TALKING FINANCE with Michelle Higgerson of Baiocchi Griffin Private Wealth SANTA, STORMS AND SOUND INVESTING Today is the 13th December, meaning there are only 12 days remaining until Christmas Day. Hopefully by now you have your travel plans sorted, the menu finalised, and potentially even the fruit soaking for the home-made Christmas cake. While you can plan everything to the nth degree for the big day, unfortunately there seems to always be one thing that can, and does, go wrong. Perhaps it's forgetting that batteries are sold separately to the new toy, or the relative and their stubborn barbecue. Every December they claim they'd "finally nailed the setup," yet without fail they forget something vital, usually being a sufficient level of gas remaining in the bottle. Frustratingly, this is probably after running into the same issue the Christmas prior. Once all the chaos and yelling settles down, you might be able to draw some lessons between Christmas Day and investing. Take the weather, for instance. Forecasts are always best treated as vague suggestions. A day promised to be "hot and dry" could just as easily deliver a nasty storm in the late afternoon. Sensible families have an indoor plan b' option. Smart investors do the same: enjoy the good conditions but always prepare for sudden changes. Then there is the lunch spread. To lessen the burden on the host, every guest will bring a dish. If the trifle didn't set or the sausages are burnt to a crisp, there are still potato salads, cold ham, pavlova, and Mum's unbeatable fruitcake. No single dish will carry the whole meal, and just like a well-diversified portfolio, the feast will survive any individual disaster. After the lunch feast, attention turns to setting up the cricket pitch in the backyard. Initially the stumps are placed on a patch of lumpy ground causing the ball to bounce unpredictably, leading to requests and demands for shifting them to a flatter patch more conducive to lasting play. Long-term positioning matters, you see. Put something-whether cricket stumps or moneyin the wrong environment, and the natural forces around it can work against you. Choose wisely, and time will become an ally. Australian Christmases aren't just family, heat, and flies. It can be a gentle reminder that planning helps, diversification protects, long-term thinking strengthens, and steady effort-even if a little disorganised-eventually brings rewards. 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 @Baiocchi Griffin Find us on Facebook facebook.com/Baiocchi Griffin Private Wealth www.bgprivatewealth.com.au 3183 TALKING FINANCE with Michelle Higgerson of Baiocchi Griffin Private Wealth SANTA , STORMS AND SOUND INVESTING Today is the 13th December , meaning there are only 12 days remaining until Christmas Day . Hopefully by now you have your travel plans sorted , the menu finalised , and potentially even the fruit soaking for the home - made Christmas cake . While you can plan everything to the nth degree for the big day , unfortunately there seems to always be one thing that can , and does , go wrong . Perhaps it's forgetting that batteries are sold separately to the new toy , or the relative and their stubborn barbecue . Every December they claim they'd " finally nailed the setup , " yet without fail they forget something vital , usually being a sufficient level of gas remaining in the bottle . Frustratingly , this is probably after running into the same issue the Christmas prior . Once all the chaos and yelling settles down , you might be able to draw some lessons between Christmas Day and investing . Take the weather , for instance . Forecasts are always best treated as vague suggestions . A day promised to be " hot and dry " could just as easily deliver a nasty storm in the late afternoon . Sensible families have an indoor plan b ' option . Smart investors do the same : enjoy the good conditions but always prepare for sudden changes . Then there is the lunch spread . To lessen the burden on the host , every guest will bring a dish . If the trifle didn't set or the sausages are burnt to a crisp , there are still potato salads , cold ham , pavlova , and Mum's unbeatable fruitcake . No single dish will carry the whole meal , and just like a well - diversified portfolio , the feast will survive any individual disaster . After the lunch feast , attention turns to setting up the cricket pitch in the backyard . Initially the stumps are placed on a patch of lumpy ground causing the ball to bounce unpredictably , leading to requests and demands for shifting them to a flatter patch more conducive to lasting play . Long - term positioning matters , you see . Put something - whether cricket stumps or money in the wrong environment , and the natural forces around it can work against you . Choose wisely , and time will become an ally . Australian Christmases aren't just family , heat , and flies . It can be a gentle reminder that planning helps , diversification protects , long - term thinking strengthens , and steady effort - even if a little disorganised - eventually brings rewards . 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 @Baiocchi Griffin Find us on Facebook facebook.com/Baiocchi Griffin Private Wealth www.bgprivatewealth.com.au 3183