More than just numbers
Financially, they had done a lot of things right.
They had no debt, a strong income, solid super balances, and a healthy amount in savings. On paper, they were doing well.
But most of that money was either sitting in conservative accounts or invested through large super funds that held broad market exposures. That meant they were indirectly exposed to industries they were not comfortable being involved with.
This was the turning point.
Yes, they were looking for a strong financial plan and better tax outcomes. But they wanted more. They wan
Where we started
Our first step was to understand both sides of their situation.
On one side, we looked at the numbers. Their income, expenses, super balances, and cash position, as well as their long-term goal of retiring around age 65 with an income of about $100,000 per year.
On the other side, we spent time exploring their values in detail.
This wasn’t a quick tick-box exercise. We worked through what they wanted to actively support, what they wanted to minimise, and what they wanted to completely avoid. That included strong preferences to avoid fossil fuels and mining, and a desire to support areas like renewable energy, education and environmental initiatives.
Once we had both the financial and ethical picture clear, we could start bringing the two together.
Designing a strategy they could believe in
Rather than jumping straight to recommendations, we modelled a range of possible approaches. This included leaving things as they were, putting more into super, investing outside super, and even purchasing an investment property.
But the modelling did more than compare numbers.
It helped answer some deeper questions. How much control did they want? How important was flexibility? What level of risk were they comfortable with? And how could we make sure their money was aligned with their values at every stage?
What became clear was that the solution wasn’t about chasing the highest return. It was about creating the right balance.
Bringing their investments into alignment
The biggest change we made was to how their money was invested.
We recommended moving their super into a structure that gave far greater control over investment selection. This meant moving away from broad, “one size fits all” super fund options, and into a platform where their portfolio could be carefully tailored.
This allowed us to rebuild their super from the ground up.
Instead of holding a mix of companies they didn’t know much about, their portfolio was repositioned to:
- avoid industries they were uncomfortable with
- reduce exposure to harmful environmental and social practices
- actively support companies and funds aligned with sustainability and positive impact
Importantly, this wasn’t about sacrificing returns. Their portfolio was still structured as a growth portfolio, suited to their time frame and risk profile, but built around investments that better reflected what mattered to them.
At the same time, we helped them establish an investment portfolio outside super, using part of their cash savings.
This served two purposes. It gave them flexibility and access to funds before retirement, and it extended their ethical approach beyond super. Their entire investment structure, not just part of it, was now aligned with their values.
A noticeable shift
The financial improvements were important.
Their strategy became more tax-efficient, their super contributions were optimised, and their long-term projections improved significantly compared to staying in their existing structure.
But the biggest change wasn’t on the spreadsheet.
It was how they felt.
For the first time, they understood where their money was invested and why. They knew what they owned, what it stood for, and how it fit into their broader goals.
Claire summed it up simply in one of our meetings. She said she finally felt comfortable with her money, and that she no longer had that “nagging feeling” in the back of her mind about what it might be funding.
That sense of alignment gave them something they hadn’t had before. Peace of mind.
They felt confident that their financial decisions were not just growing their wealth, but supporting the kind of future they believed in.
Looking ahead with confidence
Since putting the strategy in place, they’ve continued working towards retirement with a much clearer path.
Their investments are now structured, diversified, and aligned with both their financial goals and their personal values. They know what they’re working towards, and they understand how their strategy is helping them get there.
Just as importantly, they feel at ease.
They’re no longer second-guessing their investments or wondering if their money is working against their beliefs. Instead, they feel confident, in control, and reassured that everything is moving in the right direction.
A big part of that confidence comes from the ongoing advice relationship.
Rather than setting a plan and being left to manage it themselves, they now have regular reviews and support to keep them on track. As their circumstances change, or as markets move, their adviser continues to adjust their strategy and portfolios to make sure everything stays aligned with their goals and values.
Knowing they have someone keeping an eye on things, and guiding them over time, has taken a lot of pressure off. It’s given them the reassurance that they’re not just on the right path now, but that they’ll stay on it.
For them, that ongoing support has turned a good financial plan into a lasting sense of confidence about their future.
