Should you DIY your super? Hayden Smith answers the big questions

Owen Rask and Hayden Smith unpack DIY super, SMSFs, HINs, custodial models, ETFs, brokerage fees and wealth-building trade-offs. Australian Finance Podcast host Owen Rask sits down with Hayden Smith from Pearler to answer one of the biggest questions investors ask once they get serious about money: should you take more control of your super, or leave it alone? Using listener questions as the backbone, they unpack the practical differences between large super funds, direct investment options and self-managed super funds, then explain where people often get tripped up by acronyms, fees and structure. That includes HIN versus custodial models, whether brokerage costs really matter, what ETFs inside super can and cannot solve, and why an SMSF is not automatically the smarter move just because it feels more hands-on. The conversation also widens into the trade-offs Australians face when building wealth more broadly, including leverage, investment property stress, negative gearing and the temptation to over-optimise every financial decision. Throughout the episode, Owen and Hayden keep coming back to the same idea: good investing should be simple enough to stick with, even when life gets messy. If you have ever wondered whether to DIY your super, compare brokers, or rethink how much control you really need, this episode will help you sort the signal from the noise. It is a practical reminder that the best setup is usually the one you understand well enough to keep using for years. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:07 Leveraged ASX Products 05:24 Pearler's Growth Story 07:45 What Is Super? 09:55 HIN vs Custodial Model 14:03 Super & SMSF Options 20:33 Super Fees Explained 28:37 Pearler Super Explained 32:55 Brokerage Fees Matter? 39:39 Sell the Investment Property? 44:28 Wrap-Up & Resources Episode resources Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”: https://amzn.to/42Uz0aK Speak with the Rask Advice team: https://rask.com.au/advice Ask a question (select the Finance podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources View VanEck's range of funds: https://www.vaneck.com.au/vaneck-etfs... Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith: https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe: https://stripe.com EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers: https://bit.ly/Pearler Rask resources All services: https://bit.ly/R-services Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media Instagram:   / rask.invest   TikTok:   / rask.invest   DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg