As human beings we share a commonality. We are all born into the financial system in which we live. On a daily basis we make decisions on how we earn, spend, save, invest and give away our money as well as how willing we are to get into debt.
Welcome to Looking Under the Hood – a podcast all about helping you to unpacking money so you can move towards financial freedom.
I’m Scott Malcolm, I’ve always been curious to understand how things work. When I was a kid there was that one time, I pulled apart our family toaster to see how it worked – sorry again Mum and Dad!
When I became a financial planner – fresh out of Uni in 2000 I had the same desire to get a deep understanding of the money stuff and how to make it work for you.
What I have learnt and seen working with clients is that the Money stuff is no different. If you have an understanding of how the system works and how you relate to it, you can empower yourself for a better financial future.
My aim of this podcast is to give you money insights as we ‘look under the hood’ and unpack how the financial system works, and provide some stories around clients situations I have worked with over the last few decades to give you greater understanding of you and the money in your life.
We will kick of our first series to look under the hood and unpack money in the context of the Australian financial system. While tax and retirement systems change between countries the fundamentals and foundations of money are a shared human experience.
Financial planning weather you are doing it yourself or paying for professional advice, is all about having a decision making framework in place to navigate your life transitions as you move through startup phase, accumulation phase and then into retirement or financial freedom phase.
I look forward to taking on you a journey to unpack your money stuff and get the foundations in place to be living your ideal life.
Thanks for listening! We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!
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Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523
General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person.
Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.
Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance. Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.
Ideally we suggest you speak with a licensed financial planner and seek out personal advice!
With fewer than 100 days left in the year, money starts moving fast. Christmas, school holidays, travel, end-of-year catch-ups and January bills can all land at once. Scott and Ara share a practical way to finish the year with more intention and less financial stress.
In this episode:
Why the end of the year is a pressure point for money
Why you should look at your calendar before you set a budget
Building a full festive-season spending plan, not just a gift list
Planning for holidays and travel without the January hangover
Managing social pressure and learning to say no kindly
Checking subscriptions, debt and cash flow before the new year
Setting yourself up for a calmer January
Key takeaway: Keep the joy, reduce the regret, and spend on what matters most to you.
Thanks for listening! We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!
Check out more about us here:
www.moneymechanics.com.au (http://www.moneymechanics.com.au)
www.scottmalcolm.com.au (http://www.scottmalcolm.com.au)
Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here. (https://www.platformplus.com.au/OfficeLegal.aspx?t=ozltyLOCOx3CUEprGCaV%2fv0Y5Vt2DhXlheKWWnXu7ziOrbFGhs4OES6xbWD9dkK4zsu%2bH9MFqmSRctEzB6KzTw%3d%3d)
Follow and like us on socials:
Instagram: @moneymechanics (https://www.instagram.com/moneymechanics/)
Twitter: @moneymechanics (https://twitter.com/MoneyMechanics)
Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523
General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person.
Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance. Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we record and listen today, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
We recognise the continuing connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to Country, community, culture and knowledge.
We also acknowledge that long before colonial settlement, First Nations peoples maintained sophisticated systems of trade, exchange, reciprocity and resource sharing across this continent.
As we talk about money and financial wellbeing, we recognise that economic life on this land has deep roots in the world’s oldest continuing cultures.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
25 Sept 2026
Unpacking Money Stories: Where They Start, How They Change
In this episode of Money Mechanics, Scott and Ara explore the beliefs, memories, emotions and family messages that shape the way we earn, spend, save, invest and talk about money. From childhood phrases like “money doesn’t grow on trees” to adult patterns around guilt, fear, security, success and enough, this episode looks at how our money stories quietly influence our decisions.
Rather than blaming the past, this conversation invites you to get curious about it. What did your money story teach you? What parts are still useful? And what are you ready to update?
A thoughtful episode for anyone wanting to better understand their financial behaviour and write a more intentional next chapter.
Thanks for listening! We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!
Check out more about us here:
www.moneymechanics.com.au (http://www.moneymechanics.com.au)
www.scottmalcolm.com.au (http://www.scottmalcolm.com.au)
Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here. (https://www.platformplus.com.au/OfficeLegal.aspx?t=ozltyLOCOx3CUEprGCaV%2fv0Y5Vt2DhXlheKWWnXu7ziOrbFGhs4OES6xbWD9dkK4zsu%2bH9MFqmSRctEzB6KzTw%3d%3d)
Follow and like us on socials:
Instagram: @moneymechanics (https://www.instagram.com/moneymechanics/)
Twitter: @moneymechanics (https://twitter.com/MoneyMechanics)
Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523
General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person.
Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance. Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
12 Sept 2026
Unpacking Tax: the system and why we pay it
Tax can feel deeply personal, especially when it comes out of your pay, shows up in the price of what you buy, or applies when an investment makes a gain.
In this episode of Money Mechanics, Scott and Ara unpack why tax exists, what it helps fund, and how it fits into a functioning civil society. They explore the difference between tax as a cost and tax as a contribution, why Australia may feel highly taxed even though it is not at the top of OECD comparisons, and why being tax-aware is very different from being tax-obsessed.
This is a practical, balanced conversation about understanding the system, claiming what you are legally entitled to, and making strong financial decisions based on your long-term after-tax outcome.
Thanks for listening! We love your support, please subscribe, review, comment and share this episode to help empower and educate more folks around the money stuff!
Check out more about us here:
www.moneymechanics.com.au (http://www.moneymechanics.com.au)
www.scottmalcolm.com.au (http://www.scottmalcolm.com.au)
Check out our Financial Service Guide and Privacy Policy here. (https://www.platformplus.com.au/OfficeLegal.aspx?t=ozltyLOCOx3CUEprGCaV%2fv0Y5Vt2DhXlheKWWnXu7ziOrbFGhs4OES6xbWD9dkK4zsu%2bH9MFqmSRctEzB6KzTw%3d%3d)
Follow and like us on socials:
Instagram: @moneymechanics (https://www.instagram.com/moneymechanics/)
Twitter: @moneymechanics (https://twitter.com/MoneyMechanics)
Money Mechanics Pty Ltd (ABN 64 136 066 272) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 097 797 049) AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 236523
General Advice Warning Information in this podcast has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person.
Any advice contained is General Advice and does not take into account any person's particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a qualified adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. Past performance of financial products is no assurance of future performance. Product Disclosure Statements contain information necessary for you to make a decision whether or not to invest in financial products which may be mentioned in this podcast.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
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6 ratings
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