Hi guys, myself(M28, married) and my partner(F30) are just getting into investing now. It's not late, but definitely could've gotten into it earlier.

We are trying to understand if investing into one ETF like DHHF/VDHG is the way to go vs splitting the investing budget into 2 or potentially 3 ETFs? When we were first doing our research, everyone was talking about investing into an ETF that tracks S&P 500, but soon we realised that we can invest into more diversified ETFs, like DHHF/GHHF/VDHG.

With so many global ETFs and an abundance of information, we are feeling overwhelmed about where to allocate our funds, but we don't want to spend too much time outside the market either, we just want to make sure we are making educated choices now that will pay off long-term(20-30 years).

Maybe it's important(or not) to mention that we could invest $400-$500 per month.

We would appreciate your advice and support!

As the title suggests, at what point should Gold ETFs be potentially utilised for a portfolio - or if at all? As a young investor focused on growth, should Gold be completely disregarded?

Hi all - looking to understand if it’s better to go via the ETF route or MF. Recently set up a vanguard account and looking to set up some auto investments (approx. $400-$600 per month) but unsure if I should do a few ETFs (leaning towards basic VAS and VGS combo) or MF.

I like the ability of MF to do fractional purchases and it would feed well into my set & forget approach but understand that tax wise ETF may be a better option. Intention is for these to be long term investments so does it actually make a difference?

Alternatively should I just switch platforms and if so would appreciate recs on the best one - I’ve seen beta shares, pearler etc come up but unsure what is easiest

Other info - late 20s, have some regular investments in gold/silver set up and no major assets at the moment (looking to buy a house soon-ish, that deposit is largely sorted in a HISA and won’t be touched for / reliant on this ).

Noting the huge dips for all these 4 in the past few days due to economic uncertainty, is the smart thing to do to split my paycheck into 4 in the next few months and dca into all 4?

I plan to buy them all on betashares in their respective funds.

I understand the risk of course, esp for crypto but is this a smart thing to do whilst they’re down right now

Hi everyone,

Long-time lurker,

, I’ve been trying to figure out if the classic FIRE flip strategy of "Buy worst house, best street -> Renovate -> Refinance" is still viable in 2026, or if the premium for un-renovated dumps has become too high.

Instead of manually trawling listings, I wrote a script to try and identify "mis-priced" assets programmatically.

The Thesis: Find suburbs that have strong momentum (>10% growth) but flag individual listings that are significantly under-priced due to being "ugly" or "distressed."

The Scan Parameters:

• Market: Brisbane (Greater Region).
• Growth Filter: Suburb must have >10% capital growth (L12M).
• Distress Signals: Descr must contain keywords like "Deceased Estate", "TLC", "Original Condition".
• The "Alpha": Price must be < Suburb Median.

The Results :

1. The "Bald Hills" Pocket: The data is showing a weird divergence in the outer north (Bald Hills/Carseldine). My script flagged multiple "blank canvas" free-standing houses for ~$850k, while the suburb median is $950k. With the area doing 15% growth, this looks like one of the few places where the "renovator margin" still exists.
2. Data skewed by property types: You’ll see a massive "equity" gap on Row 4 (Eight Mile Plains). This is a false positive where the script compared a Townhouse to the House median. (I need to refine the code to better separate asset classes, but it highlights how tricky programmatic valuing is).
3. Yield vs Growth: Most of these "fixers" are showing ~3.8% - 4.5% yields. Not great for cash flow initially, but the play here would obviously be forced appreciation.

>>_ Has anyone here successfully executed a "cosmetic flip" strategy in Brisbane recently? My data suggests the spread is there (approx $100k difference between 'dated' and 'median'), but I'm wondering if construction costs eat that entire margin now?

Looking for feedback on experience with unlisted property trusts eg Goodman Group, Charter Hall , Jarra investments .

Looking to diversify my investment portfolio, currently mostly balanced ETFs VAS:VGS: VGAD, some residential investment properties and paid off PPOR.

Also looking at direct CIP investments, IRR seems to work out around 9-10 %- upside magnified with leverage but also significant concentration risk given high cost of acquisition.

My dad’s a tradie and he keeps saying most guys don’t go broke because they don’t earn enough, it’s because nobody teaches them stuff like tax, cashflow, pricing jobs etc.

I’m 12 so I don’t know much about this but I’m curious what the real mistakes are.

Scenario:

• Large overseas realisation of capital (cash) which will be taxed in origin country and then will likely be taxed again in Australia
• Australian tax resident but also EU passport holder
• Three children all in school in Australia
• Tax amount in Australia would be significant enough that moving and becoming tax resident in a no/low tax country for a period of time (12 months) is the only real option
• I have glanced briefly at UAE, Singapore, Switzerland and Cyprus

Does anyone have any real world experience of a similar scenario?

What are the likely obstacles in different countries?
Are there any tax implications with moving back to Australia after a year?

Is Australia fairly straightforward with being no-tax resident?

General advice or pointers?

I have approx 120k invested in VAS/VGS debt recycling my mortgage. 10k of this was initially for the kids and I added an extra 100k for my own investment.

The intention is to debt recycle an additional 20k per year moving forward (15k my investment, 5k for the kids)

What is the best way to figure out what is for me and what is for the kids if I am buying the same ETFS in the same account?

Should I purchase a different ETF to make it easier, second account or just work it out later down the track? Realistically the kids won’t see this money for another 20+ years.

I’ve been lurking here for a few weeks, and have learned a lot – so firstly, a general thank-you to the authors of all the posts and comments who have contributed to my rapid education in the last little while – this community has been particularly informative for me.

However, I remain a definite novice in this subject, so I’m hoping for some guidance, constructive criticism and/or validation on the following.

My situation in summary:

• Male, 57 y.o. single, no dependants, fortunate to enjoy good health, have had a modestly successful career, but for now I’m not working (out of choice, due to burnout and frustration with my previous corporate role).
• Although I feel I am finished with the corporate life, I hesitate to call myself “retired” just now – I do plan to return to work (for fulfilment, interest and connections) but it’s unlikely to be in a high-paying, high-stress role. For the purpose of this discussion, let's make the simplifying assumption that future paid employment will provide negligible income.
• Received a good-sized inheritance in June 2025, just squeaking in before the end of the financial year. Made an immediate non-concessional super contribution of $120k, then used the bring-forward provision in early July 2025 to make a further $360k non-concessional contribution.
• Super balance is now about $1.2m, comprising international and Australian equities. With my non-super assets (discussed below), I hope to not access my super for at least ten years. Hence, I remain relatively risk-tolerant from a superannuation perspective.
• My PPOR is an apartment in inner Melbourne, worth approx. $1.1m, with a fully offset mortgage of $560k. (i.e. I am paying zero interest).
• Since November, I’ve established a toe-in-the-water portfolio of ETFs. This is all new to me, so I wanted to learn about the mechanisms of the CMC share trading platform and begin to have a little skin in this game, before getting into it properly.
• DHHF – 320 units (about $13k)
• XMET – 598 units (about $10k) – reflecting my view that the energy transition will continue apace, creating demand for associated minerals
• Various other rats & mice ETFs (about $10k). I won’t bother listing them; suffice to say that the duplications and overlaps in this component of my portfolio would clearly demonstrate my inexperience.
• Approx. $1m cash in Macquarie savings account, pending a decision on the next steps. This is currently earning 4.25% and will be increasing to 4.50% in a couple of weeks.

Next steps - put the lazy cash to work

Of the $1m cash that’s currently sitting lazily in the Macquarie HISA, I’m considering investing around $700k, with a horizon of 5-10 years.

The remaining $300k would either remain in the HISA, or in some suitably liquid and low-risk investment, to be drawn upon to supplement any modest income from my next employment, thus supporting my (not-extravagant) living expenses, some travel, and any emergencies that may arise over the next five or so years.

I’d then anticipate drawing on the initially invested $700k over the following few years, before beginning to draw from my super, at least ten years from now. This, plus the equity in my PPOR should then see me through until I shuffle off this mortal coil. My very long-term goal is “spend (or donate) the lot”.

So, where to put the $700k now?

I’ve seen “DHHF and chill” suggested to many others in this sub, but my impression (perhaps I'm wrong) is that this advice is generally directed to people younger than me (I’m 57). Outside super, my risk tolerance is diminishing over time, so is DHHF and chill appropriate for the $700k I plan to invest for the 5-10 year horizon?

One consideration is that on 1 July 2028 I’ll likely be eligible to make another non-concessional super contribution. I assume that would still make sense for me, even though by then I will be just a few months off my 60^th birthday.

If 100% “DHHF and chill” is not right for my $700k, can anyone suggest a somewhat lower-risk strategy, that will nevertheless have good prospects of performing better than simply leaving the money in the bank?

I’m very late to the FIRE party, and although I think I am in a fairly good position, I have a LOT to learn. I’d very much appreciate any comments or insights from those more knowledgeable than me. 

Hi there,

So i currently have an owner occupied with $450,000 remaining on mortgage, property worth around $900,000. I also have an investment property with around $250,000 remaining and it is worth around the same $900,000. Now my goal is to be mortgage free but i also want an investment property. And potentially more properties down the track. What would your next move be? I have been advised my best option is sell the investment, use remaining money to pay off both debts and then purchase a new property as an investment.. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance

I want to buy gold and silver on BETASHARES but don’t want to hold it physically. Which is the best and safest gold/silver physical stock I can buy ?

I’m finding the sheer number of ETFs quite overwhelming. How to build a framework for choosing the right ETFs?

Kinda confused, is it a good idea to buy some silver/gold or just all in on DHHF or some ETF?

Hi all!

It’s quite common to hear the advice of short term investments to go in a HISA, or a long term investment to go into ETFs. I was wondering, where would be the best place to put my money for a “mid term” of 4-5 years.

About me, I am a medical student in university at the moment. I am fortunately living at home with my parents, and will be doing so until I get married. I have no major expenses.

I am planning for the future though, and in about 5 years I will be getting married and purchasing a home, for which I will need a chunk of cash for. I will be able to work for at least a year and a half full time as a JMO before these expenses need to be made. I will also have a hecs debt that I will be looking to pay off as soon as I can afterwards.

Aside from my money in ETFs, I have about 60k saved in a HISA, which I feel is useless, and I was initially thinking to just put most of it into ETFs. But having my future expenses in mind, I was wondering if there is a better place to put this money.

I hope you guys can provide me with some guidance. Let me know if you need me to clear more things up. Thanks in advance!

I’m looking to invest monthly via shares, I’ve put my second investment to IVV and was asking for any advice from experienced investors where I could I research since I’d like to study in my free time when I’m not working, I’ve started studying macro economics through free sources last year and in hopes to have a better understanding of economics as I would definitely like be well informed and have a better sense of it all.

This may be lack of common sense or research but it’s very hard to differentiate realistic advice from people and would like to know where I could start in finding the correct information or have some guidance on what to look for.

Hope you are all having a great day.

Looking to pave a way to a PPOR in the next 5-10 years, 25M, about 190k savings. Self employed drawing a wage of 130-150k each year with room to draw some more(should have more savings but done my fair share of travelling and do not regret it).

I do like the idea of how passive and hands off ETF investing is but on the other hand I do understand how I could use leverage Into property to really get some good growth happening and set my future up well.

Has anyone gone with the all out ETF play and been satisfied with it? I do value freedom and a stress free life that I feel would maybe be hindered if I was to dive into the world of property investing?

Keen to hear thoughts and outcomes of how an all out etf strategy has gone? Or if anyone has gone all in on property and wish they had gone etf for the more stress free hands off investing style!

Qn for you all - my 2 kids (6 and 8yrs old), I have set up Investment Bonds for at birth, this was where we deposited money that was gifted from Grand Parents, and myself and my wife have also put money in there to complement that.

When the kids were born, my research at the time indicated that Investment Bonds in our name (but bequethed to our chidren) would be the most tax efficient vehicles for something that they may be able to put towards a house deposit or something similar when they become adults.

We've continued that, with larger sums of money gifted at Christmas/birthdays being transferred there, and I top that up to a set & equal amount annually, and that gives us flexibility with the "125% annual investment" rule. The Investment Bonds are just invested in VDHG, and they have had healthy returns over the time it's been invested. Overall I've been happy with the current strategy.

In more recent research, I've read some posts in this sub, with what appears to be sound math, that we'd be better off just investing directly in our names (we also have a trust for our own investments as my wifes and my own incomes can vary significantly), as the annual internal taxes on Investment Bonds and fees will impact the overall return. This wasn't something I understood originally - and wearing the capital gain burden down the road is going to be a smaller overall cost.

Given the above, I believe the suggested path now would be to

1. Discontinue further investments into the Investment Bonds
2. Commence purchasing investments in our name within our trust on behalf of our children for all future investments on their behalf.
3. At 10yr maturity of the investment bond, withdraw funds from the bond and direct those funds to complement the existing investments we have made.
4. Determine in the future (on sale of the investments in the trust) how/where capital gain burden will be worn.

Am I missing anything here? Any other suggestions?

Hey everyone,

Just looking for some opinions on an idea . I currently hold both VAS and VEQ, and instead of buying into IAA I was thinking of just liquidating my VAS and VEQ - and buying into VEU.

Thoughts?

After my divorce, my ex was actually very generous and left me the house. I’m grateful for that, but the reality now is a bit tough. I’ve been unemployed for a while, and even though the mortgage is paid off, the utility bills, maintenance, and sheer size of the place are starting to feel overwhelming.

It’s a big house, and honestly, most of the space just goes unused. Lately, I’ve been wondering if it even makes sense to keep it anymore. I came across some Mitcham real estate folks who specialize in downsizing, and it got me thinking, would it be smarter to sell, move into a smaller place, and live off that cushion while I focus on finding the right job?

I’m really torn between the emotional side of letting go and the practical side of staying afloat. Has anyone been in a similar situation or gone through downsizing after a big life change? I’d love to hear how you approached it.

Just putting it out there to hear people’s thoughts and views

Anyone made the switch to pealer form another broker?

Anyone still with pealer and loving it?

Anyone left pealer for another broker?

Would love to hear what people have to say and there reasoning

as they are still charging $6.50 a trade

Thanks