Investor Motivation

Could the biggest financial decisions you make today shape the retirement you have tomorrow?
From upgrading your family home to buying an investment property, spending big on retirement travel or deciding whether to keep working another year, some financial decisions can have a much bigger impact on your future than you might expect.
In this episode, financial advisers Rob Goudie and Rachel Todman discuss the major financial decisions they help clients navigate, the trade-offs people can overlook, and why it's important to look beyond investment returns alone.
Together, they explore how everyday choices can affect your cash flow, debt, lifestyle and retirement plans, with real-world client examples illustrating the value of considering alternatives before making a big commitment.
In this video, we discuss:
📌 How upgrading your home can affect your debt, lifestyle and ability to save for retirement.
📌 Why borrowing capacity doesn't necessarily reflect the lifestyle you want to live.
📌 A retirement case study exploring the trade-offs of spending big on a caravan and vehicle.
📌 When renting instead of buying could offer greater flexibility.
📌 The financial and practical considerations of owning investment properties in retirement.
📌 Whether working another year could meaningfully improve your retirement, or delay time spent enjoying it.
📌 Why running the numbers and exploring alternatives can help you make more informed financial decisions.
The goal isn't to put your dreams on hold. It's to understand the trade-offs, explore your options and find a balance between enjoying life today and preparing for tomorrow.
Whether you're building wealth, considering a major purchase or approaching retirement, this conversation offers useful perspectives on making more informed financial decisions.
💬 What major financial decision has had the biggest impact on your life? Share your thoughts in the comments.Robert Goudie, CFP, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 235974) and Rachael Todman, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 1270413), are authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401. 

What happens when “just one more year” of work turns into five?
For many people approaching retirement, the decision isn't simply about reaching a particular superannuation balance. It can also involve uncertainty, lifestyle, health, family, and the question of what retirement will actually look like.
In this episode, financial advisers Rachael and Rob explore why some people keep moving the goalposts on retirement, whether there really is a “perfect” number to retire with, and the risks of waiting indefinitely for one.
They also discuss the role financial projections can play in helping people understand whether their income and assets may support the lifestyle they want, including the importance of balancing financial security with enjoying the healthier and more active years of retirement.
Whether you're approaching retirement yourself, helping a family member plan for it, or working with clients who are asking, “Can I afford to retire yet?”, this conversation offers some useful perspectives to consider.
💬 Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I'll just work one more year”?
 
Robert Goudie, CFP, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 235974) and Rachael Todman, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 1270413), are authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401. 

Estate planning isn’t just about deciding what happens to your assets after you die. It’s also about making sure the right people can make important decisions for you if you’re no longer able to make them yourself.
In this episode, financial advisers Amy Lehmann and Robert Goudie break down five key documents worth considering as part of your estate plan, including:
👉 Wills and testamentary trusts
👉 Binding death benefit nominations for superannuation
👉 Medical powers of attorney
👉 Advance care directives
👉 Financial powers of attorney
They also discuss why estate planning can be important even when you’re young, how superannuation fits into your estate plan, and some of the complexities that can arise when family relationships, children, significant assets or vulnerable beneficiaries are involved.
In this conversation they also explore a real-world estate planning scenario and why simply leaving someone out of a will may not always achieve the outcome you intended.
Whether you’re starting to think about estate planning for the first time or reviewing documents you already have in place, this conversation is a useful starting point for understanding what you may need to consider.
⚠️ General information only: This video is provided for educational and informational purposes and contains general commentary from financial advisers. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs, and should not be relied upon as personal financial advice. Defined benefit arrangements and superannuation rules can vary, so consider seeking professional advice before making financial decisions. Want to take the retirement conversation further?
Rob and Amy will be unpacking more retirement planning topics at their upcoming live seminar, “Retiring with Confidence and Understanding Division 296”, on 23 September at 7pm.
If you're in the Horsham and Wimmera region, you can join them in person at the Horsham Golf Club. Prefer to tune in from home? The session will also be available via livestream and Teams webinar.
📅 Register for the live seminar: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/retiring-with-confidence-and-understanding-division-296-tickets-1996919639397
💻 Watch online via Teams: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/bda5b7eb-c493-49f4-a2ab-cb8c155a72e6@6c89b958-14fe-4b1c-87d6-35e907781f66
 
Robert Goudie, CFP, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 235974) and Amy Lehmann, BBus (FinPlan), BBus (Acc) (ASIC Reg 1292710), are authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401. 
 

Would you take a guaranteed income for life, or a lump sum that could potentially be passed on to your family? In this episode, financial advisers Rob Goudie and Ash Rowan break down the key considerations around defined benefit pensions and the choices people may face as they approach retirement. They discuss how defined benefit pensions generally work, why the options can vary between schemes, and the trade-offs between taking a lifetime pension, a lump sum, or a combination of both.
The conversation covers:
📌How defined benefit pensions are generally calculated
📌The appeal of a guaranteed, potentially inflation-linked income
📌Lump sums and the investment risk that comes with managing the money yourself
📌What can happen to a pension when you die
📌Why your relationship status and estate planning can influence the decision
📌Lifetime income products and annuities as another option
📌Strategies that may be available when moving a lump sum into super
📌What people approaching retirement should consider before making an election
 
One of the biggest takeaways? There isn't a single "right" answer. Defined benefit pensions can have very different rules and options, so understanding exactly what your particular scheme offers is critical before making a decision.
 
Robert Goudie, CFP, (ASIC Reg 235974) and Ashley Rowan, FChFP GradDipFP, (ASIC Reg 433899), are authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401
 

How much do you really need to retire? And is your super balance the best way to answer that question?
In this conversation, financial advisers Amy Lehmann and Rob Goudie unpack some of the common assumptions people make when planning for retirement, from chasing a particular super balance to worrying about whether their money will last.
They discuss why retirement planning is about more than reaching a magic number, including:
✔️ Understanding your income needs and desired lifestyle✔️ Moving from the accumulation phase into retirement and drawing down your assets✔️ How market downturns can affect retirees in the early years of retirement✔️ Why simple retirement calculators and spreadsheets may not tell the whole story✔️ The potential role of the Age Pension and Centrelink in retirement planning✔️ Planning for different spending patterns as you get older✔️ Supporting children without compromising your own retirement✔️ Considering longevity, inheritance and unexpected changes in circumstances✔️ Why retirement isn't only a financial decision. It's also about how you want to spend your time and enjoy your health
For many Australians, the biggest retirement question isn't simply “How much have I saved?”. It may be “Can my money provide the lifestyle I want for the rest of my life?”
Amy and Rob share their perspectives from working with clients and explain why personalised retirement projections and stress testing can help people understand what their retirement could look like.
 
Robert Goudie, CFP, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 235974) and Amy Lehmann, BBus (FinPlan), BBus (Acc) (ASIC Reg 1292710), are authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401. 

What actually stops people from seeking financial advice?
 
In this episode, Robert Goudie and Rachael Todman discuss some of the common misconceptions and barriers that can prevent people from reaching out for advice. From feeling embarrassed about past financial decisions to thinking you don't have enough money to justify seeing an adviser, they explore why financial advice can be valuable at different stages of life.
 
Whether you're just starting to build wealth, preparing for retirement, or simply looking for some guidance with your finances, this conversation explores how professional financial advice can help you make more informed decisions at different stages of life.Robert Goudie, CFP, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 235974) and Rachael Todman, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 1270413), are authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401. 

Could a 2% deposit really help you buy a home sooner, or encourage you to buy before you are financially ready?
Rob Goudie and Rachael Todman unpack Australia’s Help to Buy scheme and how it may assist eligible Australians in purchasing a home.
They explore the government’s shared-equity contribution, eligibility requirements, property price caps and ongoing obligations. They also discuss affordability, cash flow, home ownership costs and the importance of being financially prepared.
Listen to the full podcast to learn more and consider whether the Help to Buy scheme could be suitable for your circumstances.Robert Goudie, CFP, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 235974) and Rachael Todman, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 1270413), are authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401. 

Is it still possible for the average Australian to build wealth?
Rob Goudie and Rachael Todman discuss how rising living costs, tax changes and negative headlines can make wealth creation feel out of reach. They explain why consistency, sensible spending, regular investing and the power of compounding remain fundamental to long-term financial security.
Building wealth may not happen overnight, but a simple plan followed consistently can make a meaningful difference.
 
Robert Goudie, CFP, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 235974) and Rachael Todman, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 1270413), are authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401. 

Property or shares, which makes the better long-term investment? In this episode , Rob Goudie and Amy Lehmann respond to a listener’s question about why Rob generally prefers investing in businesses through the share market rather than residential property. 
 
Robert Goudie, CFP, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 235974) and Amy Lehmann, BBus (FinPlan), BBus (Acc) (ASIC Reg 1292710), are authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401. 

Could the proposed family trust tax changes affect the way your business income is taxed?
In this episode, Rob Goudie is joined by guest speaker Dallas Landwehr from BCH Accountants to discuss what the proposed family trust tax changes may mean for Australian small business owners, tradies, farmers and families using trust structures.
They cover income distributions, potential tax impacts from 1 July 2028, rollover relief, business restructuring options, estate planning considerations and why there is no need to panic just yet.
 
Robert Goudie, CFP, GradDipFP (ASIC Reg 235974) is authorised representatives of Consortium Private Wealth Pty Ltd | ABN 74 616 250 965 AFS Licence 495401.