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http://www.unboundfinancial.com.au/

Unbound Financial, 4 Ford Street, Wangaratta (2026)

21/05/2025

In 2005, if someone asked you where you wanted to be in 20 years, what would you have said?

As a fresh 21 year old doing a traineeship in Financial Services, I said I wanted to have my own financial planning business.

Then the GFC hit and I did a backflip - no way did I want to have to deal with that stress of managing people’s money in a crisis!!

Over the years I learnt that being a financial adviser isn’t 100% about managing money, it’s about managing expectations and emotions, but more importantly, being the person that clients can call when they need reassuring, without judgement or being told they’re wrong for feeling that way.

One of my favourite memories was when a client came in and gave me a tin of sardines as a way of thanking me that he was on track for retirement, without the risk of living on them! That’s always been the aim for me: thrive, don’t just survive!

Without a lie, being a financial adviser been the most rewarding thing I’ve done in my life aside from raise my 2 boys.

For sure, it’s had its hurdles...
- The Royal Commission
- CBAs enforceable undertaking
- Better Interest Duty
- Education uplift & the mass exitus of advisers
- The FASEA code of ethics
- Building my own company from scratch and wondering if I’d be bankrupt in 12 months (this was a fear that was so far from the truth).

Today marks 20 years since I entered the profession and I still LOVE what I do everyday.
I teach my clients to dream big, and we work together to tick off those bucket list items.

Everyday, this is a privilege.

If you don’t love what you do, you’re doing it wrong.

❤️

29/04/2025

Is investing like SCUBA diving?

I’ve always been risk adverse when it comes to water, much like some people can be afraid of market risk. Whether rational or not, it was a no-go for me.

For me, this meant no swimming in deep water and definitely no jumping from diving boards. This was comfortable for me, but I knew it was a barrier.

I’ve dreamt of scuba diving since I was in my 20s, embracing a vibrant world of coral and sea life…but water and I have a love-hate relationship.

The moment my head went under water, the fear kicks in like someone had me on a cliff, expecting me to jump to 1 of the 15 different ways I had already imagined I would die.

When I took my first steps into a scuba diving pool over Easter, that fear gripped me entirely. Sitting in just 1.2 metres of water, and that only intensified at the thought of 3 metres. There were tears, I wanted to quit, I was done.

I almost gave up on day 1, but I was getting in my own way, and I’d forever have FOMO if I came this far just to quit.

Similar to someone buying into a falling market for the first time, despite the fear, I pushed through and completed the 3-day SCUBA certification in the pool and then well beyond my comfort zone in 12-metre-deep ocean water. I learnt how to take it slow and make logical decisions even when my irrational brain was pulling me into fight or flight.

Feeling uncomfortable but acting logically over and over again opened a door to a beautiful pastime that I can now say I’m addicted to. Confronting my fear has removed that barrier between me and the beautiful underwater world.

Afterwards I thought of how it’s like investing; you can play it safe and avoid market risk, but if you want to live a life on YOUR terms, you may need to embrace the downward markets so you can participate in the growth. Learning to push though the discomfort until you understand how it’s helping you achieve your goals is the barrier you need to break.

Quote for the year: Feel the fear, and do it anyway. - Susan Jeffers

09/04/2025

Turn off the news, go find a waterfall and enjoy living. We've been through dips (and recoveries) like this before.

22/03/2025

Investing doesn't need to be an emotional rollercoaster. At Unbound Financial, I work with my clients to help them make logical (not emotional) investment decisions and build wealth for a more secure future.

03/02/2025

🌟 Regaining Financial Confidence After Divorce 🌟

Divorce can be one of the most challenging times in life, not just emotionally but financially too. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about your financial future, even moreso if you weren't the financial decision maker in the household. But you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. 💪

As a financial planner, I’m here to help you regain your financial confidence and take control of your future.

Here’s how I can support you:

Assessing Your Financial Situation 📊
Together, we’ll take a detailed look at your current financial status, including assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. This will give us a clear picture of where you stand and what steps we need to take to get you on track for financial security.

Creating a Budget 💰
We’ll develop a realistic budget that aligns with your new lifestyle. This will help you manage your expenses and ensure you’re living within your means.

Planning for the Future 📅
Whether it’s saving for your children’s education, planning for retirement, or setting new financial goals, we’ll create a comprehensive plan to help you achieve your dreams.

Managing Investments 📈
I’ll provide guidance to help you understand, manage and grow your investments, ensuring they align with your risk tolerance and long-term goals.

Navigating Legal and Tax Implications ⚖️
Divorce can have significant legal and tax implications. I’ll work with you and your legal team to ensure you’re making informed decisions that protect your financial interests.

Emotional Support ❤️
Beyond the numbers, I’m here to listen and provide emotional support. Your financial well-being is deeply connected to your overall well-being, and I’m committed to helping you through this transition.

Remember, every ending is a new beginning. With the right support and guidance, you can rebuild your financial confidence and create a bright future.

13/01/2025

🌟 Investment Insights 🌟

1️⃣ Balanced Fund? Think Again! 🤔 Did you know that some super funds advertise a “balanced” fund that’s actually 75% or more in growth assets? This isn’t truly balanced, buy unfortunately there's no regulation around matching an investment name to its definition.

2️⃣ Think of Time as Your Best Friend ⏳ The longer your investment timeframe, the more opportunities your investments have to grow. Plus, you can take advantage of market dips to buy investments (even with your employers super contributions) at lower prices. Patience pays off in the long run!

3️⃣ Stay Informed, Stay Ahead 💡 If you’re not paying attention to how your superannuation is invested, you could be missing out on tens of thousands of dollars extra each year in retirement. Don't leave it to the last minute to focus on your golden years - the sooner you start, the more funds you can have!

💬 The highlight of my role as a financial planner is hearing about (and planning for) my client's goal for financial freedom.
My personal goal for financial freedom is having enough in savings to spend every winter in warmer parts of the world, retire at 60, (debt free) and experience as many cultures as this life gives me.

I'd love to hear your definition of financial freedom! Share your thoughts below! 👇

14/11/2024

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞?

Success is unique to your own personal goals.

I worked with a client this week to uncover her cashflow potential so she could create a time-bound plan to

- Save for Christmas presents
- Go on a family holiday next year
- Buy a puppy
- Save for a home deposit
- Have regular savings for weekends away
- Improve her credit score

These goals felt almost impossible to her without a structured cashflow plan.

Once we had addressed her income and essential expenses, then reassigned some cashflow for self-care (🥰 massages, impulse buys etc) and then savings, we found that these goals were ALL achievable within 18 months.

I know I'm one of few people in the world who gets excited about budgets but this is where success begins, and I love celebrating this journey with my clients.

Want to know more about how we can take the hard work out of planning your success story? Check out the latest blog on our website 👇

https://unboundfinancial.com.au/time-saving-for-busy-families/

07/11/2024

If you’re learning or working, you’re the most valuable asset you have!
The potential to earn an income that can grow over time - look after that money maker! 💼

But the second most valuable asset I’m referring to is usually your superannuation.
🚫 DON’T GO YET!! 🚫
I know what you’re thinking - it’s locked away and you can’t touch it until you retire, but you CAN choose what you invest that retirement-money-maker in, all without an SMSF or any complicated structures.

Just consider, instead of your employer making contributions, what if you had to physically set aside 11.5% of your income into a long-term investment, (let’s say $138 if you earn $1,200)…
Wouldn’t you want to know what companies you were investing in, rather than leave that up to someone that doesn’t know your goals, values or preferences?

What if you found out the companies you were investing in were supporting modern slavery, or breaching environmental laws? 🌍
These controversies can lead to HUUUUGE fines for the companies, and that reduces your fund returns.
Just Google “Superannuation Greenwashing” for some examples.

Do you have FOMO and want to invest in tech stocks, emerging trends or green energy? 🌱
You can do that without needing an SMSF, or any complicated structures.

If you’re ready to invest your hard-earned money in a way that aligns with your values, goals and expectations for retirement, send me a message or head to our website to book in a complimentary meet and greet call. 📞

Charmaine Hall, Founder and Financial Planner Unbound Financial

04/11/2024

The Aged Pensioner concession card provides considerable discounts to car registration 🚗, utility bills 💡, medications 💊, travel ✈️, and rates notices 🏡.

Even if you only qualify for $50 of the Aged Pension, this card can be worth thousands 💰

So how do some clients have millions of dollars in assets and qualify for this magical card?

🪄 Asset exemptions - that’s how!

⚠️ GENERAL ADVICE WARNING: This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances or needs. Please speak with a financial planner (us!) before acting upon this information.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s explain some exemptions for the Aged Pension assets test that can reduce assessable assets for Centrelink:

🏠 Residential home exemption: Your residential home on land up to 5 acres is exempt from the assets test, regardless of the value.

🌾 Land exemptions if your home is on more than 5 acres:
The entire land can be exempt
IF the house and land are on the one title
AND you’ve lived on the land for 20 years or more
AND you use the land for producing income.

💸 Lifetime Income Streams: If you seek financial advice and invest in a lifetime income stream such as an annuity, 40% of the asset value is exempt. You also have peace of mind knowing you’ll have a baseline of income for the rest of your days, even if your other assets get spent on the grandkids or holidays!

👩‍❤️‍👨 Younger spouse superannuation: Assets in accumulation phase of superannuation are not assessed until the investor turns Aged Pension age (67). Contribution limits apply, including the bring-forward caps.

Know anyone who’s ready to retire? Share this with them!
📤 If you’re thinking of retiring and want us to help you live your best years, send me a message or head to our website to book in a complimentary meet and greet call. 📞

• Charmaine Hall, Founder and Financial Planner Unbound Financial

31/10/2024

I had the pleasure of spending the week at our Financial Planning conference in Brisbane. With the high number of planners who’ve left the industry since the education standards changed, I’m so proud of the ones who stayed in the profession so we can help ordinary people live extraordinary lives.

Unbound Financial

21/05/2025

29/04/2025

09/04/2025

22/03/2025

03/02/2025

13/01/2025

14/11/2024

07/11/2024

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31/10/2024

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm