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.

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 discipline… much like any art form.

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.

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.

In the bustling lives of professionals, especially those balancing family life, the thought of delving into financial planning can often be put in the “I’ll get to later” 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?

The word "Financial Plan" is an overused and confusing term.

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?

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. Here’s why.

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 you’ll be right." But does it make sense nowadays?