This is a pet topic l have wanted to write about for some time. From my significant experience over the past 2 decades helping successful clients make smart choices with their money its clear to us that most are not interested in the concept of “Retirement” – certainly not in the form that they have observed from their parents and grandparents. They instead want “Financial Independence” – the freedom to do what they want, when they want and where they want. The autonomy to call their own shots.
In addition to this, rather than doing work they deplore, most of our clients actually enjoy the work they do. It keeps them vital, engaged and healthier. But do they dream of greater financial freedom and autonomy? Of course, they do.
Loving what you do does not negate the need to plan for financial freedom. It is exactly because people value freedom so much that they should exercise the necessary financial discipline to achieve that desired level of freedom.
Life can present us with uncertainties and curve balls that can radically alter our course – death, disability, divorce, pandemics, changes in our work status, business success/failure, the list goes on. We are also naturally prone to changing our minds over time about the kind of life we want to live. We must plan ahead to deal with all this uncertainty to ensure we have the freedom to change course on our own terms.
But despite what much of the financial media may promote, planning ahead doesn’t have to mean putting the money cart ahead of the life horse when it comes to life. We might say we are saving money so we can someday have a life, but in the process we delay having a life right now. Too many people wait far too long to realise that the life we are living now is not a dress rehearsal.
The longer people live and the longer they work, the more they appreciate that time is our most valuable resource There are only 168 hours in a week no matter what your age, how much money you make, how smart you are or how attractive you are – no exceptions. Your quality of life is a direct function of how you chose to spend that time.
That’s why (in my opinion) the value of a relationship with a high-quality financial adviser goes well beyond helping you make smart financial decisions for your FUTURE – it should also be about helping you manage your money in a way that will improve your life RIGHT NOW.
We are all guilty of losing sight of the big picture in the hustle and bustle of daily life. We can get bogged down grinding through meaningless activities that we don’t have time to think about what we really want to do with the time we have left on this earth.
So instead of asking yourself if you have enough money, or if you will run out of money, ask yourself some better questions:
- Are we managing our money in a way that’s improving our life right now?
- What can we do with our money right now to get more time?
At Calibre Private Wealth Advisers we don’t want you just to “have enough money” for the future. We are passionate about helping busy, successful people regain some balance and live the best life possible with the money they have right now.
If there’s one thing that l absolutely want to convey in this article, it is that if spending time on your finances is creating an unhealthy level of anxiety whilst at the same time drawing you away from what is most important in your life, seek help.
Calibre Private Wealth Advisers is a boutique, fee-based practice that helps co-ordinate the financial affairs for a relatively small community of successful professionals, business owners and their families. We facilitate a unique process that helps our clients free up their limited spare time to focus on the things in their life that are more important than money.
Feel free to contact us to discuss your particular situation and see how we can help you get on a faster path to achieving your life’s aspirations.
Next steps
To find out more about how any of these measures may be of assistance in your individual circumstances, please contact Gordon Thoms or David Conte at Calibre Private Wealth Advisers on ph. (03) 9824 2777 or email us here.
This advice may not be suitable to you because it contains general advice that has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal financial and tax/or legal advice prior to acting on this information. Before acquiring a financial product a person should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product and consider the contents of the PDS before making a decision about whether to acquire the product. The material contained in this document is based on information received in good faith from sources within the market, and on our understanding of legislation and Government press releases at the date of publication, which are believed to be reliable and accurate. Opinions constitute our judgment at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the Oreana Group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Gordon Thoms and David Conte of Calibre Private Wealth Advisers are Authorised Representatives of Oreana Financial Services Limited ABN 91 607 515 122, an Australian Financial Services Licensee, Registered office at Level 7, 484 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004. This site is designed for Australian residents only. Nothing on this website is an offer or a solicitation of an offer to acquire any products or services, by any person or entity outside of Australia.