Financial success is measured in
Happiness
The only benchmark we set for financial success is the achievement of our client’s goals. This sounds simple enough, however, the diablo is in the details. We made the decision to spend between 8 and 12 hours with every new client even before their financial plan is implemented in full.
Our experience in providing comprehensive advice for over a decade has confirmed one thing - understanding the motivations and drivers behind your goals, dreams and aspirations is the key to providing advice which can be results based.
Our Advice Process
Getting financial advice is daunting, we know! That is why we have developed a step by step approach. You don’t have to commit to everything up front. Take a step, like what you see, take another. Not impressed, bow out at any time.
Our Strategy and Numbers session is the most important step in the planning process. We use this meeting to ‘connect the narrative.’ We model a number of scenarios, accounting for cash flow, tax, debt, investments and long-term projections. Quite often, the chosen path is a combination of scenarios. We present this to you using various visual tools, helping you understand how all your goals can be achieved, in a detailed yet simple manner.
Our Services
The key to a successful financial plan. Complex needs in a complex financial stratosphere can lead to uncertain outcomes. We model various scenarios on how you can achieve your goals and help you understand the benefits and risks of each of these. We use visual tools to help you understand the strategies and the related outcomes, which ultimately helps make an informed decision. Often, the chosen path will be a combination of scenarios. The modelling is ‘locked in’ and actual outcomes are then compared to the benchmarks we have set. This allows you to regularly assess your progress. If you’re ahead of the plan, you can either achieve your goals quicker or do more with what you have. If you’re behind, we help you catch up.
Running a business usually comes with various structures. Established professionals/employed individuals and families also need the right structures to grow and protect their wealth. Our experience and technical knowledge in understanding structures has helped our clients grow and protect their wealth over time. Tax effectiveness is a key piece of the puzzle too. We work closely with your accountants and lawyers to ensure you understand the cost benefit assessment of the various structures that may be suitable for you.
Managing cash flow is problematic for many families. Having the right setup with bank and loan accounts, knowing how to plan for and fund a large monetary goal, understanding how your income is structured if self-employed (am I paying more tax than I should?), salary packaging (novated leases and stuff), using technology and tools to see the comings and goings - we help with it all.
Why? Because when done right and over time, they provide more choice in life. Your standard of living can truly be whatever you want it to be, with disciplined investing. It’s for everyone, but only if you’re willing to do the hard yards. Research, analysis, not getting carried away (most important factor), understanding that anyone who has achieved success in this area has only done so because of consistency and education and experience. We bring all these traits to the table and are very open about sharing our knowledge with you, because after it all, it is your money.
Industry funds, defined benefit funds, ‘retail’ funds (basically not the first two mentioned), self managed super funds (SMSF) - we help with it all. Super is simply a structure to hold money, with some amazing tax concessions. What you do with the money inside that structure, is entirely up to you. But hey, it’s bloody complicated. One of our unique points of difference is we can work with any super fund you have in Australia, as long as we can find adequate research on it! Often confused with the share market and often terribly misused by many, our superannuation system is sacrosanct and one of the best retirement funding systems in the entire world. We help you get the best out of it.
Retirement is a significant milestone in your life and a paradigm shift unlike any other. There is no official retirement age in Australia. You can choose to retire whenever you please. Making that a reality involves comprehensive planning. We’re proud that the majority of our clients retire at a time of their choosing, spending time with loved ones, travelling and even taking up new hobbies and pastimes. Financial freedom is a key factor in achieving a dignified and memorable retirement. Structuring your assets in a tax-effective manner, comprehensive income and expense planning, understanding the role of risk and returns in retirement and ensuring your estate plan is aligned with your retirement plan are examples of what we consider in your retirement planning journey.
See a lawyer. Get a will. It’s a lot more than that. Gen X will likely be the first generation to start seeing intergenerational wealth transfer in Australia. Property and Superannuation for those who have worked over 30 years likely adds up to millions. We work closely with your solicitor or one we have referred to you, to ensure your estate plan aligns with your financial plan. This involves structuring your assets, nominating your beneficiaries, assessing impact of tax, having family meetings to help your next of kin understand ‘the family wealth tree’ and helping you implement all this.
We don’t view life insurance and income protection as stand-alone strategies. Any financial plan with a growth focus needs a foundation. Cash reserves for emergencies, being able to fund larger goals such as vehicles with cash as opposed to ‘toxic’ debt, being able to help your children with their first home deposit, funding medical expenses, ‘fixing up the house’ when needed. Contingency planning is hard-coded into our financial plans. We strongly believe that as you get closer to retirement and are debt-free and independent of your children, your need for things like life insurance reduce too. We help you keep your costs manageable with a clear ‘contingency’ strategy, which gets updated on an ongoing basis.
Working With Us
What we are not
What we are
Product floggers who make money selling you life insurance and superannuation rollovers
Financial Planners focused on strategy, structure, direction and your ideal life
Employees of a financial institution aiming for our quarterly bonus
A boutique practice with skin in the game looking to form lifelong client relationships
Entrepreneurs looking to grow an empire
Practitioners first, business owners second
A volume based practice focused on insurance commissions and charging % fees per account / transaction
Creators of financial plans, with flat $ fees and no commissions
Who we can’t add significant value to
Who we can add significant value to
Clients only seeking ‘investment advice’ without taking into account their overall situation
High achievers who want to outsource all money matters and build a long relationship
Just starting your professional career.
Professionals who have invested in themselves and now have the income to show for it.
Start ups
Successful small business owners with strong cash-flow.
First home buyers
Families with strong cash-flow and modest mortgages looking to start building wealth, accelerate debt reduction and plan for the future.
People looking to make up for lost time and get rich quick
Empty nesters who are switching their focus to lifestyle and planning for retirement
Retirees primarily looking for social security advice
Self-funded retirees and families with intergenerational wealth transfer aspirations
What you get when you work with us initially
A clear roadmap of your financial future and how it ties into your ideal life
Education on your personal financial situation and how to make the most of it going forward
What you get when you work with us ongoing
Once the route has been determined, think of us as your GPS. We will help you navigate around road closures and traffic jams and get you back on course when you take a wrong turn.
Guidance to avoid irreversible mistakes before they happen
What you’ll always get
Assurance that your financial ecosystem is maximised towards your current and future happiness