All Articles

January 27, 2021
Is there any reason to still buy LIC’s?
In this post we’re going to take a look at Listed Investment Companies, LIC’s. They’ve been around a long time on the stock market, and given the advancements made, especially in the Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) space, it’s worthwhile to question whether LIC’s still have a reason to exist. Should we as investors have them … Continued
Investment

December 23, 2020
The new couples dilemma – joint everything, or keep your finances separate?
If you’re in a relationship that’s been going for a little while, how do you manage your finances as a couple? Do you and your partner’s wages all go into a single joint account that you both then spend out of? Or do you keep your money separate, each paying for your own expenses and … Continued
Investment
Saving Strategy
Superannuation

November 10, 2020
Why has ESG investing shone in 2020?
It is estimated that globally there is now $31trillion invested under ESG mandates. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. That means people have entrusted their savings to a fund manager who has specifically undertaken to incorporate ESG factors when building their portfolios. ESG investing is sometimes also called sustainable or ethical investing. The Responsible … Continued
Investment

October 29, 2020
Is it time to gear into shares?
When investing in property, it’s largely a given that you will be borrowing as a core element of the transaction. Indeed often you are borrowing the entire purchase costs. Borrowing to buy shares however, is often approached with trepidation, despite the many advantages shares offer around ease of altering the transaction size, diversification, and speed … Continued
Investment

October 29, 2020
Which Financial Independence pathway is right for you?
So you have a goal of achieving Financial Independence. Fantastic. Financial Independence provides the potential for enormous freedom in life. But how to get from where you are today, to your chosen nirvana? Of course you need clarity on your goals, and a robust cash flow plan to maximise your savings. But with those two … Continued
Investment
Property
Self-Employment & Side Hustles

October 20, 2020
Success Story
Jonathon Hawkins completed the Invest in Shares with Confidence course recently, here he shares his experience. Tell us about your situation prior to undertaking this course I started a new career about 6 years ago in the automotive industry. My eyes were opened up to earning potentials with commission based income. I had a … Continued
Investment

September 11, 2020
Zero Returns On Cash And What This Means For Investment Options
For cautious investors, the safest option has usually been touted to be cash. COVID-19, however, threatens to turn longstanding monetary policy on its head. Even in Australia, there’s been discussion of the possibility of negative rates as shutdowns and social restrictions constrain normal economic activity. For people exploring ways to keep their wealth safe, this … Continued
Investment

September 9, 2020
How to use a Core/Satellite strategy in your share portfolio
One of the most popular pathways to achieving Financial Autonomy is through investing in stocks. Stock market investing has a tonne of advantages – ease of diversification, low transaction costs, ease of liquidity, and being highly regulated to guard against investor fraud. Perhaps the number one reason share investment is so popular for those looking … Continued
Investment

August 26, 2020
Why (and how) I wrote Financial Autonomy – the money book that gives you choice
It was wonderful to be approached by a publisher to write a book. It felt like validation that the effort I’d been putting into the Financial Autonomy podcast, and the weekly Gaining CHOICE email were being recognised, and the ideas conveyed were interesting and valuable. I enjoy writing, and as much as putting together enough … Continued
Investment
Property
Saving Strategy
Self-Employment & Side Hustles
Superannuation

August 5, 2020
Axelrod, Gekko and Martha Stewart – let’s talk Insider Trading
What is insider trading, why is it a crime, and why does Hollywood seem to love it so much? Millions of words are written on current issues. As a producer of contemporary content myself, it’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming the reader or listener has had an interest in financial markets and … Continued
Investment

July 22, 2020
Why Modern Monetary Theory is suddenly the cool kid (and why you should care)
I started writing this piece for inclusion in Gaining CHOICE, our weekly email. But as I read more and more the piece became longer and longer until it was clear the idea of Jobs Guarantees and Modern Monetary Theory warranted a post all of their own. Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) sounds dry, I know, … Continued
Investment

April 29, 2020
7 tips for buying shares in volatile markets
Volatility and share investing go together like honey and crumpets. As a share investor, how can you use volatility to your advantage? And how can you ensure volatility doesn’t derail your strategy to build wealth and gain choice in life? I’ve invested through the GFC, the Asian Currency Crisis, September 11, the Japanese tsunami, Brexit, … Continued
Investment