TALKING FINANCE with Justin Baiocchi of Baiocchi Griffin Private Wealth The Adviser on the Shelf With only a few weeks to go until Christmas, the level of excitement in our household is growing to fever pitch levels. Every morning Kate and Hugh, who appear to have very little awareness of the concept of time, ask how many more days it is until Christmas. On some mornings I tell them it's more days to go than it was yesterday, enjoying the look of bafflement as they try to figure that one out (although Jack usually ruins my sport by yelling out the truth). We also have one of those Elf on the Shelf things: unimaginatively christened Mr Red Hat by Jack some years ago, in theory the Elf is keeping an eye on the kids' behaviour and reporting back to Santa each night. Some parents stage elaborate scenes each night with their Elf, which they then, as is the way with the world these days, share on social media. Our Elf, on the other hand, is often found in the same location the next morning, and usually doing nothing fancier than sitting on a shelf or the mantel above the fireplace. Truth be told, I'm not too concerned that we're unlikely to win an Oscar for Elf on the Shelf Stage Design, as he doesn't seem to be having any sort of a positive impact on the kids' behaviour anyway. The watching Elf is quickly forgotten when the bickering and fighting starts. That said, engaging the services of a financial adviser is not too different to having your own Elf on a Shelf. True, a financial adviser doesn't (or shouldn't) sit on top of the bookshelf in your lounge watching you all day (if your adviser does this, you probably need to speak to the authorities), but the principle which applies to both the Elf on the Shelf and a financial adviser is the same: accountability. One of the roles of an adviser is to encourage behaviour which results in positive financial outcomes: long term planning; savings strategies; controlling spending; protecting your assets and ultimately achieving some form of financial independence. Just having a relationship with someone who knows about your spending, saving and investing habits is likely to help increase the number of good financial decisions you make, as opposed to poor ones. So next time you're thinking about what to buy for Christmas, think about getting your own Adviser on a Shelf - it could be your best investment yet. BAIOCCHI GRIFFIN PRIVATE WEALTH Level 1, 462-464 Peel St, Tamworth NSW 2340 6766 9000 AFSL No 424658 This article is general in nature and does not take your individual situation into account. You are advised not to act on anything contained herein, or discussed as a consequence of the contents of this document, without receiving financial advice from a suitably qualified person such as a financial planner, lawyer or accountant. Follow us on Twitter @BaiocchiGriffin Find us on Facebook facebook.com/BaiocchiGriffinPrivate Wealth www.bgprivatewealth.com.au 3091 TALKING FINANCE with Justin Baiocchi of Baiocchi Griffin Private Wealth The Adviser on the Shelf With only a few weeks to go until Christmas , the level of excitement in our household is growing to fever pitch levels . Every morning Kate and Hugh , who appear to have very little awareness of the concept of time , ask how many more days it is until Christmas . On some mornings I tell them it's more days to go than it was yesterday , enjoying the look of bafflement as they try to figure that one out ( although Jack usually ruins my sport by yelling out the truth ) . We also have one of those Elf on the Shelf things : unimaginatively christened Mr Red Hat by Jack some years ago , in theory the Elf is keeping an eye on the kids ' behaviour and reporting back to Santa each night . Some parents stage elaborate scenes each night with their Elf , which they then , as is the way with the world these days , share on social media . Our Elf , on the other hand , is often found in the same location the next morning , and usually doing nothing fancier than sitting on a shelf or the mantel above the fireplace . Truth be told , I'm not too concerned that we're unlikely to win an Oscar for Elf on the Shelf Stage Design , as he doesn't seem to be having any sort of a positive impact on the kids ' behaviour anyway . The watching Elf is quickly forgotten when the bickering and fighting starts . That said , engaging the services of a financial adviser is not too different to having your own Elf on a Shelf . True , a financial adviser doesn't ( or shouldn't ) sit on top of the bookshelf in your lounge watching you all day ( if your adviser does this , you probably need to speak to the authorities ) , but the principle which applies to both the Elf on the Shelf and a financial adviser is the same : accountability . One of the roles of an adviser is to encourage behaviour which results in positive financial outcomes : long term planning ; savings strategies ; controlling spending ; protecting your assets and ultimately achieving some form of financial independence . Just having a relationship with someone who knows about your spending , saving and investing habits is likely to help increase the number of good financial decisions you make , as opposed to poor ones . So next time you're thinking about what to buy for Christmas , think about getting your own Adviser on a Shelf - it could be your best investment yet . BAIOCCHI GRIFFIN PRIVATE WEALTH Level 1 , 462-464 Peel St , Tamworth NSW 2340 6766 9000 AFSL No 424658 This article is general in nature and does not take your individual situation into account . You are advised not to act on anything contained herein , or discussed as a consequence of the contents of this document , without receiving financial advice from a suitably qualified person such as a financial planner , lawyer or accountant . Follow us on Twitter @BaiocchiGriffin Find us on Facebook facebook.com/BaiocchiGriffinPrivate Wealth www.bgprivatewealth.com.au 3091