TALKING FINANCE with Justin Baiocchi of Baiocchi Griffin The Unsupervised Financial Diet Private Wealth One thing you learn as a parent is that a child, if left to their own devices, will adopt a very unusual approach to eating. Offer up a perfectly balanced dinner of slow-cooked vegetables and lean protein? No chance. But a week-old packet of dried sultanas they found under the sofa? Gone in thirty seconds. I recall one situation, many years ago, where our eldest son went through a phase where he was convinced Nutella was made to eaten at every meal. As a well-meaning parent, this was obviously unacceptable. I tried reasoning, I tried hiding the jar, I even tried telling him it was made from crushed snails. Nothing worked. The allure of that sweet, instant gratification was simply too strong. I have since realised that this is a battle we fight daily with our finances, too. In a perfect world, our financial diet would be all broccoli and brown rice: boring and bland, with consistent savings, regular low- cost investing, and a sensible budget. But when we're left unsupervised- or, worse, scrolling through a financial influencer's social media feed-we find ourselves drawn to the Nutella of the investment world. It might be the hot, speculative stock tip, the "miracle" crypto that promises a one-way trip to untold riches, or the complicated, exotic investment that sounds impressive but makes zero sense. These are the equivalent of financial sugar hits. They taste great for a second, but they leave you with a sugar crash, a stomach-ache, and a growing debt problem. Just like I can't let my kids subsist on a diet of pure sugar and snacks, you can't let your money run wild. We're all driven by that desire for an easy win, but that's rarely the path to long-term health, be it physical or financial. You need to be the responsible adult in the room, guiding your money toward a sensible, long-term plan. So next time you're tempted to put all your savings into an impulse purchase or a complicated, glossy new investment, ask yourself: Is this my financial broccoli, or is it just Nutella? Sometimes the simplest, most boring option is the one that saves you a world of pain later on. Don't let your inner child-or a smooth-talking social media influencer-dictate your financial future. 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 3149 TALKING FINANCE with Justin Baiocchi of Baiocchi Griffin The Unsupervised Financial Diet Private Wealth One thing you learn as a parent is that a child , if left to their own devices , will adopt a very unusual approach to eating . Offer up a perfectly balanced dinner of slow - cooked vegetables and lean protein ? No chance . But a week - old packet of dried sultanas they found under the sofa ? Gone in thirty seconds . I recall one situation , many years ago , where our eldest son went through a phase where he was convinced Nutella was made to eaten at every meal . As a well - meaning parent , this was obviously unacceptable . I tried reasoning , I tried hiding the jar , I even tried telling him it was made from crushed snails . Nothing worked . The allure of that sweet , instant gratification was simply too strong . I have since realised that this is a battle we fight daily with our finances , too . In a perfect world , our financial diet would be all broccoli and brown rice : boring and bland , with consistent savings , regular low- cost investing , and a sensible budget . But when we're left unsupervised- or , worse , scrolling through a financial influencer's social media feed - we find ourselves drawn to the Nutella of the investment world . It might be the hot , speculative stock tip , the " miracle " crypto that promises a one - way trip to untold riches , or the complicated , exotic investment that sounds impressive but makes zero sense . These are the equivalent of financial sugar hits . They taste great for a second , but they leave you with a sugar crash , a stomach - ache , and a growing debt problem . Just like I can't let my kids subsist on a diet of pure sugar and snacks , you can't let your money run wild . We're all driven by that desire for an easy win , but that's rarely the path to long - term health , be it physical or financial . You need to be the responsible adult in the room , guiding your money toward a sensible , long - term plan . So next time you're tempted to put all your savings into an impulse purchase or a complicated , glossy new investment , ask yourself : Is this my financial broccoli , or is it just Nutella ? Sometimes the simplest , most boring option is the one that saves you a world of pain later on . Don't let your inner child - or a smooth - talking social media influencer - dictate your financial future . 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 3149