It was a statement that broke the internet—and simultaneously hit the nail on the head.

“It is extremely difficult to be a 30-year-old in Australia right now” was the powerful sentiment which sent today’s guest viral online… So let’s talk about it. 

Advertising giant, podcaster and media personality, Russel Howcroft, joins The Pay Off today for some real talk. Russel doesn't mince words: he explains exactly why it's never been tougher for young people to get ahead financially right now. 

From the clever tactics companies use to get you to spend your cash to how Gruen changed the trajectory of his career, Russel shares the best advice and most engaging anecdotes we could pack into one episode.

It was a statement that broke the internet&mdash;and simultaneously hit the nail on the head.
&ldquo;It is extremely difficult to be a 30-year-old in Australia right now&rdquo; was the powerful sentiment which sent today&rsquo;s guest viral online&hellip; So let&rsquo;s talk about it.&nbsp;
Advertising giant, podcaster and media personality, Russel Howcroft, joins The Pay Off today for some real talk. Russel doesn't mince words: he explains exactly why it's never been tougher for young people to get ahead financially right now.&nbsp;
From the clever tactics companies use to get you to spend your cash to how Gruen changed the trajectory of his career, Russel shares the best advice and most engaging anecdotes we could pack into one episode.

Money is a constant contradiction. You’ve got to spend money to enjoy life but save every cent for the future. 

It’s why Australians are caught between impossible expectations and an economic system that feels stacked against them. So, how do you keep up the juggling act when the stakes just keep getting higher?

In The Pay Off Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with leading experts and entrepreneurs to uncover tips and tricks from some of the sharpest business minds in the game.

You can listen to The Pay Off wherever you get your podcasts, or you can watch every episode on 9Now, search 'The Pay Off 9Now Podcast'

Money is a constant contradiction. You&rsquo;ve got to spend money to enjoy life but save every cent for the future.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s why Australians are caught between impossible expectations and an economic system that feels stacked against them.&nbsp;So, how do you keep up the juggling act when the stakes just keep getting higher?
In The Pay Off Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with leading experts and entrepreneurs to uncover tips and tricks from some of the sharpest business minds in the game.
You can listen to The Pay Off wherever you get your podcasts, or you can watch every episode on 9Now, search 'The Pay Off 9Now Podcast'

Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with leading experts and entrepreneurs to uncover tips and tricks from some of the sharpest business minds in the game.

The Pay Off with Sylvia Jeffreys

It’s Tough Being A Young Person Right Now with Russel Howcroft

Sylvia sits down with Alice Stoltz from Domain—often called the "walking encyclopedia" of Australian real estate—to cut through the headlines and give you the data-driven truth about what’s happening right now. If you’ve been feeling "handcuffed" by interest rates or worried about the "choppy" nature of recent auctions, this is for you.

In this episode:
Which segment of the market is feeling the heat and what it signals for the rest of us.
Why 1950s brick homes are becoming the gold standard for savvy long-term buyers.
Which parts of the country hold the real value lies for families right now.
What is affecting consumer confidence and how it's showing up at auctions
Is it time to return to the "old fashioned" view of property?

Sylvia sits down with Alice Stoltz from Domain&mdash;often called the "walking encyclopedia" of Australian real estate&mdash;to cut through the headlines and give you the data-driven truth about what&rsquo;s happening right now. If you&rsquo;ve been feeling "handcuffed" by interest rates or worried about the "choppy" nature of recent auctions, this is for you.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Which segment of the market is feeling the heat and what it signals for the rest of us.</li>
<li>Why 1950s brick homes are becoming the gold standard for savvy long-term buyers.</li>
<li>Which parts of the country hold the real value lies for families right now.</li>
<li>What is affecting consumer confidence and how it's showing up at auctions</li>
<li>Is it time to return to the "old fashioned" view of property?</li>
</ul>

No. 1 Property Expert Shares her 2026 Playbook, with Alice Stolz

At 15, all Matt Moran knew is that he didn't want to be in school anymore. At 22, he had his first restaurant. And now, he has a name synonymous with success and excellence. 

Matt opens up about his humble beginnings, the reality of the high-pressure world of professional kitchens, and just how far a desire to work, to learn, to ask the right questions, to trust the right people - and above all to become obsessed - can take you.

At 15, all Matt Moran knew is that he didn't want to be in school anymore. At 22, he had his first restaurant. And now, he has a name synonymous with success and excellence.&nbsp;
Matt opens up about his humble beginnings, the reality of the high-pressure world of professional kitchens, and just how far a desire to work, to learn, to ask the right questions, to trust the right people - and above all to become obsessed - can take you.

How Passion Built an Empire, with Matt Moran

Experts are calling this the worst fuel crisis in history.
And despite petrol station closures and record costs to fill the tank, there are some effects that are still yet to be seen.

Expert economist Evan Lucas helps break down exactly we could expect - the products we might see disappear from our supermarkets and stores, the downstream effects of $4+ per litre, how it could change policy and behaviour for good, and the situation's spooky similarities to what we saw during COVID. 

Experts are calling this the worst fuel crisis in history. And despite petrol station closures and record costs to fill the tank, there are some effects that are still yet to be seen.
Expert economist Evan Lucas helps break down exactly we could expect - the products we might see disappear from our supermarkets and stores, the downstream effects of $4+ per litre, how it could change policy and behaviour for good, and the situation's spooky similarities to what we saw during COVID.&nbsp;

It’s Tough Being A Young Person Right Now with Russel Howcroft

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