Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

WE’VE ALL HEARD THE EXPRESSION ‘WORK/LIFE BALANCE’ BUT HOW DO PEOPLE DO IT?
Do you ever wonder how you can make any improvements to your lifestyle when you are still trying to meet your mortgage payments and run a household? Are you under the misconception that people that visit financial advisers have lots of money to invest?
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE WEALTHY TO INVEST
Most people fear poverty more than anything else but very few people take any action to prevent it.  The sad part is that making provision for the future is not that hard and does not have to mean years of hard graft and sacrifice. 
Wage earners have a tendency to believe they are powerless when it comes to changing their financial destiny because they are limited by their income and how much they can save.  That is not necessarily true because there are some very straightforward ways of creating wealth that can be accommodated in most budgets. 
START SMALL BUT DREAM BIG
As financial advisers we often run into people who think we only offer a service for those who have already accumulated their wealth – however nothing could be further from the truth.  For example, would you be surprised to learn that some of wealthiest clients started their careers working ‘on the tools’?  It’s not just the white collar professional that can become wealthy.  Remember – you don’t have to be wealthy to invest, but you do have to invest to become wealthy.
The difference between the haves and have-nots is all in the attitude.  Setting a few goals and doing some forward planning can prepare you for whatever opportunities and obstacles may lie ahead, no matter what stage of life you’re at right now.
DON’T LISTEN TO THE HERD
Statistics show less then 2% of the Australian population end up retired with enough funds to do the things in retirement they always dreamed of doing.   The startling aspect of that statistic is that it means less than 2% of the people you speak to about your finances, know what they are talking about! 
IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
Financial planning is not about telling you WHERE to invest your hard earned dollars.  Financial planning is about HOW to accumulate the dollars to invest!  We call it strategy.  That means showing you how to grow your money whilst you still have that 30 year mortgage, kids in school and a household to run. 
It’s important to recognise that there are no guarantees in life – there is no certainty any of us will even make retirement, so any financial planning you do should include goals to be met along the way.  It just does not make sense to only focus on a retirement plan for a couple aged in their 40s! 
GET EDUCATED!
Anyone who is interested in learning how to create wealth without detracting from their current lifestyle should attend one of our investment workshops and if you call and tell us you are from the Hinterland your first appointment will be at our expense.
If you already have a financial plan in place perhaps you should come in for a cup of coffee and a second opinion.  Either way – ring Cathy on 5445 6044 to arrange a time suitable to you.
The advice may note be suitable to you because it contains general advice that has not been tailored to your personal circumstances.  Please seek personal financial advice prior to acting on this information.
Ellen Schafer & Assoc. Pty Ltd ABN 67 072 661 548 is an authorised representative of GWM Advisor Services Limited, ABN 96 002 071 749, an Australian Financial Services Licensee with it’s Registered Office at 105-153 Miller Street, North Sydney