Investopoly

In this Q&A episode, Stuart tackles four listener questions spanning stock selection, portfolio restructuring, debt strategy, and retirement income planning.
Kyle wants to know how Stuart actually researches stocks, which tools and resources he uses, and what metrics he looks for across different investment types, from growth and defensive plays to income-focused holdings.
Jack is sitting on a mixed SMSF portfolio of around $138K and is about to contribute a further $360K. He's weighing whether to top up his existing holdings or sell everything and start fresh with a cleaner four-ETF structure. With retirement five years away, the balance between growth and income is at the front of mind.
Dave has done his own modelling comparing debt recycling into shares against buying an $800K investment property, and was surprised to find the gap smaller than expected. Stuart works through Dave's assumptions, addresses the flexibility argument, and answers his practical questions about how to correctly structure a mortgage split for debt recycling purposes.
Peter is 59, retiring this year, and holds $2M in super alongside a home, two investment properties, and a part-working spouse. His question: can they sustainably draw $120K a year while preserving the $2.4M super balance as an intergenerational wealth transfer to their sons?
A technically rich episode covering the full spectrum from picking stocks to structuring retirement.
My new book out in mid-2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: https://prosolution.com.au/book-preorder-bonus

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with our team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/family-office-services

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

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IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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Investing a large lump sum into the share market can feel risky, but is spreading it out actually safer, or just more comfortable?
In this episode, Stuart revisits his own evolving view on lump sum investing versus dollar cost averaging. Drawing on decades of market research, he explains why lump sum investing has historically outperformed staged investing around two-thirds of the time, and why the real cost of caution is often missed opportunity, not reduced risk.
But this is not just about timing. Stuart explores how the decision should also depend on what you’re investing in, from expensive markets like the Nasdaq to more attractively valued regions globally. He also unpacks the role of cash sitting in offset accounts, and how that changes the equation when comparing guaranteed returns versus market exposure.
The episode dives into the psychology behind staged investing, including loss aversion and the fear of regret, and introduces a practical middle ground: enhanced dollar cost averaging.
Stuart also breaks down common misconceptions around debt recycling, explaining why it does not automatically accelerate home loan repayment—and when it can still make sense.
A clear, evidence-based discussion on balancing logic, emotion, and strategy when investing significant capital.
My new book out in mid-2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: https://prosolution.com.au/book-preorder-bonus

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with our team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/family-office-services

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: https://prosolution.com.au/stay-connected

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

In this week's Q&A episode, Stuart works through real-life scenarios where the challenge isn't finding a good option; it's choosing between several.
A Canberra couple planning a move to Queensland face a layered dilemma: how to fund a $3M home while managing a defined benefit pension, a potential inheritance, and a preference to hold quality assets. Stuart weighs selling, renting, and carrying debt into retirement, and why flexibility may matter more than certainty at this stage.
The episode also covers structuring investments for children (informal versus discretionary trusts), cash flow and loan strategies for business owners and high-income earners, and how to decide whether an underperforming property is worth holding or cutting loose.
Across every case study, the same tension surfaces: flexibility, tax efficiency, and long-term growth rarely all point in the same direction.
A practical, honest episode for anyone navigating big financial decisions where no single path is obviously right.
My new book out in mid-2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: https://prosolution.com.au/book-preorder-bonus

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with our team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/family-office-services

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: https://prosolution.com.au/stay-connected

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this episode, Stuart explores a lesser-discussed but increasingly important risk in financial planning: not running out of money, but failing to use it when it matters most.
While much of the conversation around retirement focuses on avoiding financial shortfall, this episode flips the script. For those in a strong financial position, the greater danger may be underspending during the early, high-health years of retirement when time, energy, and freedom are at their peak.
Stuart introduces a practical framework for thinking about retirement in two phases: the active “high-health” years and the later, lower-spending phase. He explains why a successful plan often involves intentional drawdown of capital, not just preserving it, and how shifting from accumulation to decumulation is as much psychological as it is financial.
The episode also outlines how to build confidence in spending through simple guardrails dividing wealth into core, contingency, and discretionary capital—and why liquidity and asset structure play a critical role in enabling flexibility.
This is a thoughtful discussion about aligning money with life, permitting yourself to spend, and ensuring that financial success actually translates into a richer, more fulfilling retirement.
My new book out in mid-2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: https://prosolution.com.au/book-preorder-bonus

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with our team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/family-office-services

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: https://prosolution.com.au/stay-connected

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

In this episode, Stuart explores a powerful theme across multiple listener scenarios: is it possible to achieve early retirement without aggressive risk-taking, and what trade-offs does that require?
A couple in their late 40s shares a disciplined, “late starter” journey and a clear downsizing strategy to fund retirement within five years. Stuart unpacks whether their plan to bridge the gap to super using shares and cash flow is realistic, and the key risks that could derail it.
The conversation then broadens to include several compelling case studies: how to allocate proceeds from a property sale when nearing retirement, whether to prioritise super versus accessible investments, and how to structure a portfolio to fund the critical pre-super gap.
Stuart also tackles the psychology of risk: Should wealthier investors take on more growth exposure, or reduce risk as they approach retirement? And for those pursuing early retirement primarily through shares, what are the key considerations when navigating volatility, sequencing risk, and income needs?
This episode is a deep dive into retirement strategy, highlighting that while simple plans can be effective, success ultimately comes down to managing timing risk, maintaining flexibility, and aligning your portfolio with your real-world lifestyle goals.
My new book out in mid-2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: https://prosolution.com.au/book-preorder-bonus

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with our team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/family-office-services

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: https://prosolution.com.au/stay-connected

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.