Money and Health: The Not So Surprising Connection
When we think about health, we often picture diet, exercise, or regular check-ups. What we do not always think about is money. Yet financial wellbeing and overall wellbeing are closely linked.
When we think about health, we often picture diet, exercise, or regular check-ups. What we do not always think about is money. Yet financial wellbeing and overall wellbeing are closely linked.
When it comes to money, more is not always better. Multiple super funds, a handful of bank accounts, different investment platforms, and stacks of paperwork can make it hard to see the bigger picture. Simplifying your finances can reduce stress and often leads to better results.
It is natural to want to enjoy the rewards of hard work. A new job, a pay rise, or a bonus can make it tempting to upgrade your car, move to a bigger house, or start spending more on dining and holidays. This is called lifestyle creep, and while it feels good in the short term, it can quietly slow down your long-term financial goals.
If you’ve ever dreamed of setting up your own business you’re not alone.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, (ABS), in the financial year 2023 – 2024 over 400,000 Aussies did just that!
Over the same period, almost 363,000 small businesses called it quits.
Despite a slowdown in Australian economic and productivity growth in the last five years, Australia’s economy is usually considered strong and resilient when compared with other developed nations. Given our economic strength, why would anyone want to invest anywhere else?
To answer this question, let’s consider what stocks might be included in a share portfolio with an international focus.
For simplicity purposes, we will look into the portfolios of a leading provider of index managed funds and their top 10 holdings. These funds tend to be passively rather than actively traded, and seek to reflect their chosen share index over the medium-to-long term.
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
Buying a home in Australia has become a monumental challenge. With skyrocketing property prices and average mortgage debts exceeding $600,000, many young Australians feel homeownership is out of reach. As…
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
Remember that old ad with the guy proudly polishing his boat while his neighbor asks, “How do you afford all this?” His response—“Equity, mate”—has stuck in the Australian psyche for…
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
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There’s no shortage of financial advice out there. Everywhere you look—social media, news articles, investment forums—you’re bombarded with strategies, opinions, and predictions. And honestly? A lot of the information is…
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