BiG Tips: How do you like to learn and do your money and finance research? Try exploring BiG to find money and finance information to read, listen to, or watch. BiG’s found a lot of Analysts and Commentators, Guru Cops and Wealth, Business, Property, Shares, and You Gurus, and many financial advisers too, have their own websites, podcasts, videos, webinars and more –  usually FREE.
Finfluencers are also a ‘thing’ (god help me!), you might follow one already? Did ASIC just kill the ‘finfluencer’? Corporate regulator cracks down on unlicensed advisers, ABC, Rhiana Whitson. Discussing financial products and services online, ASIC.

So with all of these money, finance, lifestyle and investing ‘gurus’ and experts, best to check out their cred, and keep safe! Good luck:

Apps:

• The 6 Best Investment Apps Australia, Canstar
  Raiz (previously Acorn)
  InvestSMART
  SelfWealth
  Stocklight – ASX Stock News
  Sharesight Reader
  Simply Wall Street
  
• What is Micro-Investing and is it Worth Exploring?
  What is Microinvesting? Turn your spare change into big bucks with these 4 micro-investment apps. Finder.com (it’s got a good comparison)
  They say: “Not every micro-investment platform works the same way. Some apps let you invest smaller amounts than is normally allowed into the stock market, also called fractional investing. Others, like Raiz – Acorns in the US – work by investing your spare change from everyday purchases when you link your bank account.”
  Raiz Invest
  CommSec Pocket
  Spaceship Voyager
  Stake [let’s you invest in USA]
  
• RateCity
  Various money managing and saving apps (not reviewed):
  Finder App (includes free Credit Score) They say “Give your savings the boost they need. The Finder app tracks your spending, hunts down savings and sends you alerts – automatically, 24/7.”
  TrackMySPEND They say “Track your personal expenses on the go with this free easy-to-use app.”

Blogs/Websites

• AlphaBeta “strategy x economics”
• Australian Financial Review Smart Investor
• Australian Property Investor (API)
• Australian Property Market They say: “will endeavour to bring you the latest, smart and most up to date tips for your property investment and real estate and home buying process. We follow the market trends and updates to give you the best possible strategy and information to help first home buyers and investors to make the right decision.”
• Australian Stock Market Investing Blog
• The Barefoot Investor (Scott Pape): Blog 
• The Daily Reckoning
• Fidelity Learning Hub, They say: “Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned investor looking to dive deeper into investment principles, we’ve got a range of guides, tools and information to help you understand your options.”
• Flying Solo They say: “[we are] Australia’s largest online business community. Established in 2005, Flying Solo is home to a community of over 75,000 Australian solo and micro businesses, along with 30,000 more connecting across our social networks.”
• Fusion Investing – Top 10 Australian Business, Finance and Investing Sites
• Hot Copper They say: “is the largest stock market forum in Australia with over 250,000 registered members and more than 8,000 posts per day.”
• Intelligent Investor
• MacroBusinessSuperblog They say: “Is Australia’s leading business and investment blog. Its mission is to bridge the gulf between the Australian business media and reality.”
• Millenial Revolution They say: “[they are] a FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) site started by two computer engineers/children’s authors, FIRECracker & Wanderer, who retired at 31 to travel the world!
• reddit Australian Personal Finance
  
• (ASIC) Calculators and APPs
• Budgeting and saving calculators
• Mortgage calculators
• Money health calculators & unclaimed money search
• Loans, credit & debt calculators
• Superannuation & retirement calculators
• Investing calculators
• Mobile finance apps
  
• Canstar Investor Hub (Free updates ‘Investor News’)
• John Cachia
• Passive Investing Australia great resource, but I’ve got no idea who created and runs it! It covers:
  BUILDING A PASSIVE PORTFOLIO
  1. Inflation and why you can’t just put everything in term deposits
  2. Fear of investing
  3. The risk reward spectrum
  4. Asset allocation and your risk tolerance
  5. Index funds
  6. Mitigating risks
  7. Bond funds
  8. Equity funds
  9. Franking credits – how much more are you really getting
  10. Currency risk – personalising your AUD to non-AUD allocation
  11. Portfolio maintenance – Rebalancing
  12. VDHG or roll your own
  13. Does the 10% bonds in VDHG make it a no-go?
  14. Summary & further reading
  
• Money mini blog (USA) Founder Kalen says “[it] shows you how to control your finances, create positive habits and get the life you want.”
  Check out their Blog Roll of other money and finance blogs and their own blog and extensive free resources and guides on:
  • investing
  • controlling your money
  • pay off debt
  • using credit cards
  • being more productive
  • creating good habits
• The Simple Dollar (USA). They say: “Investing your money takes attention to detail as well as some educated risks. Here, we’ll help unpack some best practices so that you can make well-informed and strategic investment decisions.”
• Motley Fool
• Real Estate Investar
• Roger Montgomery
• Your Investment Property (YIP)
  
• The Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) (previously the Planning Association of Australia FPAA) They say: “Many financial planners offer a complimentary introductory meeting. The introductory meeting is your opportunity to make sure that you feel comfortable with the financial planner’s professional credentials, and that you get on well. Financial planning is a relationship business and not just a one-off meeting. Ask plenty of questions!”

Books

Podcasts/Videos, You Tube…

• 10 Investment Podcasts For Australian Investors, Canstar 2020
• Aussie Firebug Financial Independence Retire Early They say: “… is the financial independence podcast for Australian’s where I interview clever people who have already reached or are on their way to financial independence.”
•  My millennial money Sort Your Money Out (Aus) They say: “We’re a podcast for millennials and their money. It’s like Hamish and Andy for your finances. Glen James & John Pidgeon discuss millennial money matters in a light-hearted way. With a variety of topical guests on the show, there is a great balance between practical money tips and banter.”
• The Money (Aus) ABC Radio National They say: “The Money explains how the Australian economy and everything in it works, and how this all connects to the global economy.”
• The Money Café (Aus) They say: “James Kirby and Alan Kohler discuss the biggest news in business, finance, and economics, and what it means for investors. Presented in partnership with The Constant Investor.”   (not to be confused with the websites, book seller The Money Cafe (USA) Ernie Zelinski)
• Equity Mates (Aus) They say: “is a finance and investing podcast, created to break down the world of investing, from beginning to dividend, to make it much more accessible for everybody.”
• Margaret Lomas – Destiny (Aus) [She says she] “regularly shares her expertise gained from years as a property investor through these regular podcasts.” and Vidcasts
• MoneySmart YouTubeVideos (Aus gov)The Moneysmart website is a trusted source of financial information and provides free calculators, tips and guidance for all Australians.
•  The Property Couch They say: “Is a podcast hosted by two of Australia’s Property Experts, Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley. This Podcast is about helping people make smart property investment decisions.”
• The Pineapple Project (Aus) ABC Jan Fran They say: “The podcast that makes you better at money.” Previously hosted by Claire Hooper [who said she’s] “a bit crap with finances. And she’s not the only one. She’s on a mission. To get better at money. From smart saving, to how to earn more, demolish your debt, and invest like a boss, join her as she tracks down all the experts and learns the lessons we somehow missed.”
• The Richards Report They say: “speaks with experts from the world of finance to explore and learn ways you can make smarter decisions when it comes to investing money and time. Join Ted Richards when he speaks with talented investors, athletes and professors about ways to improve your own performance. Guests include Scott Galloway, Harvard/Wharton Professors, Fund Managers and former professional athletes.”
• Eureka Report and The Money Cafe, Alan Kohler and others
• Your Money and Your Life, David Koch
• Get Started Investing, Equity Mates
• BEST BEGINNER INVESTING PODCASTS, Broke Girl Wealth
• Not an Overnight Success, Shaw and Partners Financial Solutions
• Sort Your Money Out; and podcasts My Millennial Money and My Millennial Business
  5 ways to have more money| Glen James shares 5 tips to have more cash -YouTube
  My Millennial Money, Glen James
• Investopoly, Stuart Wemyss
• John Cachia

Social Media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter…

• Instagram
  JohnCachia
  Victoria Devine, She’s on the Money
  Aleks Nikolic Broke Girl Wealth (and TikTok)
  Vanessa Stoykov (see more on her in BiG in Analysts and Commentators)
  Effie Zahos (see more on her in BiG in Analysts and Commentators)
  
• Twitter
  MoneySmart
  25 Aussie Finance Experts You Should Be Following On Twitter Canstar:
  Their link’s broken, but here are their lists of Personal Finance, General Finance and Wealth and Investment experts:
  
  “Personal finance experts:
  Effie Zahos – @effiezahos
  Ross Greenwood – @Ross_Greenwood
  Sophie Elsworth – @sophieelsworth
  Noel Whittaker – @NoelWhittaker
  Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon  –@NicolePedMcK
  Karen Collier – @KarenCollierHS
  Clancy Yeates – @clancyyeates
  John Collett – @jcollett_money
  Stoykov – @ceovanessa
  Katherine Temple – @Katherine_M_T
  Bianca Hartge-Hazelman (Financy) – @LiveFinancyGeneral finance experts:
  David Scutt – @Scutty
  Alan Kohler – @AlanKohler
  Mark Bouris – @markbouris
  Ross Gittins – @1RossGittins
  Jessica Irvine – @Jess_Irvine
  Shane Oliver – @ShaneOliverAMP
  Stephen Koukoulas – @TheKouk
  Jane Slack-Smith – @Renoqueen (and podcast)
  Michael Pascoe – @MichaelPascoe01
  Michael Janda – @mikejanda
  Simon Pressley – @SimonPressleyWealth & investment gurus:
  Josh Callaghan – @CallaghanJosh (Canstar Investor Hub)
  Assad Tannous – @AsennaWealth
  Greg McKenna – @gregorymckenna”