Financial Autonomy

We didn't have a new episode this week, but, we thought you may enjoy this one from the vault which covers some of the steps you can take to help you move to self-employment. We are joined today by Shaun Farrugia from Optimised Accounting and Finance to talk about the essential things you need when you move to self-employment. In this episode we cover the challenges and knowledge Shaun shares about being self-employed: Getting the clarity of knowing why you need to move to self-employment. Keeping the proper financial record and the challenges encountered with record keeping. The capital and survival strategies whilst building your new business. Tax and accounting tips. Putting aside enough money for tax. Understanding your own break-even point.   [Disclaimer]

In this episode, Paul talks about how financial advice is regulated in Australia and what this means for Guidance in terms of the advice he provides.   [Disclaimer]

Today I'm chatting with David Foster who's a member of the Financial Autonomy community. He reached out to me after a podcast episode a little while back - 50% more weekend for 20% less pay. David emailed me to say he'd done exactly that and I asked if he'd be prepared to share his experience. Luckily for us, he said yes.   [Disclaimer]

In this episode, Paul delves into various strategies he uses with clients to enable them to afford private education for their children as well as offer how he and his wife achieved this goal.   [Disclaimer]

This week, Paul talks with David Scollon, author of the book Mission Possible. (Available here)   [Disclaimer]

You're likely paying for some life insurance in your super fund. Why have insurance, optimal ownership, and how you might reduce the costs? All that and more in this week's episode.   [Disclaimer]

This week it's our 5th birthday! I have a bit of a reflection on how the show has developed through the years and answer some listener questions.   [Disclaimer]

As the working world returns to normality one change I'm hearing about from several different clients is a decision to accept less pay in exchange for working four days a week. One client who made this change recently was telling me how wonderful it is to have about 6 hours in the middle of the day completely to herself. The house is quiet, nobody needs you, you just get peace. It’s had such a positive benefit on her mental health that she has now convinced her husband to make the same change. Perhaps cutting back your working hours is something you've contemplated. In this week’s episode, I wanted to explore that a little, dig into some numbers, as best we can in an audio piece, and consider strategies to address the longer-term impacts of making this change.   [Disclaimer]

In this episode, I talk with buyer's agent Arjun Paliwal from the Property Nerds Podcast about all things property. What is the data telling us, what impact will rising interest rates have, and how will the change of government impact the market?   [Disclaimer]

Interest rates are on the rise. NZ, Canada, the UK, and the United States, have all started bringing rates back to more normal levels, whilst our Reserve Bank followed suit earlier this month. For those with debt, we've all enjoyed the incredibly low interest rates of the past few years. But all good things must come to an end. And for those with savings, they are quite likely looking forward to getting more reasonable returns on their money.   [Disclaimer]

Most of us recognise that interest rates were unusually low for a time, to counter the economic effect of the COVID pandemic. We recognised that at some point they would return to normal. But what is normal, why are they going up now, and why has this got share and property markets so rattled? One word - inflation. Inflation is all over the news at the moment. In financial markets, inflation has been the driving force for at least the past 6 months. So this week I thought we do a quick inflation 101 session to ensure you understand why it matters and perhaps consider whether there's anything you should be doing to stay ahead.   [Disclaimer]

This week I chat with Matt from the Aussie Firebug blog and podcast. We talk about financial independence, travel, lifestyle planning, and retirement. Check out Matt's blog here:  Aussie Firebug | Financial Independence Retire Early   [Disclaimer]

Should I be putting my savings in an offset account, or paying it straight off the loan and accessing via a redraw if I need it? This is a question I get asked pretty regularly, so perhaps it’s on your mind too.   [Disclaimer]

Today I chat with Sydney based mortgage broker and former financial planner Chris Bates about all things property and how we can maximise our wealth through investing in property. [Disclaimer] Wealthful

This week's episode arises from a question I received from Daniel around uneven super balances between him and his spouse. Now I don't know Daniel’s full situation and a podcast isn't the place to provide detailed strategy recommendations, however, his question is an issue that many people face where one member of a couple has significantly more super than the other, so this week I thought we’d explore strategies you could use if this is a problem you face.   [Disclaimer]

This week I chat with Money Coach Hannah Richards about what Money Coaches do and how they help people in achieving their money goals.   Hannah Rose Richards Money Coaching   [Disclaimer]

More Australians than ever have become investors as the combination of anemic interest rates on bank savings, and reduced spending during COVID-induced lockdowns have presented an unprecedented opportunity. But as we've seen in the past couple of months, investment markets don't always go up, prompting some new investors to question their approach.   [Disclaimer]

How do we juggle the desire to save for the future, with the need to live life to the fullest today? Is 6 months of backpacking around Europe in your 20’s more valuable than being able to buy a beach house in your 50s? Is pushing hard on the mortgage today the wisest course, or would you be better off easing up a bit and spending a little more on the family holidays? This is the question we'll be tackling in today's episode of the Financial Autonomy Podcast   [Disclaimer]

This podcast is about gaining choice. Our guest today is a podcasting friend of mine who has gained choice through changing her career trajectory to get into an area of personal interest. Normally it's Nic doing the interviewing, so today we'll see how she goes in the role of podcast guest.   [Disclaimer]

There is always a degree of volatility on investment markets. But there are times when world events raise the level of worry and uncertainty, causing markets to seesaw, sometimes violently, from one day to the next. As investors, this sort of activity doesn't put us in our happy place. A slow and steady upward climb is what we'd all like to see. This week let’s take a look at some investing fundamentals and how they apply during periods of heightened volatility. I’m hoping they help dial back any anxiety you are currently feeling about your investments. [Disclaimer]