How does your mindset affect your financial success?
Financial success begins before the budget. It begins with deciding what kind of life you are trying to finance.
For me, that starts with relationships, meaningful work, generosity, rest and worthwhile experiences. Those things matter more than simply accumulating money. They form the foundation on which everything else is built.
A settled philosophy of life can also provide a surprising amount of financial protection. If you know what matters to you, you are less likely to panic because somebody else has a bigger house, a newer car or a more expensive holiday. You become less vulnerable to the fear that you are somehow missing out.
But a foundation is not enough. You still need to build something on it, and that requires a plan.
That is where good financial advice comes in. A financial planner can help translate your values into practical decisions about saving, investing, superannuation, risk, retirement and the amount of financial margin you want to maintain.
I don’t think we should assume that money is simply common sense, or that we need to work everything out on our own. Good advice matters.
The order matters too. First decide what kind of life you want to live. Decide what matters and, as far as possible, what “enough” looks like. Then build a financial plan that supports that life.
A philosophy of life gives your finances purpose. A financial plan gives that purpose structure.
Get the foundation right, then build carefully.
The Afterword 
Leave a comment