When we sit down to project a client’s retirement, one of the biggest variables we have to account for is longevity. Thanks to modern medicine, we are living longer than any generation in human history. From a financial planning perspective, a longer life means your capital has to stretch further. But there is a glaringContinue reading “Why good health is a financial strategy”
Author Archives: Shan Nissiotis
Don’t avoid the struggle
Here’s why money shouldn’t buy your way out of friction. There is a common, unspoken assumption about wealth that many internalise early in life: we believe that the ultimate purpose of money is to reduce or eliminate our problems. We view a well-funded balance sheet as the ultimate shock absorber. We assume that if weContinue reading “Don’t avoid the struggle”
Empty nest financial planning
There is a very specific kind of quiet that descends on a house when the children finally leave. It affects our hearts, but it also affects our financial planning. If you’re in this situation, or know someone who is, here’s a little of the new reality… For a couple of decades, the home has beenContinue reading “Empty nest financial planning”
Talking to your family about money
As the playwright George Bernard Shaw famously observed, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Nowhere is this more evident than in our family conversations about our financial lives. We often assume that because we share a home, a surname, and a bank account with our loved ones,Continue reading “Talking to your family about money”
Guarding the basecamp
When we sit down to build a financial plan, our eyes are naturally drawn to the summit, not the basecamp. We focus our energy on the big, inspiring goals: retiring with dignity, leaving a meaningful legacy, aiming for financial independence or funding our children’s education. We engineer our long-term investments to weather global economic stormsContinue reading “Guarding the basecamp”
They may not show up on your statement
One of the metrics used extensively in the financial profession to evaluate a given decision is the Return on Investment (ROI). It’s used in other areas too, like in marketing and operational planning meetings for larger companies and corporations. This metric drives us to optimise portfolios to chase the highest possible yield. We scrutinise managementContinue reading “They may not show up on your statement”
Redefining true financial wellbeing
When working with a qualified and experienced financial planner, you should have a partner who will be exceptionally well-positioned to diagnose a balance sheet. They can easily spot a gap in risk cover, identify underperformance in a portfolio, and structure a tax-efficient estate plan. We are taught to read the numbers like a novel. ButContinue reading “Redefining true financial wellbeing”
Invisible ink
Have you ever thought about the unspoken money scripts we pass to our children? As parents, we often assume that teaching our children about money requires a formal sit-down conversation. We plan to wait until they are teenagers to explain the mechanics of a budget, the danger of credit cards, and the magic of compoundContinue reading “Invisible ink”
The high price of “someday”
There is a very common narrative that high-achievers tend to buy into. It is the idea of the deferred life. We work relentlessly in our thirties, forties, and fifties, pouring all of our surplus time and energy into building our careers and our portfolios. We tell ourselves that we are making sacrifices now so thatContinue reading “The high price of “someday””
The Rule of 72
The financial world is full of complex algorithms, dense spreadsheets, and jargon designed to make investing look like a highly complicated science. You could find yourself thinking that you need an advanced degree just to understand what your money is doing. But occasionally, a piece of math comes along that is so simple, and soContinue reading “The Rule of 72”
The shift from reactive to intentional wealth
There is a distinct feeling that comes from being out of control with your finances. It is a quiet, low-grade anxiety that hums in the background of your life. When your finances are unguided, you spend your time reacting. You react to the unexpected bill, you react to the late fee, and you react toContinue reading “The shift from reactive to intentional wealth”
Reclaim your future from debt
If you have ever carried a significant amount of debt, you know that it is rarely just a numbers problem. It is an emotional, social and physiological weight. Whether it is a heavy mortgage, a maxed-out credit card, or a spiralling personal loan, unmanageable debt dictates your mood, limits your choices, and introduces a low-gradeContinue reading “Reclaim your future from debt”
The open hand
Have you ever thought about how gratitude could be a key part of your financial strategy? Ken Honda calls it “arigato money”, which we could call “thank you” money. When we are children, the very first lessons we learn about social etiquette revolve around two simple phrases: “please” and “thank you.” We are taught thatContinue reading “The open hand”
Will you enjoy the journey?
There’s a traditional approach to financial planning that relies heavily on the maths of your money. A legacy expectation of discussing asset allocation, historic yields, and projected growth. Success can be perceivably forecast with the building of beautiful spreadsheets that show exactly how a portfolio should perform over the next few decades. But a spreadsheetContinue reading “Will you enjoy the journey?”
Keeping money in its place
We often look to our investment portfolios for ultimate security. We watch the markets, hoping the numbers will grow large enough to finally give us permission to exhale. This is so common; if you resonate with this, you’re not alone. But relying entirely on a bank balance, risk product or investment portfolio to provide yourContinue reading “Keeping money in its place”
The opportunity cost of ‘Inbox Zero’
Have you ever started off your day with the intent to mark off everything in your email inbox as ‘Read’? Sometimes, we have this perception that our emails need to be all read and sorted before we can move on to our next task. We are often taught to manage our time with the sameContinue reading “The opportunity cost of ‘Inbox Zero’”
Inheritance without instruction
When families who have spent decades building a substantial financial foundation sit down to talk about money, a quiet, often unspoken anxiety usually surfaces. As they look to the future, they worry about the impact their wealth will have on their children. Will the capital empower them to build meaningful lives, or will it removeContinue reading “Inheritance without instruction”
Designing a frictionless recovery
When we build a financial plan, we naturally spend most of our time looking at the horizon. We focus on the big, exciting milestones: funding a comfortable retirement, selling a business, or leaving a meaningful legacy. We engineer our long-term investments to weather global economic storms. But in doing so, we often neglect the everydayContinue reading “Designing a frictionless recovery”
Why “enough” is not a Number
There is a subtle psychological trap that catches almost every successful person we meet. It is rarely discussed in financial textbooks, but it causes more anxiety than a market crash. It is the phenomenon of the moving finish line. It usually starts early in our careers. We tell ourselves, “I will feel secure when IContinue reading “Why “enough” is not a Number”
Retiring to something
Have you ever thought about retiring TO something, not just from something? We spend our entire working lives focused on the mechanics of retirement. We build the plans, optimise the tax structures, and monitor the compounding. We plan meticulously for the day the regular salary stops. But we rarely plan for the day the alarmContinue reading “Retiring to something”
Asking better questions
When we sit down to discuss finances, the natural instinct—is to get straight to work. We want to be productive. Because of this, the conversation almost always begins with a variation of the same well-intentioned question: “How can I help you today?” or “What are your financial goals?” These questions come from a good place.Continue reading “Asking better questions”
The hidden gaps in your safety net
We spend a lot of time engineering our financial futures. We carefully allocate our assets, monitor our compounding, and build portfolios designed to withstand economic storms. But one of the most profound risks to a long-term financial plan has nothing to do with the stock market. It has to do with your health. When weContinue reading “The hidden gaps in your safety net”
Why your brain is working against your retirement
How are you feeling about your retirement plan? For many, this is a stress-filled question, leading them to avoid diving too deep! For others, they like to spend a lot of time looking at spreadsheets when planning for the future. They love analysing cash flow, projecting inflation, and debating asset allocation. But the biggest variableContinue reading “Why your brain is working against your retirement”
The word over every door
“If I had my way, I would write the word ‘insure’ over every door of every cottage and upon the blotting pad of every public man… because I am convinced that, for sacrifices that are conceivably small, families can be secured against catastrophes which otherwise would smash them forever.” — Winston Churchill Winston Churchill spokeContinue reading “The word over every door”
Who contributes to your success
There is a persistent myth in modern culture about the “self-made” individual. We celebrate the singular entrepreneur, the disciplined saver, and the visionary leader. We are naturally drawn to stories of individual grit. But if we are honest, the reality of success is rarely a solo endeavour. Behind every person who has built a lifeContinue reading “Who contributes to your success”
Surviving the noise
Have you ever looked at the financial news and felt that the world has lost its collective mind? Markets often plunge on seemingly good news and soar on terrible news. A company with no revenue can be valued at billions, while a solid, profitable business is ignored. The short-term behaviour of the stock market canContinue reading “Surviving the noise”
The core and the explore
Have you ever felt a pang of anxiety at a dinner party when someone mentions the incredible returns they just made on a new tech stock or emerging trend? It is a very human reaction. We are wired to seek progress, and watching someone else seemingly sprint ahead can make us feel like we areContinue reading “The core and the explore”
The hidden cost of doing something
In almost every area of life, hard work and constant activity are rewarded. If you want to improve your health, you train more frequently. If you want to build a business, you put in longer hours. Action equals progress. But investing is a rare domain where this logic is turned upside down. In the worldContinue reading “The hidden cost of doing something”
Safety has a cost
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” Whilst this quote by psychologist Abraham Maslow is not usually found in financial textbooks, it certainly belongs in the realm of human potential. We tend to think of ourContinue reading “Safety has a cost”
Science for your money (Part 2)
In our last post, we looked at the foundational laws of money: spending less than you earn, insuring your risks, and respecting the erosive power of inflation. These are the defensive structures of a good plan. But defence alone doesn’t build the life you want. You also need to move forward. Today, we look atContinue reading “Science for your money (Part 2)”
Purpose, not predictions.
Strong financial plans are crafted with meaningful purpose, not more predictions. If you turn on the financial news or open the business pages, you will see an endless parade of predictions. “Markets set to rally.” “Recession looming.” “Interest rates to pivot.” “The death of the 60/40 portfolio.” Are you following a recipe for stress orContinue reading “Purpose, not predictions.”
Science for your money (Part 1)
In finance, as in life, there are opinions, and there are facts. Opinions are everywhere. You hear them at dinner parties, read them in the news reports, and see them shouted on cable news. “Buy gold,” “Sell tech,” “Property is dead,” “Crypto is the future.” These opinions change with the wind. But beneath the noise,Continue reading “Science for your money (Part 1)”
Investing in peace-of-mind
When we talk about building financial resilience, we often look at external things. We look at our emergency funds, our insurance policies, and our diversified portfolios. We build fortresses to protect us from the uncertainties of the world. But true resilience—the ability to weather storms and make good decisions under pressure—does not start with yourContinue reading “Investing in peace-of-mind”
The moat to your castle
Let’s be honest. Nobody wakes up excited to pay their car or home insurance premiums. It is the ultimate “grudge purchase”. You pay for something you hope never to use. Every month, you see that money leave your account, and if you are lucky, you get absolutely nothing in return but silence (and peace ofContinue reading “The moat to your castle”
The custodian mindset
There is a phase in our financial lives that is purely about accumulation. We work hard, we save, and we watch the numbers grow. We are taught that a bigger number equals a better life. But there often comes a point where the goal of “more” stops bringing satisfaction and starts bringing anxiety. We seeContinue reading “The custodian mindset”
The boring basics
In the world of finance, it is easy to get distracted by the shiny objects. We hear about the next big tech stock, cryptocurrency, or complex hedge fund strategies. We are naturally drawn to the exciting, the new, and the sophisticated. Especially after the holidays, when we’ve sat with everyone who seems to have “doneContinue reading “The boring basics”
The high cost of hurry
We live in an era that seems to worship speed. We are conditioned to believe that faster is always better. Faster internet, same-day delivery, instant replies, and real-time market updates. When we face a problem—whether it is a stalled career, a family complication, or a sudden shift in the economy—our instinct is often to matchContinue reading “The high cost of hurry”
The paradox of plenty
We tend to assume that the journey to financial success is linear. We imagine that as our net worth rises, our stress levels will fall. We believe that once we hit a certain number (let’s call it the “freedom number”), anxiety will simply evaporate. Yet, in our conversations with successful individuals and families, we oftenContinue reading “The paradox of plenty”
Action creates momentum
Have you ever found yourself waiting for the “right time” to tackle a difficult task? It may be a complex conversation you need to have with a partner, a looming deadline, or simply opening an envelope from the tax people that you have moved from one side of the desk to the other for aContinue reading “Action creates momentum”
Diworsification or Diversification?
We often talk about the emotional side of money, but sometimes the barrier to peace of mind is purely logistical. Over a lifetime of working, moving, and saving, it is normal to accumulate a “financial junk drawer”. You might have a pension from a job you left ten years ago, a savings account opened onContinue reading “Diworsification or Diversification?”
Break the cycle: why it’s time to talk about money
For generations, families have carried financial stress in silence. Conversations about money are so often still avoided, shared in whispers, or shut down entirely. Sometimes out of shame. Sometimes out of tradition. Often out of fear. But what if we could change that? What if you could be the generation that stops the silence andContinue reading “Break the cycle: why it’s time to talk about money”
Transformation takes more than information
(This is the last blog of three about biases and how they impact our financial planning, all published this month.) If you’ve ever walked away from a brilliant webinar or insightful podcast thinking, “Yes! I’m going to make a change,” and then done… nothing, welcome to the club! Change is hard. Not because we’re lazy,Continue reading “Transformation takes more than information”
Plan responsibly and still live beautifully
There’s a myth that responsible planning means sacrificing joy. This myth often has people believing that if you budget, you’ll feel restricted. If you invest, you’ll have to wait forever. If you plan ahead, you’re not really living in the moment. But what if the opposite is true? What if responsible planning is the veryContinue reading “Plan responsibly and still live beautifully”
Being “rational” isn’t always the goal
If financial planning were just about logic, calculators would replace conversations. But as we all know, that’s not how life works. Your relationship with money isn’t built solely on maths; it’s built on meaning. And meaning is shaped by how we see the world, how we were raised, the communities we belong to, and whatContinue reading “Being “rational” isn’t always the goal”
Guilt trips and fear traps
If you’ve ever said yes when you wanted to say no, put off a financial decision because it felt “too late,” or made a big purchase just to silence a little voice inside your head… you’re not alone. We all have similar stories. Guilt and fear are powerful motivators. But they’re rarely good guides. InContinue reading “Guilt trips and fear traps”
Blind spots we live with
FACT: It’s hard to see what we can’t see… One of the hardest truths to accept — in finance, relationships, and life — is that our thinking isn’t always as clear as we believe it is. We all have blind spots. Not because we’re foolish, but because we’re human. And, we don’t know… what weContinue reading “Blind spots we live with”
Alignment over excess
When we talk about happiness with our family, friends and colleagues, it’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming that more is always better: more money, more options, more security, more stuff. But the truth is far gentler and far more powerful. Happiness doesn’t come from having more. It comes from being aligned. ThatContinue reading “Alignment over excess”
Short-term wins in long-term planning
When it comes to financial planning, some goals can take decades to come to fruition. Retirement. Paying off a bond. Funding education. Leaving a legacy. Long-term goals matter; they guide our decisions and give us direction. But here’s the catch: they’re also really far away. And without smaller wins along the way, it’s easy toContinue reading “Short-term wins in long-term planning”
Flexible, practical, and resilient
Here’s how strong financial plans really work… It’s so easy to fall into the trap of talking about financial plans as if they’re written in stone, neatly laid out, precise, and permanent. But in reality, the best financial plans are anything but rigid. They’re designed not just for ideal scenarios, but for real life, whichContinue reading “Flexible, practical, and resilient”
Is boring the new best thing?
Want a better life? Be boring… Why?? Well, it can be argued that consistent, simple choices often lead to the most extraordinary outcomes! Here’s the thing: We don’t often celebrate the word “boring.” In a world that glorifies bold reinventions, dramatic success stories, and overnight transformations, being boring doesn’t exactly spark applause. But when itContinue reading “Is boring the new best thing?”
Shan Nissiotis 