Get Started Investing
Get Started Investing is here to help you make the money of your money. We cover all the basics that you need to start your investing journey. We unpack all the jargon and confusing bits, hear your investing stories, with the goal of making investing less intimidating - and we want to have a good time along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Top Chinese tech ETFs we're watching in 2025

When you hear the phrase "technology and innovationâ there is probably one place that immediately comes to mind; Silicon Valley, California. But that might be changing.Â
A handful of Chinese tech companies have been giving the US tech giants a run for their money this year. In this episode we cover the best ways to invest in China's rising economy.Â
We cover:Â
Why invest in china? And why now? The challenges of investing in chinese companies from Australia, and how to overcome them Our top 3 ASX listed ETFs to invest in China (Index a...Zero to $1m in 10 years: How Queenie Tan invests

In 10 years of investing, Queenie Tan grew her net wealth to over a million dollars. In this episode we chat with Queenie about how sheâs done it. Queenie has built a platform teaching others how to invest, here, she shares her own story.Â
We cover:Â
The strategies she used to build a $1 million investment portfolioHow she sets financial goals.Whatâs been a bigger generator of wealth; crypto, property or stocks? How to avoid the investing mistakes she still cringes at.Plus Queenie shares some lessons from her upcoming book âthe Fun Finance Formulaâ.How to apply...Diversification: How to actually get it right

Diversification. It is one of the most common investing buzzwords. But too many investors are getting it wrong. After listening to this, you won't be.
In this episode we unpack everything you need to know about diversification, including:
What we mean when we say diversificationThe different types of diversificationCommon mistakes investors makeWhat good diversification looks likeHow to check if your own portfolio has good diversificationThen we close out by Ren running his portfolio through AI to get a sense of how diversified he is.
Links Referenced:Â
Best ETFs to invest in Asia: Active v Passive

Asia is the fastest growing region in the world. And thereâs more ways to invest in it now, than ever before. But with so much choice, comes a debate; what's strategy is best? Active, Passive or Thematic?
We break it down in this episode:Â
A list of the best ETF options for investing in Asia on the ASXWhich is the best performing?The case for Index, Thematic and Active investing in AsiaHow we invest in Asia; the products are in our portfoliosLinks Referenced:Â
đ Have an investing question? Leave u...
How to buy property without a mortgage

What if you could invest in property without saving for a deposit or applying for a mortgage?Â
In this episode, we break down REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), a low-barrier way to invest in real estate.Â
We cover:Â
What are REITs and how do they work?The pros and cons of REITs vs. purchasing physical propertyA comparison of their returnsWhere and how you can buy REITSA list of the top REITs and REIT ETFs on the ASXResources:
đ Our Downloadable Guide to REITs: Click here
...
FIRE movement: 3 things we love and 3 things we hate

Retiring early sounds like the dream, but is it actually realistic? Or even worth striving for? The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement is no doubt one of the most popular financial movements of the past decade, and we think there have been some great lessons out of it. But there are some elements to it that we think don't stack up. So strap in for some hot takes, this is bound to be a devisive epsiode.
We break down:
What the FIRE movement is (and how it works)3 things we love about the Financial...Best ETFs for: Investing in Bitcoin

Crypto ETFs; an easy way to invest in crypto, but are they the best way?Â
We compared the best Bitcoin ETF listed on the ASX with buying cryptocurrency directly to find out.
Also in this episode:
Is now a good time to buy crypto?3 ASX listed Bitcoin ETFs compared, which is best?Our 3 criteria for choosing a commodity ETFThe pros and cons of crypto etfs vs directly purchasing.  A 1 year price comparison of each. The best way to invest in cryptocurrency as a beginner.LInks Referenced:
ET...
4 simple steps for anyone to pick great stocks

Want to start investing in single stocks but don't know where to start? Weâve made a simple checklist to help you spot great companies.Â
Listener Bailey wanted to move beyond his ETF-only portfolio and start investing in individual stocks. But like many, he wasnât sure how to tell if a company is actually a good investment.
So we created a 4-step stock analysis checklist that anyone can use to analyse any company. It's a stock analysis tool for beginners & beyond (that you won't need a finance degree to use).
In...
Don't panic: Here's why time in the market beats timing the market

If youâre feeling nervous about the current market volatility, youâre not alone.Â
In this episode, we explain why trying to time the market rarely works but staying invested gives you the best chance at long-term success.
We cover:Â
What âTime in the Market Beats Timing the Marketâ actually means 4 data-backed reasons why the saying still applies todayWhat you risk missing out on if you try to time your entry or exitHistorical example of long term investors who stayed the course (and were better off for it)A confidence boost to any investo...Buy the dip on US Tech? Which ETF is best: NDQ or US-100

With US Tech companies stock prices dipping, is now a good time to invest? There are a couple of indexes that you can invest in if you want exposure to the biggest tech companies in the US such as; the Nasdaq, the S&P 500 or US 100.Â
But which to choose?Â
So in this episode we put two US Tech ETFs head to head: Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) and Global X US 100 ETF (ASX: U100)Â to see which is the better pick.
We cover:Â
What is the nasdaq 100?How does...How we would invest our first $5000 today

If we had $5,000 to start our investment portfolio from scratch today, what would we buy?Â
Weâve been given that very challenge by Betashares Direct. In this episode we take $5,000 (fully hypothetical dollars- sadly) and break down:Â
If youâre feeling overwhelmed and donât know where to start inve...
We reveal our 2025 investment performance - here's the strategy that works

Itâs been an uncertain start to 2025, but how have our portfolios performed so far? In this episode, we break down our real portfolio results, whatâs working, whatâs not, and the simple investing strategies that have helped us stay on track. Also in this episode; Listener Jenny wants to know- what is a 'good' portfolio performance? What does she need to keep an eye on, to know her portfolio is doing well?
We answer this and cover:
Top 4 gold ETFs in Australia: GOLD, QAU, PMGOLD, NUGG explained

Gold prices are surging and Gold ETFs are the easiest way to invest in this beloved commodity- without the hassle of buying and storing physical gold. In this episode we go through the 4 best ASX listed Gold ETFs to give you exposure to this time honoured inflation hedging asset.Â
In this episode we cover:
Why invest in gold How gold ETFs work Our 4 ASX-listed Gold ETF picks (GOLD, QAU, PMGOLD, NUGG)How gold can fit into your portfolio (should you allocate to gold in 2025?)Gold vs Stocks - which is the better inflation hedge?Dividend investing: how to build passive income with ETFs & Stocks

It's the most popular ways to generate long-term passive income, but what is dividend investing? And how can you use dividends to start building passive income? Whether you are new to Dividend investing and want to know where to start or are a dividend lover who wants to refine your strategy, this episode has something for you.
We cover:Â
What are dividends? And how do they workHow are dividends calculated? How to estimate your earningsWhy invest for dividends? Who suits this investing styleHow to start dividend investing: Beginner-friendly guideOur top ASX dividend ETF picksÂIs my super performing? How much do I need to retire? Your superannuation questions answered

Superannuation, we all (should!) have it, but are you making the most of it? However you're thinking about super- optimizing for retirement, considering a self-managed super fund (SMSF), or wondering about concessional contributions- this episode breaks it down.Â
We fire through 6 questions from listeners looking to ake the most of their super: (timestamps included for easy listening!)Â
1:35: What is a âgoodâ return for your super fund?
3:55: Should you use a self-managed super fund (SMSF) or a typical managed fund?
7:05: Should you prioritise making concessional super contributions or invest outside of super?<...
What is the best ETF to invest in India? IIND vs NDIA

India is the world's most populous nation and fastest growing large economy. With its stock market having doubled in the past 5 years, it is a market well worth having exposure to, in your portfolio. An India ETF is a well diversified and simple way to do it. But with many options on the ASX, how do you choose?Â
In this episode we compare two of the most popular asx-listed India ETFs:Â Â BetaShares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND) vs Global X India Nifty 50 ETF (ASX: NDIA)
In this episode we cover:Â
Why so many...How to save thousands and wipe out your mortgage

If you're a mortgage holder, you know all too well the frustration of paying hundreds of thousands in interest over the life of your home loan. But did you know you can wipe years off your mortgage and save hundred of thousands in interest, using the power of an offset account?
In this episode we breakdown:Â
What is an offset account and how does it work? (in simple terms)How much could you save? We compare scenarios with $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in an offset account to show you the potential interest savingsOur tips to maximising the benefits o...Index Funds or ETFs, what's the difference?

Understanding the difference between index funds, ETFs, actively managed funds or even thematic funds can be confusing. But once it clicks, a whole lot of the investing world becomes so much clearer!Â
So we are taking you through a set by step guide to deciphering Index funds and ETFs that will give you confidence on your investing journey.
In this episode we walk through:Â
What are Indexes? What are ETFs?How to invest in index funds with ETFs3 simple steps to identifying what a product is investing in and howL...
Best ETFs for: Riding the AI boom

AI is arguably the most compelling reason to be an investor today. With trillions of dollars expected to be made, how can investors set themselves up to capture this opportunity?
In this episode, we compare the most popular thematic ETFs covering Artificial Intelligence on the ASX.
We cover:
Why invest in Artificial Intelligence?Unpack 3 ETFs on the ASX: SEMI, GXAI & RBTZ.Debate whether ETFs or single stock investing is the best way to invest in this theme.To see all the info on these ETFs compared you can...
The 3 biggest investing lies costing you money

Do you want to start investing but have something thatâs been holding you back? We want to help you to get out of your own way and start. In today's episode we break down 3 common barriers or fears and go through our advice to overcome each of them:Â
1:00 - 6:00 Investing is Gambling
6:00 - 9:00 Investing is only for experts,
9:55 - 17:00 I donât have enough time or money to Invest
Links Referenced:Â
University of California Berkley study âTrading is Hazardous to your WealthâMorningstar Mind The Gap report    Our Book "Don...How we're investing for 2025 | Summer Series

How are you planning to build your wealth this year?
We're kicking off the year with a 5-part series designed to get you feeling confident about your financial future by helping you set up 2025 as your best financial year yet. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your money game, this series is for you.Â
Pulling it all together in this final episode, we share our full financial plans for the year ahead:
Our financial goals What weâre working on improving How weâre saving to invest What weâre bu...Top ETFs and our stock watchlists for 2025 | Summer Series

Weâre unpacking the ETFs and stocks that could help you build a winning portfolio this year. In this episode you will:
Learn about 3 common portfolio constructions and what you can be buying in 2025 to build or tweak them.Hear key stocks to watch this year.Discover what listeners on this journey are adding to their portfolio.This is Part 4 of a 5-part series designed to help you make 2025 your best financial year yet. Start from the first episode to gain the knowledge and skills to confidently tackle the year ahead and smash your fi...
The best brokers, savings accounts & investing apps for 2025 | Summer Series

Using the best tools can make all the difference to your financial success. In this episode we go through the top 5 High Interest Saving Accounts, Investing Apps and Brokers that you should be using in 2025.
We cover:
How to make the most of your money with the best HISA Best Apps to take out the stress of day to day management Best brokers to Grow your wealth as efficiently as possibleThis is Part 3 of a 5-part series designed to help you make 2025 your best financial year yet. Listen to part 1 an...
Building wealth starts with saving more | Summer Series

We're kicking off the year with a 5-part series designed to get you feeling confident about your financial future by helping you set up 2025 as your best financial year yet. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your money game, this series is for you.Â
In this second episode, we're tackling the single most impactful figure in building wealth- your savings rate. We go through:
Setting number driven goals vs being intentionalbasics of building a budget (that you will actually stick to)how we are maximising our savings so we can investMake 2025 your best yet: The financial health check | Summer Series

Ready to make 2025 your best financial year yet?
We're kicking off the year with a 5-part series designed to transform your financial confidence and set you up for success. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to level up your money game, this series is for you.
In this episode, we tackle the crucial first step: setting up healthy financial foundations. We break down:
The 4 non-negotiables of a solid money setup: Tackling Debt, Building an Emergency Fund, Superannuation and Insurance How to identify gaps in your financial foundationSimple steps to strengthen your e...How our portfolios went in 2024

Itâs our final episode of the year, Itâs time to get personal. After much chatter from our Equity Mates CommunityâŚwe reveal how our Portfolios performed in 2024!Â
We cover:Â
Whoâs performed better? Full breakdown of how our Core and Satellite holdings performed Were there surprising? Lessons about investing weâve gained from our portfolio performance this yearÂLinks Referenced:Â
Bryceâs call about portfolio leverage with Charlie Viola EMIÂ
Core and Satellite episodeÂ
Buy Donât Stress, Just Invest as...
It's not too late to maximise your super in 2024

The year is almost over, but the chance to give your superannuation a boost is not over yet! In this episode we go through the steps you can take today, to gift your future self the best present possible, $$$ in retirement!
We cover:Â
Why maximise super?Ways to boost your super savings in 2024How to check if youâve maxed out the concessional capLinks Referenced:Â
Listen to our episode comparing super performanceATO resources for checking your concessional contribution capHave an investing question? Record a voic...
ETF Explained: Ren's first ETF (still holding) - Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (HACK)

Is Betashares Global Cyber Security ETF (HACK) the best thematic etf on the asx? In this episode we try to answer that question. With trillions of dollars pouring into the cyber security market, itâs an enticing sector to add to the portfolio. Ren certainly thought so- this was his first ever etfâŚand heâs still holding!Â
In this episode we cover:
The impressive growth of cybersecurityHACKâs performance, fees, holdings and moreThe skills to unpack any etfÂLinks Referenced:Â
A200 episodeLearn more about Core and SatelliteListen to Katrina Burns on Eq...We review the hottest new ETFs of 2024

The Aussie ETF market is booming! With over 50 new ETFs launched in 2024 and nearly 400 in total now available, itâs easy to overlook some great options. Donât miss outâthis episode is your shortcut to discovering the hottest new ETFs on the block.
We cover:
2024 highlights; a snapshot of this year's new arrivals.Community favourites; The most popular new ETFs among the Equity Mates communityTop performers: A round up of best-performing new ETFs.Our picks: The new ETFs weâre most excited about adding to our portfolios.Links:
Check out our...5 timeless investing rules everyone must know

Some people will tell you Investing is a fast moving, always changing, enigma-filled game. You might even sometimes feel that way, especially as a beginner. But we are here to tell you- itâs not as elusive as you think. There are some rules about investing that never change. In this episode, we bring you 5 things that will ALWAYS apply, no matter when you invest or how big (or small) your portfolio.Â
Linked referenced:Â
Listen to pocketsmith episodes on Equity Mates and Get Started InvestingBuy our book; Â Donât Stress, Just InvestHave an investing question? Record...ETF Explained: Australia's most popular dividend ETF - Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY)

If you are looking for ETFs focused on generating income, they are in no short supply. In this episode of ETF Explained; we breakdown one of the most popular dividend ETFs in our community; Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY). We see how it compares to other income ETFs on the market and teach you the skills to analyse any etf along the way.
We cover:Â
How to analyse the core stats of VHY including yield, 3 popular types of income ETF products and why you would choose each, Is VHY the highest dividend ETF on t...Best ETF's for quitting your job

If youâre dreaming of quitting the 9-5, ETF Investing is definitely a path you can take to get there. In this episode we take a look at the Best ETFs to build a portfolio big enough to quit your job. Itâs not without planning and hard work saving, but it is possible!Â
We walk through:Â
Building enough wealth with Investing to quit What you invest in once youâve quitÂLinks referenced:Â
Record a voice note or send us a message on our website
Aussie Firebug cal...
How we would invest $5,000 right now

So, youâve saved a chunk of cash ready to invest (very nice), but you arenât sure what to do next? In this episode we answer listener Ellenâs question, how would we invest a $5000 stash?
We go through:Â
Steps to take when deciding what to buyTwo approaches of how to invest it; lump sum vs dollar cost averagingHow we personally would invest $5000 right nowHow you would invest the hypothetical $5000 right now? Join the conversation in the Facebook Discussion Group, we'd love to know!
Listen to the DHHF...
ETF Explained: VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT)

Want to invest in US companies with a sustainable competitive advantage? We discuss a product designed to do just that: VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT).
In this episode of ETF Explained, we break down all you need to know about MOAT and teach you the skills to analyse any etf.Â
We cover:Â
Breakdown the core stats of MOAT including performance.What is an economic moat and how does this ETF use it?Explain how to use it in your portfolio.Have an investing question? Record a voice no...
Same salary but Bryce saves 18% more - Our spending reviewed | PocketSmith

How do you break down your budget to maximise the amount youâre saving and investing? In this episode weâre doing a quarterly review of our budgets to see how weâve been stacking up against our goals.Â
We cover:
Our budget / financial plan for the quarterHow closely did we stick to it?Our target savings rate this quarter and did we hit it? Ways weâll optimise our budget for the next quarterÂHave an investing question? Record a voice note or send us a message on our website and we'll...
When we plan to retire

When do we plan to retire and how do we invest as a result? That was the question we got that sparked a conversation about the different strategies you could employ based on your planned retirement.
So in this episode we answer that question:
When we each plan to retireWhy Superannuation is such a great way to invest (for more: listen to our vanguard super series on Equity Mates, here)Â How we think about investing inside of Super v outside of Super Some of the reasons why you would invest outside of Super
ETF Explained: Vanguard U.S. Total Market Shares Index ETF (VTS)

Is this the best US ETF weâve unpacked so far? In this ETF Explained, we look at Vanguard U.S. Total Market Shares Index ETF (VTS). Suggested by listener Harry, he wants to know.. is VTS too good to be true? With a strong performance of 15.80% p.a. returns since inception, what should he know before investing?Â
You'll hear:Â
A break down of VTS key stats and info A comparison of VTS with S&P 500 ETF IVVÂ (Listen to the ETF Explained on IVV here)How it could fit in your portfolioÂL...
Best ETFs for: Investing in Australia - VAS vs A200

ETFs are a popular way to get diversified exposure to the Australian market; there are lots of solid options out there. But what are the best choices for ETFs to invest in Australia in 2024?
In this episode, we put two of the most popular Aussie ETFs head to head Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS) vs Betashares Australia 200 ETF (A200).
We go through:
Why you should invest in Aus market through ETFs. Compare the performance and key stats of VAS and A200 ETF.Our additional ETF picks for Investing in Aus market.<...
4 steps to replace your salary with passive income

Generating a passive income stream, enough to replace a salary, is the dream for many investors. But how realistic is it to actually get there? In this episode we go through:Â
We love answering your questions! Leave us a voicemail and weâll answer your question on the show.
Get a daily dose of Equity Mates in you...
ETF Explained: Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF (DHHF)

We are back with another ETF Explained; covering one of the most popular ETFs in our facebook community, suggested by listener James;Â Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF (DHHF)
In this episode we cover:Â
The key info on DHHF including the performance and fees and help you analyse any ETFDiscuss how it can be used in a portfolio Compare it against itâs riskier cousin, the geared version of this ETF: GHHFListen to Bryce's deep dive on on Leveraged ETFs here. We love answering your questions! Leave us a voicemail and weâll...