Welcome to the Friends with Money podcast, brought to you by Money Magazine, creating financial freedom for Australians since nineteen ninety nine.

Welcome to the Friends with Money podcast, brought to you by Money Magazine, creating financial freedom for Australians since nineteen ninety nine.

Hello and welcome to the Friends with Money podcast, your weekly pod to help you earn, save, and make more money. My name is Michelle Baltazar. I'm the editor in chief here at Money Magazine. Thank you for joining us. This is our special best of the Best episode where I'm joined by Vanessa Walker, Managing editor of Money. Vanessa, Welcome to this special episode.

Hello and welcome to the Friends with Money podcast, your weekly pod to help you earn, save, and make more money. My name is Michelle Baltazar. I'm the editor in chief here at Money Magazine. Thank you for joining us. This is our special best of the Best episode where I'm joined by Vanessa Walker, Managing editor of Money. Vanessa, Welcome to this special episode.

Thank you, Michelle.

Thank you, Michelle.

Now, I know that you've worked on this for a good six months from start to finish. Are you glad it's done and out for the world to enjoy.

Now, I know that you've worked on this for a good six months from start to finish. Are you glad it's done and out for the world to enjoy.

I am so glad it's over over six months of hard work, but also super proud of it. We had a whole data team doing original research and to company results into super funds, into home loans, into credit cards. They give us all the data, they tell us who won. We get our team of writers to write about it why they won. We put that out into the world. Three hundred and fifty thousand people are waiting on Money's to the Best award winners. It's now out there in the wild and ready to be picked up.

I am so glad it's over over six months of hard work, but also super proud of it. We had a whole data team doing original research and to company results into super funds, into home loans, into credit cards. They give us all the data, they tell us who won. We get our team of writers to write about it why they won. We put that out into the world. Three hundred and fifty thousand people are waiting on Money's to the Best award winners. It's now out there in the wild and ready to be picked up.

Yay Q applause here.

Yay Q applause here.

But in all seriousness, I think, like you said, incredibly proud of this issue.

But in all seriousness, I think, like you said, incredibly proud of this issue.

This is the biggest issue of the year.

This is the biggest issue of the year.

It's been running for more than twenty four years at least, and I think if you are listening to this, stick around until the end of the show and we will give you a promo code if you want a copy of this special edition.

It's been running for more than twenty four years at least, and I think if you are listening to this, stick around until the end of the show and we will give you a promo code if you want a copy of this special edition.

Now let's talk about highlights.

Now let's talk about highlights.

I know that we can't talk about all one hundred and nine plus products.

I know that we can't talk about all one hundred and nine plus products.

However, there are some awards that.

However, there are some awards that.

Truly can make a big difference save people thousands of dollars if they look at them.

Truly can make a big difference save people thousands of dollars if they look at them.

So shall we. Let's do it all right?

So shall we. Let's do it all right?

Number one, let's talk about the best super fund of the year.

Number one, let's talk about the best super fund of the year.

Right, the best super fund is Mine Super Now. Mine Super got pole position because they won a number of individual awards that showcase their investment performance. They took out best My super Lifestyle Product, Best International Shares, Higher Superperformer, and best Value super Fund for Young People. And that last award is particularly noticeable because it showcased their incredible investment performance over the longer term, but also this commitment to keeping fees low that's the kind of duality we want in super funds. Now, one little thing you may not know about mine Super they have merged with TWU Super Transport Workers' Union in the old days and in the new year they're going to change their their name to Team Super.

Right, the best super fund is Mine Super Now. Mine Super got pole position because they won a number of individual awards that showcase their investment performance. They took out best My super Lifestyle Product, Best International Shares, Higher Superperformer, and best Value super Fund for Young People. And that last award is particularly noticeable because it showcased their incredible investment performance over the longer term, but also this commitment to keeping fees low that's the kind of duality we want in super funds. Now, one little thing you may not know about mine Super they have merged with TWU Super Transport Workers' Union in the old days and in the new year they're going to change their their name to Team Super.

I love it.

I love it.

I mean, team is such a powerful word. I can't believe it'd It wasn't tech in before. So it is mind super or Team Super is the twenty twenty five best of the best super fund of the year. That's right, fantastic. Now let's go to investments. Who won the Best Investment Manager of the year. Drum roll, That is Mcquarie Asset Management. It's the second year they've won this award.

I mean, team is such a powerful word. I can't believe it'd It wasn't tech in before. So it is mind super or Team Super is the twenty twenty five best of the best super fund of the year. That's right, fantastic. Now let's go to investments. Who won the Best Investment Manager of the year. Drum roll, That is Mcquarie Asset Management. It's the second year they've won this award.

Now.

Now.

Mcquarie has around nine hundred and thirty eight billion in assets under management globally. They invest in sectors ranging from renewables, infrastructure and tech, resources, commodities and energy. One interesting thing about mcquarie Asset Management. Along with the unlisted managed funds, they offer ETFs, all of which are actively managed, as in they aim to outperform the market.

Mcquarie has around nine hundred and thirty eight billion in assets under management globally. They invest in sectors ranging from renewables, infrastructure and tech, resources, commodities and energy. One interesting thing about mcquarie Asset Management. Along with the unlisted managed funds, they offer ETFs, all of which are actively managed, as in they aim to outperform the market.

Wow, and again it feels like when we talk about best super fund, we talk about best investment manager. The reason why they go all the way up to the top. Is that they excel across several categories, not just the one, and this is why it's really worth looking at them. So again that's Team Super and that's Macquarie Asset Management. Now for the big one, and I say this is a big one because it's probably the simplest thing to do, and that is, if you have a home loan and you want.

Wow, and again it feels like when we talk about best super fund, we talk about best investment manager. The reason why they go all the way up to the top. Is that they excel across several categories, not just the one, and this is why it's really worth looking at them. So again that's Team Super and that's Macquarie Asset Management. Now for the big one, and I say this is a big one because it's probably the simplest thing to do, and that is, if you have a home loan and you want.

To look at the best rates.

To look at the best rates.

Then you really need to go research, look at all the big banks, look at all the non banks even and that takes a lot of work, but we've done all of that for you here. So let's talk about the winner of the flexible home loans category.

Then you really need to go research, look at all the big banks, look at all the non banks even and that takes a lot of work, but we've done all of that for you here. So let's talk about the winner of the flexible home loans category.

Yes, so the winner is HSBC. And now, look, as you said, you've got to drow down a little bit, get in with the numbers if you really want to get the best flexible home loan. HSBC one because their Home Value loan, the name of their product, came in at six point one four percent with a seven one hundred and fifty upfront fee and no annual fees. Now I'm also going to tell you because we had banks, we compared non banks, we compared boutique banks, and Customer owned Banks HSBC one for the flexible home loans for the banks for non banks loans dot com dot Au. They won the same award for their flexible home loan. Their variable home loan had a six point zero six percent comparison rate with three hundred dollars in upfront fees and no annual fees. That's a trend if you're a boutique bank kind of person. Unloan came in for the Boutique Bank award. They offer a five point nine zero percent comparison rate with no upfront fees or annual fees. Now, one little thing, one little tip that you might want to know. Unloan is actually owned by the Commonwealth Bank.

Yes, so the winner is HSBC. And now, look, as you said, you've got to drow down a little bit, get in with the numbers if you really want to get the best flexible home loan. HSBC one because their Home Value loan, the name of their product, came in at six point one four percent with a seven one hundred and fifty upfront fee and no annual fees. Now I'm also going to tell you because we had banks, we compared non banks, we compared boutique banks, and Customer owned Banks HSBC one for the flexible home loans for the banks for non banks loans dot com dot Au. They won the same award for their flexible home loan. Their variable home loan had a six point zero six percent comparison rate with three hundred dollars in upfront fees and no annual fees. That's a trend if you're a boutique bank kind of person. Unloan came in for the Boutique Bank award. They offer a five point nine zero percent comparison rate with no upfront fees or annual fees. Now, one little thing, one little tip that you might want to know. Unloan is actually owned by the Commonwealth Bank.

Wow.

Wow.

Now, I know that you've kind of walked through several numbers there, but the big one for our listeners to understand is that the interest rate starts with a six or it's slightly below six. Because I know that there are a lot of banks out there that are offering probably the same product around seven or eight percent.

Now, I know that you've kind of walked through several numbers there, but the big one for our listeners to understand is that the interest rate starts with a six or it's slightly below six. Because I know that there are a lot of banks out there that are offering probably the same product around seven or eight percent.

So if you're.

So if you're.

Listening to this, there's an interesting statistic, Vanessa that something like two in five Aussies don't even know what the interest rate is of show back.

Listening to this, there's an interesting statistic, Vanessa that something like two in five Aussies don't even know what the interest rate is of show back.

I know, well guilty as charge.

I know, well guilty as charge.

When I first started, because I didn't know what happens when the interest rate goes down and when the interest rate goes up. To be fair, I was in my twenties then I had other priorities. But again, one simple thing you can do is check your interest rate. Is it the best one? And if not, best of the best. Read the articles we have on on loan on HSBC and loans dot com dot AU. That's right, all right, Exchange traded funds. That was definitely the buzzword of twenty twenty four. Right, but what is the best out there? Which company or which fund manager is the ETF Manager of the year?

When I first started, because I didn't know what happens when the interest rate goes down and when the interest rate goes up. To be fair, I was in my twenties then I had other priorities. But again, one simple thing you can do is check your interest rate. Is it the best one? And if not, best of the best. Read the articles we have on on loan on HSBC and loans dot com dot AU. That's right, all right, Exchange traded funds. That was definitely the buzzword of twenty twenty four. Right, but what is the best out there? Which company or which fund manager is the ETF Manager of the year?

All right?

All right?

Well, the pioneer of ETFs won the award, and the pioneer, of course is Vanguard. Now they invented index funds about fifty years ago. The next iteration of that, which is they became a launching pad for the global ETF industry. Now, interestingly, Vanguard didn't take out an individual ETF award and the best of the best. They took out overall best ETF manager for their products because they consistently featured among the finalists in every ETF category, so they're great across the board. One thing to know is Vanguard is Australia's largest ETF provider and the world's second largest fund manager, with its flagsh Australian and International shares and Dix products ranking first and third in terms of size.

Well, the pioneer of ETFs won the award, and the pioneer, of course is Vanguard. Now they invented index funds about fifty years ago. The next iteration of that, which is they became a launching pad for the global ETF industry. Now, interestingly, Vanguard didn't take out an individual ETF award and the best of the best. They took out overall best ETF manager for their products because they consistently featured among the finalists in every ETF category, so they're great across the board. One thing to know is Vanguard is Australia's largest ETF provider and the world's second largest fund manager, with its flagsh Australian and International shares and Dix products ranking first and third in terms of size.

Again, it's about the best of the best. Vanguard, which is spelled VA n g UA r D is the fund manager to do your research on because they've won ETF Manager of the Year and if you're a beginner investor, exchange traded funds truly shown in twenty twenty four and it's likely going to be it's going to remain popular in twenty twenty five.

Again, it's about the best of the best. Vanguard, which is spelled VA n g UA r D is the fund manager to do your research on because they've won ETF Manager of the Year and if you're a beginner investor, exchange traded funds truly shown in twenty twenty four and it's likely going to be it's going to remain popular in twenty twenty five.

Now. We don't want to.

Now. We don't want to.

Forget that for people who tell us Michelle Vanessa just gave us way too many numbers.

Forget that for people who tell us Michelle Vanessa just gave us way too many numbers.

What's the six percent? What's this? You know? Upfront fees, annual fees.

What's the six percent? What's this? You know? Upfront fees, annual fees.

We've also featured a couple of lifestyle categories. One is we looked at the best wine out there. Tell us more about that.

We've also featured a couple of lifestyle categories. One is we looked at the best wine out there. Tell us more about that.

All right. We had Peter Forrestal, our wine expert. He gave us the best wines under twenty five dollars, Reds whites and he threw in a rose, because we know we all love rosees, so I'm going to give you a couple of those. The best white that he found was the Peter Lemmon portrait Eden Valley Reasling. He said, it's outstanding value for twenty dollars, so a good go to when you run out of money post Christmas. He calls it a fresh and lively drop with gentle lime, juice, aromatics and flavors.

All right. We had Peter Forrestal, our wine expert. He gave us the best wines under twenty five dollars, Reds whites and he threw in a rose, because we know we all love rosees, so I'm going to give you a couple of those. The best white that he found was the Peter Lemmon portrait Eden Valley Reasling. He said, it's outstanding value for twenty dollars, so a good go to when you run out of money post Christmas. He calls it a fresh and lively drop with gentle lime, juice, aromatics and flavors.

Sounds delicious.

Sounds delicious.

For the red, he awarded an elder of wine. The elder carries the Kyota Bay Pino nois that's from New Zealand Central Otago region down in the bottom of the South Island. He said he loved us red currant and raspberry aromas. And then he put in a special mention the Yearing Station little Yearing dry rose. And that's twenty two dollars, so all pretty affordable.

For the red, he awarded an elder of wine. The elder carries the Kyota Bay Pino nois that's from New Zealand Central Otago region down in the bottom of the South Island. He said he loved us red currant and raspberry aromas. And then he put in a special mention the Yearing Station little Yearing dry rose. And that's twenty two dollars, so all pretty affordable.

Wowf if you missed all of that, don't worry. We will list them in the show notes and you can certainly have a look at that after listening to this episode. And finally, what do you pair wine with the best books?

Wowf if you missed all of that, don't worry. We will list them in the show notes and you can certainly have a look at that after listening to this episode. And finally, what do you pair wine with the best books?

Chocolate and chocolate? Yes, certainly, certainly, but can you name.

Chocolate and chocolate? Yes, certainly, certainly, but can you name.

Three books that made it to our must read list most certainly can.

Three books that made it to our must read list most certainly can.

So this list is actually provided by Dimmicks, our literary partner. Now they recommended Tim Winton's menacing tale called Juice Sally Rooney, She of Normal People, Fame and to Misso, and that's about two brothers who are polar opposites grieving the death of their father. Finally, Nexus, which is a brief history of information networks from the Stone Age to AI. I mean, read that and you'll be smarter coming out of the holidays and going in.

So this list is actually provided by Dimmicks, our literary partner. Now they recommended Tim Winton's menacing tale called Juice Sally Rooney, She of Normal People, Fame and to Misso, and that's about two brothers who are polar opposites grieving the death of their father. Finally, Nexus, which is a brief history of information networks from the Stone Age to AI. I mean, read that and you'll be smarter coming out of the holidays and going in.

Nicely done, nicely done. Well.

Nicely done, nicely done. Well.

I just feel like, hopefully, if you're listening to this, this has been great value to you. We've looked at the top super fund, the top investment manager, the top bank when it comes to variable or flexible home loans, and also the top exchange traded funds, with the books and the wine to pair them with. But truly there's more of that in our Best of the Best twenty twenty five edition. So we only publish one of this during the year, and it's something that you can use as a bible or a source material for the whole year. You can look at your mobile plans, your insurance. Maybe you want to look at our share brokers that we've recommended, or if you're in the market to buy a car, certainly we've also covered that. Once again, Vanessa, you've been an absolute legend putting this together and now it's out there.

I just feel like, hopefully, if you're listening to this, this has been great value to you. We've looked at the top super fund, the top investment manager, the top bank when it comes to variable or flexible home loans, and also the top exchange traded funds, with the books and the wine to pair them with. But truly there's more of that in our Best of the Best twenty twenty five edition. So we only publish one of this during the year, and it's something that you can use as a bible or a source material for the whole year. You can look at your mobile plans, your insurance. Maybe you want to look at our share brokers that we've recommended, or if you're in the market to buy a car, certainly we've also covered that. Once again, Vanessa, you've been an absolute legend putting this together and now it's out there.

Congratulations, Thanks so much.

Congratulations, Thanks so much.

Now before we go, if you enjoy listening to this episode, please share it with your friends and family. The best of the best. This is certainly our biggest edition. If you have a finance question you'd like us to cover in future episodes, drop us a line on podcast at moneymag dot com dot au. Until next I'm Michelle Baltazar. Buy for now and now, because you've listened to the very end of this episode, check out the promo code in our show notes for your very own discount to get a copy of the twenty twenty five Best of the Best issue.

Now before we go, if you enjoy listening to this episode, please share it with your friends and family. The best of the best. This is certainly our biggest edition. If you have a finance question you'd like us to cover in future episodes, drop us a line on podcast at moneymag dot com dot au. Until next I'm Michelle Baltazar. Buy for now and now, because you've listened to the very end of this episode, check out the promo code in our show notes for your very own discount to get a copy of the twenty twenty five Best of the Best issue.

Bye for now.

Bye for now.

Thanks for listening to the Friends with Money podcast. For credible, independent and easy to understand financial commentary, visit moneymag dot com dot au. Please remember that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are general in nature, and further, independent advice and research based on your personal circumstances should be sought before making an investment decision.

Thanks for listening to the Friends with Money podcast. For credible, independent and easy to understand financial commentary, visit moneymag dot com dot au. Please remember that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are general in nature, and further, independent advice and research based on your personal circumstances should be sought before making an investment decision.