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

Even though retirement may seem like a long way off for many of you (closer for some!), have you ever asked yourself, “how am I going to retire”? It is a common question, especially for those who have passed the age of fifty. Fifty seems to be a turning point in the way people think about retirement. Although still 15 years or so away, it seems to be the time that people start to think about how it is going to work. We find more 50+ people want to start adding to their supera

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

Most of us have superannuation, and most of us understand, in general, how it works while we work, but how many of us understand how superannuation works in retirement? Firstly, and often most unwisely you can access it as a lump sum and withdraw it from super altogether. This is (usually) not a great option as this removes your lump sum from the wonderfully concessional taxed environment that the superannuation provides. The second option is to arrange a regular payment from

Have you ever felt that your finances are out of control? Or that you should be doing more with them? You’re not alone. Not many people take the time to make sure that their money is working the way that it should. However, taking a little time, even just once a month, to review what has happened over the past 30 days, and what is happening in the coming 30 days can make a world of difference to your finances and your stress levels. Let’s look at it this way. If you w

As the father of three wonderful kids I think that father’s day is the most important day of the year, at least, that’s what I tell my kids so they take it seriously. Waking up on Sunday morning with breaky in bed is wonderful, but this year will be a little different. Lockdown and restrictions across the country will mean that many of us will not be able to partake in the usual visits to relatives or lunches and dinners out at restaurants. My father’s day, in Melbourne, wil

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...