Someone called today to ask “when would be the best time to start talking to you about retiring?” That’s the one question I wished more people asked before they finish working! Instead most people wait until they finish working before planning for retirement! Unfortunately planning after retirement reduces the options available to create awesome outcomes.…
Helping families secure their retirement always makes me happy. It’s about giving clients peace of mind, while using the right strategies to maximise outcomes and to minimise tax implications. Recently one family sold a large family home, finding themselves with around $1M of surplus funds to help fund their retirement. Because of their circumstances, we…
For many years I used to think education, skills and experience were the most important parts of being a really good financial planner. Lately that opinion has changed… Now I realise one of the most valuable skills a financial planners can have is the ability to listen. To TRULY LISTEN and to ask leading questions.…
Today I’ve helped a family restructure assets to help minimise the ongoing costs of aged care. Last year the wife inherited a relocatable home in a retirement village. Those properties never sell quickly and can’t be lived in by anyone other than the owner; so renting the property to offset costs was out of the…
Recently I got a frantic call from a man, his Mum’s health had taken a turn for the worst. Mum now needs permanent residential care…urgently of course! The son asked if it would be possible for the care facility to put a caveat on the family home to pay for Mum’s care fees? As often…
Yet another phone call from a tele-marketing agency has caused me to ponder why…? Why is it, providers are willing to spend time and money to make outbound, cold calls in an effort to sell their product, but won’t share their business contact details? They ring from unlisted or hidden numbers, meaning it’s not possible…
A client came to see me right after being told by her specialist nothing more could be done medically, it was only a matter of time. Even though it was our first meeting we were both in tears! She muttered “I hope you can help. I’ve been told by other planners there’s nothing to be…
There’s a thing called personal responsibility…I’m not sure everyone who should have met this concept has. The end of the financial year is fast approaching. Our clients had a time sensitive need that needed to be completed before the end of the financial year. And yet, despite repeated requests, we finally received a vital piece…
The amount of ‘free investment advice’ available on the internet and at BBQs boggles my mind. Sadly it’s often touted by people with no qualifications…selling ‘financial freedom’ rather than a specific investment…to people looking for a quick solution to financial pain. A client recently asked what I thought of an “opportunity” they’d come across. It…
Knowing your boundaries is an important factor in financial planning, this morning I had a person I know reasonably well call with a proposal to do something they thought made absolute sense. It did to a point, however they’re a blended family, complete with his and her kids…and his and her money. It wasn’t as…
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