Achieving work/life balance is easy with good financial advice

It’s almost tax time again… time to get the finances sorted! But what about your work/life balance? Need some help with that, too? A financial planner can help you to work smarter, not harder! 

Financial planning will help you avoid burnout and enjoy your downtime 

At Poole Advisory, we know that all work and no play is a recipe for blow-out… if you don’t make time for yourself, something’s got to give. Your business will suffer or you will!

With 1 in 10 Australians working more than 50 hours per week – considered “very long hours” by OECD standards – research shows you can help avoid burnout by learning how to alleviate your stress and minimise impacts on health and home life. 

Start feeling more in control of your work/life balance by following these simple steps:  

1. Know your values. What is important to you? Your passions and interests? Make time for them every week. 
2. Use calendars, apps and to-do lists to track your time management and cut out wasted hours spent on non-essential social media, meetings and commuting.
3. Learn how to say ‘no’ and streamline your life. Set limits on your work time. Switch off the phones. Go internet-free for a few hours. Answer work emails during work time. 
4. Focus on your health and nurture your relationships. Exercise, sleep well, go on holiday, relax and spend time with your loved ones.
   
   

Lock in that dream holiday – you deserve it! 

Research shows we need different types of time out. Those everyday moments that allow you to recharge the batteries are important – as is a big chunk of time where you can reconnect with people and passions.

We think it’s healthy and productive to work towards a longer break – whether it’s a big holiday in a dream destination or a few days in the bush. Give yourself the licence to look forward to it by making a plan. 

Here are some tips from us at Poole Advisory to help holiday dreams become realities.

• Where are you headed? Do your research and talk to your fellow travellers about dream destinations. Consider booking off-peak to save on costs; as a bonus, you’ll share the space with fewer tourists.
• Make a travel budget. How much will accommodation, flights, visas, travel insurance, transport, food and entertainment cost? Don’t forget to factor in bills you may still incur at home. Add 20% to your final tally to cover emergencies and other unexpected expenses.
• Start a holiday savings account. A vacation bank account will help you track your travel dollars. Consider a direct debit from your wages each pay cycle. Use a roundup savings tool like the one Wisr offers – and deposit those savings into your vacation account. 
• Look for travel deals and discount packages. Booking six months in advance could save you, just like waiting for last minute deals can also work. Browse the discount flight sites like Expedia, Hopper and Skyscanner.  Airline websites may also offer deals – sign up for their alerts.
• Travel like a local. Travelling by train and bus will save your international currency for more important experiences and often take less time than hiring a car or Uber. Eat where the locals eat and browse markets instead of shopping malls for mementoes of your fabulous trip. 
  
  

Streamline your life and breathe

In business – and in life – deciding what not to do can be as important as deciding what to do. Here are some tips to free up your time: 

• Delegate – look at your weekly business activities and identify low-value tasks. What is easy to delegate, outsource or even drop altogether? 
• Alleviate – implement procedures to offload those low-value tasks.
• Articulate – tell your financial advisor what you are trying to achieve. They will be able to help you find more time in your days.
• Allocate – use your new ‘free hours’ spending time with family and friends and enjoying hobbies and exercise. 
  
  

Financial planning will set you free! 

Time to enjoy! A strategic financial plan will help you find your work/life balance. 

At Poole Advisory, we believe financial planning should focus on the goals that are important to you – like achieving a better work/life equilibrium. 

After all, good financial planning isn’t just about how much wealth you have but also about your level of happiness and wellbeing. 

We tailor bespoke financial plans. If reducing your work hours and implementing a more holistic approach to work/life balance are on your list of personal goals, we’d love to take the time to discuss how financial planning can help you get there. 

For more information on how Poole Advisory can show you how to streamline your life, get in touch today or book an appointment.

Compliance Disclaimer: 

This information contains general advice only, that is, advice which does not take into account your needs, objectives, or financial situation. You need to consider the appropriateness of that general advice in light of your personal circumstances before acting on the advice. You should obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement for any product discussed before making a decision to acquire that product. You should obtain financial or credit advice that addresses your specific needs and situation before making investment or borrowing decisions. Taxation information is based on our interpretation of the relevant laws as at 1 July 2018. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this information, Prosperitas Partners Pty Ltd does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. The case studies are hypothetical, for illustration purposes only and are not based on actual returns

Poole Advisory Pty Ltd ABN 15 642 040 604 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 001282603) of Prosperitas Partners Pty Ltd ABN 30 662 654 453 AFSL 544 917