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Plenty of podcasts 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.
Buying property with family can seem like a smart way to help your kids, pool your money or make a deal possible that none of you could manage alone. Until someone wants out. But what happens if someone wants out, a relationship breaks down, or the family disagrees about who owns what? In this episode, Nick and Paul unpack five real family property deals that ended in court. Each case reveals a different risk, from unclear loans and ownership to unpaid work, missing wills and promises that were never properly documented. Inside this episode: The family loan that looked legitimate on paper but didn't hold up when it mattered Whether money given to your child could end up caught in their relationship breakdown What you could be risking by contributing to a property without being on the title Why paying the deposit, mortgage and renovation costs may still leave you with no ownership The man who put more than 1,000 hours into a family property deal and discovered what his work was legally worth Helping family does not have to end badly. But these cases show why good intentions and a handshake may not be enough when large sums of money and valuable property are involved. Listen before you buy, build, lend or invest with family. FURTHER LISTENING You can find our playlist full of episodes about investing here . WANT PERSONALISED ADVICE FOR YOUR INVESTMENT STRATEGY ?: Book an appointment with Guidance Financial Services here . READY TO SORT YOUR FINANCES AND BUILD WEALTH WITH A CLEAR PLAN?: Wealth Builder is our specialised 12-month financial advice program for people in their 30s and 40s. You can learn more about it here . FOLLOW NICK ON LINKEDIN HERE. WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here General advice disclaimer
You're earning good money. You're busy. And the last thing you need is a wealth-building strategy that feels like another job. Because building wealth should not mean spending your evenings researching shares, sorting through dividend statements or wondering whether you should change your investments every time the market moves. In this Financial Autonomy Essential, Paul shares seven ways to make your wealth-building plan simpler, more consistent and far less demanding of your time. You'll discover why getting ahead may have less to do with finding the perfect investment and more to do with creating a system that keeps working when your attention is elsewhere. Because your wealth strategy should support the life you are building, not take over the life you already have. Inside this episode: Why earning good money does not always translate into building real wealth The simple investing setup that keeps working even when you are too busy to think about it. Why doing less with your portfolio could save you time and improve your results. The money tasks worth outsourcing so your weekends are not swallowed by admin. How to build a plan with less admin, fewer decisions and more financial choice later. WANT A WEALTH-BUILDING STRATEGY THAT DOESN'T TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE? At Guidance Financial Services, we can help you turn your income into a clear, efficient wealth-building plan that keeps moving in the background, with less admin, fewer unnecessary decisions and more financial choice over time. Book your appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here . General advice disclaimer
For decades, the family trust has been treated as the go-to structure for Australians building serious wealth. But what happens when the rules that made trusts so attractive begin to change? Suddenly, the structure many investors have relied on for tax flexibility, capital gains concessions and passing wealth between generations may no longer be the automatic choice. And a much less fashionable alternative could be worth another look. In this episode, Paul compares family trusts with private investment companies and explores why the best structure for building wealth may not be the one most people expect. This is not simply a question of which option could save you more tax this year. It is about how you hold, grow and eventually pass on wealth over decades. In this episode: Why the family trust may no longer be the obvious choice for building wealth The proposed changes that could upend a strategy Australians have relied on for decades The unfashionable investment structure that may be about to make a comeback One powerful compounding advantage most investors overlook The trap of choosing a structure that is great for building wealth but difficult when you want the money How some families could pass on an investment portfolio without selling it Why trying to minimise this year's tax bill could lead you to make the wrong long-term decision The catch that means a company is not a n automatic replacement for trusts What anyone serious about building intergenerational wealth may need to reconsider before the rules change If you own investments outside super, run a business or are thinking about how your wealth will eventually pass to your children, this episode will help you ask better questions before choosing a structure that could shape your finances for decades. WANT HELP CHOOSING THE RIGHT STRUCTURE FOR YOUR WEALTH?: At Guidance Financial Services, we help you weigh up the tax, investment and estate-planning trade-offs before making a decision that could shape your family's wealth for decades. Book your appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here . General advice disclaimer
You may know how much is sitting in your super. But do you know whether it is enough to retire when you want to? Could you stop work at 60? Would your money last? Or could you already have more options than you realise? In this Financial Autonomy Essential, Paul explains how to assess whether you are on track for retirement and what the answer could mean for the years ahead. Because being on track is not only about having enough money. It could mean retiring earlier, reducing your working hours or spending more while you are healthy enough to enjoy it. Inside this episode: How to work out whether you can retire when you want to Why a healthy super balance does not always mean you are on track The signs you may be able to retire earlier or cut back your hours What you can still change if your current plan falls short Why playing it too safe with your super could work against you NOTE: This episode was originally recorded in 2024. Any contribution limits, tax rules, pension thresholds or other figures mentioned reflect the rules in place at the time of recording and may have changed. WANT PERSONALISED ADVICE FOR YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN? At Guidance Financial Services, we use detailed financial modelling to show you what your current path could make possible, whether that means retiring sooner, working less or making changes now to improve your position. Book your appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here .
If you have been watching the news and wondering whether your investments are about to get hit, you are not alone. Over the past year, investors have had plenty to worry about. War, inflation, interest rate changes, property pressure and constant talk of an AI bubble. Yet markets have not behaved the way many people expected. So what actually happened? Why did some markets keep climbing despite all the uncertainty? And what does that mean for where your money is invested now? In this episode, Nick Donato is joined by BlackRock strategist Beatrice Yeo to cut through the noise and explain the market moves that matter most to everyday investors. They look at whether the AI boom still has room to run, why Australian shares have struggled to keep pace with global markets and how higher interest rates have quietly changed the investment landscape. They also explore what BlackRock is watching across shares, bonds and property, and what could matter most for your portfolio over the next 12 months. In this episode Why the sharemarket kept rising when the headlines said it should be falling The split-second decision that can turn a market dip into a costly mistake Is the AI boom running out of steam, or is the next phase just beginning? Why the next big winners may not be the companies everyone is watching The blind spot that could be holding Australian investors back How higher interest rates may have created opportunities hiding in plain sight Why bonds are suddenly worth paying attention to again The property opportunity that does not involve buying another house Where BlackRock sees the biggest risks and opportunities now What your portfolio may need to handle the next 12 months You do not need to predict every market move, but it helps to understand what is driving markets, where the risks are shifting and whether your current portfolio is built for what comes next. FURTHER LISTENING You can find our playlist full of episodes about investing here . WANT PERSONALISED ADVICE FOR YOUR INVESTMENT STRATEGY ?: Book an appointment with Guidance Financial Services here . READY TO SORT YOUR FINANCES AND BUILD WEALTH WITH A CLEAR PLAN?: Wealth Builder is our specialised 12-month financial advice program for people in their 30s and 40s. You can learn more about it here . FOLLOW NICK ON LINKEDIN HERE. WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here General advice disclaimer
Imagine reaching a point where your pay cheque is no longer the only thing keeping your life running. You could reduce your hours, change careers, retire earlier or simply have more freedom to decide what comes next. That is the promise of passive income. But the path to getting there is often very different from the effortless version sold online. In this Financial Autonomy Essentials episode, we look at what passive income really involves, where it can come from and the decisions that can make or break your progress. Because building income outside your job is not only about finding investments that pay dividends or buying a rental property. The way you think about growth, tax, risk and even spending your capital could completely change the strategy. And there is another question worth asking: what is the point of creating financial freedom if getting there costs you the best years of your life? In this episode: The real work hiding behind supposedly passive income Which income sources are more passive than others Why chasing faster returns can push you into dangerous territory The common passive income belief that could limit your wealth Why you may not need to replace your entire salary to change your life The tax considerations that could affect how you generate cash flow How to build more financial choice without sacrificing everything today If you want your investments to eventually give you more control over how, when and whether you work, this episode will help you think differently about the path ahead. WANT PERSONALISED ADVICE ON YOUR PASSIVE INCOME STRATEGY? At Guidance Financial Services, we can help you build an investment strategy designed to create more income, reduce your reliance on work and give you more choice over how you spend your time. Book your appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here . General advice disclaimer
Think the secret to getting rich is finding the next Nvidia, picking the perfect fund manager, or making clever moves before everyone else? Well, this episode is here to change that. Today we're looking at the investment strategy that was once labelled as boring, uninspiring and almost impossible to sell, but went on to reshape the way millions of people invest. Index investing started with a simple idea : stop trying to beat the market, and own it instead. It sounds almost too basic to work. But when you take a closer look, simple can become seriously powerful. In this episode, we unpack why "average" market returns may be better than they sound, why more activity does not always mean better results, and why the hardest part of investing is often leaving a good plan alone. In this episode: Why trying to beat the market is harder than it looks The hidden cost of constantly tinkering with your investments Why "boring" can be a serious advantage The behaviour trap that catches even confident investors How a simpler strategy can help keep more of your money working for longer What to think about before making your next investment move This one is for anyone who has ever looked at their portfolio and thought, should I be doing more? Because by the end, you may realise the better question is: am I doing too much ? FURTHER LISTENING : Find our playlist full of episodes about investing in the share market here . WANT HELP WITH YOUR INVESTMENT STRATEGY ?: At Guidance Financial Services, we use an index-at-the-core strategy. Book your appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here . General advice disclaimer
When interest rates are high, putting extra money into your offset account can feel like the obvious decision. It reduces the interest on your home loan, keeps your money accessible, and gives you a return that is hard to ignore. But if you are trying to build wealth over the long term, is the offset always the best place for your money? In the first episode of our Essentials Series, we revisit one of the most common questions homeowners ask: should extra savings stay in the offset, or could that money be working harder elsewhere? In this episode, we look at how to weigh up the trade-off between reducing mortgage interest today and investing for growth over time. We also explain why tax, inflation and timeframe can all change the way this decision looks. In this episode: Why offset accounts have become more attractive as rates have rise n The simple mistake people make when comparing offset accounts with shares How to think about short-term money versus long-term wealth The tax detail that can completely change how this decision looks Why inflation still matters, even when your money is sitting safely in offset What to weigh up to make the right decision for you If you have extra money available and are unsure whether to leave it in offset or invest it, this episode will help you think through the decision with more clarity and confidence. Please note: This episode was originally recorded in 2023, so any interest rates or market return figures mentioned reflect the environment at the time of recording. WANT PERSONALISED ADVICE ON WHAT OPTION IS RIGHT FOR YOU? : At Guidance Financial Services, we use sophisticated modelling software to test different options for your personal situation and provide advice on investment strategy, based on your goals and circumstances. Book your appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here . General advice disclaimer
Everyone says that when you receive an inheritance, the smartest thing to do is pay off the mortgage. And sure, for some people, that might be exactly the right move. But what if it isn't the whole answer? Receiving an inheritance can be one of the most emotional financial moments of your life. There's grief, gratitude, guilt, pressure, and suddenly a long list of decisions you may not feel ready to make. Should you pay down debt? Invest? help your kids? keep some aside? take the trip your loved one always wanted you to take? In this episode of the Wealth Builder Podcast, Nick Donato is joined by Paul Benson to unpack what to think about before making any big moves with inherited money. They talk through why pausing can be powerful, what tax and timing issues can catch people out, and how to make decisions that honour the legacy you've been left while still supporting the life you want to build. In this episode: How to avoid rushing into a decision while emotions are high Why paying off the mortgage may feel obvious, but still needs to be tested What to understand before mentally spending an inheritance The tax and timing issues that can change what you actually receive How to weigh up debt, investing, kids, travel, renovations and future goals Why your own estate planning may need a review after receiving an inheritance How to use inherited money thoughtfully, without guilt or regret If you've received an inheritance, expect to receive one, or simply want to understand how to make better decisions around a major financial windfall, this episode will help you slow down, think clearly, and make a plan before the money starts making decisions for you. WANT PERSONALISED ADVICE FOR YOUR INHERITANCE?: Book an appointment with Guidance Financial Services here . READY TO SORT YOUR FINANCES AND BUILD WEALTH WITH A CLEAR PLAN? : Wealth Builder is our specialised 12-month financial advice program for people in their 30s and 40s. You can learn more about it here . FOLLOW NICK ON LINKEDIN HERE. WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here .
Self-managed super funds have been out of favour for a while. With low-cost industry funds, better online platforms and more compliance to deal with, plenty of Australians decided SMSF s w ere not worth the effort. So why is everyone talking about them again? In this episode, Paul looks at why recent tax changes could make superannuation even more important in Australia's wealth-building landscape, and why that has some people taking a fresh look at self-managed super. Not because SMSFs are suddenly right for everyone, but because when the rules around other wealth-building structures change, the way you hold and manage your retirement savings starts to matter more. In this episode: Why SMSFs are back on the radar What the tax changes could mean for wealth builders Why super may matter more than ever When control over your super starts to become more appealing The hidden trade-off that comes with running your own fund Why an SMSF is not the right move for everyone What to think about before deciding your current setup is no longer enough If you've dismissed self-managed super in the past, this episode gives you a reaason to revisit the question. FURTHER LISTENING: Find our playlist full of episodes about SMSFs and Superannuation here . WANT TO KNOW IF AN SMSF IS RIGHT FOR YOU? : At Guidance Financial Services, we can provide personalised advice on self-managed super, superannuation and investment strategy, based on your goals and circumstances. Book your appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here . General advice disclaimer
Every parent wants to give their child the best possible start, but between school fees, uniforms, laptops, camps, sport, music, tutoring and uni , the cost of "giving them options" can add up fas t and cause financial stress. In this episode of Wealth Builder , Nick is joined by Marie Lazar from Futurity Investment Group to unpack how families can plan for education costs before they become a major cash flow stress. Because choosing the school is only part of the decision , t he bigger question is how you are going to fund it in a way that still works for the rest of your financial life. They talk through the real cost of education in Australia, why the extras are often what catch families off guard, and how different funding options compare, from savings accounts and offset accounts to share portfolios, family gifts and education bonds. You'll also hear how education bonds work, who they may suit, and why they can be worth considering as part of a broader wealth-building plan. In this episode: How much education could really cost from primary school through to year 12 The hidden extras many families forget to plan for Why planning early can give parents and grandparents more options later How education bonds work and what makes them different The key trade-offs between savings, offsets, investments and education bonds What to think about before choosing the right strategy for your family This episode is for parents and grandparents who want to help fund a child's future without the last-minute scramble to make it work financially READY TO SORT YOUR FINANCES AND BUILD WEALTH WITH A CLEAR PLAN? Wealth Builder is our specialised 12 - month financial advice program for people in their 30s and 40s . You can learn more about it here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. You can also find all our links here .
You were told an investment property was one of the safest ways to build wealth. But what happens when one of the key tax benefits that made the numbers work is taken away? In this episode, we look at the impact of the changes to negative gearing rules and what they could mean for Australians who have been relying on property as part of their wealth-building strategy. We also look at 5 different options investors have now, and what to consider before deciding where your money should go next. Because building wealth is still absolutely possible , but the best path forward may look different to the one many Australians expected. In this episode: Why some investment properties may be harder to justify under the new rules The 5 wealth-building options investors may need to look at next H idden risks in simply swapping one strategy for another Why superannuation could become one of the biggest winners from the change What to understand before you make your next big investment decision WANT PERSONALISED FINANCIAL ADVICE: If the negative gearing changes have you rethinking investment property, super, shares or where to build wealth next, personalised advice can help you work out what makes sense for your situation. Book an appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. General advice disclaimer
Think financial advice is something you get when you're older, wealthier, or closer to retirement? That mindset could be costing you far more than you realise. Because when it comes to building wealth, when you start can matter more than how much you start with . In this episode, Nick is joined by Paul Benson to unpack why your 30s and 40s can be such a powerful window for getting advice . It's the time to make decisions that can compound, course correct, and create more choice later. But this is not just one for younger listeners. If you are in your 50s, 60s or beyond, there are still valuable takeaways here, especially if you are wondering whether your super, investments, insurance, structures or old money habits still make sense for where you are now. Inside the episode: How to know whether your money is actually working hard enough Why "I'll sort it out later" can become one of your most expensive financial habits Why getting advice early could make a six - figure difference by retirement Why earning good money does not always mean you are building wealth One setting that could turbocharge your superannuation What to review now if you feel like you started too late WANT PERSONALISED FINANCIAL ADVICE?: Book an appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. General advice disclaimer
Retirement should feel like freedom, not a series of expensive surprises you wish you had seen coming. Before you finish work, you want to know the plan is ready for real life. Where will your income come from? Is your budget still enough? What happens if markets fall? And have your goals changed since you first started planning? In this episode, Paul walks through the final checks to make before you retire, so you can step into the next chapter with more confidence, less second-guessing, and a plan that is built for what life actually looks like after work In this episode: What needs to be clear before your pay cheque stops Why your retirement budget might not survive real life How to avoid selling investments when markets are down The plan you may need to update before it is too late What to organise before work stops structuring your week The retirement regret you want to catch while there is still time FOR PERSONALISED RETIREMENT PLANNING ADVICE: Book an appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. General advice disclaimer
June 30 is one of those dates that creeps up , and suddenly everyone is asking the same thing. Have I missed something? Could I have done something smarter with my super? Is there a tax deduction I should know about? Did I leave it too late? And why does EOFY always make your money feel more complicated than it needs to be? In this episode, financial adviser Nick Donato is joined by Brendan from the Guidance team to talk through the EOFY checks that are actually worth your attention before the deadline hits. Because the only thing worse than dealing with EOFY admin is realising in July that there was something useful you could have done. So, this episode gives you a clear list of what to check, what to ask about, and what might still be worth looking at before June 30. Inside this episode: • The super rules people often misunderstand • The tax deduction opportunity that is not just salary sacrifice • Why June 30 can be too late if your fund does not receive the money in time • How catch up contributions may help if you have had a bigger tax year • The spouse contribution and co contribution rules worth knowing • The SMSF checks you do not want to leave too late • Why EOFY is a smart time to review your portfolio, insurance and beneficiaries • What family trust holders and business owners should be asking their accountant WANT ADVICE ON HOW THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR FINANCES? Book an appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. General advice disclaimer
The retirement mistakes that cost people most are often made before they leave work, when there is still time to fix them, and have real consequences if they don't . Because this is not just about whether you can afford to retire. It is about whether you can afford the retirement you have been picturing; the travel, the flexibility, the choice to help your kids, stay in your home, or stop worrying every time markets fall. In this episode, Paul breaks down the five things to get clear on before you retire, so you can spot the gaps while there is still time to act, make the decisions that could strengthen your position, and avoid walking into retirement only to realise the plan was shakier than you thought In this episode: How to know whether your retirement plan actually stacks up, before it's too late The financial shock that can hit harder close to retirement Why the last few working years could be some of the most valuable of your life The super opportunity you might not want to waste How your home could shape your retirement income, whether you stay or downsize The big question to get clear on before you retire FOR PERSONALISED RETIREMENT PLANNING ADVICE: Book an appointment with Paul here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. General advice disclaimer
The 2026 Federal Budget could change the way many Australians invest, buy property and reduce tax . The big headline isn't the $250 tax offset. It's the proposed reforms to capital gains tax, negative gearing and family trusts . If they become law, they could mean a higher tax bill when you sell an investment, fewer tax benefits for future property investors, and a major shake up for people using trusts to manage family wealth . In this episode, Nick breaks down the biggest tax changes announced in the Budget, explains who they could affect, and walks through the details that matter before the commentary and political noise take over. Inside this episode: The tax break for workers, and when you'd actually see it The proposed capital gains tax change that could affect property, shares and ETFs Why selling an investment in a low income year may no longer work the same way What the Budget could mean for negative gearing and future property purchases The family trust change that some households and business owners need to pay attention to The key dates, grey areas and unanswered questions still hanging over these proposals If you invest, own property, use a trust, or are planning your next money move, you need to listen to this episode. WANT ADVICE ON HOW THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR FINANCES? Book an appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. General advice disclaimer
The most expensive retirement mistakes often happen 10 years before you actually retire . You still have time to make meaningful changes, but every choice starts to carry more weight. So, wh ere should you put your money to put yourself in the best position for retirement? Into your mortgage, so you can retire debt free? Into super, so you can take advantage of the tax benefits? Into investments outside super, so you still have flexibility if work ends earlier than planned? In the first episode of this three-part retirement planning series, Paul breaks down what to focus on when retirement is around a decade away. He covers the decisions that can have the biggest impact on your final position, including how much you want to spend, whether your home still makes sense, why getting too conservative too early can be expensive, and how to review insurance before it quietly eats into your retirement savings. Inside this episode: • The mortgage versus super decision, and why the answer is rarely one size fits all • Why getting too conservative too early could cost you hundreds of thousands • How to work out what kind of retirement you are actually trying to fund • Why being debt free before retirement is usually the goal • How to balance super's tax benefits with access and flexibility • The insurance costs that may be quietly dragging on your super • What to focus on now so you are not scrambling later WANT TO KNOW IF YOU'RE RETIREMENT READY?| Book an appointment with Paul here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. General advice disclaimer
Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make… and most people don't realise they've made a bad one until after they've signed the contract. They've done their research, they've checked the suburb, spoken to a broker, maybe even run the numbers. But the things that actually cost people are the things they never knew to think about. Like t he structure they didn't think through, the conditions they didn't question, and the small details that turn into expensive problems later. In this episode, Nick is joined by buyer's agent Mel Dennis to break down the full property buying checklist, that helps you spot issues before you commit, understand what you're really buying, and avoid getting caught out after the fact. You'll walk away knowing what to check at each stage of the process, what most buyers miss, and how to approach your next purchase with a lot more clarity and a lot less guesswork. Inside this episode: Why most property mistakes happen before you even start looking The financial and structural decisions that shape everything that follows What people forget to factor in beyond the purchase price The non negotiables you need to define before inspecting properties How to assess a property properly beyond first impressions The due diligence checks that can save you from expensive surprises What to look for in contracts, conditions, and key dates How negotiation is about more than just price What you need to know before bidding at auction Why your pre settlement inspection is more important than you think DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST: Click here to get the checklist READY TO SORT YOUR FINANCES?: Book an appointment here . WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. General advice disclaimer
You hear inflation talked about like it's the villain of the economy all the time. ... but what is inflation actually doing to your own money? Well, i t's reducing what your savings can buy. It's eating into your investment returns. And it can leave you years behind where you thought you'd be, without you realising it's happening. So , i n this episode, Paul breaks down exactly how inflation impacts your wealth, where it shows up in your financial life, and how to tell if your current strategy is keeping pace or falling short. Because if your money isn't growing faster than inflation, you're actually going backwards. In this episode: • Why your money can be growing and you're still falling behind • The reason your returns don't feel like they're getting you ahead • What inflation is quietly taking from your savings every year • How "playing it safe" could be costing you more than you realise • Why your retirement number might be wrong (and what's throwing it off) • What inflation is really doing to interest rates, markets, and your plan • The quick check to see if your current strategy is actually working WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE , our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to. GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to paul@financialautonomy.com.au , and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. General advice disclaimer
