Financial advice is often seen as something reserved for wealthy Australians, but the people who stand to benefit the most are often the least likely to receive it. In this article, we explore the growing advice gap, why navigating superannuation, retirement and financial decisions has become increasingly complex, and why access to quality financial guidance should be available to everyone, not just those who have already built wealth.

Someone’s on a solid income. Sometimes very solid. Yet they feel like they’re treading water. Payday comes, bills go out, and there’s this quiet anxiety sitting in the background. If that’s you, I want to say this clearly. You’re not bad with money. You’re just playing a game you didn’t design.

We all grow up with the belief that if you work hard, earn more then life gets better. And for a while, that’s often true. More money can reduce stress, create options, and make life easier at the edges. But then something strange happens.

When money feels tight for long stretches, it can quietly wear you down. Even small decisions start to feel heavy. You think twice about things you used to do without a second thought. You replay decisions in your head. You worry about the future more than you used to.

I often sit across the table from people who are doing fine financially. They have savings. Super is on track. Bills are paid. There’s no immediate danger. And yet, when money comes up, their body tightens. There’s a nervous laugh. A sense that something could go wrong at any moment. They don’t feel safe. This can be confusing and even embarrassing. The numbers say one thing. Their emotions say another. That disconnect is more common than you think. Your brain is not a spread

Given the state of the world, the cost of living is likely to rise before it falls. This may lead to higher inflation and of course, higher interest rates. Not fun for most. We are already seeing the flow on effects of the war in Iran at the petrol station with fuel pushing up to and beyond $3 a litre. This will flow through to the supply chain and costs will rise, including food. All of this, is out of our hands, so what can we do? The Australian government is already encour

Around the world we are beginning to see interest rates rise. So far, the RBA has kept our official interest rate here in Australia at...

Pre covid, I loved to travel. In 2020 I had a wonderful trip to Europe planned that got thrown out the window, just like everyone else’s...

Have you ever thought about getting your finances in order, saving and investing but it all seemed so overwhelming that you gave up before you even got started? It’s very common. After living paycheque to paycheque and not worrying too much about where your money has gone, it can be hard to suddenly have these things on your mind. So, I’m going to take you on some baby steps. I’m going to help get you started on what I hope is a successful financial journey. Let’s have a look

Finances can be complex. We have found, through years of working with clients to achieve their goals, that simplicity is the best way to ensure that someone commits to and implements their plan to the fullest extent. At Smart Happy Money we have put together 3 steps that we believe may help you, depending on your circumstances, to set up a successful financial plan. Let’s get into them. 1: Protect Protecting what you have is the cornerstone of a solid financial plan. This m

In many places around the world only the rich ‘play’ the finance markets. Other people would never dream of having spare money to invest....

Cash Flow, Cash Flow and More Cash Flow Can I depersonalise you for a minute? (You'll have to stick with me for this) You are an entity....

When people think of financial planning they think about investment management. Where should I invest my money? Who will invest it for...

Have you turned the big 40? This decade is one of the most important when it comes to your financial success. Usually, you are entering a higher income earning period of your life. You may have partnered up, you could have kids. You are dealing with a mortgage or rent, rising living costs, school fees, having to buy healthy food (boy, that can be expensive), paying back your HELP debts and you are facing the increasing pressure to ‘keep up with the Jones’ because after 40

In 2006 I decided to strike out on my own and begin a financial planning practice. My desire at that time was to help people save for...