Financial Autonomy

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...

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  SMSF s  w ere  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-buildin...

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 fas t 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 becom...

You were told an investment property was one of the safest ways to build wealth. But what happens when one of the key tax benefits that made the numbers work is taken away?   In this episode, we look at the impact of the changes to negative gearing rules and what they could mean for Australians who have been relying on property as part of their wealth-building strategy. We also look at 5 different...

Think financial advice is something you get when  you're  older, wealthier, or closer to retirement? That mindset could be costing you far more than you realise.   Because when it comes to building wealth,  when you start can matter more than how much you start with .   In this episode, Nick is joined by Paul Benson to unpack why your 30s and 40s can be such a powerful window for getting advice ....

Retirement should feel like freedom, not a series of expensive surprises you wish you had seen coming.   Before you finish work, you want to know the plan is ready for real life. Where will your income come from? Is your budget still enough? What happens if markets fall? And have your goals changed since you first started planning?   In this episode, Paul walks through the final checks to make bef...

June 30 is one of those dates that creeps up ,  and suddenly everyone is asking the same thing.   Have I missed something?   Could I have done something smarter with my super? Is there a tax deduction I should know about? Did I leave it too late? And why does EOFY always make your money feel more complicated than it needs to be?   In this episode, financial adviser Nick Donato is joined by Brendan...

  The retirement mistakes that cost people most are often made before they leave work, when there is still time to fix them, and  have  real consequences if they  don't .   Because this is not just about whether you can afford to retire. It is about whether you can afford the retirement you have been picturing; the travel, the flexibility, the choice to help your kids, stay in your home, or stop w...

The 2026 Federal Budget could change the way many Australians  invest, buy  property  and reduce tax .   The big headline  isn't  the $250 tax offset.  It's  the proposed reforms to  capital gains tax, negative  gearing  and family trusts . If they become law, they could mean  a higher tax bill when you sell an investment, fewer tax benefits for future property investors, and a major  shake up  fo...

The most expensive retirement mistakes often happen 10 years before you  actually retire .  You still have time to make meaningful changes, but every choice starts to carry more weight.   So, wh ere should you put your  money  to put yourself in the  best  position  for retirement? Into your mortgage, so you can retire debt free? Into super, so you can take advantage of the tax benefits? Into inve...

Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions  you'll  ever make… and most people  don't  realise  they've  made a bad one until after  they've  signed the contract.   They've  done their research,  they've  checked the suburb, spoken to a broker,  maybe even  run the numbers. But the things that  actually cost  people are the things they never knew to think about.  Like t he structu...

You hear inflation talked about like  it's  the villain of the economy all the time. ... but  what  is  inflation  actually doing  to your own money?     Well,  i t's  reducing what your savings can buy.   It's  eating into your investment returns.   And it can leave you years behind where you thought  you'd  be, without you realising  it's  happening.     So ,  i n this episode, Paul breaks down...

How many times have you had an idea and thought, this could make me millions… and then watched someone else do something similar and  actually make  money from it?   Because having the idea is never the hard part. The hard part is turning it into something people will pay for, before you run out of time, energy, or motivation.   So  what do you  actually do  next? How do you start figuring out if ...

Most people are doing everything right with their money ...  saving, investing, planning for retirement ...  and still end up building a life they  don't   actually want . What if the reason had nothing to do with your portfolio, and everything to do with 3 questions  you've  never been asked?   In this episode, Paul walks you through all three. They take 10 minutes to answer but could change the...

  Buying property is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll  ever make… and most people are just  kind of winging  it.   You're  going to inspections, watching prices, trying to read between the lines on listings ,  and still not  sure  if something's actually  good value  or if  you're  about to overpay.   So  this week, Nick sits down with buyer's advocate Mel Dennis to break down what  a...

War is escalating, oil prices are rising and markets are reacting. So what does that actually mean for your investments and retirement? In this episode, we go beyond the headlines to unpack what's really happening, and answer the big question investors are asking right now: do I need to act? Inside this episode: • What war and rising oil prices are actually doing to markets • Why volatility makes...

This week on the Wealth Builder podcast Nick talks to accountant David Markovski about franking credits and how to get the most out of them. Need help? - Learn about our  Wealth Builder program Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

Divorce often requires a major financial reset, and knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we outline a practical roadmap to help rebuild financial stability after separation. We cover redefining your goals, understanding your remaining working years, and making smart housing decisions. We also discuss rebuilding cashflow clarity, updating estate planning, and reviewing ins...

This week on the Wealth Builder podcast Nick talks to James Brannan from BlockByte Capital about mitigating risks when investing in cryptocurrencies in an ever-evolving market. Need help? - Learn about our  Wealth Builder program Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

In this episode, we explore what it means to invest with a time frame that stretches beyond your own lifespan. When personal financial security is already assured, the conversation can evolve from lifestyle funding to building capital designed to support generations to come. We unpack why inflation becomes the greatest risk, why growth assets like shares and property take priority, and how approac...

This week on the Wealth Builder podcast Nick talks to Financial Autonomy host Paul Benson about what to consider before retiring early Need help? - Learn about our  Wealth Builder program Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

Gold rose 74% last year and silver surged 185%, but do those eye-catching returns actually justify investing in precious metals? In this episode, we explore what's driving current market anxiety, the case for and against gold as a safe haven, and whether it truly protects against inflation. We break down diversification benefits, long-term return realities, behavioural risks, and the pros and cons...

This week on the Wealth Builder podcast Nick talks to James Brannan from BlockByte Capital to explain the basics of cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Need help? - Learn about our  Wealth Builder program Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer

Retiring earlier isn't about winning the lotto — it's about understanding the financial levers that actually move the needle. In this episode, we explore five practical strategies Australians can use to bring retirement forward, including maximising super contributions, improving spending efficiency, reviewing asset allocation, tapping into home equity, and easing the transition with part-time wor...

This week on the Wealth Builder podcast Nick talks to Financial Autonomy host and financial planner Paul Benson about 9 new year's resolutions to kickstart your 2026 financial journey. Tune in to make this your year!   Need help? - Learn about our  Wealth Builder program Subscribe to our weekly GainingCHOICE email General advice disclaimer