TALKING FINANCE with Michelle Higgerson of Baiocchi Griffin FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN PERIL Private Wealth If you've ever been cornered at a social gathering by a person who "totally knew" about Bitcoin before it was mainstream, you probably understand the dangers of bad financial advice. It's amazing how people suddenly become investment gurus once the words shares," "super," or "real estate" enter the conversation, and how willing they are to share their wisdom. But before you invest your life savings into a likely pyramid-shaped business opportunity, let's talk about why you should only trust authorised investment professionals. 1. The Case of the Mysterious Hot Tip Everyone loves a hot stock tip. It usually starts with someone whispering, "I heard from a guy who knows a guy." The problem is, unless this guy is Warren Buffett's personal assistant, you're about as likely to strike gold as you are to win the lottery while simultaneously being struck by lightning. Investment professionals use credible and wide-ranging research, data, and expertise to guide their decisions - not Chinese whispers from Gerry at the gym. 2. The "Can't Lose" Investment That Can (And Will) Lose Have you ever noticed how every amateur investor in your life swears their latest investment idea is a "sure thing"? Whether it's a start-up gathering hype or a friend's cousin's dog-walker's NFT project, these investments are often more fiction than finance. A professional, on the other hand, will assess risk, diversification, and long-term viability because actual finance is more than just buzzwords and enthusiasm. 3. The Perils of the "I Just Feel Like" Investment Strategy Unsolicited investment advice often comes with phrases like, "I just feel like gold will skyrocket," or "Trust me, lithium mining is the next big thing." The problem? Your gut is great for digesting your lunch but terrible at predicting the market. A qualified investment analyst relies on deep and thorough analysis, rather than breakfast-induced intuition, to guide your investments. 4. When Your Financial Adviser Is Also Your Barista Would you take medical advice from a guy who watched three YouTube videos on brain surgery? No? Then why take financial advice from your neighbour's best friend who made $300 in crypto and now considers themself a Wall Street guru? Investment professionals spend years studying markets, regulations, and financial strategies to ensure your money is actually working for you-not just funding someone else's pipe dream. Investing is serious business. It's not about hunches, rumours, or an opportunity that "definitely can't fail" (spoiler: it can). So, unless you want to end up with a portfolio full of "promising" start-ups run out of garages, stick with a professional. Because when it comes to your money, you deserve advice that's worth more than just a wild guess. 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/Baiocchi GriffinPrivate Wealth www.bgprivatewealth.com.au AW7431080 TALKING FINANCE with Michelle Higgerson of Baiocchi Griffin FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN PERIL Private Wealth If you've ever been cornered at a social gathering by a person who " totally knew " about Bitcoin before it was mainstream , you probably understand the dangers of bad financial advice . It's amazing how people suddenly become investment gurus once the words shares , " " super , " or " real estate " enter the conversation , and how willing they are to share their wisdom . But before you invest your life savings into a likely pyramid - shaped business opportunity , let's talk about why you should only trust authorised investment professionals . 1. The Case of the Mysterious Hot Tip Everyone loves a hot stock tip . It usually starts with someone whispering , " I heard from a guy who knows a guy . " The problem is , unless this guy is Warren Buffett's personal assistant , you're about as likely to strike gold as you are to win the lottery while simultaneously being struck by lightning . Investment professionals use credible and wide - ranging research , data , and expertise to guide their decisions - not Chinese whispers from Gerry at the gym . 2. The " Can't Lose " Investment That Can ( And Will ) Lose Have you ever noticed how every amateur investor in your life swears their latest investment idea is a " sure thing " ? Whether it's a start - up gathering hype or a friend's cousin's dog - walker's NFT project , these investments are often more fiction than finance . A professional , on the other hand , will assess risk , diversification , and long - term viability because actual finance is more than just buzzwords and enthusiasm . 3. The Perils of the " I Just Feel Like " Investment Strategy Unsolicited investment advice often comes with phrases like , " I just feel like gold will skyrocket , " or " Trust me , lithium mining is the next big thing . " The problem ? Your gut is great for digesting your lunch but terrible at predicting the market . A qualified investment analyst relies on deep and thorough analysis , rather than breakfast - induced intuition , to guide your investments . 4. When Your Financial Adviser Is Also Your Barista Would you take medical advice from a guy who watched three YouTube videos on brain surgery ? No ? Then why take financial advice from your neighbour's best friend who made $ 300 in crypto and now considers themself a Wall Street guru ? Investment professionals spend years studying markets , regulations , and financial strategies to ensure your money is actually working for you - not just funding someone else's pipe dream . Investing is serious business . It's not about hunches , rumours , or an opportunity that " definitely can't fail " ( spoiler : it can ) . So , unless you want to end up with a portfolio full of " promising " start - ups run out of garages , stick with a professional . Because when it comes to your money , you deserve advice that's worth more than just a wild guess . 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/Baiocchi GriffinPrivate Wealth www.bgprivatewealth.com.au AW7431080