Our daily existence is a series of patterns and habits, some as visible as the paths we walk, others as intimate as the thoughts we entertain. Within this daily walk, each choice of habit — whether tied to our finances, our health, or our personal growth — has the potential to either constrain or liberate us. Recognising and nurturing these patterns is akin to tending a garden; it requires patience, attention, and a willingness to nurture […]
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Finding playtime in your planning
When we think of financial planning, things can get serious way too fast — a far cry from the carefree essence of playtime. However, the principle of play, fundamental to the way children learn and explore, retains its instructive power well into adulthood. Play isn’t just a frivolous pastime; it’s a sophisticated exercise in simulation and experimentation, a vital component of human learning and adaptability. In the realm of integrated financial planning, play can be assimilated […]
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How do you express stress with your money?
We’ve all been there: that moment when life throws you a curveball and stress builds up. Your palms might get sweaty, your heart rate spikes, or perhaps you feel a pit in your stomach. But have you ever thought about how this stress manifests in your financial behaviour? Understanding your ‘money stress language’ could be a pivotal factor in achieving comprehensive financial wellness, which is the ultimate aim of integrated, holistic financial planning. Despite how enlightened […]
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Your assets should fulfil your ‘why’
Financial planning, for most people, brings to mind a labyrinth of paperwork and the perpetual agony of tracking every dime and dollar. It’s no surprise, then, that this often leads to analysis paralysis. Author Carl Richards (mentioned in a recent blog) cuts through this complexity, suggesting that the core of effective financial planning can, in fact, be summarised on a single sheet of paper. According to Richards, this one-page plan can serve as your guiding North […]
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Threat, Stress, and Trauma: The unspoken influences on your money personality
Have you ever wondered why some financial decisions are harder to make than others? It’s not always just about the numbers or the facts laid out in a spreadsheet. Deep down, emotions, stress, and even past experiences like threats and trauma play a significant role in how we manage our finances. This is incredibly important to acknowledge when crafting a comprehensive strategy to grow your wealth and harmonise it with your broader life goals and emotional […]
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Time, the ultimate wealth-building asset
The secret of wealth-building that often goes unnoticed is not just how we manage our money, but how we manage our time. Time is a finite resource. Once we spend it, we can’t get it back. Learning how to leverage time effectively can distinguish you as a top performer, and as someone who truly understands what it takes to build lasting wealth. A recent encounter with a successful business mentor illuminated the true value of time […]
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Understanding the role of culture in your financial journey
You’re looking for more than a number-cruncher when seeking integrated financial planning services. This is because you’re essentially seeking a partner in a very critical area of your life—your financial future. And much like any other meaningful relationship, the foundation isn’t just built on expertise but also on mutual values and shared culture. Simon Sinek once said, ‘A culture is strong when people work with each other for each other. A culture is weak when people […]
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Closing the Behavior Gap: Navigating emotional money mistakes and asset allocation
How often have you found yourself making impulsive decisions about your investments based on headlines or peer pressure? Maybe you’ve even shifted your entire asset allocation because of these emotions. If this sounds familiar, you’re far from alone. Carl Richards, in his groundbreaking book “The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money,” taps into this pervasive psychology, breaking it down for us in layman’s terms. Richards coined the term “Behavior Gap” to […]
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Rewiring your financial mindset (II)
Socratic Questioning and Guided Imagery In our previous blog, we discussed how cognitive distortions can influence your decision-making, emotions, and, ultimately, your financial well-being. In this one, we’re diving deeper into specific techniques that can help you combat these distortions: Socratic Questioning and Guided Imagery. These tools not only help in mental health but can also be applied to reframe how you approach your financial life. Socratic Questioning: Unearthing Financial Illusions If you ever took a […]
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Rewiring your financial mindset (I)
The Psychology of Financial Planning Have you ever found yourself spiralling down a mental rabbit hole, arriving at a worrying conclusion about your finances without consciously deciding to ponder over it? If so, you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. The Power of Thought Patterns Humans naturally develop schemas, or cognitive frameworks, to understand and interpret the world around us. These mental models simplify complex situations, guiding us through decision-making processes, like those involving our […]
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