Bad financial advice, offset vs redraw & buying your first home

In this episode of the Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by Milli Russell for a practical Q&A covering some of the money questions that can feel small in the moment but have a huge impact over time. They unpack what a 21-year-old should focus on if buying a first home is only 12 months away, including why speaking to a mortgage broker early matters, what lenders may look for, and how to think about cash flow before you apply. From there, they break down the difference between offset accounts and redraw facilities, when flexibility matters, and why the tax treatment of a future investment property can make that choice more important than people realise. Gemma and Milli also talk through what to do if you think you have received bad financial advice, including when to go back to the adviser, when to escalate a complaint, and what role AFCA and ASIC can play. They also answer a thoughtful question about retirement boredom and explain how returning to work can interact with super, pension accounts and future contributions. Along the way, they share an update on the Finders Keepers savings challenge and highlight some of the small changes that can create surprisingly meaningful savings momentum. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Meet Millie 02:05 Superannuation Strategy 08:59 Finders Keepers Update 11:16 Biggest Savings Wins 16:05 First Home at 21 23:05 Returning to Work in Retirement 25:50 Financial Advice Gone Wrong 33:46 Offset vs Redraw 40:44 Wrap Up 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 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 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