About this episode
In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Pearler co-founder and CTO Hayden Smith to talk all things money, investing, mindset, AI, and financial tech. They explore:
– How Hayden thinks about saving and frugality
– What AI means for investors, workers, and platforms like Pearler
– The story behind Hayden’s famous wisdom teeth money hack
– How Pearler is building investing tools for real humans
– Lessons from being a software engineer in an AI world
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Topics Covered
– Hayden’s unconventional wisdom teeth money-saving story
– Why he compares personal finance to skill-building
– How his money mindset has evolved with age & net worth
– Frugality vs. growth: what spending teaches you
– What Pearler got wrong early (and what it’s becoming now)
– Hayden’s take on AI's impact on software, investing & platforms
– What “vibe coding” is — and why it matters
– The truth about passive income tools & automation
– Behind the scenes: how Pearler's UI is built around goals
– The problem with overengineering in finance
– Why simple investing is hard — and where tech can help
– Advice for young people navigating careers in the AI era
– How to develop competence (and why it’s underrated)
– Why diversification matters in life AND investing
– What the future of investing platforms could look like
Chapters (approximate)
(00:00) Introduction
(03:45) Financial Decisions and Personal Growth
(09:22) Building Pearler: Challenges and Community
(10:49) Product Development and Learning from Mistakes
(13:19) The Future of Investment Platforms
(17:22) Admiring Simplicity in Financial Apps
(23:35) Vibe Coding: A New Approach to Software Development
(26:39) The Rise of Entrepreneurial Innovation
(28:54) AI's Impact on Engineering and Coding
(31:43) The Changing Landscape of Professional Skills
(33:27) Industries Ripe for AI Disruption
(35:25) Career Advice in the Age of AI
(39:25) Investing in a Tech-Driven Future
(41:06) Transforming Financial Services and Real Estate
(48:49) Understanding Energy Costs for Savings
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