The One Thing That Can Gauge Someoneโs Wealth: Their "I'll Get to It Later" Basket
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?
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ง๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐?
Iโve heard a question along this lines a lot throughout my career: "Why is personal advice better than just following information I can find online?"
Itโs a valid question, and the answer lies in the difference between quantity and quality.
Imagine youโre scrolling through your feed, and you come across yet another article on what to do with your money.
What Legacy Are You Creating with Your Money?
As a parent you help shape your kidโs relationship with money whether you like it or not.
We are thinking of investing for the kids, how should we do this?
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.
Should I Focus on the Home Loan or Consider Other Options?
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 itโs unlikely to give you everything you want.
Whatโs the best option? Home Loan Vs Super
โYou could have saved around $500,000โ
Iโve 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.
Iโve had to break it to them that what they did 10 or 20 years ago has some massive consequences today.
Being on The Same Page with Money is Bloody Complicated
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.
Taking a Career Time-Out? Here's How to Do It Right
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.
At the Crossroads: Partner Up or Go Solo in Your Career?
You know how it is in our world โ 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.
Can we afford another kid?
One of the most profound questions I've encountered in my career as a financial adviser is, โCan we afford another kid?โ
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.
"'I Have X Investment Propertiesโ: A Misguided Measure of Financial Success
Property can be a solid choice for growing your wealth but it's not the only way.
Mastering the Art of Investing
In an age where investing has evolved from an elite club to a widespread phenomenon, have you ever stopped to wonder what separates successful investors from the rest?
The answer lies in mastering the art of investing, a skill accessible to anyone willing to learn but that requires patience, consistency, and disciplineโฆ much like any art form.
Redefining Financial Advice: the Virtual-First Approach
I've never met my lawyer, accountant, or even some colleagues face-to-face.
Yet, we've built effective, trust-based working relationships. This experience has shaped my approach to providing financial advice, a virtual-first strategy that aligns with the realities of modern life.
Don't Let the 'What-Ifs' Keep You from Your Next Big Move
Last week, something pretty awesome happened. I got to see a client, an incredibly ambitious professional, take a leap of faith into a new chapter of her life. She decided to step out of the corporate world and start her own practice. It was a big move, a calculated risk, and I was lucky enough to be part of her journey.
The Power of Virtual Financial Advice and 15 Minutes a Week
In the bustling lives of professionals, especially those balancing family life, the thought of delving into financial planning can often be put in the โIโll get to laterโ pile.
It's a common for the pressing demands of today to overshadow the need to plan for the future.
But what if there was a way to integrate financial planning into your busy schedule without it feeling like an additional burden?
Jargon buster - What is a Financial Plan?
The word "Financial Plan" is an overused and confusing term.
A Delicate Balance, Navigating the 'Bank of Mum & Dadโ
In an era where the dream of homeownership seems increasingly out of reach, many of us find ourselves turning to our parents for that much-needed financial boost.
It's a trend that's become so prevalent that the 'Bank of Mum & Dad' ranks among the top lenders in the nation. But as we gratefully accept help with our home deposits, it's worth pausing to ask: at what cost does this assistance come?
It's Okay to Have a Life Outside of Work
Recently, I had an interesting conversation with someone who was in desperate need of financial guidance.
They insisted that they could only meet on the weekend, which posed a bit of a challenge for me. You see, weekends are my sacred family time, and I'm a firm believer in safeguarding personal time. In the end, it became evident that I might not be the right fit for them. Hereโs why.
Why "Just Repay the Home Loan" Isn't the Right Financial Advice for Everyone
If you're anything like my typical client, you've probably heard that age-old piece of wisdom countless times before: "Just repay the home loan, and all youโll be right." But does it make sense nowadays?
The Three Pillars of Financial Planning for Busy Professionals in Their 30s and 40s
Ah, the 30s and 40sโthe age range that puts the "pro" in "professional."
It's an exciting but often chaotic era, filled with career advancements, budding relationships, and maybe even little ones running around the house.
Financially, though, it's easy to feel like you're stuck in a game of Whack-A-Mole, constantly hitting at emerging financial needs while never really getting ahead. If you can relate, then buckle up, because this blog post will spill the tea on financial planning tailored specifically for you!