Joel Carty CFP®

Building an emergency fund on any income

Australians are feeling the pinch. Uncertainty around interest rates, mortgage repayments, record rents, and the ever-increasing cost of groceries and fuel mean many households are struggling just to keep up. For many families, one unexpected bill - car repair, medical expense, or time off work - can send finances into a tailspin.

Joel Carty CFP®

Investing with purpose – how ethical investing can align your money with your values

We’re living in a time where climate change, social inequality, and corporate accountability aren’t just headlines - they’re shaping how people think about their money. More Australians are asking, “Can my investments reflect the kind of world I want to live in?”. Ethical investing offers a powerful way to answer that...

Thabojan Rasiah CFP®

The two questions that simplify life

Modern life is noisy. News alerts ping our phones, inboxes fill with reminders, and social media never runs out of opinions. Add to that the ordinary demands of work, family, and money, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel stretched thin. Every day seems to demand a decision: Should I be doing more? Am I doing the right things? The truth is, most of us make life more complicated than it needs to be.

Thabojan Rasiah CFP®

Hope isn’t an investment strategy

Not long ago, a friend told me about the “next big thing.” It was a company he was certain would double in value within months. He couldn’t explain much about the business itself, but he was excited because “everyone” was talking about it. His plan, if you could call it that, was simple: buy now, hope it went up, and sell later at a profit. That word – hope – comes up often when people talk about money.

Julia Newbould

How to get out of debt

Many of us have debts and bills to manage, but what happens when you’re really struggling to pay? Find out what to do when you fall behind with bill or loan payments and what to expect if you do.

Josef Jindra

Planning for parental leave – navigating the financial journey to parenthood

The news of a new arrival is a symphony of emotions - joy, excitement, and perhaps a touch of apprehension. Yet, amidst this beautiful anticipation, a practical reality often emerges: the financial implications of taking time off work.

Daniel Thompson

Financial planning essentials for young families

Joel Carty CFP®

Build wealth or pay the mortgage – what are your options?

For many Australians, deciding whether to focus on building wealth or paying off the mortgage is a major financial crossroads. With uncertainty around interest rates, inflationary pressures, and a mixed economic outlook, the question has become even more relevant in 2025. Should you channel extra funds into your home loan, or invest t elsewhere to build your financial future?

Esther Althaus CFP®

Relying on an inheritance for financial security

Inheritance is often viewed as a future safety net for beneficiaries – funds or assets that may arrive in time to ease the financial burden of retirement, assist with housing, or support family goals. For many Australians, especially in major cities where living costs are high, the expectation of receiving an inheritance forms part of their long-term planning. While it can provide a welcome boost, relying on it too heavily brings significant risks.

Julia Newbould

Making the most of a salary increase

It’s exciting to get a pay rise and when you’ve earned it you often feel like it’s a deserved reward to treat yourself with but used in the right way it can also help you build towards a more financially fulfilling future.

Joel Carty CFP®

Financial Planner, Solace Financial

Articles by Joel Carty CFP®