Inspired Money

18/09/2026

Half of all new self-managed super funds over the past five years were set up by Australians under 45.

That surprised a lot of people in our industry. Under-45s are only 15% of existing SMSF trustees, so this is a real shift, and it isn't being driven by tax. It's being driven by control.

When younger trustees were asked why they made the move, half said they wanted greater say over their own retirement savings. Many also wanted access to investments their big fund doesn't offer.

We think that instinct is a good one. Wanting to understand and direct your own super is exactly the mindset that builds wealth over 30 years.

But an SMSF is a real commitment. You become a trustee with legal duties, an annual audit, running costs, and an investment strategy you have to actually follow. For some people it's well worth it. For others, the same outcome comes from a better investment mix inside the fund they already have.

One figure worth sitting with: of the SMSFs that hold crypto, 47% have more than half the fund in digital assets. Control without diversification is just concentrated risk wearing a different hat.

Three questions before you set one up…

1. What can I do in an SMSF that I genuinely can't do now?
2. Does my balance justify the annual cost of running it?
3. Who's helping me build the investment strategy, not just the structure?

If those answers are clear, an SMSF might suit you well. If they're not, better to know now.

Thinking about it? Have a chat with us first, no pressure, just clarity. 💚

16/09/2026

Over the past five years, advised portfolios moved heavily into private credit. Netwealth data shows those allocations grew more than 700%. The appeal made sense, steady income of 8–10%, and less day to day ups and downs than shares or bonds.

This year, that promise has been tested. Some private credit funds have paused or limited withdrawals, and investors who expected to access their money quarterly are now waiting.

Meanwhile, the quiet achievers kept growing. Australia's ETF market more than doubled, from $170 billion at the end of 2023 to $372 billion by June 2026. ETFs are low-cost, transparent and easy to sell when you need to.

Investors are noticing. High net worth investors now plan to add to ETFs more than to anything else, and their intended new investment in private credit has roughly halved.

The lesson isn't to avoid anything unusual. It's this…

✅ Know why each investment is in your portfolio
✅ Know how quickly you can access it
✅ Make sure the money you might need soon is somewhere you can actually reach

Good investing isn't about chasing the highest return. It's about making sure your money is there when your goals need it.

If you're not sure how easily you could access your investments, that's a great conversation to have.

19/08/2026

There’s a line in Venus Wong’s introduction to us that stuck…“The goal isn’t to win at money, it’s to win at life.”

We’re thrilled to welcome Venus to the Inspired Money team as a Financial Adviser.

Venus has spent her career helping clients build financial independence, with particular depth advising medical professionals alongside people from all walks of life. What sets her apart isn’t just the strategy, it’s that she takes the time to understand what genuinely matters to someone before she looks at a single number.

Her view is that money is a tool, not a scorecard. Build wealth, absolutely, but use it for freedom, for memories, for time with family and for giving back, while you’ve still got the time and health to enjoy it.

And when she’s not working, Venus is travelling, hiking, cooking, painting, gardening, learning languages or reading Stoic philosophy. Her words: a curious mind and probably too many hobbies.

Welcome to the team, Venus. 💚

15/07/2026

Big news from the Inspired Money team, Daniel Volpe has been promoted to an Associate & Money Coach! 💚

When Daniel joined us from ANZ just over two years ago, he stepped into the Client Experience Officer role with one goal, to truly understand what great financial guidance looks like from the ground up.

Since then, he’s done exactly that. He’s completed his required coursework, learned the industry inside and out, and most importantly, shown up for our clients every single day with warmth, patience, and genuine care.

That’s what makes this promotion so special. Daniel didn’t just tick boxes. He earned this by putting people first, asking the right questions, and never stopping learning.

As an Associate & Money Coach, Daniel is now taking on his own coaching clients, helping everyday Australians build better money habits, get clear on their goals, and take confident steps toward achieving them.

If you’ve been thinking about getting your finances sorted but don’t know where to start, Daniel would love to help. Reach out to our team to book a chat with him.

Congratulations, Daniel. We are so proud of you! 👏

15/06/2026

"What I wish I learned at 17." 💚

Last week, our Daniel Volpe had the privilege of sitting down with the Year 12 students at Holy Cross to talk about something most of us never get taught at school — money.

No jargon. No selling. Just honest, practical advice to help young people start their adult lives with confidence.

A few of the lessons he shared:

→ Get rich slow. It's boring, but it works.
→ Spend less than you earn — the golden rule.
→ Know your numbers, so you always know where your money goes.
→ Ask questions before you sign anything (especially that first credit card).

Daniel even shared the $450 he lost at 17 chasing a "get rich quick" scheme online — proof that the best lessons often come from our own mistakes.

Giving back to our local community is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. If just one of those students walks away making a smarter money choice down the track, it was worth every minute.

Watch the full talk here 👇 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7klA_64EWKg

Thank you to everyone at Holy Cross for welcoming us.



This is general information only and doesn't take into account your personal circumstances. Please speak with a financial adviser before making decisions.

Discover essential financial tips for young adults, including budge...

26/05/2026

Quick myth-bust: you can have $722,000 in assets and still get an Age Pension.

Most people assume the cut-off is much lower — and they're wrong by a lot. The 2026 thresholds let plenty of Australians with healthy super balances still receive a part pension (plus the very useful Pensioner Concession Card).

We've just put together a plain-English guide to Age Pension eligibility for 2026 — what the new thresholds are, how the assets and income tests work, and two worked examples to show how it actually plays out in real life.

Have a read 👉 https://inspiredmoney.com.au/blog/age-pension-eligibility-australia/

Helping you achieve your goals is what we do.

Age Pension eligibility Australia explained: age, residency, assets and income tests in plain English, with worked examples and current 2026 thresholds.

19/05/2026

Most Australians in their 40s have no idea if their super is on track.

Here's the honest answer.

Industry benchmarks suggest a 40-year-old aiming for a comfortable retirement should have around $168,000 in superannuation right now.

The median balance? Around $108,000 for men and $79,000 for women.

That gap is real — but it's also very closeable. You've still got 20+ years of compounding growth ahead, and your 40s are actually one of the best decades to play catch-up.

Our latest article breaks down exactly where most Australians stand, why most people are behind (and why that's okay), and the practical steps you can take right now, including a worked example showing how an extra $400/month could mean $310,000 more at retirement.

No jargon. No alarm bells. Just clear, useful information.

👇 Read the full guide — link in comments.

01/05/2026

Aged care planning is one of those conversations families keep putting off.

Until they can't anymore.

In our client meetings, we now walk through a live fee estimator together — so families can see exactly what residential care is likely to cost before they're in the middle of a crisis.

It covers fees, accommodation options, RAD vs DAP, and even hardship eligibility. All in real time, all in plain English.

We're also releasing a self-serve version shortly so you can explore the numbers in your own time before we meet. 💚

If this is on your radar — for a parent, a partner, or yourself — reach out and let's book a time.

For discussion purposes only — not financial advice.

28/04/2026

Here's a question almost every Perth local in their 50s and 60s asks at some point:

"Do I actually have enough to retire?"

The honest answer? It's rarely a single number. Enough depends on the life you want to lead — not just the balance in your super.

A simple way to start:

Picture a normal Tuesday five years into retirement. Where in Perth (or WA) are you living? How are you spending the morning? Who are you having lunch with?

That picture is the real plan. The dollars are just there to support it.

From there, three things shape the number:

→ What does a comfortable week cost you now
→ What changes when you stop working (some costs drop, others go up)
→ How long the money needs to last — usually 25 to 30 years

Add in your super, any Age Pension entitlements, and investments outside super, and the picture starts to come together.

If retirement is on the horizon and you'd like a second set of eyes on the plan, our Perth-based team would love to help. Book a free, no-pressure chat at inspiredmoney.com.au.

https://inspiredmoney.com.au/blog/retirement-planning-perth-enough/

Discover effective retirement planning strategies in Perth to achieve the retirement lifestyle you truly desire.

24/04/2026

Today we pause.

ANZAC Day reminds us that the freedoms we often take for granted were paid for by people who never got to enjoy them.

It’s easy to think of legacy as something we build, wealth, assets, plans.

But ANZAC Day flips that idea.

Legacy isn’t what you accumulate.
It’s what you’re willing to stand for.

Courage. Sacrifice. Service.
These aren’t financial concepts, but they shape every meaningful life.

At Inspired Money, we spend our days helping people plan for the future.

But days like this remind us… the future exists because of the past.

So tomorrow, take a moment.

Reflect on what’s been given.
And maybe ask yourself, what will you pass on?

Lest we forget.