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  • Am I on Track to Retire?

    Am I on Track to Retire?
    2026/07/26
    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.
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    9 分
  • The Sharemarket Financial Year in Review (and What BlackRock Is Watching Now)

    The Sharemarket Financial Year in Review (and What BlackRock Is Watching Now)
    2026/07/22
    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
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    35 分
  • How to Build Passive Income So You Can Retire Earlier

    How to Build Passive Income So You Can Retire Earlier
    2026/07/19
    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
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    11 分
  • Why Doing Less with Your Investments Could Make You Richer

    Why Doing Less with Your Investments Could Make You Richer
    2026/07/15
    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
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    13 分
  • Offset Account vs Investing in Shares: Which Will Make You Richer?

    Offset Account vs Investing in Shares: Which Will Make You Richer?
    2026/07/12
    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 risen 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
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    8 分
  • Everyone Says Pay Off the Mortgage with an Inheritance. But What Should You Really Do?

    Everyone Says Pay Off the Mortgage with an Inheritance. But What Should You Really Do?
    2026/07/08
    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.
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    24 分
  • Self-Managed Super: Do the Tax Changes Make SMSFs Worth a Rethink?

    Self-Managed Super: Do the Tax Changes Make SMSFs Worth a Rethink?
    2026/07/01
    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 SMSFs were 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
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    14 分
  • How to Fund Your Child's Future Without Financial Stress

    How to Fund Your Child's Future Without Financial Stress
    2026/06/23
    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 fast 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, the 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.
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    30 分