Yogita Patel, Financial Adviser

28/05/2026

These are conversations I'm having so regularly with clients, prospects and friends...
Can not stress how important it is to plan ahead. No one knows what is round the corner. Yes, generational wealth will transfer, but to who? And how important is it to you whose hands it ends up in, and how long will it take?

With approximately 1 in 2 Australians having a Will, think about the potential impact you'll leave behind for loved ones without one. We hear the aftermath from family members when their loved one is gone...

25/05/2026

What is changing?

Currently, employers only need to make superannuation contributions at least every three months. This will change under Payday Super from 1st July, which aligns super payments with each pay cycle. Whether you pay employees weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, superannuation will need to be paid at the same frequency.

In addition, contributions must arrive in employees’ super funds within seven calendar days of payday.

Good news is this tighter timeframe aims to prevent the accumulation of unpaid entitlements.

11/05/2026

“Should I buy a third investment property?”

Had a client ask me this last week.

Mid‑50s, solid income, decent cash sitting in the bank, already owns two investment properties.

You would think the answer is obvious.

But when we actually ran the numbers, things got interesting.

A pretty typical Perth deal:
~$650k purchase, renting around $650 a week.

On the surface — about 5% yield.
After costs? Closer to high 3s.

Then we compared it to what her cash is earning right now… sitting quietly in a bank account at around 5%.

No tenants.
No repairs.
No vacancies.

Then came the part most people skip over:

She wouldn’t be buying it outright — she would be borrowing.

Meaning:
- she’d likely be **tipping money in each year**, not taking it out
- and her outcome now depends heavily on prices going up

She sat back for a second and said:

“Feels like I’m taking on more work and risk… for less income?”

That’s the bit that clicks for people.

Property can absolutely build wealth over time.
But adding another one isn’t always a no‑brainer… especially when you have already got exposure.

Sometimes it’s not about doing *more*.
It’s about deciding what you actually want the next dollar to *do*.

05/05/2026

The RBA has lifted rates again (+0.25%) — taking the cash rate to 4.35%.

For borrowers:
Expect pressure to remain on mortgage repayments. Rates are rising to bring inflation down, so short-term relief may be limited.

For savers:
Higher rates mean better returns on savings and term deposits, which is a positive.

Why it’s happening:
Inflation is still too high, and a strong job market plus rising energy costs are keeping prices elevated so the RBA is staying firm.

Bottom line: Higher for longer — plan cash flow carefully and review your strategy.

03/05/2026

Why behaviour matters more than money

8 years ago:
• < $400k in super
• No clear plan
• Spending most of their income

Today:
• $1.4m+ in super
• Clear retirement strategy
• Freedom of choice

Husband had retired and and the last meeting I told her: “You don’t need to work anymore.”

At 61, she’s choosing to keep working another year, not because she has to, but because she wants to.

The turning point?

Cutting just 2 coffees a week and committing to a plan. It wasn’t easy to hear at the time… but it changed everything.

This is why I believe:
Financial success isn’t about complexity, it’s about behaviour, consistency, and having someone in your corner.

Stories like this are why I love what I do. 😊

14/04/2026

Thinking of switching your super during market volatility?

It is completely understandable to feel concerned when markets are volatile and headlines are unsettling. Many investors worry about protecting what they have worked hard to build.

However, industry super fund HESTA has warned that members who moved into cash during COVID were, on average, more than $20,000 worse off on a $100,000 super balance just five years later. For members with higher balances, the impact could be significantly greater. Many locked in losses and missed the market recovery.

Super is a long‑term investment. While concerns about volatility are valid, reacting to short‑term market movements can seriously damage retirement outcomes.

This is where professional advice matters. We, as financial advisers, help you understand your concerns, put market movements into context, and make decisions aligned to your long‑term goals rather than short‑term fear.

A single conversation could protect tens of thousands of dollars in future retirement savings.

01/04/2026

Australians are quietly being taxed out of their own retirement and most have no idea.

Up to $13.5 billion in tax‑free retirement earnings has been left behind by people who were eligible to move into retirement phase super but never did.

Not because they chose to.
Not because it was wrong for them.
But because the system relies on silence, confusion, and inaction.

Only 30–45% of eligible Australians switch when they can. The rest keep paying tax they did not need to pay often for years.

In just one year, 1.8 million people gave up $2.5 billion. By 2030, this ignorance tax could be $5.5 billion every single year.

The most confronting part?
Every demographic benefits. Low balances. High balances. Singles. Couples. Homeowners. Non‑homeowners.

This is not a money problem. It is an information failure.

If no one has ever explained what retirement phase super actually does for you, that silence is costing you real money.

Doing nothing with super is not neutral. It is one of the most expensive decisions Australians make by default.

If you are nearing retirement, it might be time to ask the question before the opportunity passes.

19/03/2026

Stress-free retirement starts with one thing: a clear financial strategy tailored to your goals.

Too often, I meet people who have worked hard their entire lives but do not have a clear plan for what comes next.

They have savings.
They have super.
But they do not have certainty.

A well-structured strategy changes that.

It gives you clarity on when you can retire, confidence in your income, and the freedom to enjoy life without constantly worrying about money.

Because retirement should not feel uncertain, it should feel empowering.

If you are not sure where you stand, that is the first place to start.

07/03/2026

The Australian theme for International Women’s Day this year is — a powerful call for equal access and breaking down historical barriers.

As a financial adviser, I see this through a very specific lens: financial autonomy.

Historically, women have been underrepresented in investing and financial decision-making. Too often, this has meant women stepping into major life changes without the financial knowledge or confidence they deserved.

Balancing the scales starts with education, access, and confidence; giving women the tools to understand their money, make informed decisions, and build financial security. One of the most important lessons I share with women is to “pay yourself first” — prioritising saving and investing for your own future before everything else.

This International Women’s Day, I am also reflecting on the next generation.

I am proud that my daughter is on the pathway to building strong financial knowledge and confidence around money. The more we talk openly about finances with the next generation, the more we help create a future where women feel empowered to lead their own financial journeys.

Because true equity includes economic independence.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the women working to build knowledge, confidence and opportunity — for themselves and for those who follow. 💜

15/02/2026

How inheritance tax can bite UK expats in Australia

More than 1.1 million UK expats live in Australia, but many are unaware that UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) may still apply to them. With a 40% top rate, understanding the rules is crucial to safeguarding your wealth for future generations.

Read the full article on Money & Life here: https://ow.ly/VyZx50XXHO8

More than 1.1 million UK expats live in Australia, but many are unaware that UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) may still apply to them. With a 40% top rate, understanding the rules is crucial to safeguarding your wealth for future generations.