Making a Difference: Smart Ways to Support Causes You Care About
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, Smart Ways to Support Causes You Care About. Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General Advice Disclaimer
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6:21
The Downsizer Strategy
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
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7:59
What is a Wrap and When Do They Make Sense?
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
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7:48
How Much Super Do I Need?
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
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9:42
Is it Time to Use the Equity in your Home to Build Wealth?
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
Plenty of books, podcasts and blogs focus on building wealth – and that’s great, as far as it goes. But focusing just on wealth misses the point.
I believe what most of us actually want is to have choice.
Choice in how much time we give to income-producing activities.
Choice about what those income-producing activities are.
Choice about where we live.
Choice about when we retire.
Choice about the ways we use our money to produce happiness.
In the Financial Autonomy podcast, I explore the different ways you can gain choice - from investing in stocks to becoming self-employed, starting a side hustle, or buying an investment property. I share learnings I've gained working with clients for over 20 years as a Certified Financial Planner, and interview others with interesting insights or experiences in gaining choice in life.