Financial Autonomy

Hosted by Guidance Financial Services: Investing & Retirement Planning Experts

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423

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Plenty of podcasts focus on building wealth – and that's great, as far as it goes. But focusing just on wealth misses the point. I believe what most of us actually want is to have choice. Choice in how much time we give to income-producing activities. Choice about what those income-producing activities are. Choice about where we live. Choice about when we retire. Choice about the ways we use our money to produce happiness. In the Financial Autonomy podcast, I explore the different ways you can gain choice - from investing in stocks to becoming self-employed, starting a side hustle, or buying an investment property. I share learnings I've gained working with clients for over 20 years as a Certified Financial Planner, and interview others with interesting insights or experiences in gaining choice in life.

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June 16, 202611 min

5 Ways to Build Wealth with the changes to Negative Gearing

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 options investors have now, and what to consider before deciding where your money should go next. Because building wealth is still absolutely possible, but the best path forward may look different to the one many Australians expected. In this episode: Why some investment properties may be harder to justify under the new rules The 5 wealth-building options investors may need to look at next Hidden risks in simply swapping one strategy for another Why superannuation could become one of the biggest winners from the change What to understand before you make your next big investment decision WANT PERSONALISED FINANCIAL ADVICE: If the negative gearing changes have you rethinking investment property, super, shares or where to build wealth next, personalised advice can help you work out what makes sense for your situation. Book an 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. General advice disclaimer

June 8, 202639 min

Why Waiting to Get Financial Advice Could Cost You Hundreds of Thousands

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. It's the time to make decisions that can compound, course correct, and create more choice later. But this is not just one for younger listeners. If you are in your 50s, 60s or beyond, there are still valuable takeaways here, especially if you are wondering whether your super, investments, insurance, structures or old money habits still make sense for where you are now. Inside the episode: How to know whether your money is actually working hard enough Why "I'll sort it out later" can become one of your most expensive financial habits Why getting advice early could make a six-figure difference by retirement Why earning good money does not always mean you are building wealth One setting that could turbocharge your superannuation What to review now if you feel like you started too late WANT PERSONALISED FINANCIAL ADVICE?: Book an 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. General advice disclaimer

June 1, 20268 min

Get Retirement Ready: How to Avoid Costly Surprises After You Retire

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 before you retire, so you can step into the next chapter with more confidence, less second-guessing, and a plan that is built for what life actually looks like after work In this episode: What needs to be clear before your pay cheque stops Why your retirement budget might not survive real life How to avoid selling investments when markets are down The plan you may need to update before it is too late What to organise before work stops structuring your week The retirement regret you want to catch while there is still time FOR PERSONALISED RETIREMENT PLANNING ADVICE: Book an 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. General advice disclaimer

May 26, 202629 min

Your EOFY Checklist: Smart Moves to Make Now That Could Reduce Your Tax and Boost Your Super

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 from the Guidance team to talk through the EOFY checks that are actually worth your attention before the deadline hits. Because the only thing worse than dealing with EOFY admin is realising in July that there was something useful you could have done. So, this episode gives you a clear list of what to check, what to ask about, and what might still be worth looking at before June 30. Inside this episode: • The super rules people often misunderstand • The tax deduction opportunity that is not just salary sacrifice • Why June 30 can be too late if your fund does not receive the money in time • How catch up contributions may help if you have had a bigger tax year • The spouse contribution and co contribution rules worth knowing • The SMSF checks you do not want to leave too late • Why EOFY is a smart time to review your portfolio, insurance and beneficiaries • What family trust holders and business owners should be asking their accountant WANT ADVICE ON HOW THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR FINANCES? Book an 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. General advice disclaimer

May 19, 202612 min

Get Retirement Ready: The 5 Things to Get Right Before You Retire

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 worrying every time markets fall. In this episode, Paul breaks down the five things to get clear on before you retire, so you can spot the gaps while there is still time to act, make the decisions that could strengthen your position, and avoid walking into retirement only to realise the plan was shakier than you thought In this episode: How to know whether your retirement plan actually stacks up, before it's too late The financial shock that can hit harder close to retirement Why the last few working years could be some of the most valuable of your life The super opportunity you might not want to waste How your home could shape your retirement income, whether you stay or downsize The big question to get clear on before you retire FOR PERSONALISED RETIREMENT PLANNING ADVICE: Book an appointment with Paul 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. General advice disclaimer

May 13, 202620 min

The 2026 Budget Changes That Could Affect Your Property, Investments and Tax Strategy

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 for people using trusts to manage family wealth. In this episode, Nick breaks down the biggest tax changes announced in the Budget, explains who they could affect, and walks through the details that matter before the commentary and political noise take over. Inside this episode: The tax break for workers, and when you'd actually see it The proposed capital gains tax change that could affect property, shares and ETFs Why selling an investment in a low income year may no longer work the same way What the Budget could mean for negative gearing and future property purchases The family trust change that some households and business owners need to pay attention to The key dates, grey areas and unanswered questions still hanging over these proposals If you invest, own property, use a trust, or are planning your next money move, you need to listen to this episode. WANT ADVICE ON HOW THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR FINANCES? Book an 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. General advice disclaimer

May 6, 202610 min

Get Retirement Ready: Should You Pay Off the Mortgage or Boost Your Super?

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, where 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 investments outside super, so you still have flexibility if work ends earlier than planned? In the first episode of this three-part retirement planning series, Paul breaks down what to focus on when retirement is around a decade away. He covers the decisions that can have the biggest impact on your final position, including how much you want to spend, whether your home still makes sense, why getting too conservative too early can be expensive, and how to review insurance before it quietly eats into your retirement savings. Inside this episode: • The mortgage versus super decision, and why the answer is rarely one size fits all • Why getting too conservative too early could cost you hundreds of thousands • How to work out what kind of retirement you are actually trying to fund • Why being debt free before retirement is usually the goal • How to balance super's tax benefits with access and flexibility • The insurance costs that may be quietly dragging on your super • What to focus on now so you are not scrambling later WANT TO KNOW IF YOU'RE RETIREMENT READY?| Book an appointment with Paul 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. General advice disclaimer

April 28, 202624 min

The Ultimate Property Buying Checklist that Could Save You Thousands

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 the structure they didn't think through, the conditions they didn't question, and the small details that turn into expensive problems later. In this episode, Nick is joined by buyer's agent Mel Dennis to break down the full property buying checklist, that helps you spot issues before you commit, understand what you're really buying, and avoid getting caught out after the fact. You'll walk away knowing what to check at each stage of the process, what most buyers miss, and how to approach your next purchase with a lot more clarity and a lot less guesswork. Inside this episode: Why most property mistakes happen before you even start looking The financial and structural decisions that shape everything that follows What people forget to factor in beyond the purchase price The non negotiables you need to define before inspecting properties How to assess a property properly beyond first impressions The due diligence checks that can save you from expensive surprises What to look for in contracts, conditions, and key dates How negotiation is about more than just price What you need to know before bidding at auction Why your pre settlement inspection is more important than you think DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST: Click here to get the checklist READY TO SORT YOUR FINANCES?: Book an 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. General advice disclaimer

April 21, 202615 min

What Inflation Is Really Doing to Your Wealth (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

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, it'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, in this episode, Paul breaks down exactly how inflation impacts your wealth, where it shows up in your financial life, and how to tell if your current strategy is keeping pace or falling short. Because if your money isn't growing faster than inflation, you're actually going backwards. In this episode: • Why your money can be growing and you're still falling behind • The reason your returns don't feel like they're getting you ahead • What inflation is quietly taking from your savings every year • How "playing it safe" could be costing you more than you realise • Why your retirement number might be wrong (and what's throwing it off) • What inflation is really doing to interest rates, markets, and your plan • The quick check to see if your current strategy is actually working 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. General advice disclaimer

April 14, 202632 min

What It Really Takes to Turn Your Great Idea into a Real, Profitable Business

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 it's worth backing before you sink months into it? How do you get something in front of people when you don't have a brand, an audience, or a finished product? And how do you avoid becoming the person who's still talking about the same idea a year from now? That's what this episode breaks down. What it actually looks like to move from "this could be big" to something that's out in the world, gaining traction, and starting to make money, without spending months building blindly. Inside this episode: • The ways you can start figuring out if your idea could actually make money • What it looked like to go from idea to first paying customer • How to approach your first version so you're not stuck trying to perfect it • What actually helps you build momentum when no one knows who you are yet • The point most people stall and what it takes to move past it • The early decisions that had the biggest impact on getting traction • Where time can easily get wasted in the early stages and what to be more mindful of • What actually goes into turning an idea into something profitable over time If you've got an idea sitting there that you haven't acted on, or you've started something and feel like it's going nowhere, this will give you a much clearer picture of what to focus on next and what actually moves things forward. READY TO SORT YOUR FINANCES?: Book an appointment with us 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. General advice disclaimer