Financial Autonomy

With house prices soaring, more parents are looking for ways to support their children’s first step into the property market. But how do you strike the balance between generosity and protecting your own financial security? In this episode, we explore the practical options available, the risks to watch out for, and strategies to make sure your support doesn’t come at the expense of your future.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General Advice Disclaimer

Welcome to the first episode of our new podcast Wealth Builder. Host and Guidance Financial Planner Nick Donato invites guests on to discuss issues relevant for those in the wealth buidling phase of life. The use of family trusts, capital gains tax strategies, getting started with investing, debt recycling, and plenty more will be dived into in upcoming episodes. In this first episode Nick talks to the Financial Autonomy OG Paul Benson about what is wealth, how should we define "wealthy", and what are the common ways to get there. We'd love to hear your feedback. Send us a message via the Guidance website.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

Ever been let down by a hyped movie — or pleasantly surprised by a random pub band? Expectations shape how we experience things — and that includes investing. In this episode of the Financial Autonomy podcast, we explore what realistic expectations look like for your superannuation and investment returns. We’ll talk about the link between risk and return, how your timeframe influences outcomes, and why unrealistic assumptions can lead to poor financial decisions down the track. If you're planning for retirement or just want to invest smarter, this episode will help you set clearer, more grounded goals.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General Advice Disclaimer

With the new financial year underway, this episode explores key strategies to help you get ahead—like adjusting your super contributions, reviewing personal insurance, boosting savings, and even exploring gearing opportunities. Plus, we look at why financial modelling could be the most valuable move you make this year. Tune in and start the new financial year strong.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

After spending time working remotely in France, I came away with a deeper appreciation for the different ways countries manage their economies and social systems. France offers incredible public services and a rich cultural experience — but also faces some complex challenges that many nations share. In this episode, I reflect on what I observed abroad and what it revealed about Australia’s own strengths and opportunities. Sometimes, seeing how others do things gives us a better perspective on where we stand.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

In this episode, we explore the single most important — yet often overlooked — action that successful investors rely on: doing nothing. When markets become volatile and headlines stir fear, the instinct to react quickly can be hard to resist. But often, the smartest move is to stay calm and hold your ground. We’ll talk about why patience is one of the most powerful tools in your investing toolkit, how to manage the emotional rollercoaster that can come with market drops, and when it's actually the right time to make changes to your portfolio. If you’ve ever felt unsure about whether to act or sit tight, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to stay focused on your long-term goals.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

A significant portion of the work that we do for clients entails financial modelling to help understand what is possible. Frequently, we arrive at the conclusion that the person’s long term outlook is very secure, and indeed they likely have wealth in excess of requirements. Most commonly in this circumstance, people start to think about early inheritances, and perhaps spending a little bit more on lifestyle. But another path to be pursued, particularly for those without children, is to think about how you might support causes that you are passionate about. Charitable giving not only has a profound impact on society but also brings a deep sense of personal fulfillment to those who give. Our role as financial planners is to ensure that your charitable giving is done in a way that maximises its impact, considering elements such as tax efficiency, and long term sustainability. Thanks for joining us for another episode of the Financial Autonomy podcast. Let's dive into this week's piece - Making a Difference, Sma

Your home isn’t just where you live — it can also be a powerful asset in your long-term financial plan. In this episode, we look at how shifting your housing as your life changes can open up smart strategies to build wealth and strengthen your retirement outlook. From understanding how property values tend to hold up in Australia, to making the most of tax-free gains and superannuation opportunities, you’ll learn how to turn a necessary life transition into a financial win. If you're thinking about your next move — whether it's upsizing, downsizing, or planning for the future — this one’s for you.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

This week, we're unpacking a real-world financial dilemma: one person's uneasy experience after being advised to move her super from a large industry fund into something she'd never heard of—a wrap account. So… what exactly is a wrap? And when (if ever) should you consider one for your superannuation or investments? Join me as I explain: What wrap accounts are and how they work The pros, cons, and costs compared to mainstream super funds When wraps make sense—and when they don’t How to spot potential conflicts of interest in financial advice Whether you're nearing retirement or just trying to make sense of your investment options, this episode will give you the clarity to navigate wrap facilities with confidence.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

It’s one of the most common retirement questions—how much super is enough? In this episode, we explore how to estimate your retirement needs based on lifestyle, spending habits, and travel plans. You'll walk away with practical tips to start shaping a retirement plan that actually fits you.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

With interest rates starting to fall, is there an opportunity to utilise the equity in your home for investment purposes and accelerate your wealth creation? It's something we're certainly evaluating with several of our clients, so I thought I'd share with you today our current thinking.    Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

When we head off on vacation we don't barrel off down the highway, pull up at some random point hours or days down the road, and camp out for the next fortnight. When we depart for our holiday, we know our destination. Clarity on the location of our holiday is essential so that we know what to pack, whether it's affordable, and whether we're likely to be happy when we get there.  In a financial planning context, clarity as to your goals is the essential element for success. There are plenty of potential investment pathways that could be followed. Selecting the one that's right for you very much depends on the destination that you are hoping to arrive at. A suitable financial planning strategy for someone whose goal is to have the option of retirement at age 60 would look quite different to someone whose goal was to be able to work two days per week whilst their children were in primary school.  So, when it comes to financial planning, goals are essential. But goals alone are not enough. There is one extr

In this episode, we dive into the debate between active vs. passive management, exploring the claims made by fund managers during a recent teleconference. Is 2025 the year active management finally outperforms passive investments? With decades of data suggesting otherwise, we break down why the odds of success for active managers may not be in their favor—and why sticking with passive investments could still be the smarter choice for most investors. Tune in for insights into market trends, risk management, and the truth behind the numbers.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingChoice email General advice disclaimer

Wanting to get your head around tax within the superannuation system makes total sense. Our savings accumulate in this regime, however there are restrictions on how we can access the money, and for the vast majority of us, we are forced to save into this vehicle. How does a government manage to force people to save? Sure they can legislate, but in a democratic society, that won't produce a lasting impact. The population needs to be on side, and simply being told it's for your own good isn't going to cut it. The carrot then, is tax concessions.    Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General Advice Disclaimer

Despite the current low rate of unemployment, there seems to be a mini wave of redundancies in the middle and senior ranks of many companies at present.     Experiencing redundancy can be a significant blow to your confidence. However, it's crucial to recognise that redundancy is rarely a reflection of your performance, skills, or dedication. More often than not, it results from shifts in the industry, changes within the company, or simply the natural structure of the workforce. Organizations evolve, and roles that were once essential may no longer fit within the new direction.    While redundancy can bring about financial and emotional stress, including concerns about maintaining your lifestyle and finding new employment, it also presents opportunities. This transition can be the perfect moment to re-evaluate your career path and explore new possibilities that may have been out of reach before. Whether it’s pursuing a different career, starting your own business, or finding greater work-life balance, r

With an awareness of the challenges of high hiouse prices and resultant large mortgages, intergenerational wealth transfers - in the form of early inheritances - are happening more and more. So if you find yourself in the fortunate position of receiving an early inhertance, what are the smart moves to put you and your family on the path to financial security, and appropriately honour the hard work that went into the generation of the wealth?   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General Advice Disclaimer

Bitcoin has got a fresh wave of energy since Donald Trump's election win, and we've had quite a few questions from our clients. We are all susceptible to FOMO. Hopefully sharing these thoughts will help you decide what makes sense for you.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

Australia's superannuation system is undeniably complex, yet it plays a pivotal role in our financial lives. With compulsory contributions mandated by law, the system is designed to ensure that the age pension serves as a safety net for basic living expenses, rather than the primary source of retirement income. To achieve a comfortable retirement, understanding the mechanics of superannuation contributions is essential.    Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

Stock market returns were phenomenal in 2024. But strong returns can plant the seed for an unexpected risk. This risk is known as recency bias. Holding an awareness of recency bias is the best way of ensuring you don’t fall victim to its draw, so this week, let’s take a look at this often overlooked risk factor.   Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General Advice Disclaimer

A few weeks back in the episode about the Superannuation Sweet Spot, I made reference to the transfer balance cap of $1.9 million. I've since had a few questions about how this operates, so this week I thought we'd dig into some extra detail on this particularly important piece of the superannuation rule book.    Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General Advice Disclaimer