Alexander Rankin CFP - Financial Adviser

Three reasons I started my own financial planning firm:

Get away from outdated fee structures
Provide sophisticated and technical advice
Guarantee consistency and stability for all my clients

1. Get away from outdated fee structures

Financial planning for me has always been about helping people – in any way possible. I was finding a lot of this value was able to be provided through everyday conversations with clients. I would either provide a guiding hand or spend hours listening to a client’s worries, chiming in with support and ideas when needed.

This doesn't quite fit the traditional business model of “billable hours” or “ % of wealth ”. After listening to a client's problems on the home front, I couldn’t (nor would I want to) send them an invoice for:

1 X being supportive: billable at $X per hour = $X (Total inc GST)

Or

1.10% of your mental health and wellbeing = $X (Total inc GST)

Having my own firm means for every client I can set fair and appropriate service agreement. It also allows me to dedicate as much of my time as I feel is appropriate, without needing to meet any aggressive sales targets.


2. Provide sophisticated and technical advice

I have spent over a decade in post-graduate study: 1 Masters, two Degrees, 1 Graduate Diploma, 2 Diplomas (Aswell as a handful of certificates and industry specific qualifications) ..... and I intend to use it!

When the advice process starts and finished with me, I am able to complete a deep dive into my client's strategy and provide a niche solution. With no cookie cutter approach, or “practice rules” to get in the way.

Being able to dedicate as much time as is needed to each advice strategy is a must, having my own practice allows me to set this standard and deliver to my client's expectations.

3. Guarantee consistency and stability for all my clients

Being able to control the quality of all advice, means that every client of Artisan Wealth will receive the same diligent, high standard, of advice that is relevant to them and is in their best interests.

Knowing there won’t be any change of management, unforeseen change of company policies or internal rules, means my clients can have the peace of mind that their strategy won’t be interrupted when they are needing help the most.

One of the major advantages to being younger than the average adviser (approximately 50) means that for most of my clients, we will be able to manage your strategy up, into, and through retirement.

The last thing you want is an Adviser who is going to retire before you!



If you resonate with any of the above, or need an Adviser who is hands on with your financial plan – let’s chat

Pop Quiz! Which investment is more efficient?

Answer: Investment B. With a higher Sharpe ratio (return as a factor of risk) you are being better compensated for the level of risk you are taking in this investment.

However, the most important factor is ensuring the risk to return profile of your strategy aligns with how comfortable YOU are with taking risks.

If you have a longer investment timeframe (and the nerves) perhaps investment A would in fact, be a better match for you and your strategy.

If you want to work with an adviser who is hands on with your strategy – shoot me a message.

Several Small changes can have a large and lasting impact.

One of the guiding principles for advice provided at Artisan Wealth; Several small changes can have a large and lasting impact in your overall strategy.

Simple mathematics shows, if you try really really hard in only a few areas, but neglect others, this will have quite a negative result.

Whereas chipping away, little by little, on as many areas as you can, is more likely to stand the test of time and provide a positive outcome.

If you need an Adviser who is hands on with your financial plan – let’s chat.

It is with great excitement, anxiousness and Joy that I am announcing the launch of Artisan Wealth!

My very own Advice firm centred around providing impactful Financial Advice, to help my client maximise their life’s potential!

Getting married this year (I know, big year!) really helped put life into perspective. It allowed me to re-assess what was important to me and understand exactly how I want to spend what little time we have in this existence.

When I applied that lens to my career and how I can use my talents to best help those I work with, it became blaringly obvious that self-employment was the only solution.

I will be forever grateful to the amazing employers, colleges and workplaces I have had the pleasure of getting to know over this almost decade in the industry. Without such supportive and knowledgeable people in my life I wouldn’t have been develop into the Adviser I am today.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

If you or someone you know feels your financial strategy needs an Artisan who will be hands on with their advice – give me a call!

www.artisanwealth.com.au

I'm a strong advocate for giving back, whether it's to our community, friends, or our industry. Recently, I had the honour of judging submissions for the 2024 Australian Wealth Management Awards.

The quality of entries showcased the thriving nature of our industry. Wishing all finalists the best of luck – I can't wait to see what the future holds!

Visit the website at http://tinyurl.com/h68342re to learn more about the awards

Great win for one of my Endodontist clients this week; saving him $40,407 in yearly insurance premiums!

Thanks to the investment portfolio we had built for him over the years, my analysis showed his insurance needs had drastically decreased.

We were now able to direct this savings back towards his wealth strategy, whilst ensuring he continued to have the correct level of cover for his current stage of life.

The next time your medical specialist is helping you, ask who’s helping them?

“I want my retirement/savings/debt to look like X, should I do Y, or Z?”

Are you Struggling with the above? Let's solve this together!

I specialise in crafting the optimal path for your goals using detailed modelling and projections to inform my recommendations – Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to clarity!

And remember; the next time your medical professional is helping you, ask who’s helping them?

Wishing everyone a very happy and safe Easter – this time of year is quite special to many people all around the world.

I would like to extend heartfelt well wishes to those who are currently in Ramadan, those looking forward to the upcoming Passover, Vaisakhi or Rama Navami, as well as any other special event or occasion that is of significance to you!

Enjoy your time with family and friends.

!!Financial advice will extend your life and save your marriage!!

…Well perhaps not directly, however according to a recent study from the university of Colorado and an IFA article, there is a strong correlation between those who seek financial advice, live longer and have happier marriages.

While correlation doesn't imply causation, seeking financial advice falls into the same category of positive life-improving behaviors. Individuals who actively work towards improving their financial well-being often pursue improvements in other aspects of their lives too.

If you could use a few extra years on this earth or a happier home life, why not start with a conversation with your adviser – the results won’t disappoint!

The next time your medical specialist is helping you, ask who's helping them?

Contribution caps are flagged to increase in the 2024/2025 financial year. This underscores the importance of considering timing when contributing to your superannuation.

A common strategy to maximise superannuation contributions is to span across financial years; making a contribution in the current financial year to avoid forfeiting your current cap, then maximising contributions from 1 July (using a combination of contribution rules).

The above can become quite technical, and it is crucial to get your timing right. If you would like to discuss how this applies to you, give me a call.

To keep you in the loop here is our March newsletter.

https://us10.campaign-archive.com/?u=115444ce01d1f5671acce1d76&id=a32e98026d

Feel free to subscribe for more useful content and remember, the next time your medical professional is helping you, ask who's helping them?

Insights & Discovery | March Edition In this edition, we delve into the shifting landscape of investing, exploring how modern thinking is diverging from traditional methods. We cover significant topics including the next industrial transformation, the benefits of nuclear energy for environmental balance, and a summary on the benefits o...

Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s celebrate the amazing women who enrich our lives.

Growing up with a mother and three sisters, I'm reminded daily of their resilience and valuable contributions.

What a week of learning! Attending both the Financial Standard’s Chief Economists Forum & the Portfolio Construction Forum’s Market Summit.

My favorite take away from the Chief Economists forum was a quote from the industry titan Don Stammer: “Be more optimistic than the average investor” – pointing to making the most of opportunities in times of turmoil, especially when you’re investing for the long-term.

I found the portfolio construction forums’ event title itself rather thought provoking “History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes” and walked away with several key investment theses to research further.

So remember, the next time your medical specialist is helping you, ask who’s helping them.

This post is, very likely, not a scam!

In today’s digital age we are all bombarded with spam, scams and suspicious emails – approaching everything with a healthy level of skepticism is a must.

Having some trusted tools at your disposal can also provide a world of difference. Whenever I’m sent a link I’m not sure of, or receive an email from some I don’t know, I always run their domain through a trusted checker.

If ever in doubt, just delete and move on (if it turns out to be important, the sender is sure to reach out again anyway).

https://www.scamadviser.com/
https://www.apivoid.com/tools/website-trust-score/
https://www.ssltrust.com.au/

Navigating the intricate terrain of inheritance and estate planning can be emotionally charged. When you add layers of sophistication, these emotions can intensify.

Prudent estate planning establishes the foundation for optimal wealth and tax planning for beneficiaries. However, without a strategic financial plan for those who inherit these structures, much of this effort can go to waste.

Choosing a qualified and experienced financial adviser is a must.
The next time your medical specialist is helping you, ask who’s helping them?

According to PEXA, homebuyers now need, on average, an additional two years compared to 2020 to accumulate sufficient savings for a house deposit.

For Victorians that number has increased a whopping 64.20% over 3 years to an average of 5.5 years.

Rising interest rates, the continued run-away of property prices & cost of living pressures would appear to be the culprits.

This creates a critical problem for the children and grandchildren of many of our clients. We could potentially face a scenario where the time needed to save for a home becomes exponentially longer, eventually limiting homeownership to those who inherit generational wealth/properties.

Now it is not all bad news. We can deploy strategies to help reduce this timeframe; Utilising good cash flow planning, investments and for the appropriate clients their superannuation as a tool to help them save for this deposit.

Here is a link to the article:

Homebuyers need to save at least two years longer to raise a deposit - PEXA PEXA uncovers homebuyers now have to work at least two years longer to save a deposit than they did in 2020. Read our report.

January is a great month for life admin – make completing a “Financial Health Checklist” part of this yearly routine.

Here are some of the areas you should be looking into and keeping an eye on; many of which can be completed with a quick phone call/email to the respective institution/provider!

And always remember; when your medical specialist is helping you, ask who’s helping them?

What a year of change, excitement and challenge 2023 was. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas or festive season, safe and happy New Year – See you all in 2024!

During this time of year, our clients begin contemplating whether they should pre-pay the upcoming year's private school fees.

Most schools will offer a discount if payment is made upfront and in advance, typically ranging around 2-3%. However when our cash rate is currently sitting at 4.35%, you have to ask yourself “am I better investing these monies in my own strategies, or giving it to the school early, so they can invest it in theirs?”

The next time your medical specialist is helping you, ask who’s helping them?

Had a blast with the team up at Sydney this week for the IFA industry awards.

No win this year, but still very proud of all the great work our teams’ accomplished.

Fingers crossed for 2024! (Third times the charm)

“I feel that you are part of this exciting time as well!” there’s nothing better than being able to share in a client’s excitement and give a little air fist pump when they tick off one of their audacious goals!

The one thing more important than setting goals – is celebrating when you achieve them.

The next time your medical specialist is helping you – ask who’s helping them?

The end of 2023 just got that much better! I have finalised my Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) Studies ✅ and now join the ranks of the best Advisers this country has to offer.

Going through the course has led to a new understanding and appreciation of what it means to be able to display those three letters – you certainly won’t find this designation inside of any cereal boxes!

The next time your medical professional is helping you, ask who’s qualified enough to be helping them?

At the End of the day, this is what Financial Planning is all about – Securing great outcomes, for great clients!

Couldn’t be prouder with becoming a finalist for Client Outcome of the Year – 2023

Congratulations and good luck to all other finalists – See you in December!

A recent analysis by Russell Investments showed the average value an adviser adds to their client’s wealth is approximately 5.9% p.a.

With a net wealth of $100,000, by retirement that’s $335,527 of ADDITIONAL value if you engage an adviser in your 40’s – or $684,550 if you engage in your 30’s!

You may be surprised to learn that conversations and coaching accounts for more than half of the value added to your bottom line – make sure your adviser is having these conversation with you.

The next time your medical specialist is helping you, ask who’s helping them?

The time following a separation can be difficult for everyone involved. Often we find one party may have lower financial literacy – this makes things twice as hard.

We have been helping clients work through this difficult time and understand how to manage wealth on their own, showing them that things will indeed be ok.

We are able to provide detailed modelling and projections, which can answer questions such as;

Can I afford to pay this mortgage on my own? ✅
Can I still afford my current lifestyle? ✅
Will I still be able to retire as planned? ✅

The next time your medical specialist is helping you (or going through a separation) ask who’s helping them?

Defined Benefit Superannuation Schemes can be greatly beneficial and provide certainty to their members. However, it is critical you understand exactly what is making up your benefit and its current status.

If you see words like “Deferred”, “Inactive” or “Ineligible” we NEED to chat!

The next time your medical professional is helping you, ask who is helping them?

If you recognise any of these superannuation providers/products, you may be 1 of 64,000 Australians whose superannuation has failed APRA’s performance test. (some for multiple years in arow)

Remaining adrift with an underperforming superannuation will have compounding and dramatic impact on your end retirement.

The next time your medical professional is helping you, ask who is helping them?

You can do anything, just not everything - but not nothing!

We are living in a VUCA world (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity), it is essential you are decisive and take action – This was my take away from yet another fantastic two days at the Portfolio Construction Forum.

Our team absorbed a lot of useful information of which we are now implementing into our clients’ portfolios to help navigate this VUCA world and deliver continued success.

The next time your medical specialist is helping you, ask who’s helping them?

This week I uncovered an investment that had performed at 0.95% p.a. …. the clients were told this is a “Set & Forget”… unfortunately, that often is never the case:

Set and Forget ❌
Set and Monitor ✅

You’d be surprised at what we can uncover with a financial health check.

The next time your medical specialist is helping you, ask who’s helping them?