Ep 413 : What financial advisers really do with their own money

Read Full Blog HerePre-order Wealth by Design HereFinancial advisers often manage their own money quite differently from the clients they advise. After more than two decades of observing both groups up close, those differences have become a reliable indicator of what genuinely good financial decision-making looks like in practice.In this episode, Stuart shares nine observations drawn from that experience. Most financial advisers hold their superannuation entirely in growth assets, understanding that short-term volatility inside super is largely irrelevant when the money cannot be accessed for decades. They welcome falling markets rather than fear them. They use debt deliberately, neither avoiding it entirely nor using it recklessly, and they invest consistently from surplus cash flow rather than waiting for the right moment that rarely arrives.Their household finances follow a clear structural discipline: invest first, then spend what remains. They track their net worth regularly and understand what the numbers actually mean. They treat superannuation as a serious wealth-building vehicle from early in their careers, often choosing wrap platforms or SMSFs for the control and transparency they provide. And they largely ignore the daily noise of market movements, checking their own portfolios far less frequently than most people would expect.Some of these patterns sit at odds with conventional industry practice. That tension is worth examining, both for investors choosing how to manage their own money and for those deciding whether their adviser truly practises what they preach.Our most popular free guides:Over the years we've written hundreds of articles. These three bring our best thinking together on the topics that matter most right now: choosing a super fund, debt recycling, and navigating the new tax changes.Download them hereMy new book, Wealth by Design, is out now:Buy online or in bookstores. The ebook is available now, audiobook coming soon.Got a question for the podcast?Email us at [email protected] in working with our team?Discover how we can work togetherSubscribe to my weekly blog:Stay connected hereImportantThis podcast provides general information about finance, tax and credit. It doesn't take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs, so you need to assess whether it's relevant to your circumstances before acting on it. If you're not sure, speak to a licensed, trustworthy professional.