Cashflow. I know, It’s not the most glamorous topic, but how we handle the money coming in is what shapes both our present lifestyle and our future options. You can have the biggest dreams in the world, but if your cashflow is leaking, those dreams don’t get funded. It’s the foundation every successful financial plan depends on.

How Our Money Story Changes

When we first start earning, it’s all about covering the basics: food, rent, petrol, bills. If we work hard and our careers grow, we can eventually loosen the grip of those day-to-day worries. Suddenly, we’re not just paying for “needs” anymore, we’re eyeing the things we want. And that’s when the real tug-of-war starts.

We tell ourselves that new gadgets, bigger houses, or shinier cars are the keys to happiness and success, after all, that’s what we’re bombarded with every day. Marketing is everywhere, shaping what we think we need. But is it really true? And what do these choices cost our future selves?

The Quicksand of Accumulation

That urge to want more is human nature. It’s hard-wired into our evolution. Wanting “more” helped humanity survive and grow, and even today, the world runs on the assumption that more is always better.

But most of us are no longer fighting for basic survival. We’ve moved past that point. So that same instinct that once helped us thrive can now quietly drag us down, like quicksand.

I’ve seen families caught in the trap of lifestyle creep - spending more as their incomes grow, often at the expense of their future. Too often, the reality only hits later, when they realise their money went toward things that brought short-term pleasure but little lasting value.

On the other hand, I've worked with many families who’ve learned to rise above the constant pursuit of “new and shiny”. They’ve built their own philosophy around what matters most, and they spend in ways that reflect their values - not society’s expectations.

Choosing the Tradeoff

The point isn’t to stop spending or feel guilty for enjoying life. In fact, many people discover that real joy doesn’t come from accumulating things - it comes from experiences: quality time with family, exploring new hobbies, travelling, learning, and building meaningful connections.

Money always comes with tradeoffs. Choosing “more” today, without thought, often reduces the freedom and security of tomorrow. And sadly, many only realise this after the opportunity to course-correct has passed.

Each of us faces the choice: continue chasing “more,” or embrace enough. Not a life of restriction, but a life of clarity and purpose. And “enough” looks different for everyone. Even so, for most of us, what counts as enough today still represents a life far beyond what our grandparents could have imagined.

Walking the Journey Together

The first step is getting clear on what truly matters to you. Spend with intention. Invest with purpose. Of course, not all consumption can or should be avoided, and there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for money or happiness.

You are the expert on your own life and what gives it meaning. Financial advisers exist to help guide the essential decisions in your financial journey. With comprehensive planning, they provide the tools, structure, and guidance to help you navigate your path with confidence, so your money supports the life you actually want. 🩷