Feeling Behind With Money? Here’s What I Tell My Clients to Focus on First
One of the most common things I hear in our first session is:
“I feel like I should be further ahead by now.”
Whether they’re in their 30s or late 40s, earning $80K or $280K, that feeling doesn’t discriminate.
The truth is, it’s not about how much you earn, it’s about what you do with it. And when people feel behind, I don’t give them a lecture or a complicated spreadsheet. I give them a clear starting point.
If that’s where you’re at right now, unsure how to get ahead financially, here are the practical foundations I walk through with every client.
1. Get Clear on Where Your Money Actually Goes
Most people have a rough idea, but very few have the full picture. You don’t need an app or a fancy system. Just go through your last two months of bank statements and put every expense into three categories:
Fixed essentials (e.g. rent/mortgage, utilities, transport)
Variable lifestyle (e.g. dining out, subscriptions, holidays)
Financial progress (e.g. super, savings, investments, loan repayments)
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. Because when you know where your money’s going, you can redirect it where it matters most.
2. Create a Buffer. Even Just $1,000
If you don’t already have an emergency fund or offset account with a buffer, this is your number one priority.
You don’t need $20K to start. I usually say: aim for $1,000 first. Put it in a high-interest savings account or an offset against your mortgage. This gives you breathing room. It protects your credit card from becoming your safety net.
And that small buffer? It often triggers the first real feeling of financial control.
3. Start Making Super Work for You Now
If you’re salaried, your employer is already paying 11% into your super. But that’s often not enough, especially if you took career breaks or started late.
The strategy I suggest for many clients is to top up super with small voluntary contributions. Even $50–$100 per fortnight can make a long-term difference, especially if you’re eligible for:
Personal tax deductions on those contributions
Catch-up contributions from previous unused caps (check with your accountant or adviser)
This isn’t just about retirement, it’s a way to reduce tax now and grow an asset for later.
4. Automate One Wealth-Building Habit
The best way to stay consistent with savings or investments is to take yourself out of the equation. Set up an automatic transfer for weekly, fortnightly, or monthly into a separate account, micro-investing platform, or your super fund.
It could be:
$200 to a savings account
$150 to a mortgage offset
$100 to an ETF investment fund
It doesn’t matter where you start. What matters is that you start. Automation removes the decision fatigue and builds momentum.
5. Stop Comparing. Start Structuring.
Every financial journey is different. Some people get help from family. Others start from scratch. Some earn a high income but have big responsibilities. The only thing that matters is your structure and whether it supports your goals.
If you’re not sure what that structure looks like, that’s exactly what we work on at Financial Wellness Hub. Not one-size-fits-all advice, but a personalised game plan based on your income, lifestyle and what you actually want from your money.
Final Thought
If you’ve been feeling behind financially, you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. The key is to stop looking for the “perfect” move and just start with the next right step.
If you’re ready to reset, clarify your direction, and start building real momentum, book a complimentary session with us. You might be further ahead than you think. You just need the right framework to move forward with purpose.
Visit Financial Wellness Hub for a complimentary session tailored to your goals.
By Brett Tarlington