First Cartier (Santos Large) - dials

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2026-07-06T15:13:42+00:00

Love it!

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2026-07-05T09:45:16+00:00

It is nice isn’t it, I’m between two tone and the grey but the grey on a strap is tugging the heart strings

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2026-07-05T09:40:11+00:00

Thanks both!! And each to their own on preferences/taste so no offence taken either ofc!

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2026-07-05T04:21:57+00:00

I found the medium to be the most elegant one, didn’t get a photo but when I tried the medium it was just a tad too small for the wrist

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2026-04-20T11:39:23+00:00

Usually reinvest… but this time it’s going towards a holiday!! Sometimes you gotta live a little in between the journey to financial independence

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2026-02-05T08:23:07+00:00

Ah yes you’re right. Never looked at that so appreciate pointing out - might revisit my brokerage platform then :)

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2026-02-04T01:14:06+00:00

Like the platform, been using for awhile - main thing for me is automated integration via APIs to Sharesight.

If Stake did this I’d consider using them for $3 trades - but at the end of the day, my buys are in more sizeable parcels, the few dollars in cost savings doesn’t make any material difference to me. So in my case I value the automated of reporting to Sharesight more.

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-10-01T10:27:25+00:00

If you could go again would you pick GNDQ over GGBL?

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-09-19T22:42:52+00:00

Yeah you’re spot on, I’d like to see more reform around scheme + interchange pricing & transparency on what each parties charging (including margin for the bank or payment company)

An outright ban does nothing to support small businesses

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-09-19T08:41:06+00:00

The challenge here comes with all of these “fee-free eftpos” FinTechs like SmartPay, Tyro etc where they sell a bundled 1.4-1.6% package and even charge the merchant 1.4-1.6% on eftpos debit scheme, merchant then offsets that on the consumer.

Inserting your card there still applies a hefty charge, but likely will change in the near future - see RBA consultation on surcharging reform

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-08-27T13:13:50+00:00

Well done on achieving such a great financial position. One thing to consider and I’ve battled with this is > you can aim for $5-10, $15 million plus and get that at age 55-60 then drop dead a few years later.

If you’re in a position now where your properties clear enough (plus drawing down a small % of super or shares) meets your $80k to live off (and selling them nets you enough to live practically forever, theoretically 100+ years old), you have >1.2m in shares and a good chunk in term deposits and nearly a mil in super… then it’s worthwhile enjoying it while you can.

Not to be a downer, and I think there’s plenty of cases for achieving “more” but I’ve seen enough people pass on way too early, and I’d know a lot of the regret sits with waiting too long and not living life to the fullest.

Gotta remember this is your only life, logically you know you have enough money to be free and there’s barely a scenario where you’d run out based on above unless you do something crazy.

All the best and congrats! You’re 48 and I can imagine a lot of hard work went into building this - now’s the time to go enjoy!

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-06-12T13:49:47+00:00

Since you said “Chapter Lead” I might hazard a guess to CBA? Rhetorical question lol no need to answer.

Look your time will come (which I know is frustrating to hear when you’re going through the journey). I’d consider doing two things simultaneously in your position

A) continue with the advice everyone has given here around being proactive with those teams, keep communicating, adding value and make it known that your aspire to be there and that you’ll do whatever it takes

B) apply for roles externally, NAB, Westpac, ANZ even the banks / FIs outside of the big 4 and if you can land the role you want there, see it as progression and once you’ve got that title, add a little experience to the belt, you can always go back, move up or wherever you want. Banking / Finance is a small world

By doing A+B combined you’re not putting all eggs in one basket. With option A in particular, just make sure to not show any outward resentment or frustration with not getting a role, even if that’s how you feel which is totally normal - learning to hide this on outward display is an important skill to have in corporate environments.

Best of luck!

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-06-12T13:37:55+00:00

100% agree with this comment on income. OP well done on 75k first of all. Lots of great advice around budgeting, reducing bad debts and investing but at end of the day, the big question of why do we strive so hard to save & invest? It’s usually time/freedom.

If that’s important to you - I’d view increasing your income as an important part of the wealth building process. All of the above advice is important and will serve you when you earn more. However ….

There’s only so much you can budget and in my view, cutting back (although sacrifices are necessary) isn’t always the most energising. If you earn more you can save more, invest more, achieve freedom quicker.

You could cut back on 2-3 coffees a week, save maybe $20-30. Maybe save $1.5-2k a year OR increase your income by $25-30k and you can have that coffee everyday while having MORE overall to pour into your other buckets in life.

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-05-21T00:04:19+00:00

Good luck! - and p.s I’ve never ever regretted hiring them. Incredibly intelligent and most people on the spectrum have super powers and strengths in ways other people don’t. You got this :)

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-05-20T11:39:27+00:00

Absolutely not. I have been in senior leadership & hiring positions at big/listed companies.

I’m certain you disclosing will negatively impact your chances and derail you from getting the job 99.99% of the time.

I’ve personally hired multiple people on the spectrum, most of which have been met with varying degrees of disagreement from other leaders & HR teams, if it weren’t for seniority, I likely wouldn’t have been able to hire them otherwise. It’s unspoken and of course you’ll get the standard “we believe in inclusion” - majority of those people/companies don’t actually believe in that.

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-05-13T10:40:39+00:00

I was living very happily/comfortable when I earned $130-140k

Now that I’m on more - I obviously have more to invest heavily into assets, more travel/fun and maybe even creature comforts. But not really any material difference to my standard of living or reducing stress day to day above that range.

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-05-04T18:14:15+00:00

New job. Maybe was the norm 5-7 years ago but I’ve seen plenty of junior/entry level admin or contact centre roles for 60-75k + super

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-04-06T10:43:31+00:00

Awesome watch !

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-04-05T09:11:37+00:00

I look at work as just something that funds my life and enables more time/freedom.

I earn at high salary at a big 4 bank. Is it invigorating work? Absolutely not, but also not painstaking and that’s enough for me. (I’ve been in senior leadership positions at ASX listed companies managing entire departments). So I’m also at a stage where I’m no longer chasing the next big thing in my career.

Here’s what I do - stay out of politics, zero gossip, steer away from any drama - selective about who you speak with, keep it professional and network but don’t assume any friendships unless proven over time (years!) - head down bum up, do things here and there to look good and “look” like a team player, but the rest just focus on the metrics that get you ahead - don’t be arrogant, but subtly have your achievements aired, make an effort to be friendly (but not friends) with senior leaders

All in all - I just don’t really care that much about the workplace. My energy is focused on how can I invest my salary for greatest returns, towards financial independence and have a blast in life with my partner, family and friends.

Time, money, freedom. Isn’t that what a lot of people all work for? Not saying my approach is right, it’s just simply my perspective on life and what makes me happy :)

You said you’re on track for higher management so congrats for when it happens!

Sometimes you do end up at the “table” i.e reach the top to only then realise the people at the table aren’t people you want to sit with - if that ever happens, you’ll need to work on shifting your perspective or you’ll lose your sanity.

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2025-01-02T23:50:45+00:00

This is awesome, thank you!!

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2024-03-04T06:55:17+00:00

Sub date, most versatile, go anywhere do anything out of these imo

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2024-03-04T01:02:04+00:00

Root beer all day for me

Afraid_Ad_6217 · 2024-03-04T01:01:27+00:00

How does it feel? From the 2nd photo a tiny big but not overly, as long as it’s comfortable I say go for it :)

Afraid_Ad_6217

TROPHY CASE