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 If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode on money mindset and investing in the AI era, subscribe to hear more weekly shows on ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠TikTok⁠ for more money insights. 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 00:00 Introduction 02:27 Financial Decisions and Personal Growth 08:04 Building Pearler: Challenges and Community 09:31 Product Development and Learning from Mistakes 12:01 The Future of Investment Platforms 16:04 Admiring Simplicity in Financial Apps 22:17 Vibe Coding: A New Approach to Software Development 24:41 The Rise of Entrepreneurial Innovation 26:56 AI's Impact on Engineering and Coding 29:45 The Changing Landscape of Professional Skills 31:29 Industries Ripe for AI Disruption 33:27 Career Advice in the Age of AI 37:27 Investing in a Tech-Driven Future 39:08 Transforming Financial Services and Real Estate 46:51 Understanding Energy Costs for Savings Resources for this episode ⁠Hanging with Hayden YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@hanging.with.hayden ⁠ Aussie Fire podcast with Dave & Hayden⁠ https://pearler.com/learn/listen/aussie-fire ⁠ Invest with Pearler⁠ https://pearler.com ⁠ Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”⁠ https://amzn.to/42Uz0aK ⁠ Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)⁠ https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources ⁠Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith: https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds:  https://bit.ly/beta-25 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