A young family proving you don’t need 7+ properties to retire on $3K a week! 

Give it a listen now!  

P.S. Stick around ‘til the end for Ben’s Money Alert announcement on Offset Accounts: Yours might not actually be linked to your loan account. Find out why today, and how to stop unnecessarily putting money back into the bank’s pocket!   

P.P.S. Stay tuned for next week, when Ben and Evan will analyse what’s set to be “the most politically sensitive” RBA announcement. Join them LIVE >>   


Free Stuff  

  • Work with David and our team at Empower Wealth!
    Blown away by David’s passion and expertise? Get in touch with our team of Qualified Property Investment Advisors or check out our complete financial services today. Book your free initial chat today >>  
  • Is Your Offset Account Actually Linked? How to Make Sure You’re Maximising Your Savings
    As Ben reveals in his Money Alert, be warned! Your offset account might not actually be linked to your loan accounts. That’s why at Moorr, your home for all your financial affairs, we’ve built-in reminders and alarm bells to go off if there’s more in your savings than your offset (Tune in to 1:19:11 to find out why).
    Create or log in to your account to ensure you’re maximising your money >> 
  • WAITLIST: “How to Retire on $3K a Week”! 🚀
    Be the first to get your hands on our latest book that’s your personal playbook for building a passive income through property. Join the waitlist today >>   

 

Timestamps  

  • 0:00 – Case Study: How to Retire on $3,000 a Week – Chat with David Robertson
  • 1:22 – The most politically sensitive RBA announcement…  
  • 4:20 – Mindset Minute: Your competition isn’t other people. 
  • 5:18 – From client to Head of Property Wealth Planning: Welcome David Robertson! 
  • 9:09 – Money story and family holidays  
  • 9:55 – The #2 types of bad advice 
  • 12:10 – Top property wealth planning mistakes: Are you making one?  
  • 13:55 – Which states are harder to invest in?  
  • 15:21 – Why property is actually about Lifestyle by Design  
  • 18:08 – What rentvestors often overlook…  
  • 19:25 – Are 7 properties in 10 years a realistic strategy?  
  • 24:45 – The #1 thing couples with older kids have when considering property investing  
  • 28:47 – How to resolve differences in lifestyle spending  
  • 31:31 – Do you need $3K a week? How to come up with a realistic passive income target  
  • 35:10 – How can property investing help DINKS (Double Income No Kids)?  
  • 40:57 – What if I’ve just recovered from a relationship breakdown? 
  • 44:40 – Case Study #1: Couple with Young Kids (David & Elizabeth)  
  • 48:40 – The two investment properties needed 
  • 50:35 – Why the gap between income and expenses matters 
  • 55:08 – Why do we talk about prices in current-day values?  
  • 56:18 – Why you should prioritise personal debt and offset buckets  
  • 58:31 – What happens if you do nothing 
  • 1:02:44 – $3K in retirement: What does this go towards? (Taxes, spending, etc.)  
  • 1:09:14 – How much is each property earning?  
  • 1:13:35 – Thank you, Dave! What a knowledgeable and passionate guest.  

And… 

 

521 | How NOT To Lose $1M: Win at Investing by Losing Less – Chat with John Addis

What does it really take to become a successful investor? Is it luck? Skill? Or something a little more surprising… like learning to love your mistakes? 😮  

In this week’s episode, we sit down with John Addis, founder of Intelligent Investor and author of How Not to Lose $1 Million: Win at Investing by Losing Less.  

With a fascination for investing and what makes a successful business tick, John specialises in turning complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand, impactful insights. 

Today, we’ll share John’s inspirational journey, from buying his first flat at 21 to founding one of Australia’s most respected financial magazines.  

Along the way, he’s made his fair share of investing missteps – including a $1.4M property mistake – and shares golden lessons that every investor can use to win more and lose less when investing.  


In this episode, you’ll hear:

👉 The biggest misconception about investing mistakes (and why we actually need to welcome them!)

👉 Why most people should NOT be managing their own money

👉 The surprising truth about valuation methods across stocks, property, and more

👉 Why success too early can be dangerous for your investing journey

👉 John’s simple 3-step thesis for long-term investing success

👉 How his leukemia diagnosis reshaped his perspective on money, family, and what really matters. 

For a sharp look into how humans can overcome the psychological barriers that make us terrible investors, listen in now!  


Free Stuff  

  • Ask Opti, your very own TPC podcast companion, ANY property question!
    Opti, your property AI, has been live for ONE week and has received some fantastic questions! Ask Opti your biggest property questions, and it will scour our entire catalogue – we’re talking all our courses, books and 500+ episodes – to find the answer to your questions instantly. To give it a spin, simply text click here to start the conversation on Whatsapp or scan this QR code: 

Opti QR Code

  • We’re on the hunt for a Chief Operating Officer!
    If you, or someone you know, who is passionate about financial services, loves putting people first and is fascinated by digital transformation and technology, then reach out to Ben on LinkedIn or find out more about the job here >>   

 

Timestamps  

  • 0:00 – How NOT To Lose $1M: Win at Investing by Losing Less – Chat with John Addis 
  • 1:22 – Opti, your own property AI is here!  
  • 3:52 – Bryce is donating his 50th birthday to cure blindness  
  • 5:49 – We’re on the hunt for our next Chief Operating Officer!   
  • 7:27 – Summer Series 2024/25 starts soon!  
  • 8:08 – Mindset Minute: What success in investing actually looks like  
  • 8:43 – Welcome, John Addis!  
  • 10:32 – The biggest misconception about investing mistakes  
  • 11:44 – Money Story: “Talking about money had a certain level of dirtiness”  
  • 13:32 – From coal miners to caravan trips in Devon  
  • 17:02 – Buying his first flat at 21 years of age?!  
  • 18:26 – Moving to Australia: Finding his feet and first jobs  
  • 21:33 – What it’s like running Intelligent Investor, one of Australia’s cornerstone financial magazines  
  • 23:44 – Doing the Math: Financial planners take more than HALF of your overall wealth
  • 26:25 – Golden lessons learnt from a $5 all-you-can-eat lunch special  
  • 29:12 – The $1.4M mistake John kicked himself over for YEARS  
  • 32:39 – How to overcome any investing mistake  
  • 35:06 – The biggest mistakes made in property & shares  
  • 37:43 – Why the pandemic was a golden opportunity for bargains  
  • 40:51 – John’s investing strategy: Macro vs. Counter Cyclical   
  • 43:05 – Why Flight Centre was a great investment!  
  • 44:51 – Most people should NOT be managing their own money   
  • 47:42 – Price falls: The difference between shops and shares  
  • 48:49 – Success too early is dangerous 
  • 50:10 – Valuation methods are the SAME across assets 
  • 53:55 – How did his leukemia diagnosis change his mindset and attitude toward money? 
  • 58:21 – How much money is enough? 
  • 1:00:50 – John Addis’ thesis for investing in just three steps  

And… 

  • 1:02:40 – Wow, so much wisdom in one episode!   
  • 1:06:16 – Lifehack: How to track a flight from a photograph of the flight numbers?!  
  • 1:08:26 – WMPN:  A new “super silly” homebuyer pitch from the Liberals… 

 

520 | Should You Take Property Advice from a Financial Planner?

Folks, Episode 520 is not just another massive Q&A Day on the couch, but today’s episode has us responding to the rawest feedback we’ve EVER received. 🤯 

Plus, you’ve heard our about property investing journeys. But what about today’s true story from Trevor, who backs up everything we said about failing to retire on $2K per week?!  

You’ll have to tune in to find out how he gets out of this sticky situation. 


In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • Why TPC listener Gabriel opposes calling property investors “small business owners” 📈 
  • Capital Gains Tax: Has the AFR proven us wrong? 🤔 
  • Should you take property advice from a financial planner? 🏡 
  • How do birthdays and curing blindness overlap? Tune in at 19:45 to find out. 👁️  

It’s a ripper episode folks. Give it a listen now!  


Free Stuff  

  • Australia’s FIRST property AI is now LIVE!
    Ask your burning questions, and Opti, The Property Couch’s own AI, will scour our entire catalogue – we’re talking all our courses, books and 500+ episodes – to find the answer. To try it, simply text click here to start the conversation on Whatsapp or scan this QR code:

Opti QR Code

  • UPCOMING WEBINAR: MoneySMARTS 2.0 release!
    7:30pm AEDT, Tuesday, 26th November 
    Get ready to meet your new, ultimate money management tool in Moorr, designed to make managing your finances simple, effortless, and effective.  
     
    Join Bryce, Ben, and Moorr’s Product Manager, Alric, as they walk you through the powerful new features of MoneySMARTS 2.0 and share practical tips to make your money work harder for you! Register for the webinar here >>  
  • Want to join our team?
    Empower Wealth is on the hunt for a Chief Operating Officer! If you, or someone you know, is passionate about leading a team of professionals dedicated to helping aspiring Australians achieve their financial & personal goals, then we want to hear from you! Apply today >>  
  • Give the gift of sight!
    May 2025
    Next year, Bryce turns 50! To celebrate, he’s hosting a special charity event in Bali to fund life-changing eye surgeries for those in need. Join the TPC crew in Bali for 3 days, during which you’ll witness transformative eye surgeries up close and be part of a property investing mastermind session!

    Partnering with the John Fawcett Foundation, your support will provide glasses, eye medicines, and free cataract surgeries, transforming lives through better vision. We have just 12 spots available. If this is something you’d like to be a part of, find out more or register your expression of interest here!
  • Get on Bus #1 (Listen to 50:45 for some background 😉)!
    In line with Helal’s question, work with Empower Wealth, our team of Qualified Property Investment Advisors (QPIA). Speak to an award-winning team today >>

 

Questions We Answer

Q1) Feedback on Episode 515 – Negative Gearing from Gabriel  

Hello, 

Firstly thanks so much for all the work you are doing for giving an alternative to some of the media rhetoric on this topic.  Can I offer a couple of points as constructive feedback after listening to the episode.  

While it provided a lot of good points to consider, I think there is an opportunity to rethink a couple.  

Firstly on the history of capital gains tax, while you said that it replaced existing arrangements, you failed to mention the important point that it is more generous that its predecessor and that there is scope for scaling it back. The AFR in their Fin podcast mentioned that CGT was worth $25B a year vs $2B for negative gearing. It was meant to encourage investment in businesses and instead turbo charged property.  

Secondly I find you calling property investors small business owners irritating, and if this is a sentiment shared by many others I wonder if it could be detrimental to the cause of changing the public opinion of ‘greedy investors’.  

While I own an investment property myself, I would never introduce myself as a ‘small business owner’ based on that. I own an asset that serves a great social purpose of housing Australians, but this is not a business where I create something new out of time, creativity and resources.  

The asset is already there, built by an actual business. It’s managed by another business – a property management agency and it’s maintained by other businesses like tradies.  

I don’t have an ABN and don’t need one. If I owned shares which ultimately give capital to listed businesses so they can invest and grow the economy, would I call myself a small business owner? 

Love your work (still!) 

Regards,
Gabriel 

 

Q2) Role of financial advisor in property investing from Helal 

Hi, I hope you are doing well.  

I have a question about the role of a financial advisor and the services that you provide. From what I understood from listening to the podcast is that the financial advisor cannot advise you to go looking, or advice about properties, is that correct?  

If not, what should we do? Do we go through a financial advisor first and then decide whether we want to go into property with them going with the financial advisor’s plan? 

 

Q3) How to fail to build from Trevor  

Hey Ben & Bryce, 

Just wanted to reach out and say Ep. 480. Guys! This is phe . nom . enal ! I can relate to some if not all of the “how to fail to build” points you raised here.

My true story goes a little something like this. I bought my first house and land package as a PPR just before the GFC hit and after living in it for a year, rented it out because I went off traveling the world in my mid 20s for the next 8/9 years.  

After the real estate agency secured what I thought was a good tenant, I gave them the flick and managed the property privately. Thought it was a great idea to save a few dollars on fees right. Those same tenants moved out 5 years later and I had to replace all the carpets, repaint the walls and replace some fans the kids had swung off of. Needless to say, the bond certainly didn’t cover this.  

I kept the bond and offered the tenants to pay the rest of the bill. Obviously, I heard crickets from them so had to pay the rest out of my own pocket. I had landlords insurance but this is a worst case insurance for me and I never use it to claim small things. It’s just for the “what if the house burns down”.  

You’d think I’d learn right? Wrong.  

I went and got another tenant, funny enough it was the family next door and they were moving out of that house because it was up for sale. I saw an opportunity to save on management fees again and 2 weeks’ rent the real estate would have charged for finding a new tenant. The new family moved in under a private agreement. Sweet as right? 

Nope. After trying to manage this house from a yacht somewhere in the Bahamas (which I worked on by the way, not owned) I found out while doing my own tax return one year that they had underpaid me rent. I had to send them emails and show them spreadsheets from afar of how much they were behind and it was more than 5 grand.  

I thought enough was enough and got a property manager to help sort them out and they did pay me what I was owed and all was fine. But do you know what the kicker is, well it’s not keeping up with what the rental market is doing. I.e. rents around my house had gone up and considerably, but because I was managing this house myself from afar I didn’t have the finger on the pulse.  

After all of this learning, let me tell you fellas… I have now learnt! I maintained a property manager for this house from then on. That lesson had taught me about property management and its importance. What it didn’t teach was having the right strategy in place, and so I sold that house at roughly the 10 year mark (insert palm in face emoji). 

I can wholeheartedly say that the net of the money I saved in management fees over the years was surely a net negative and as you can see to top it off I sold the property and paid commission to do so.  

I can’t bring myself to check the growth of that suburb and what the house would be worth now or even to check what its rental yield would be. For context I sold it in 2022. 

Final point I’ll make on this and for people who may hear this, I wish I got accredited professional help because my future self would have thanked me for it. My wife and I have now got that help through Empower Wealth and we are on a path of retribution.  

I am a dedicated listener to your podcast.  

Keep up the great work!
You guys are my Joe Rogan!
Cheers Trev. 

 

Timestamps  

  • 0:00 – Should You Take Property Advice from a Financial Planner?     
  • 1:29 – Footy banter and Trump’s win  
  • 5:39 – Australia’s FIRST property AI is now LIVE 
  • 9:35 – MoneySMARTS 2.0: Release webinar!  
  • 11:33 – Empower Wealth is hiring a Chief Operating Officer  
  • 14:39 – A heartwarming moment at the Tina Turner concert! Ruva, here’s a shoutout to you 😊  
  • 17:48 – Mindset Minute: “Life is not for complaining about pain and sorrows; it’s about prioritising…”  
  • 19:45 – Bryce’s 50th: Give the gift of sight! 
  • 26:56 – Block Auctions: A reminder it’s not based on real property principles!   
  • 29:51 – Q1) Negative gearing feedback & would I call myself a small business owner 
  • 32:10 – The history of capital gains tax  
  • 34:04 – What makes a small business?  
  • 37:29 – The #1 overarching reason why the property investor narrative needs to change 
  • 39:45 – Framing businesses: Vintage cars and social good 🚗 
  • 43:19 – Negative gearing for… planes?!  
  • 45:05 – Q2) Should you take property advice from a financial planner?    
  • 46:13 – Residential properties aren’t a licensed product!  
  • 50:45 – Bryce’s minibus analogy: Traditional financial planners vs. Investment-savvy financial planners 
  • 54:33 – Why do QUALIFIED property investor advisors (QPIA) matter?  
  • 58:43 – Reach out to us if you want to get on Bus #1!  
  • 1:00:42 – Q3) How to fail to retire on $2K per week  
  • 1:04:58 – Avoid touching the pot!  

And… 

 

491 | The 3 Stages of Retirement & Why Most Don’t Think Beyond Stage 1?  – Chat with Jennifer Langton

 

“What you do with your home will have the biggest impact on your fees and charges and how your cash flow works in residential aged care.”  Jennifer Langton  

Folks, there’s A LOT of considerations and work to be done to “get your ducks in order” before you retire. It can be overwhelming, from managing your pension to strategically positioning your home and investment properties.   

And it’s not just for elderly folks or those who are about to retire. Gen Xs, we’re talking to you too!   

To help guide you through Australia’s complex Aged Care system, we’ve got an exceptional, first-time property couch guest: Jennifer Langton!   

Jennifer is the Head of Personal Advice at Aged Care Steps and is an Educator, Financial Adviser, and Speaker who is an FAAA accredited Aged Care Specialist for Senior Aged Care and Retirement Living.   

Together, we unpack: 
✅ The 3 Major Phases of Retirement & why most people only think about Phase #1!  
✅ Why you want to avoid “Hospital Carpark Decisions” at ALL costs  
✅ Why You Don’t Want A Scottish Castle In Retirement!  
✅ How your home is assessed (Psst: It’s different between your aged care and aged pension!) 
✅ The intricacies between interest rates and pensions and the new incoming changes 
✅ Jen’s top tips and tricks for aged care and much more!   

 Tune in now to discover the answer to some of these age-old questions 😊   

 

Free Stuff Mentioned

  • 2024 TPC Survey Closing Soon! Let us know what we should start, stop and keep doing and as our thanks to you, we’ll give you a Case Study Series Unpacked for FREE (usually $297). Plus, the top #5 most insightful answers will win a $100 gift card. Share your thoughts now >>    

Timestamps

  • 0:00 – The 3 Stages of Retirement & Why Most Don’t Think Beyond Stage 1? 
  • 2:44 – 2024 Survey Closing Soon: Fill yours out & get our FREE Case Studies Unpacked Series 
  • 5:02 – If you are a Gen X, you’re going to want to do this…  
  • 6:08 Mindset Minute: Dream while you’re awake    
  • 9:53 – Welcome Jennifer Langton!  
  • 10:29 – We NEED to change these Aged Care myths  
  • 14:29 – Jen’s career from Flying to Financial Planning 
  • 16:50 – Her Traditional Money Backstory  
  • 19:04 – “Sit down and have that cup of tea”: The first big steps to financial literacy  
  • 21:30 – How Jen has always stayed in control of her finances  
  • 22:38 – The big transition away from a traditional upbringing 
  • 23:26 – The 3 Major Phases of Retirement  
  • 27:21 – The options available in Australia’s care system  
  • 32:03 – Who and what should you be considering when it comes to retirement?   
  • 33:54 – Application to approval codes: The Assessment Process  
  • 37:37 – The Scottish Castle: Why it matters WHERE you live 
  • 41:27 – “Your home is assessed differently for aged care and aged pension”  
  • 44:45 – Avoid ‘Hospital Carpark Conversations’ at all costs! 
  • 46:44 – THIS is where Financial Planners shine  
  • 48:12 – The messy middle of 1 investment property  
  • 50:27 – Option 1: Do Nothing?!  
  • 51:12 – Case Study: Beryl, aged 87  
  • 54:55 – The fine print: Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RAD) 
  • 58:06 – New changes coming out to interest rates and aged care?  
  • 1:01:55 – The wealthiest generation around the world    
  • 1:04:12 – Tips & traps of aged care 
  • 1:07:53 – The Granny Flat Catch  
  • 1:09:30 – Summary  
  • 1:10:23 – What options do you have for your home in retirement? 
  • 1:11:43 – Why we haven’t been talking about Superannuation 
  • 1:13:47 – Advice from one of the best in financial and aging care planning   

And… 

  • 1:16:04 – Thank you for turning on the lightbulb, Jennifer!  
  • 1:21:36 – Lifehack: Apple has added a game-changing feature for podcasts  
  • 1:23:40 – WMPN: Construction has hit new lows & the most expensive property on the planet?!  

 

489 | The Rise of the Finfluencer: Who’s at Risk?

 

Ever find yourself double-tapping a Finfluencer’s post and thinking, “Is this legit?”  

You’re not alone. We all love a good financial glow-up story, but discerning sound advice from dangerous schemes is becoming harder online.  

That’s why, in this week’s episode, we’re diving into the fast-paced world of financial influencers. 

 From the six red flags to spot a Finfluencer in a sea of seemingly harmless finance feeds to understanding why “pay interest only” tips are just the tip of the iceberg, tune in to discover who’s most likely at risk of being stung by these Finfluencers and, more importantly, how to avoid it. 

 Listen now to learn how to navigate today’s complex Finfluencer landscape.  

 

Free Stuff Mentioned

  • Tell us what you want to hear & get our FREE Case Studies Unpacked Series! (RRP $297)
    Our 2024 TPC Survey is now open! Tell us what you’d like us to start, stop and keep doing in our short survey. All you need to do is tick a few boxes and let us know how we can keep providing the best, most relatable content this year.
    And as our thanks to you, we’re giving every person who shares their thoughts a Case Study Series Unpacked for FREE (usually $297). Plus, the top #5 most insightful answers will win a $100 gift card. Share your thoughts now >>  
  • Want us to tackle a topic? Reach out to Bryce on Instagram or through our SpeakPipe. (And get a free Start & Build course if your Q is featured!)   
  • Resources from Ben’s “What’s Making Property News”:  

 

Timestamps

  • 0:00 – The Rise of the Finfluencer: Who’s at Risk? 
  • 3:46 – Tell us what you want to hear this year!  
  • 6:26 – Mindset Minute: History never repeats itself, man always does 
  • 7:40 – The listener Q which started this episode (Thanks, Jen!)  
  • 9:35 – The Evolution of the Finfluencer  
  • 12:10 – What is a Finfluencer?  
  • 13:43 – Here’s how to spot one!  
  • 14:32 – The #6 ways Finfluencers differ from traditional financial advisors:
    1. A_ ce_s_b_li_ _ 
  • 16:03 – 2. P_a_ _o_m 
  • 17:31 – 3. Re_u_a_ _on 
  • 18:25 – 4. E_p_r_ise & C_ede_ _ials 
  • 22:53 – 5. Co_pe_sa_ _on 
  • 25:20 – 6. Pe_ _on_li_a_ _on 
  • 29:19 – Beware credit advice!  
  • 31:11 – Who’s at risk of being stung by a Finfluencers?  
  • 32:19 – How Finfluencers measure success 
  • 32:52 – The 2 groups at greatest risk 
  • 37:19 – Why are they so effective?  
  • 40:17 – #6 Finfluence Red Flags: 1. “Too Good to Be ____”  
  • 43:42 – 2. Hard ____  
  • 46:14 – 3. Lack of ____ 
  • 47:20 – 4. High ____ Strategies  
  • 50:27 – 5. Emphasis on ____ ____ Gains  
  • 52:55 – 6. Hero not the ______ 
  • 56:36 – ASIC & Finfluencers  
  • 1:00:20 – The difficulties monitoring Finfluencers  
  • 1:02:40 – The Downfall of the ASX Wolf  
  • 1:09:20 – Why property is the playground for the spruiker  
  • 1:14:00 – The #3 Ps you should practice going forward  
  • 1:19:29 – Final Word: “Sniff Test” our podcast folks! 
  • 1:21:30 – What we stand for  
  • 1:27:32 – Have a topic you want us to tackle? Let us know!  

And… 

  • 1:28:49 – Lifehack: Got a boarding pass? Try this plane lifehack 
  • 1:30:46 – WMPN:  Where are Australians flocking to? Interstate population growth  

 

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