If you've ever wondered whether it's the right time to get financial advice (or whether it's even the right thing for you), you're in good company. According to Harrison Miles, Managing Partner and Financial Planner at Sound Life, it's one of the most common things he hears from the people who walk through the door.
And there's a reason for that hesitation. Very few of us wake up one morning and suddenly decide to book in with a financial adviser. Instead, something usually happens, something that makes you stop and think, ‘Okay, I should probably get on top of this.’
That moment looks different for everyone. Here are some of the most common ones.
When life suddenly gets real
For many people, the nudge comes from a big life event - often one that brings a new sense of responsibility.
A new baby arrives, and you realise there's no insurance in place to protect your growing family.
You buy a home (or start seriously thinking about it), and the numbers suddenly feel a lot bigger.
Someone close to you has a serious accident, and it leaves you asking the hard question: what would happen to my family if that had been me?
These moments have a way of sharpening your focus. What felt like a ‘someday’ job becomes something you want sorted now.
When you finally have some breathing room
But not every turning point is dramatic. Sometimes it sort of creeps up on you.
Maybe you've worked hard for years, and the kids have left home. The debts are coming down. And for the first time in a long while, there's a little room to breathe, along with a brand-new question: ‘Right, what do I actually do with this?’
It's a good problem to have, and it's one that deserves your full attention. The choices you make in these peak earning years can shape how comfortable your next few decades will be.
When retirement starts to feel close
As retirement edges into view, the questions tend to get bigger and more personal. Harrison says these are the ones that come up again and again:
How long will my money last?
Do I qualify for any government entitlements?
What should I do with my super once I stop working?
Will I actually be okay?
That last one is often the heart of it. Behind all the numbers, most people simply want the confidence that they've set themselves up for the life they've been working towards.
When your business has been your life's work
For business owners - whether that's a family farm, a trade or a company built from the ground up - the next chapter brings its own set of crossroads.
Do I sell up?
Do I step back gradually?
Or is it time to hand over the reins?
After years of pouring yourself into something, these aren't just financial decisions. They're about family, legacy and what you want your life to look like next.
It's about far more than investing
One of the biggest misconceptions about financial advice is that it all comes down to picking investments.
‘One thing that surprises a lot of people is that financial advice isn't just about investing. In fact, that's a really small part of it.’ - Harrison Miles
Good advice looks at the whole picture and how each piece fits together, including:
Cash flow: What's coming in, what's going out and where it can work harder
Insurance: Making sure you and the people you love are protected
Estate planning: Deciding what happens to your wealth and who it goes to
Tax: Structuring things so you keep more of what you've earned
When these elements work together, they move you towards the life you actually want to live instead of just a bigger balance.
Advice for every stage of life
At Sound Life, the team works with people right across the spectrum:
Those building their foundations and wanting to start on the right foot
People in their peak earning years who want to make the most of them
Those heading into, or already enjoying, retirement who want peace of mind that they'll be okay
Wherever you sit on that journey, the goal is the same: to give you a clearer picture of where you are and where you're heading.
There's no wrong time to start
If you're waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment, here's some reassurance from Harrison:
‘There's no wrong reason to reach out, and there's definitely no point at which you've left it too late or started too early.’
Whatever has you thinking about your finances (a new chapter, a wake-up call or simply a bit of breathing room), the first step is just a conversation.
Ready to get started? Book a discovery call with Sound Life.