SMSF Diagnostic

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  I have built a reasonable financial base and am now thinking more strategically about the role my super may play in my longer-term plans.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true
• 2.
  I think about what I need to keep in reserve when making a significant financial commitment, not simply how much I could commit.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true
• 3.
  I value understanding how my super is invested and being involved in the decisions around it.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true
• 4.
  When making long-term financial decisions, I think about how today's choices could affect my options in the future.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true
• 5.
  Before making a major financial decision, I take the time to get clear on what I'm actually trying to achieve.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true
• 6.
  I have thought about why holding property within my super may be relevant to my longer-term plans.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true
• 7.
  When making a significant financial decision, I involve the appropriate professionals to help me understand the areas outside my own expertise.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true
• 8.
  I am prepared to take on the additional responsibilities, rules and compliance requirements that come with greater involvement in managing my super.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true
• 9.
  When making financial decisions, I consider how the different parts of my financial life, such as property, lending, super and business interests, fit together.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true
• 10.
  When considering borrowing, I take the time to understand how different lending structures could affect my options before deciding how to proceed.

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  • A.
    Not really me
  • B.
    Somewhat true
  • C.
    Mostly true
  • D.
    Very true

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Foundation Stage

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  Foundation StageBased on your responses, you're currently in what I'd call the Foundation Stage.This is where many people begin, and it's a really important stage.It's the stage where strong foundations are being built. The decisions you make here may not always feel significant at the time, but they're often the ones that create the greatest flexibility and opportunity in the years ahead.Right now, you might be focused on building your financial position, growing your super over time, or simply becoming clearer about what you'd like your future to look like. It might not feel like you're making big moves just yet, but this is often where the most important progress begins.For many professionals and business owners, this stage isn't about rushing into more complex strategies. It's about creating stability, building momentum and understanding how the different pieces of your financial position can work together over time.The important thing isn't trying to move to the next stage quickly. It's taking the time to build strong foundations first, so when new opportunities arise, you're in a better position to make thoughtful, well-considered decisions.This is simply the stage where those foundations are being built, and that's what allows everything else to follow.3 Ways to Build Future OptionsOne of the biggest influences on your future options is the size of your super balance.As your balance grows over time, more opportunities naturally begin to open up. Whether that comes through employer contributions, additional contributions or simply allowing time for compound growth, consistent progress today can create greater choice in the years ahead.1. Keep strengthening your financial foundationsAt this stage, the focus is often on continuing to strengthen your financial foundations.That might mean gaining a clearer understanding of your current position, creating more financial flexibility or simply giving yourself time to work out what you'd like the next stage to look like.Strong foundations can create more choices later and put you in a better position to make thoughtful decisions when new opportunities arise.2. Start thinking about the bigger pictureOne of the things that often changes as your financial position grows is the questions you begin asking.Instead of simply asking, "How much have I saved?" you might find yourself wondering, "What role could my assets play in supporting the life I'd like to create?"Taking time to think about your longer-term goals can help bring greater clarity to the decisions you make today. Understanding how the different parts of your financial life fit together can help you make more thoughtful decisions over time.3. Surround yourself with the right adviceOne of the things I've found is that the best financial decisions are rarely made in isolation.As your goals become clearer, having conversations with the right people can help you understand what might be possible and make more informed decisions. Whether that's your accountant, financial planner or a Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategist, each brings a different perspective that can help you see the bigger picture.You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Sometimes the most valuable conversation isn't about finding all the answers, it's about gaining the clarity to ask better questions.A Note from LeanneOne of the things I've learnt over the years is that the best financial decisions rarely come from having all the answers straight away. They come from taking the time to understand what's possible and how the different pieces fit together.If this diagnostic has sparked a few questions or helped you think differently about your own situation, I'd be delighted to have a conversation. Whether you're simply curious about what's possible or ready to explore your next steps, I'm always happy to help you make sense of it.Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelMortgage Broker & Finance Strategist“Strong financial outcomes don’t happen by accident, they’re built through thoughtful decisions over time.”Hi I’m Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelI’m a Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategist based in Melbourne, and for more than 25 years I've been helping individuals, families and business owners use finance as a tool to support their longer term goals.One of the things I've found is that the best lending decisions rarely happen in isolation. They're made when finance is considered alongside the bigger picture, including property, business, cash flow and future plans.I often work alongside accountants and financial planners, bringing the lending perspective into the broader conversation so clients can make well-considered decisions with the appropriate expertise around them.A Few Ways I Can HelpAs your financial position grows, the questions you ask and the opportunities available to you often change as well.Whether you're reviewing your current lending, thinking about investing for the first time or simply wanting to understand what's possible, my role is to help you make well-considered decisions that support your longer term goals.Review your current lending structureSometimes a fresh set of eyes is all that's needed. Reviewing your current lending can identify opportunities to improve flexibility, simplify your finances and keep future options open.Explore investment lending optionsWhether you're considering your first investment property or expanding an existing portfolio, the way your lending is structured today can influence the opportunities available to you in the future.Create greater flexibility in your lendingSmall changes can often make a meaningful difference over time. The right loan structure, offset accounts and repayment strategies can all help create greater flexibility and support your broader financial goals.InvitationIf you'd ever like a second set of eyes over your current lending, or simply want to explore what's possible, I'd be delighted to have a conversation.Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelHelping people to Strategically Use Finance to Create WealthMortgage Broker & Finance Strategist
• 2.
  Emerging Strategy

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  Emerging StrategyBased on your responses, you're moving into what I'd call the Emerging Strategy stage.This is where things often start to shift, and it's an exciting stage to be in.One of the things that often changes at this point is the questions you begin asking. You're no longer just focused on building your financial position, you're becoming more curious about how the different pieces fit together and how the decisions you make today could influence the opportunities available to you in the future.You might find yourself thinking more about how your super is invested, how your lending is structured, or what role property and other assets could play in supporting your longer term goals.At this stage, it's less about taking immediate action and more about creating understanding. As you begin exploring different possibilities, you'll often find that small insights lead to better questions, and better questions lead to more confident decisions.This is often the stage where understanding starts to turn into strategy. As your thinking evolves, you can begin to develop greater clarity about the options available and the questions worth exploring further.3 Ways to Keep Building MomentumAs your understanding grows, it's natural to become more curious about how the different pieces of your financial position fit together. These three ideas can help you keep building momentum as you explore what's possible, without feeling like you need to have everything worked out just yet.1. Are things working together, or are they sitting in isolation?One of the things I've found is that understanding your current position often creates the greatest clarity.Taking a step back to look at your current position, including your lending, super and other assets, can help you begin to see how the different pieces interact and where further questions may be worth exploring.You don't need to make any immediate changes. Sometimes understanding your current structure is the first step towards making more strategic decisions over time.2. Start asking better questionsAs your understanding grows, the questions you ask naturally begin to change.Instead of just focusing on rates or returns, you might start asking things like:• How does this decision support my longer term goals?• Is there a more strategic way to structure this?• What options might I not be aware of yet?The quality of the questions we ask often shapes the quality of the decisions we make.3. Begin exploring what’s possibleYou don't need to have a fully formed plan at this stage. It's simply an opportunity to explore what's possible and begin building your understanding.Whether that's learning more about SMSF lending, different lending structures or the options that may become available as your position grows, every conversation adds another piece to the bigger picture.One of the things I've found is that these conversations are often most valuable when they're shared with the right people. Your accountant, financial planner and Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategist each bring a different perspective that can help you understand the considerations and implications from different angles.A Note from LeanneOne of the things I've learnt over the years is that understanding often comes before strategy. As you begin asking different questions and exploring new possibilities, the bigger picture naturally starts to come into focus.If this diagnostic has sparked your curiosity or helped you think differently about your own situation, I'd be delighted to have a conversation. Whether you're exploring what's possible or simply want a second set of eyes over your current lending, I'm always happy to help you make sense of it.Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelMortgage Broker & Finance Strategist“Understanding your options helps you see what's possible.”Hi I’m Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelI'm a Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategist based in Melbourne, and for more than 25 years I've been helping individuals, families and business owners use finance as a tool to support their longer term goals.One of the things I've found is that the best lending decisions rarely happen in isolation. They're made when finance is considered alongside the bigger picture, including property, business, cash flow and future plans.That's why I often work alongside accountants and financial planners, bringing the lending perspective into the broader conversation so clients can make well-considered decisions with the appropriate expertise around them.How I Support Clients at This StageAs your thinking becomes more strategic, it's natural to have more questions than answers.You don't need to have everything worked out before exploring your options. In fact, this is often the stage where taking the time to understand what's possible helps you make more confident decisions later.Helping you make sense of your current positionSometimes the most valuable step is simply taking a fresh look at where you're at today. We can explore how your lending is currently structured and consider how it sits alongside your super, property, business interests and broader plans. That can give you a clearer understanding of what's working well from a lending perspective and where there may be questions worth exploring further.Bringing structure to your thinkingAs the questions you're asking become more strategic, it can be helpful to talk them through with someone who understands how lending fits into the bigger picture.Often, it's not about making changes straight away. It's about understanding the implications of different options before deciding how you'd like to proceed.Working alongside your advisersWhere appropriate, I work alongside your accountant and financial planner, bringing the lending perspective into the conversation so the implications of different options can be considered alongside your broader financial strategy. Bringing together different perspectives often leads to better informed decisions and a strategy that's working towards the same goals.InvitationIf you'd like a second set of eyes over your current lending, or simply want to explore what's possible as your strategy evolves, I'd be delighted to have a conversation.Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelHelping people to strategically use finance to create wealthMortgage Broker & Finance Strategist
• 3.
  Strategic Clarity

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  Strategic ClarityBased on your responses, you're moving into what I'd call the Strategic Clarity stage.This is where things start to come into sharper focus, and the bigger picture begins to take shape.You've moved beyond simply exploring what's possible and you may already have a combination of property, super and business interests in place. You're beginning to understand how the different pieces of your financial position fit together.You're also becoming more aware that decisions in one area can influence the options available to you in another.At this stage, the questions you're asking are becoming more intentional. It's no longer just about what you could do. You're beginning to think more deliberately about why you're considering a particular option, the implications involved and how today's decisions might influence the opportunities available to you in the future.This is also where having the right people around you can become increasingly valuable. Your accountant, financial planner and Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategist each bring a different perspective, and bringing those perspectives together can help you make decisions with the bigger picture in mind.You don't need to have everything finalised or be ready to take immediate action. Strategic Clarity is about understanding your position, understanding the options available and the considerations that may influence what comes next.That understanding creates a stronger foundation for the more aligned and confident decisions that follow.3 Strategic Steps to Consider NextAs the bigger picture comes into focus, this is a good time to look more closely at how your financial position is structured and whether it supports where you're heading. You don't need to make any major decisions just yet. This stage is about understanding what you have, why it's structured the way it is and where there may be opportunities to strengthen it.1. Bring your current structure into focusWhen property, super, lending and business interests have been built up over time, they don't always form part of one deliberate strategy.Taking a closer look at your current position can help you see how the different pieces interact and identify where there may be questions worth exploring with the appropriate advisers.Sometimes simply seeing your current position more clearly can change the questions you ask about what comes next.2. Connect your finance with your longer term goalsOnce you understand your current position, the next question is how your lending structure may influence where you're trying to go.That might mean considering future property plans, business growth, retirement goals or other priorities, and understanding how the decisions you make in one area could influence what's possible in another.It's not necessarily about changing anything straight away. It's about making future decisions with a clearer understanding of how they support the bigger picture.3. Strengthen the team around youAs your financial strategy develops, having the right people around you can become increasingly valuable.Your accountant, financial planner and Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategist each bring a different perspective. When those perspectives come together, it's easier to understand the implications of different options and make well-considered decisions with the bigger picture in mind.You don't need to have everything finalised. Having the right conversations now can help you understand what needs to be considered before deciding what comes next.A Note from LeanneOne of the things I've found is that this is often the point where the pieces start to come together. You have a better understanding of where you're at, you're becoming clearer about where you'd like to go, and structure starts to matter in a different way.You don't need to have everything figured out. Taking the time to understand your options, the implications of each one and how they support your longer term goals can make the decisions that follow much easier to make with confidence.If you'd like to talk through what that could look like for you, I'm always happy to have a conversation.Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelMortgage Broker & Finance Strategist“Structure turns good decisions into long term outcomes.”Hi I’m Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelI’m a Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategist based in Melbourne, and for more than 25 years I’ve worked with professionals, business owners and investors to structure their lending in a way that supports their long term financial goals.At this stage, many of my clients are no longer just exploring what’s possible, they’re ready to take a more deliberate and strategic approach to how their finance is structured.That’s where I can help.I help clients understand their lending options and structure their finance with their broader plans in mind, while considering flexibility as their circumstances evolve.I often work alongside my clients' accountants and financial planners, bringing the lending perspective into the broader conversation so the implications of different options can be considered before decisions are made.How I Can Support You at This StageAt this stage, the bigger picture is starting to come together, but there may still be a number of moving parts to consider.My role is to help you understand how your lending fits within that bigger picture, so you can make well-considered decisions about what comes next.Understanding how your lending is currently structuredSometimes it helps to step back and look at your lending as part of your broader financial position, rather than viewing each loan or decision in isolation.Together, we can look at how your lending is currently structured, how it sits alongside your property, super, business interests and future plans, and whether it's supporting where you're trying to go.There's no pressure to make immediate changes. Sometimes simply understanding your current position can give you a very different perspective on the decisions that follow.Bringing more strategy to your lending decisionsAs you become clearer about where you're heading, we can explore how different lending options and structures might apply to your situation.It's not about finding a loan in isolation, it's about understanding the implications of the different options available to you and considering how each approach could affect your broader plans.Working alongside your finance teamThe more pieces there are to consider, the more valuable it can be to have the right people looking at the bigger picture.I work alongside your accountant and financial planner where appropriate, bringing the lending perspective into those conversations so the decisions being made in one area take into account what's happening in the others.InvitationIf you'd like a second set of eyes over your current lending, or want to explore whether the way it's structured supports where you're heading, I'm always happy to have a conversation.Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelHelping people to strategically use finance to create wealthMortgage Broker & Finance Strategist
• 4.
  Strategic Alignment

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  Strategic AlignmentBased on your responses, you're moving into what I'd call the Strategic Alignment stage.At this stage, you're thinking beyond individual financial decisions and considering how the different parts of your financial life fit together.You've already got assets in place, whether that’s property, super, or business interests, and you're focused on making sure those elements support your longer term goals.This stage is about bringing everything together, it's not just about individual decisions, but understanding how a decision in one area could influence what's possible in another.For many professionals and business owners, this is where the difference between a collection of good decisions and a well-aligned strategy becomes clear.This is also often the point where the value of having the right people around you stands out, with each adviser working collaboratively to support the overall strategy.At this level, structure becomes critical. The way your lending is structured, how assets are held and how decisions are sequenced can all have implications for the bigger picture, which is why having the appropriate expertise around you becomes increasingly important.You don’t need to be doing everything at once, but you are at a point where alignment, clarity and thoughtful execution can make a significant difference.3 Strategic Steps to Consider NextAt this stage, the focus shifts from understanding how the pieces fit together to looking more closely at how well they're working together. It's an opportunity to refine what's already in place, consider where adjustments may be worthwhile and make future decisions with the bigger picture in mind.1. Refine your lending structureAs your financial position evolves, even relatively small structural decisions can influence the options available to you over time.Reviewing how your lending is set up, including loan splits, offsets, flexibility and the way different facilities work together, can help you understand whether your current structure continues to support both where you're at today and where you're heading.Often, it's not about making major changes. It's about refining what's already in place so it continues to work effectively as your circumstances and goals evolve.2. Look at how the different pieces work togetherThe more pieces you have in place, the more important it becomes to consider the impact one decision may have on another.Property, super, business interests, lending and future plans don't necessarily sit in separate boxes. Looking at the connections between them can help you understand whether your current approach is supporting the bigger picture and where there may be opportunities to strengthen it.Sometimes the most strategic decision is not to change anything at all. It's knowing that what you already have in place continues to support where you're heading.3. Strengthen the conversations across your finance teamWhen there are several parts of your financial position to consider, communication between the people advising you can become increasingly valuable.Your accountant, financial planner and Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategist each look at your position through a different lens. Bringing those perspectives together can help identify the implications of a decision before it's made and reduce the risk of solving something in one area while unintentionally creating a problem in another.Even a conversation between the right people can sometimes reveal considerations that may not have been apparent when each part was looked at separately.A Note from LeanneOne of the things I've found is that good strategy isn't something you put in place once and never revisit. Your circumstances change, opportunities arise and your goals can evolve, so the structures supporting them may need to evolve as well.Strategic Alignment isn't about having everything perfectly arranged. It's about understanding how the different pieces work together and making thoughtful decisions that continue to support where you're heading.If you'd like to explore how your current lending fits within your bigger picture, I'm always happy to have a conversation.Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelMortgage Broker & Finance Strategist“The strongest strategies are built when each decision supports the bigger picture.”Hi I’m Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelI'm a Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategist based in Melbourne, and for more than 25 years I've been helping individuals, families and business owners use finance as a tool to support their longer term goals.One of the things I've found is that the best lending decisions rarely happen in isolation. They're made when finance is considered alongside the bigger picture, including property, business, cash flow and future plans.I often work alongside accountants and financial planners, bringing the lending perspective into the broader conversation so clients can make well-considered decisions with the appropriate expertise around them.How I Support Clients at This StageAt this stage, my role is to help you look at your lending as part of the bigger picture, so the decisions you make take into account where you're at today, where you're heading and the other pieces of your financial position.Refining your lending strategyAs your circumstances and goals evolve, the lending structures that worked well in the past may not always be the ones that best support what comes next.Together, we can review how your lending is currently structured and consider whether there are opportunities to improve flexibility, refine individual facilities or better position you for future plans.Sometimes that means making changes. Sometimes it means confirming that what you already have in place is still working well.Considering your lending within the bigger pictureProperty, business, super and lending decisions can all influence one another, which is why I don't believe lending decisions should be considered in isolation.My role is to help you understand the lending implications of the decisions you're considering and how different options could affect your broader plans, so you can make well-considered choices with the bigger picture in mind.Working alongside your finance teamWhen there are several moving parts, having the right people talking to each other can make a meaningful difference.I work alongside your accountant and financial planner where appropriate, bringing the lending perspective into the conversation so the implications can be considered before decisions are made.That doesn't mean everyone will always have the same perspective. It means you have the benefit of different areas of expertise when considering what makes sense for you.InvitationIf you'd like a second set of eyes over your current lending, or want to explore how well it's supporting your broader plans, I'm always happy to have a conversation.Leanne Watson | Your Finance AngelHelping people to strategically use finance to create wealthMortgage Broker & Finance Strategist