Episodi

  • He googled “how do I not work forever?” 10 years later, he quit corporate

    He googled “how do I not work forever?” 10 years later, he quit corporate
    Oct 28 2026
    What if corporate burn-out led you to completely change your financial future?At 21 years old, today’s guest Anthony felt uninspired and stuck in his 9 to 5 office job. He dreamed of building a life around his passions; cycling and pastries.A quick google later (“how do I not work forever”) and Anthony was introduced to the FIRE movement. He started investing with the goal of retiring from corporate life as soon as possible. 10 years later- he did just that.But with retiring early came some unexpected challenges.Plus, after growing up in a family that spoke about money through the lens of property (like many Aussies do!) he made the choice to deviate from the home ownership path.This is How I Got Started, a series where I sit down with a community member to hear the highs and lows of their investing journey. These are real stories that we hope will give you confidence that investing is for anyone.Chapters:00:00 Anthony's Journey to Financial Freedom04:02 Early Money Habits and Saving 08:09 Discovering FIRE and Investing in ETFs13:41 Automating Finances and Skipping Property20:05 Retiring Early and Finding Purpose25:49 Living Off Investments30:46 Investing Lessons for BeginnersLinks Mentioned:Episode where Jess’ discusses overcomplicated investing - How many ETFs episode should you have? hereBlogs that Anthony discusses: Mr Money Moustache, Aussie FIRE BugBook Anthony references: Die With Zero by Bill PerkinsOther Links:🤳 follow along on Jess’ investing journey on Instagram @getstartedinvesting_.📩 Share your investing story with us submit here📩 Sign up to the Get Started Investing newsletter hereWant more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered.———Thanks to Ubank for sponsoring this series.Ubank is a digital bank designed to help you understand your money, with tools that can help you do better day-to-day.You can download Ubank from the App Store or Play Store and sign up in just a few minutes.Products issued by Ubank, which is part of NAB. This info is general so consider what’ right for you. For TMDs, visit ubank.com.au———Get Started Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Any advice is general advice, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs. If you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. The hosts of this podcast and their guests may have positions in the companies mentioned. Equity Mates Media is part of the Betashares group but maintains editorial independence.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 min
  • Can I replace my salary with dividends? I ask someone who did

    Can I replace my salary with dividends? I ask someone who did
    Oct 26 2026
    Jess recently got paid real money from her ETFs for the first time.(a whole 30 bucks, watch out- don’t spend it all at once!)It made her wonder- could payments from investments eventually replace her salary?She sat down with Dave Gow from Strong Money to learn everything you need to know about dividends.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Dividends03:07 Income vs Growth07:01 How Dividends Work10:34 ETF Distributions and Reinvesting13:30 Balancing Income and Growth16:41 Planning Your Retirement Income19:08 Dividend Yields and Risks23:40 Managing Dividend Cuts28:31 Choosing Dividend Investments32:39 Dividends vs Savings AccountsIf you'd like to learn more about Dave's journey and teachings - you can find his website here. He's also written a book about how to gain financial independence create a life of freedom which has sold over 40,000 copies! Find that here. Links mentioned in this episode:Calculator mentioned by Dave: Portfolio with Dividends Reinvested vs not📩 Sign up to the Get Started Investing newsletter here📩 Share your investing story with us submit here🤳 Follow Jess’ investing journey on instagram at getstartedinvesting_Want more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered.———Thanks to MLC for sponsoring this series and helping keep our content free.If you’re the type of person who spends weekends comparing ETF’s, keeps an eye on crypto, and never misses an episode of Equity Mates, here’s one investment you may be overlooking – your super.MLC knows it might not seem as exciting as picking your next investment, but thanks to tax advantages and decades of compound growth, it could end up being one of the hardest working investments you own. See how your super could be working harder with MLC at mlc.com.auDisclaimer: Products issued by NULIS Nominees (Australia) Ltd as trustee of MLC Super Fund. General information only. Read the PDS & TMD available at mlc.com.au and consider if it’s right for you.———In the spirit of reconciliation, Equity Mates Media and the hosts of Get Started Investing acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.———Get Started Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Any advice is general advice, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs. If you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. The hosts of this podcast and their guests may have positions in the companies mentioned. Equity Mates Media is part of the Betashares group but maintains editorial independence.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 min
  • From maxing out credit cards in his 20's to building a $100K portfolio by 32

    From maxing out credit cards in his 20's to building a $100K portfolio by 32
    Oct 21 2026

    Josh spent his early 20s racking up consumer debt. Holidays, nights out and a car he couldn't afford.


    With his 30s approaching, he decided it was time to turn himself from a debt collecting spender, to an investor.


    Today at 32 years old he is debt free, investing regularly and his portfolio just ticked over six figures. He joined Jess to share the steps he took to get from there to and now.


    This is ‘How I Got Started’ a series where Jess sit down with a community member to hear the highs and lows of their journey to investing. These are real stories that we hope will give you confidence that investing is for anyone.


    Chapters:

    00:00 From Debt to Investing

    03:37 Early Money Habits

    07:40 Paying Off Debt

    10:05 The Financial Wake Up Call

    12:06 Learning to Invest

    14:05 Building His Portfolio

    17:54 Inside His Six Figure Portfolio

    22:00 His Investing Strategy

    25:00 Lessons and Advice


    Links mentioned:

    Josh’s book recommendation: I will teach you to be rich by Ramit Sethi


    Other Links:

    🤳 follow along on Jess’ investing journey on Instagram @getstartedinvesting_.

    📩 Share your investing story with us submit here

    📩 Sign up to the Get Started Investing newsletter here

    Want more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered.

    ———


    Thanks to Ubank for sponsoring this series.


    Ubank is a digital bank designed to help you understand your money, with tools that can help you do better day-to-day.


    You can download Ubank from the App Store or Play Store and sign up in just a few minutes.

    Products issued by Ubank, which is part of NAB. This info is general so consider what’ right for you. For TMDs, visit ubank.com.au


    ———

    Get Started Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media.

    This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Any advice is general advice, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs. If you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. The hosts of this podcast and their guests may have positions in the companies mentioned. Equity Mates Media is part of the Betashares group but maintains editorial independence.

    Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    28 min
  • Can I keep investing in the same ETFs forever? How your strategy should change over time

    Can I keep investing in the same ETFs forever? How your strategy should change over time
    Oct 19 2026
    How do you know when it's time to change your strategy?At just 21, listener Ben is already asking when he should prepare his portfolio for retirement. He's invested entirely in a geared ETF and wants to know what that means for his future.It's something Jess hasn't really considered either. She's investing for the long term, but what should that actually look like as life changes? Jess sits down with financial adviser Melissa Balacharige from Shadforth to explore how your investment strategy might evolve through your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and into retirement.They unpack when to start de-risking, how your portfolio might change as your goals and time frame shift, and whether the 4% rule still works if you're invested in leveraged ETFs.Plus, why getting too defensive too early could be one of the biggest mistakes you make.Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:10 The Four Percent Rule07:14 Investing in Your 20s and 30s12:24 Diversifying in Your 40s17:30 Managing Retirement Risk21:21 Staying Disciplined26:31 Preparing for Retirement30:34 Leveraged ETFs and Key TakeawaysLinks mentioned in this episode:Find Shadforth's investing playbook here❓ Send your investing questions here and Jess will get them answered!📩 Sign up to the Get Started Investing newsletter here📩 Share your investing story with us submit here🤳 Follow Jess’ investing journey on instagram at getstartedinvesting_Want more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered.———Thanks to MLC for sponsoring this series and helping keep our content free.If you’re the type of person who spends weekends comparing ETF’s, keeps an eye on crypto, and never misses an episode of Equity Mates, here’s one investment you may be overlooking – your super.MLC knows it might not seem as exciting as picking your next investment, but thanks to tax advantages and decades of compound growth, it could end up being one of the hardest working investments you own. See how your super could be working harder with MLC at mlc.com.auDisclaimer: Products issued by NULIS Nominees (Australia) Ltd as trustee of MLC Super Fund. General information only. Read the PDS & TMD available at mlc.com.au and consider if it’s right for you.———In the spirit of reconciliation, Equity Mates Media and the hosts of Get Started Investing acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.———Get Started Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Any advice is general advice, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs. If you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.The hosts of this podcast and their guests may have positions in the companies mentioned. Equity Mates Media is part of the Betashares group but maintains editorial independence.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    34 min
  • Why this fourth-generation farmer started buying ETFs

    Why this fourth-generation farmer started buying ETFs
    Oct 14 2026

    It’s not everyday Jess meets someone whose first investment was a cow.


    But for 42-year-old dairy farmer Justin, that was the case. Bought with the profits of selling manure by the side of the road might we add! 😆


    It’s no secret that farming is a tough, often volatile profession. Justin watched his parents financial life revolve solely around their farm. So when he discovered investing, he saw it as a way to build a life less dependent on the weather.


    Now, he’s teaching his 14 year old daughter the power of investing too.


    This is ‘How I Got Started’ a series where I sit down with a community member to hear the highs and lows of their journey to investing. These are real stories that we hope will give you confidence that investing is for anyone.


    Chapters:

    00:00:00 Meet Justin

    00:03:00 Wealth Beyond Farming

    00:07:46 Early Money Lessons

    00:11:08 Learning From Dad

    00:15:27 His Investing Turning Point

    00:19:47 Building His Portfolio

    00:23:35 Teaching His Daughter

    00:26:23 Freedom Beyond Farming

    00:29:00 Investing With Irregular Income

    00:31:30 Advice for Beginners


    Links Mentioned:

    Get Started Investing book - Buy here

    How many ETFs episode should you have? here

    Other Links:

    🤳 follow along on Jess’ investing journey on Instagram @getstartedinvesting_.

    📩 Share your investing story with us submit here

    📩 Sign up to the Get Started Investing newsletter here

    🎟️ FinFest tickets - Buy early bird tickets here

    Want more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered.

    ———


    Thanks to Ubank for sponsoring this series.


    Ubank is a digital bank designed to help you understand your money, with tools that can help you do better day-to-day.


    You can download Ubank from the App Store or Play Store and sign up in just a few minutes.


    Products issued by Ubank, which is part of NAB. This info is general so consider what’ right for you. For TMDs, visit ubank.com.au


    ———

    Get Started Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media.

    This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Any advice is general advice, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs. If you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. The hosts of this podcast and their guests may have positions in the companies mentioned. Equity Mates Media is part of the Betashares group but maintains editorial independence.

    Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    33 min
  • Should I add active ETFs to my portfolio? I asked an adviser

    Should I add active ETFs to my portfolio? I asked an adviser
    Oct 12 2026
    Should Jess add an active manager to her passive portfolio?After logging into her super and noticing that a portion is actively managed- it got her thinking, should she add active management outside of super too?And she’s not the only one wondering, the equity mates facebook group had a lot to say on the matter!Actively managed fund are now more accessible than ever- out of the 50 new ETFs listed on the ASX last financial year, 28 of them were active.But what actually is an active ETF and How does it compare to a passive one?Jess sat down with financial adviser Amie Baker to find out how active fits into a passive portfolio like Jess’.Chapters:00:00:00 Active vs Passive Investing 00:03:24 How Passive ETFs Work 0:05:27 How Active Funds Work 00:09:29 What the Research Says 00:12:54 Diversifying Your Portfolio 00:17:33 Choosing Active Investments 00:21:00 Small Caps and Fund Performance 00:24:06 Building a Balanced PortfolioLinks mentioned in this episode:Episode with Dave Allen talking about red flag system hereMorningstar Active Passive Barometer here📩 Sign up to the Get Started Investing newsletter here📩 Share your investing story with us submit here🤳 Follow Jess’ investing journey on instagram at getstartedinvesting_Want more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered.———Thanks to MLC for sponsoring this series and helping keep our content free.If you’re the type of person who spends weekends comparing ETF’s, keeps an eye on crypto, and never misses an episode of Equity Mates, here’s one investment you may be overlooking – your super.MLC knows it might not seem as exciting as picking your next investment, but thanks to tax advantages and decades of compound growth, it could end up being one of the hardest working investments you own. See how your super could be working harder with MLC at mlc.com.auDisclaimer: Products issued by NULIS Nominees (Australia) Ltd as trustee of MLC Super Fund. General information only. Read the PDS & TMD available at mlc.com.au and consider if it’s right for you.———In the spirit of reconciliation, Equity Mates Media and the hosts of Get Started Investing acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.———Get Started Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media.This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Any advice is general advice, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs. If you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. The hosts of this podcast and their guests may have positions in the companies mentioned. Equity Mates Media is part of the Betashares group but maintains editorial independence.Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    28 min
  • From house-sitting her way to buying property to pivoting after a break up

    From house-sitting her way to buying property to pivoting after a break up
    Oct 7 2026

    Larissa thought she knew how to invest. She’d read the books, listened to the podcasts and watched her first investments climb. Then it went downhill.


    What followed was a shift to simple ETFs and an unconventional plan to buy property with her partner; give up renting and house-sit their way to a deposit. (spoiler; it worked!)


    This year, a break up changed the future she’d been financially building towards.


    She joins Jess to share how the financial foundations she built in her 20s gave her the freedom to pivot when life changed.


    This is ‘How I Got Started’ a series where I sit down with a community member to hear the highs and lows of their journey to investing. These are real stories that we hope will give you confidence that investing is for anyone.


    Chapters:

    00:00 Larissas Investing Journey

    03:01 Life Money And Early Habits

    06:33 Learning How To Invest

    09:01 From Risky Picks To ETFs

    12:13 Building A Simple Portfolio

    16:29 The Unconventional Path To Property

    22:12 Rebuilding After A Breakup

    26:07 New Goals And Investing Lessons


    Links:

    🤳 follow along on Jess’ investing journey on Instagram @getstartedinvesting_.

    📩 Share your investing story with us submit here

    📩 Sign up to the Get Started Investing newsletter here

    Want more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered.


    ———


    Thanks to Ubank for sponsoring this series.


    Ubank is a digital bank designed to help you understand your money, with tools that can help you do better day-to-day.


    You can download Ubank from the App Store or Play Store and sign up in just a few minutes.


    Products issued by Ubank, which is part of NAB. This info is general so consider what’s right for you. For TMDs, visit ubank.com.au


    ———


    Get Started Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media.


    This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Any advice is general advice, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs. If you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. The hosts of this podcast and their guests may have positions in the companies mentioned. Equity Mates Media is part of the Betashares group but maintains editorial independence.


    Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 min
  • What should I do with a lump sum: Save, super or invest?

    What should I do with a lump sum: Save, super or invest?
    Oct 5 2026

    Don't let a lump sum sit in the wrong place. So how should you use it?


    Save it, invest it, pay off debt, put it in super, or spend it? Jess asks Financial Adviser Tom Hayes from Shadforth to run the numbers on every option.


    By the end of this episode, you'll know the trade-offs of each, and how to choose what fits your goals.


    Chapters:

    00:00:00 What To Do With A Lump Sum

    00:04:16 Where Your Money Came From

    00:06:56 Building An Emergency Fund

    00:11:53 Paying Down Debt

    00:14:00 Superannuation And Tax Benefits

    00:18:45 Investing Outside Super

    00:24:21 Lump Sum Or Dollar Cost Averaging

    00:27:01 Making The Right Choice


    Links mentioned in this episode:

    Check out the previous episode on offset accounts here

    📩 Sign up to the Get Started Investing newsletter here

    📩 Share your investing story with us submit here

    🤳 Follow Jess’ investing journey on instagram at getstartedinvesting_

    Want more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered.


    ———

    Thanks to MLC for sponsoring this series and helping keep our content free.


    If you’re the type of person who spends weekends comparing ETF’s, keeps an eye on crypto, and never misses an episode of Equity Mates, here’s one investment you may be overlooking – your super.


    MLC knows it might not seem as exciting as picking your next investment, but thanks to tax advantages and decades of compound growth, it could end up being one of the hardest working investments you own. See how your super could be working harder with MLC at mlc.com.au


    Disclaimer: Products issued by NULIS Nominees (Australia) Ltd as trustee of MLC Super Fund. General information only. Read the PDS & TMD available at mlc.com.au and consider if it’s right for you.

    ———


    In the spirit of reconciliation, Equity Mates Media and the hosts of Get Started Investing acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.


    ———

    Get Started Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media.


    This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Any advice is general advice, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs. If you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. The hosts of this podcast and their guests may have positions in the companies mentioned. Equity Mates Media is part of the Betashares group but maintains editorial independence.


    Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    30 min