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368 | Got Stung By A Spruiker: Restarting After Ten Years of Property Mistakes – Chat with Michael

By in Real life stories, Summer Series

“I read enough book to make me dangerous”

That’s the quote from our special guest today.

 

A thirst for knowledge is an excellent virtue to have but in some cases, you might encounter information overload… Or in other rare cases, you might be reading the wrong books or getting advice from mentors with hidden agendas.

Unfortunately today’s Summer Series guest, Michael, is in the latter category.

Folks, if you had been stung by a spruiker before, you’d know that it’s not easy getting back on the property ladder and, even more so trusting another so called property professionals.

But Michael did.

Despite being a victim of opportunity cost, he did not let that deter him at all. In fact, he learned from each experience, good and bad, and stood up to the challenge, stronger and more motivated than ever.

But…

How did he recover from all the bad purchases? (Yes, there were a few!)

Tune in for all those and more folks because his true story starts waaaaay before he bought the first investment stock property 😉

 

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Here’s what we cover…

  • 1:17 – Meet Michael.
  • 1:58 – What is it like growing up in a caravan park…?
  • 4:41 – “I knew (money) was tight I suppose but…”
  • 6:47 – Why was building his own first house at 20 his first mistake?
  • 9:55 – Setting up his finances on his own!
  • 11:35 – When did the drive to own his own home begin?
  • 12:33 – What happened when he was 21 that taught him the biggest money lesson ever?
  • 13:43 – His fortnight spreadsheet updates!
  • 16:05 – The discovery of Money SMARTS
  • 17:02 – How having a goal changed his habits and mindset?
  • 18:57 – “That’s the other thing, I’ve done everything wrong” – The mistakes that made him realised that he couldn’t do it alone
  • 19:20 – Here’s when the spruiker story begins!
  • 21:26 – What are the signs to look out for to spot a spruiker?
  • 22:50 – The 10 Year Property Journey that changed his life
  • 27:05 – Why did he decide to pay for professional advice?
  • 29:50 – When reading too much is dangerous…
  • 33:37 – What should you expect from a great property advisor?
  • 36:35 – Get your partner on board!
  • 37:50 – What does planning for the future looks like?
  • 39:22 – What convinced him to let go of his spreadsheets?
  • 41:00 – His end game and the #1 advice for others

 

 

Note: There are more real-life investor stories like this in our Previous Summer Series! Make sure you check them all out here.

Keen to Get Started with Money SMARTS?

Fill in the form below and create your account on our Money SMARTS Platform now!

Already have an account? Log in here.

 

 

367 | The Chain of Unfortunate Events: What Made This Single Mum a Superhero? – Chat with Dee

By in Real life stories, Summer Series

“A wound is where the light gets in” – Rumi

It’s our 2021/22 Summer Series folks!!

This is our 4th year of Summer Series and we get very very excited each time because not only do we get to chat directly with our listeners, we get to learn so much from their life transformation. From the adversity that life threw at them, the mistakes that they’ve made, the perseverance that they’ve shown, the tenacity to be better and so much more.

Their story is so insightful and motivating that we’re certain that you would definitely learn at least one gold from each of them.

And this year is no different.

 

Kicking off our Summer Series this year is a superhero single mum of two, Dee!

Immigrating from South India and growing up in North England during the Thatcher era in the 80s is obviously no easy feat.

On top of that, Dee was the oldest of four siblings where money was so tight that a treat must be split four ways to be shared among the kids.

All the adversity in her early life clearly built up her foundation for money and generate an invincible determination and drive for success.

But that’s not the end of today’s story…

In fact, it’s just the beginning.

Without giving too much away, let’s just say that there was a chain of events that completely shocked us and brought a tear to our eyes.

Please just listen to this episode folks – we’ve started the Summer Series with her story ‘cos if it ain’t a bang, we don’t know what is!

Huge shout out to Dee for sharing her incredible story with us – powerful stuff, folks!

 

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Additional notes:

A separation is never easy… Especially when you got pull the rug from under.
So if you’re finding yourself in that spot then please do not hesitate to reach out for help. That’s the first step to recovery. Here are some useful links that might help you take that step:

 

Here’s what we cover…

  • 1:37 – Meet Dee.
  • 2:13 – What was her early life like when money was very scarce…
  • 7:39 – When did she start to have a consciousness with money?
  • 8:50 – Sticking to old money habits (even when she didn’t need to!)
  • 10:45 – The sacrifices made to live in a rich neighbourhood
  • 12:55 – How did she spent her first pay-packet? (What an indulgence!)
  • 13:57 – The significant change that happened in uni…
  • 14:28 – When was her 1st holiday…?
  • 15:48 – What she didn’t see coming…
  • 16:30 – THIS is what a single parent’s life is like
  • 17:50 – The Event Timeline
  • 18:40 – What was the turning point in her life?
  • 20:05 – What did money management look like in the past?
  • 23:05 – How the same advice from the same person can still be perceived differently?
  • 24:25 – The journey to recovery…
  • 27:15 – Overcoming the “perfect family” stigma…
  • 28:15 – How do you separate everything when they are joined for so long?
  • 32:05 – Why was Mortgage Free so crucial for her?
  • 34:51 – What’s Dee’s definition of wealth?
  • 36:46 – What are the next steps after a separation?
  • 40:44 – Discovering Make Money Simple Again and The Armchair Guide to Property
  • 43:33 – The gift to herself!!
  • 44:51 – Favourite Quotes
  • 47:30 – How does it feel to model her transformation to her kids?
  • 51:34 – Her message to others

 

 

Note: There are more real-life investor stories like this in our Previous Summer Series! Make sure you check them all out here.

Keen to Get Started with Money SMARTS?

Fill in the form below and create your account on our Money SMARTS Platform now!

Already have an account? Log in here.

 

 

348 | From Refugee To $140,000 A Year In Passive Income! – Chat with Toui

By in Real life stories, Summer Series

From Government Welfare to Passive Income! Yep, you read that right. You’re about to hear a refugee’s real life story to a self-funded retirement. And we probably don’t need to tell you that this Financial Transformation is Off-The-Charts incredible…

Meet Toui “pronounced Twee”. A first-generation refugee who came to Australia in 1980 for a better life. And he is now talking to us from an EXTREMELY DIFFERENT financial position than when he and his family first arrived from Laos as all those decades ago!

Fast forward to today, and Toui and his own family – his wife Jen and their 3 kids – are now on track to a passive income of $140,000 a year! Yep. This story certainly takes “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me!” to a whole new level.

And, get this, there’s EVEN MORE to this financial transformation… (so many layers of awesomeness going on!)…

Case in point: Have you heard of something called “Microsoft Money?”

Well, let’s just say Toui’s got a bit to share with you there too…

Look, folks… while our new Winter Series has set a seriously high benchmark (how good have the listener transformation’s been!?!), we just might’ve saved the best for last!!

Please Listen.

 

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Here’s what we cover…

  • 02:52 – Meet Toui.
  • 03:20 – Starting Life As A Refugee…
  • 04:09 – “You think we’re made of money…”
  • 04:40 – When you miss out on breakfast and sometimes lunch as well…
  • 05:51 – Early memories that shape Toui’s upbringing (wow!)
  • 07:23 – The beginnings of breaking free from Financial Survival
  • 10:10 – The Big Shift In Mindset That Really Changed Everything!
  • 11:47 – The pull to “Want to be Like everyone else…”
  • 14:12 – Has Toui’s brother followed a similar path?
  • 16:00 – Okay. But what was The Big Pivot REALLY like?
  • 19:07 – Why property?
  • 19:28 – “I’ve got toys that I want to play with” – How to curb impulse buying…
  • 20:10 – Is Microsoft Money all it’s cracked up to be?
  • 20:27 – The Mate that got him onto The Property Couch!
  • 23:07 – The power of an END GOAL!
  • 25:33 – THE provisioning story… “Jen’s gonna hate me…”
  • 28:46 – Toui’s simple advice for YOU…
  • 30:55 – The critical importance of self-education
  • 32:44 – When you can retire 10 YEARS EARLIER than you first thought… (!!)
  • 38:56 – THIS is where people get stuck the most!
  • 39:33 – Why you MUST STOP Keeping Up With The Joneses!
  • 42:33 – … $140,000 in passive income!
  • 43:03 – How are they going to achieve that!?!
  • 43:04 – … HOW MANY??
  • 44:14 – The most powerful instrument in investing!
  • 44:51 – What lessons does Toui want to pass on to his kids?
  • 45:09 – Forcing the family to listen to The Property Couch! (LOL! Sorry, guys…)
  • 47:14 – Being able to tell Dad how different life is now…

 

Note: There are more real-life investor stories like this in our Previous Summer Series! Make sure you check them all out here.

Keen to Get Started with Money SMARTS like Toui?

Fill in the form below and create your account on our Money SMARTS Platform now!

Already have an account? Log in here.

 

 

346 | No More Properties Left To Buy: How This Couple Did It!

By in Real life stories, Summer Series

Financially Free Before 30… How!?!

Folks, in today’s episode we’re interviewing a young couple who, get this, have no more properties left to buy.

Meet Emma & Liam – D.I.Y. property investors who are “Done & Dusted” with only 2 investment properties and one family home.

Um, wait a minute…. Are you wondering, “How on earth…!?!”

Yep, we were equally blown away too.

Here’s where it gets even better – they did it with No bells, No whistles – just a couple of clever, cost-effective renovations and – the big one – they lived and breathed delayed gratification.

And now Emma & Liam and their small family is Set For Life.

… Wanna find out how these listeners did it?

Us too – strap yourselves in!

 

Free Stuff Mentioned

 

“Winter Series” Line Up So Far (More To Come!)

 

Here’s What We Cover…

  • 01:13 – Meet Emma & Liam!
  • 01:47 – “Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees”, they said…
  • 05:01 – Money lessons learnt from Nintendo!
  • 08:50 – When they first started, how did they set up their bank accounts?
  • 11:23 – Have they ever BLOWN their cash!?!
  • 13:13 – Financially Free Before 30… let’s seriously unpack it!
  • 14:18 – What did they have to sacrifice to make it happen?
  • 16:39 – What do they prioritise above all else?
  • 16:57 – How much time did Emma save by using Money SMARTS?
  • 18:32 – “Experience Over Things” — Why It’s The Best Way To Live!
  • 20:30 – WHY did they want to build a property portfolio in the first place?
  • 23:30 – Meet Their Properties!
  • 25:09 – The D.I.Y Renos!
  • 27:48 – “Don’t Buy Any More Properties!” — Their reaction to being told they were DONE!
  • 32:46 – Were they tempted to keep buying property, anyway?
  • 36:31 – The Mexican Fishing Story Every Property Investor Needs To Hear!
  • 38:15 – The #1 thing you need to succeed as a property investor!
  • 41:12 – Emma & Liam’s Top Renovation Tips!!
  • 43:18 – How to cut your Renovations cost (smart!)
  • 46:11 – Are there fights in the household over money?
  • 46:19 – Why it doesn’t matter if you’re NOT debt free! (wait, what!?!)

 

 

Note: There are more real-life investor stories like this in our Previous Summer Series! Make sure you check them all out here.

Keen to Get Started with Money SMARTS?

Fill in the form below and create your account on our Money SMARTS Platform now!

Already have an account? Log in here.

 

 

 

341 | How To Pivot Your Investment Strategy When Affordability Changes

By in Podcast, Q&A

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Folks, it’s no secret that property prices have seen a significant uptick – so what does this mean for your investment strategy if you can no longer afford to buy investment grade locations that are close to the city?

See, if you’ve read our book The Armchair Guide To Property Investing, or heard any of our earlier episodes, you might have heard us quote particular price points that now seem, well, a bit ridiculous.

You might’ve thought, “A $650,000 property in inner city Melbourne… what? They’re now over a mill, guys…?”

Or, “Where on earth can I buy a property for $450,000 in this market!?!”

 Or, “You said to aim for inner city properties with owner-occupier appeal, but now you’re talking about regional markets… what’s the deal?”

We hear you. And we get it.

That’s why today we’re doing a deep dive on how to pivot your investment strategy when affordability changes!

Make no mistake – the fundamentals DON’T change… but you need to be both smart AND realistic about the locations that are available to you, whatever your price point may be.

This is a Q&A episode you don’t want to miss – we tick off A LOT of key property investment questions that we’re confident will allow you to find success no matter what your price point is! Plus, we’ve got some new frameworks on how to navigate land tax, learn when it’s time to SELL (yep) and best practices to manage your money without dedicating your life to managing a spreadsheet….

Tune in now – and let us know what you think!

 

P.S. Yes, Ben is actually in his CAR when we’re recording this episode… find out why in the first five minutes 🤣

 

Free Stuff Mentioned

 

The Questions

Question From Valarie on Tips For Money Management

I bought a course and really love I’m also through the Make Money Simple Again book. I have one question: How do you apply the Money SMARTS system to a couple? At the moment we have separate accounts, something like 12 accounts between the 2 of us. How do you change that to fit into the system? Do you go with one family account and 2 debit cards account and 2 credit cards account or is there another configuration that you recommend? Many thanks in advance for your feedback Tips and Have a Great weekend. Thank you!

 

Question from Kiran on Land Tax and Different Entities

Good day Bryce, Ben, Stiggy and the team. My name is Kiran, I’m from Melbourne. I was listening to your podcast a week or two ago and you spoke about an active, investor Bruce in this episode who had land tax issues because he was investing in the same state. All investments are in the same state. I understand the active investor issues but from what I understand, all these investments were possibly in his personal name. What if Bruce was able to invest in different entities for examples companies or trusts? Each entity would then be completely separate and hence reset the amount of land tax he had to pay. Can you unpack the issues as to whether this is a worthwhile strategy and other differences with finance? I understand that commercial finance is required for companies which results in less favourable LVRs. Are there any further issues that someone looking to invest using companies or trusts to reduce their land tax bill may encounter?

 

Question From Mathew Monty on How To Buy Assets Closer In On Combined $100k Income

Hi Guys, I love the Podcasts. I just got a couple of questions regarding investment grade/investment stock – more for people like me that don’t earn that much money. Can you buy with an income of $100,000? So I’ve got a property that’s got good equity and we went out and we bought another property for investment, probably just investment stock in Truganina. So 20-something kilometres from the city, I know it’s not investment grade like you just talked about. However, I wonder how people on say $100,000 a year in combined income could afford to get into those inner-city areas? I don’t know if that’s possible. Given our situation that we’ve bought a new investment stock property, where do we go from here?

 

Question from Dimitra on The 6-Part Framework That Reveals It’s Time To SELL!

Hi guys, Love your podcast. I listen regularly on the drive to and from work, and recently purchased your audio book which has been super informative. You always share a lot of knowledge when it comes to finding and purchasing an investment, but would love more information on what to do if you’ve bought a lemon! Most of the things you tell us to avoid applies to my investment property. The apartment was purchased off the plan in an area where supply exceeds demand and the property price hasn’t increased since it was purchased back in 2017. And to make matters worse, since Covid and the bad publicity new apartments have been getting, the property has gone down in value. There are tenants in the property currently and I have to contribute an extra $50 per week towards the mortgage (principle and interest)

The positive is that the property is in Sydney, 12km from the CBD and a 10 minute walk to public transport. This purchase obviously happened before I discovered your podcast, but what should I do?

Should I hold the property in the hope that it will eventually increase in value, or is there no other option but to sell and cop a loss?

Any advice you can give would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

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