The King's private school, renovation loans and mortgage vs super – Q&A

The King's private school, renovation loans and mortgage vs super – Q&A

Author: Rask January 29, 2026 Duration: 41:19
In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell work through some of the big, messy money decisions many families face but rarely get clear answers on. This week we unpack how to think about private school costs, who to speak to when planning a major renovation, what happens with kids’ investing accounts as they grow up, and how to weigh up mortgage progress versus super contributions. Owen and Gemma cover: • Whether it’s reasonable to feel uneasy about private school fees given they can’t be trialled, refunded, or easily reversed, and how to think about the financial and emotional trade-offs • Who to speak to when planning a large renovation, what role mortgage brokers, lenders, accountants and financial advisers each play, and how renovation lending actually works in practice • Whether lenders need building plans before approving finance for a renovation and how reno funding differs from buying or building a new home • How kids Shareies accounts are taxed if they’re not held in a trust, what changes once a child turns 18, and who is responsible for tax along the way • Whether it makes sense to redirect extra mortgage repayments into after-tax super contributions and then use the tax refund to top the mortgage back up, including the pros, cons and cash flow considerations If you enjoyed this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, make sure you hit follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.And if you’ve got a question you’d like us to unpack in a future Q&A, send it through using the link in the show notes. Resources for this episode Podcast- Move or Do a Reno Podcast- How to Plan a Reno Invest for kids Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for Rask Core Buy Gemma’s book The Money Reset Ask a question (select the Finance podcast) ~~ Show partner resources ~~ Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith: https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds:  https://bit.ly/beta-25 ~~ Rask resources ~~ All services: https://bit.ly/R-services Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan  Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest  Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes  Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest  DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating the financial landscape can feel overwhelming, but Australian Finance Podcast cuts through the noise with grounded, practical advice tailored for life in Australia. Hosted by Owen Rask, the Chief Investment Officer, and Gemma Mitchell, a Senior Financial Adviser, conversations on this podcast feel less like a lecture and more like a direct chat with experts who genuinely want you to succeed. Each episode is built around actionable strategies-whether it's about restructuring debt, understanding investment vehicles, or tax efficiency-that you can apply immediately, not just abstract theories. The focus is on building the confidence to make informed decisions with your money, aiming for a future where your finances support the life you want to live, rather than dictating it. For those just beginning their journey, the hosts suggest diving into their foundational "Starter Pack" series to build a solid base of knowledge. This isn't about get-rich-quick schemes; it's a steady, educational companion for developing lasting financial health. Tune in for a straightforward blend of market insights, personal finance management, and long-term wealth-building principles, all delivered with a clear Australian context. The Australian Finance Podcast from Rask is that reliable resource for turning financial complexity into manageable, actionable steps.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Australian Finance Podcast
Podcast Episodes
How to stop being a hot money mess: Using data to fix your finances [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:21
In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell are joined by money systems expert Andrew Fisher for Episode 3 of the Christian Hull Hot Money Mess series. After unpacking Chris…
EOFY Tax Q&A: deductions, offsets & how to avoid huge tax bills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:43
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell answer your end-of-financial-year tax questions and put Owen to the test with an ETF pop quiz challenge. They cover: – How tax works whe…
6 ETFs for passive income with Hugh Lam from Betashares [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:33
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask is joined by Hugh Lam from Betashares to build a six-ETF watchlist for investors chasing passive income without sleepwalking into yield traps. Rather than treating in…
How rich are you? What 3,000 Aussies told us about wealth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:20
How rich are you really, and how do you stack up against other Australians? In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack early results from Rask’s free Wealth Checker after aroun…
ETF tax traps, kids investing, retirement timing & super: Special Q&A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:20
ETF tax, kids’ investing, retirement timing and super all in one Q&A? That is what Owen Rask and Tahli Cavagnino tackle in this practical Australian Finance Podcast episode. The episode opens with the tax questions inves…
How to invest in your 30s - ETF starter portfolio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:07
Your 30s can be one of the most important decades for building wealth, but they can also be one of the messiest. A mortgage, family plans, career pressure and day-to-day cash flow can make investing feel a lot more compl…
How to start investing in ETFs: Step-by-step beginner guide [5/5] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:47
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell wrap up the ETF mini-series by showing you exactly how to get started. After learning what ETFs are, how they work, how to research them…