In my years as a financial adviser I’ve worked with hundreds of clients, helping them regain control over their money and build the lives they want.

Through these experiences, I've noticed recurring patterns that often leave people feeling like they're stuck in a rut, never quite getting ahead.

If you find yourself in this situation, here are some common moves that may be contributing to those feelings of financial strain.

We all know birthdays, Christmas, and family celebrations are coming every year.

Yet so often, these predictable events catch people off guard financially.

This results Last-minute stress about where the money’s going to come from, or worse, putting celebrations on a credit card just to make things work.

But what if we stopped treating these moments like "unexpected surprises" and started planning for them with purpose?

When people hear I’m a financial adviser, the first thing they often say is

“Financial advisers are expensive!”

But it’s all about perspective.

These same people are usually the ones upgrading to the latest phone every year.

Good financial advice should pay for itself many times over in the long run.

That phone? It’ll probably end up in a drawer within a few years, gathering dust.

Reflecting on my career journey, I’ve transitioned from being an employee to stepping into the role of a business owner. This shift has offered me invaluable insights into how people view money and make financial decisions.

One of the most profound realisations I’ve encountered is the importance of adopting a business owner’s mindset. Business owners generally approach money differently than employees.

On average, they tend to be more willing to invest money, seeing it as a tool for growth rather than just an expense.

Money makes most people uneasy.

It can feel like a complicated web of interest rates, inflation, mortgages, and future expenses. But money doesn’t have to be stressful—it can be simple.

Yet, waiting for the “right time” to take control of your money can lead to missed opportunities, and that’s when things get costly.

Over the past few months, I’ve seen more and more people start to question their recent investment property purchases.

It’s not an uncommon feeling, especially given the financial landscape we’re in right now.

Many buyers dove into the market without thinking long-term, and now the consequences are starting to show.

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of chasing that next pay rise. Who doesn’t like the thought of a bit more money hitting their account each month?

But here’s the thing—focusing solely on salary increases to grow your wealth has its limits.

In the world of personal finance, the most significant losses I’ve seen stem from people trying to get rich quickly. It's a tantalising dream, but the reality is that most people secure their financial future through steady, consistent effort.

Congratulations on your new salary or bonus. But remember, if you don't invest some of it, you're just as dependent on your work as you were last month.

By not investing, you've fallen into the trap of lifestyle inflation. No, not the inflation you hear about on the news.

This is the inflation of your lifestyle to suit your new income. It's easy to fall into, and most people do.

In my years as a financial adviser, I've found one simple yet revealing way to gauge someone's wealth.

No, it's not their bank balance or the size of their house. It's something much subtler and more telling: how full is their "I'll get to it later" basket?

I’ve heard a question along this lines a lot throughout my career: "Why is personal advice better than just following information I can find online?"

It’s a valid question, and the answer lies in the difference between quantity and quality.

Imagine you’re scrolling through your feed, and you come across yet another article on what to do with your money.

As a parent you help shape your kid’s relationship with money whether you like it or not.

This is undoubtedly one of the most frequently asked questions I get as an adviser to many ambitious families.

They have money sitting in a bank account and are thinking about doing something with it for their kids.

For most parents there is a lack of clarity on the purpose for investing.

Focus is a good thing but it can limit opportunities in the money world.

Getting the home loan under control (or fully repaid) is an awesome feeling but it’s unlikely to give you everything you want.

“You could have saved around $500,000”

I’ve sat across the table from many clients who come to me because they are looking to access some money later in life, for many reasons like helping them clear the home loan or helping the next generation get their first home.

I’ve had to break it to them that what they did 10 or 20 years ago has some massive consequences today.

In the intricate dance of a relationship, few steps are as complex and potentially treacherous as the financial one.

It's a realm where love meets pragmatism, where dreams confront reality, and where the unsaid can become the undoing. The truth is, managing money as a couple isn't just complicated; it's a minefield of expectations, fears, and aspirations that, if not navigated carefully, can lead to the kind of misunderstandings that chip away at the very foundation of a partnership.

In our whirlwind lives, where the pace never seems to slow down, more and more of us are hitting the pause button on our careers. It's a big move, a chance to breathe, to recalibrate.

But before you hang up your work hat, let's talk strategy. Because, let's face it, stepping away from your job is more than just a time-out; it's a decision that needs some smart planning.

You know how it is in our world – we start off eager, learning every trick of the trade. 'We're soaking up skills, climbing that ladder, and before we know it, we're not just playing the game; we're leading the team.

But here's the kicker: there comes a time when you've got to make a big call.

One of the most profound questions I've encountered in my career as a financial adviser is, “Can we afford another kid?”

It's a question that resonates deeply, not just for its financial implications but for the emotional and life-changing decisions it represents. This question is a stark reminder that our financial life is often shaped by decisions that transcend mere numbers.

Property can be a solid choice for growing your wealth but it's not the only way.