{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Property Investors: The Inflation Number You're Told Is Lying to You | Ashley Owen","description":"You\u2019ve probably heard the media, politicians and economists talking about \u201cthe inflation rate\u201d as though every Australian is experiencing the same increase in their cost of living.   But the official CPI figure may bear little resemblance to what is happening in your household.   Because here's the uncomfortable truth. That headline number is an average. It's a blend of everything from lettuce to laptops, and if your money goes on housing, health care, insurance and electricity rather than imported gadgets and clothing, your real cost of living has probably been running well above what the news is telling you.   Today we're going to pull that number apart. We're going to look at who actually suffers the highest inflation in this country, why government policy is doing more damage to your cost of living than any war or supply shock, and why understanding your own personal inflation rate matters just as much to your wealth-building strategy as your choice of property.   By the end of this episode you'll know exactly where you sit on what my guest calls the inflation pyramid, which categories of spending are quietly eating your returns, and why housing costs in particular have become one of the clearest examples of government-made inflation in the country.   My guest today is Ashley Owen, Principal of Owen Analytics and one of the most respected independent economists and investment analysts in Australia.   Takeaways   \u2022 Official CPI figures hide big differences between household spending patterns and real cost pressures. \u2022 Renters face stronger inflation because more of their budget goes to utilities, taxes, and housing costs. \u2022 Government-driven costs push housing inflation higher through taxes, regulation, and construction bottlenecks. \u2022 Imported goods often offset inflation, but local services keep rising through wage and productivity pressures. \u2022 Insurance, healthcare, and education climb faster because they rely heavily on expensive Australian labour. \u2022 Personal inflation rates matter more than averages when planning retirement withdrawals and long-term cash flow. \u2022 Higher inflation erodes mortgage balances over time, benefiting borrowers who own quality assets. \u2022 Delayed rate cuts and political spending can keep interest rates higher for longer. \u2022 Land scarcity in concentrated cities pushes up property values and construction costs. \u2022 Wealth plans must outperform inflation or purchasing power steadily shrinks over decades.   Links and Resources:   Answer this week\u2019s trivia question here - https:\/\/www.propertytrivia.com.au\/ \u2022        Win a copy of How To Grow A Multi-Million Dollar Property Portfolio In Your Spare Time. \u2022        Every entry receives a copy of a fully updated Michael Yardney Property Report.   Michael Yardney \u2013 Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here.     Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property Plan. Click here and have a chat with us.   Ashley Owen, Director of Owen Analytics https:\/\/www.owenanalytics.com.au\/   Articles mentioned in the podcast:   \u00b7        Housing inflation higher than CPIhttps:\/\/www.owenanalytics.com.au\/2026jul20-housing-inflation   \u00b7        What's your personal inflation rate?https:\/\/www.owenanalytics.com.au\/2026jul14-infl-categ     Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au    Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher \u2013 just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future.   About The Michael Yardney Podcast | Property Investment And Wealth Creation Australia   The Michael Yardney Podcast is one of Australia\u2019s leading property investment podcasts, helping investors understand the Australian property market and build long-term wealth through strategic property investing.   Each week we explore:   \u2022 Australian property market updates\u2022 Property investment strategies in Australia\u2022 Melbourne property market trends\u2022 Sydney property market forecasts\u2022 Brisbane property investment opportunities\u2022 Capital growth property strategies\u2022 Property cycles in Australia\u2022 Negative gearing and tax strategy\u2022 Interest rates and their impact on property\u2022 Buyer\u2019s agent insights and investment planning   If you\u2019re serious about building a high-performance property portfolio and creating financial freedom through real estate, this podcast will give you the clarity and strategy you need.   Learn more at:https:\/\/propertyupdate.com.auhttps:\/\/metropole.com.au ","author_name":"Property Investment & Wealth Creation Australia | The Michael Yardney Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/michaelyardneypodcast.com.au","html":"