Ready to Begin Your Investment Journey?
Smart investing isn't about timing the market — it's about understanding yourself, your goals, and building a foundation that lasts decades.
Know Where You Stand
Before diving into investment strategies, let's get honest about your starting point. Most people skip this step and wonder why their portfolio doesn't match their expectations.
We've seen too many investors jump straight into stock picking without understanding their risk tolerance or timeline. That's like planning a road trip without knowing your destination.
Our initial assessment covers three essential areas: your financial situation, investment timeline, and comfort with market volatility. These aren't theoretical questions — they're based on real scenarios our Australian clients have faced over the past fifteen years.
The assessment takes about 20 minutes and gives you a clear picture of where you are versus where you need to be for long-term success.
Investment Readiness Essentials
Emergency Fund First
You need 3-6 months of expenses saved before investing. This isn't optional. Market downturns happen, and you can't predict when you'll need cash for unexpected expenses. We've helped clients who learned this lesson the hard way.
Debt Strategy
High-interest debt kills investment returns. If you're paying 18% on credit cards while hoping for 8% market returns, the math doesn't work. We'll help you prioritize debt payoff versus investing based on your specific situation.
Time Horizon Clarity
Investing for a house deposit in two years requires a completely different strategy than building retirement wealth over 30 years. Your timeline determines everything from asset allocation to risk tolerance.
Realistic Expectations
The Australian share market has averaged around 9% annually over the long term, but that includes years with 30% drops and 40% gains. Understanding volatility helps you stick to your plan when markets get rocky.
Why Most People Start Wrong
"I see the same mistakes repeatedly. People read about someone making 40% returns on tech stocks and think that's normal. They invest money they'll need next year in growth stocks, then panic when the market drops."
Marcus has guided over 800 Australian families through their investment journey since 2010. His approach focuses on matching investment strategy to life circumstances rather than chasing market trends.
"The best investment plan is the one you can stick with for decades. That means starting with the right foundation — understanding your goals, timeline, and the inevitable market ups and downs."