Your Financial Planning Questions Answered
We get it. Planning your financial future can feel overwhelming when you're just starting out. Over the years, we've helped hundreds of Australians navigate everything from first budgets to long-term investment strategies. Here's what people typically want to know before they reach out.
Helping Australians build realistic financial plans since 2011. Based in Baulkham Hills, working with clients across Sydney and regional NSW.
Financial Planning Doesn't Need To Be Complicated
Most people think they need a massive income or complex portfolio before talking to a financial advisor. That's not true. Some of my most rewarding work happens with clients who are just figuring out their first savings strategy or wondering how to balance paying off debt while building an emergency fund.
The questions on this page come from real conversations. They're the things people actually ask when they walk into our Baulkham Hills office or send us an email late at night because something's been worrying them. No corporate jargon here, just straight answers about what we do and how we might be able to help.
And look, if your specific question isn't covered below, that's fine. Everyone's situation is different, which is why we spend time getting to know you before suggesting anything. The FAQ is just a starting point.
What Makes Financial Planning Actually Work
It's less about following a perfect formula and more about building habits that fit your actual life. Here's what tends to matter most.
Understanding Your Numbers
Before changing anything, we need to know where money currently goes. Not judging your coffee habit, just getting clarity on income, expenses, and existing commitments.
Setting Realistic Targets
Goals like "save more money" don't work. Goals like "build three months of expenses by December 2025" actually do. Specifics help.
Creating Buffer Zones
Life happens. Cars break down, medical expenses pop up. Plans that don't account for unexpected costs tend to fall apart quickly.
Building Gradually
Starting with small, manageable changes beats trying to overhaul everything at once. Sustainability matters more than dramatic shifts.
Adjusting As You Go
What works in your 20s won't work in your 40s. Regular check-ins mean your plan evolves with your circumstances instead of becoming outdated.
Tracking Progress Honestly
Reviewing what's working and what isn't helps refine your approach. We look at actual results, not what you think should be happening.
How Our Process Actually Works
First meeting is always informal. We talk about where you're at, what you're trying to achieve, and whether working together makes sense. No sales pitch, no pressure to sign anything.
If you decide to move forward, we dig into the details. Bank statements, current debts, existing super, insurance policies. Everything that affects your financial position gets reviewed.
Then we build something together. Not a generic template plan, but a strategy based on your actual income, expenses, goals, and timeline. You'll understand why we're suggesting each step.
Most clients meet with us quarterly during the first year, then shift to twice yearly once things stabilize. Frequency depends on complexity and how much is changing in your life.
Questions People Actually Ask
These come from real client conversations and email inquiries. Click any question to see the full answer.
There's no minimum. We've worked with people earning $45,000 annually and others earning considerably more. What matters is whether you're ready to take your finances seriously, not how much you currently have saved.
Some advisors focus exclusively on high-net-worth clients. That's not our approach. If you're motivated to improve your financial situation and willing to engage with the process, we can usually help.
Initial consultation is free. After that, fees depend on complexity. Some clients pay a flat annual fee, others prefer hourly billing, and some opt for a percentage-based arrangement if we're managing investments.
We'll outline costs clearly before you commit to anything. Transparency matters because you need to know whether our services fit your budget before we start working together.
No. Our office is in Baulkham Hills, but we work with clients throughout NSW and occasionally in other states. Many prefer in-person meetings initially, then switch to video calls for ongoing check-ins.
Location matters less than finding someone who understands your goals and communicates in a way that makes sense to you.
Debt doesn't disqualify you from financial planning. In fact, it's often why people reach out. Managing debt strategically while building savings requires a plan, not just willpower.
We look at interest rates, minimum payments, and overall cash flow to figure out the most efficient approach. Sometimes that means aggressively paying down high-interest debt first. Other times it means balancing debt reduction with building an emergency fund so you don't need to use credit cards when something breaks.
We're not going to claim we're revolutionary. Honestly, good financial advice follows similar principles no matter who's delivering it. What varies is communication style and how much time someone spends understanding your specific situation.
Our approach focuses on education. We explain why we're recommending something instead of just telling you what to do. Clients should understand their own financial plan well enough to make informed decisions when circumstances change.
Yes. Super is a big part of most financial plans in Australia. We review your current super fund, look at fees and performance, and help you decide whether consolidating multiple accounts makes sense.
We also discuss contribution strategies, including salary sacrifice options and whether making additional contributions aligns with your overall financial priorities. Super is important, but it shouldn't be the only thing you're focusing on.
Life changes. People lose jobs, have medical issues, relocate, or just decide they want to handle things independently for a while. That's fine.
You're never locked into continuing indefinitely. If you need to pause, we'll make sure you have everything documented and understand where things stand. If you want to stop entirely, same thing. No hard feelings, no pressure to stay.
Still Have Questions? Let's Talk
Look, reading an FAQ only gets you so far. Your situation has nuances that don't fit neatly into generic answers. That's why we start with a conversation instead of a questionnaire.
Reach out through our contact page, send an email to info@lumythenora.com, or call +61755645530. We'll set up a time to talk, usually within a few days depending on schedules. No commitment required, just a chance to see if working together makes sense for both of us.
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