4 minute read
THE POWER OF FINANCIAL PLANNING at every life stage
BY CATHY IRWIN
We are all presented with challenges in life at every stage of the journey. One of my most significant occurred when my 21-year marriage ended. My teenage children and I were left with nothing—no professional help, no support system and the frustration of not being a “big-ticket” client. But I didn’t let that experience break me. It fuelled my passion to educate myself to help others through similar situations.
I’m Cathy Irwin, the owner and director of Serafina Wealth Management. While I specialise in providing comprehensive advice for people going through financial trauma— divorce, losing a spouse or simply feeling overwhelmed by your financial situation—I am here to help you at every stage of life because financial planning is critical for everyone, regardless of where you start.
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO LIFELONG LESSONS
I grew up in a small farming community in New South Wales, where life was simple and financial resources were scarce. We were a self-sufficient farming family who wore handme-downs and had home haircuts. The finer things in life were out of reach. My father was an entrepreneur who farmed to raise meat for the family butcher shops and later focused on fine wool and worm farming.
Those experiences shaped my understanding of economic hardship. I know that financial insecurity affects more than your wallet—it impacts your confidence, your opportunities and even your children’s future. I want you to feel empowered to make informed financial decisions that improve your life and the lives of your families.
HELPING YOU AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE
When you take control of your financial future, great things can happen. I worked with a young person who, like you, had big dreams but wasn’t sure where to start. He came to me with little savings but a strong desire to create a better financial future. We developed a plan to manage his budget, set up an emergency fund and started building his wealth both inside and outside of superannuation. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but three years later, he’s more than quadrupled his combined savings from $20,000 to $100,000 and is well on his way to buying his first home.
Your financial concerns might look different if you’re a little further along in life— perhaps in your forties or fifties. Maybe you’re carrying a mortgage, raising children and trying to plan for retirement all at once. It can feel overwhelming, but that’s where I come in. We’d start by reviewing your overall financial position, including your budget and savings outside of super, to ensure you have some economic stability.
We further assess your need for personal insurance and protect your greatest asset, your income, to have the right cover for your family if you cannot work due to illness or injury. I’ve seen firsthand how just one lost income can destabilise an entire household. Together, we’d create a plan that balances paying down debt, boosting your super contributions and ensuring you're financially protected if something unexpected happens. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—it’s about finding what works best for you and your specific goals.
LET’S BUILD YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN
Whether you’re just starting out, in the middle of your career or nearing retirement, it’s never too early—or too late—to take control of your finances. I always compare financial planning to building a house. You wouldn’t start construction without a vision and a plan; the same goes for your financial future. I’d love to be your guide, helping you make confident financial decisions that will positively impact your future. Let’s work together to build the financial security you deserve. Contact Cathy for your complimentary 20-minute consultation.
