I ran some numbers recently for a client who was thinking about selling an investment property.

On the surface it looked solid, about a 66% gain over the time they owned it.

But as we went through the numbers step by step, the story changed.

We factored in selling costs.
We factored in capital gains tax.
Then we worked out the annualised return, the actual year by year performance.

Instead of looking like a strong investment, it dropped to something closer to a term deposit.

This happens more often than people realise. Property feels like it has done well because the numbers are big in dollar terms.

It is hard not to get excited when something has gone up a few hundred thousand dollars. But when you stretch that out over 10 or 15 years, the return can be surprisingly average. And sometimes below average.

Time does most of the heavy lifting. Debt magnifies the size of the transaction. Together they can create the illusion of outperformance.

Every year I’m asked for book recommendations that actually help Aussies make progress with their money.

Not theory for theory’s sake. Not the same recycled list of bestsellers.

Just the books that consistently shift thinking and help people take action.

This is my updated shortlist for 2026.

A 6 figure income used to feel like a marker that you were getting ahead.

It meant security. It meant progress. It meant you were doing something right.

Plenty of people still hit $100,000 and feel like they have crossed some invisible line into financial comfort.

The trouble is the world has shifted.

You've likely heard it before at a family gathering or Sunday arvo BBQ. Someone mentions they're thinking about investing in shares and without fail an older relative chimes in with shares are too risky mate and property is where the real money is.

It's practically gospel in Australia. Property isn't just bricks and mortar here. It's our national obsession and our cocktail party conversation starter and for many families it's their entire wealth building strategy rolled into one oversized mortgage.

The uncomfortable truth is that advice whilst well-meaning might be setting you up for a reality that looks very different to what your parents experienced.

Your income is increasing year on year, you’re paying the bills, yet there never seems to be enough left over to feel secure or to enjoy life guilt-free.

Here’s the issue.

Your “free” time is not what it used to be.

For some, it’s family. For others it’s work, social life, or the constant juggle. You no longer have the same head space to keep on top of it.

Every dollar you funnel into your home is a dollar you cannot put towards anything else.

For the average Aussie, this is not a disaster. Many are not great savers. They will get to retirement with their home mostly paid off, plus whatever their employer contributed into super, and not a lot more. And that works as a default system.

But if you are someone with bigger ambitions, if you are intentionally planning for financial freedom, then what you choose to spend on your home has a direct impact on how long it takes to get there.

“You could have saved around $500,000.”

I’ve had to say this more times than I’d like. Often it’s when a client sits across from me later in life, wishing they had extra money for their home loan or to help the kids into their first property.

The reality is that the choices made 10 or 20 years earlier have massive consequences today.

The conversation about money usually focuses on what to invest in, property versus shares. But the bigger question is often how you invest, and what structure you use.

The financial adviser and client experience can vary.

From my time in the industry I’d say overall it’s positive.

Of course I’m biased because I’ve worked in financial advice for years and believe in the value it brings but I also know it doesn’t always work.

So let’s look at the situations where the relationship can fall apart.

Property still gets talked about like it’s the golden ticket. People love dropping how many they own, as if that’s the goal.

The other day I sat through a talk where the speaker was showing off their COVID-era property portfolio. They even put the addresses up on the screen. So I looked them up and the results were interesting….

Most people who start sorting out their money fall into the same pattern.

They stumble across a few blogs or podcasts, hear about index funds, and walk away convinced they’ve unlocked the secret to investing.

Suddenly they’re all in on this “tool” with a surface-level understanding and no real strategy.

I was working with a couple recently. Both earning good money. Both flat out with work and raising young kids.

They came in thinking they needed help with a few big decisions:

• Upgrade the home

• Maybe buy an investment property

• School fees were creeping up and they wanted to get ahead of it

They had a general sense that they should be doing more with their money. But like a lot of families in their position, they were too busy to figure it out properly.

Once we sat down, it was clear the real issues weren’t about property or school fees. It was about direction. Clarity. And the kind of life they actually wanted to build.

My no-nonsense recommendations for real life money progress

I’ve pulled together a shortlist of personal finance books I regularly recommend to clients.

When it comes to building wealth in Australia, there’s one myth that crops up time and time again – the belief that rising property prices automatically mean we’re financially better off.

Planning ahead for your kid's education isn’t just smart. It’s essential

Most parents I work with want to give their kids options. Whether it's for primary school, high school, or uni.

But between rising costs and a lack of time, education planning often gets pushed aside

Here’s how I help families get started without overcomplicating things.

Most people think they know what they’re worth.

It feels like a simple equation: assets minus liabilities. Done.

But real life doesn’t fit neatly into a spreadsheet.

Is property a good investment?

It depends on your situation, goals, and expectations. Australian residential property can be a great investment, but it's not always the wealth-building machine that many assume.

Here are some key factors to consider.

Australians love big homes. It’s part of the dream. You start small, then move up. More bedrooms, bigger backyard, open-plan everything.

But what if upgrading isn't the right move? What if chasing a bigger home is stopping you from building real wealth?

I Should Have Sorted This Out Sooner.

This is one of the most common phrases I hear when people talk about money.

Successful professionals, people who have worked hard and achieved so much in their careers, often feel like they’re falling behind financially. Outside the office, the confidence fades, and doubt creeps in.

When people think of financial advisers, their minds often jump straight to investments.

And sure, a solid adviser can absolutely guide you on where to put your money to work.

But that's just the beginning of what quality financial advice is all about. At its core, financial advice goes beyond assets and returns; it’s about helping you build a clear, structured path toward a life you truly want.