Turning your super into a tax-free income stream in retirement

Ask a dozen people why they haven’t started investing, paid off their credit card, or topped up their super, and you’ll get a dozen different answers. But they usually trace back to the same thing: how they feel about money, not what they know about it. Behavioural finance calls this your “money personality,” and understanding yours can often be the missing piece between having a good plan and sticking to one.

The common money types

Most frameworks group behaviours into a few recognisable patterns ¹ :

• The Saver. Disciplined and future-focused but can be so risk-averse that cash sits idle and loses ground to inflation instead of growing.
• The Spender. Lives for today, finds real joy in money, but can struggle to build a buffer for tomorrow.
• The Avoider. Leaves statements unopened and decisions unmade; often the costliest pattern, since inaction compounds just as much as action does.
• The Investor/Explorer. Comfortable with risk and markets but can chase opportunities without a coherent long-term structure.

Why personality shapes financial success

These types are not character flaws; they are often habits formed early in life. If left unchecked, they can quietly shape decisions: the Saver may avoid growth assets in their super, the Avoider may miss a co-contribution deadline, and the Spender may never build an emergency fund.

Strategies that work with your type, not against it

• Automate what discipline can’t be relied on, for example contributions, transfers, rebalancing.
• Set guardrails, not restrictions, for higher-risk types.
• Build in regular, low-effort check-ins for Avoiders.

Where an adviser adds real value

This is where advice earns its keep. Industry research consistently finds behavioural coaching, keeping clients invested through volatility and steering them past emotional decisions, is the single largest component of the value an adviser adds, ahead of asset allocation and tax-effective structuring.²

We can’t change your personality, but we can build a plan that works with it.

Ready to find your type? Book a meeting and let’s talk about what’s really driving your money decisions and help get you back on track.

The information contained in this article is general information only. It is not intended to be a recommendation, offer, advice or invitation to purchase, sell or otherwise deal in securities or other investments. Before making any decision in respect to a financial product, you should seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional.  We believe that the information contained in this document is accurate. However, we are not specifically licensed to provide tax or legal advice and any information that may relate to you should be confirmed with your tax or legal adviser.

[1] canstar.com.au/budgeting/money-personality/
[2] Where advisers add most value. Hint: it’s not investing – Professional Planner