Summary

In this episode, Scott and Phil explore various financial planning tools, particularly focusing on superannuation comparison tools. They navigate through government and private tools, discussing their effectiveness and usability. The conversation also delves into risk profiling and the importance of understanding investment strategies. The hosts emphasize the need for professional advice in navigating these complex financial landscapes, highlighting the limitations of DIY tools.

10+ years. Hundreds of client conversations. Market cycles, lessons, mistakes, and plenty of cringe-worthy photos.Want to know if you're on track for retirement? Take our free 2-minute quiz: https://wealthlab.scoreapp.com/In this episode, Scott, Phil, and Jordan take you behind the scenes to reflect on over a decade in the world of financial advice, wealth management, and running Wealthlab. It’s part throwback, part wisdom, and fully real.We share:📈 What’s changed (and what hasn’t) in financial advice since 2012💬 The most common client questions we hear🛑 How to spot a dodgy advisor — and check if yours is even licensed📷 A few classic headshots and stories that show just how far we’ve come✅ What really matters when it comes to building trust and wealth over timeWhether you’re thinking about retirement, feeling stuck with your super fund, or just want to know what working with an advisor should feel like, this episode is a rare peek inside the people, values, and real-world experience behind Wealthlab.

How bad can a super fund really be?

In this Wealthlab episode, Scott and Phil go on a mission to find the worst performing super fund in Australia using the official MySuper comparison tools. What starts out as a simple data search quickly spirals into a frustrating (and hilarious) deep dive into just how broken these tools really are.

Using the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool, industry websites, and default lifecycle fund disclosures, they uncover:

- Misleading return ranges (some as wide as 3%–6.5% for 10-year performance!)

- Lifecycle options that get worse as you age

- Government-endorsed tools showing closed funds in top rankings

- Fines for misleading return data — paid with member money

This episode breaks down why super fund performance figures are confusing, how funds manipulate perception with outdated or selective data, and why comparing super funds is nearly impossible without professional tools and advice.

💡 Whether you’re in AustralianSuper, Hostplus, Aware Super, ART, QSuper, or any other fund — this is a must-listen to understand how your retirement savings are really being measured.

Check Wealthlab Website: https://wealthlab.com.au/

Book Free Super Check: https://wealthlab.com.au/book-a-call/

Is AI the future, or have we hit peak hype?

In this episode of the WealthLab Podcast, Scott and Phil break down the AI boom, Big Tech’s recent pullback, and whether the AI bubble is about to pop. With Microsoft and Apple scaling back AI investments, and an explosion of AI-powered startups with sky-high valuations, is this the start of a reality check? Or is AI just evolving into something more specialized?

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Is AI still a good investment, or is the bubble bursting?

✅ Why Microsoft and Apple are stepping back from AI funding

✅ How AI will shift from hype to real-world applications

✅ The rise of AI slop—low-quality, mass-generated content

✅ Will AI replace stockbrokers, journalists, and financial analysts?

✅ How to spot AI-driven financial scams and misinformation

Key Takeaways:

The AI hype cycle mirrors the early dot-com boom—mass adoption, followed by a reality check.

Big Tech isn’t abandoning AI, but they are cutting back on unsustainable investments.

AI’s future lies in industry-specific applications (think doctors, mechanics, and finance).

The rise of AI-generated financial advice—and why you should be skeptical.

AI will create opportunities and risks—but where will it leave investors?

Why is the first $100K the hardest? And why does your wealth seem to grow so much faster after reaching it?

In this episode of the WealthLab Podcast, Scott and Phil break down the psychology, math, and strategy behind hitting your first $100K in savings and investments. We explore compound interest, the snowball effect, and why your net worth skyrockets after $100K.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why the first $100K takes the longest—and how to speed it up

✅ How compound interest and time work in your favor

✅ The difference between saving for $100K vs. investing for $100K

✅ Why increasing income matters more than extreme budgeting

✅ How delaying retirement for just 2 years can add $100K+ to your balance

✅ Why most people fail to invest early—and how to avoid their mistakes

Key Takeaways:

It takes around 7 years to save $100K if you're investing $1,000/month at a 6% return.

The second $100K takes just 4.5 years, thanks to the power of compounding.

Your mindset matters! The wealthy focus on growing money, not just saving it.

If you start late, you’ll need to invest 2.5X more to catch up!

Small decisions today—like investing early and staying consistent—make a massive difference in long-term wealth.

If you're ready to crack the $100K milestone and accelerate your path to wealth, this episode is for you!

In this special year-end episode, Scott and Phil take a deep dive into 2024’s biggest lessons, trends, and surprises. From Christmas spending patterns and how they reflect broader economic behaviors to property market dynamics and the challenges of supply vs. demand, this episode delivers a comprehensive review of the year.

We also discuss the rise of AI and its parallels to the early internet boom, explore the energy landscape and the shift toward renewables, and reflect on what these trends mean for you as an investor.

Key topics include:

💡 Plus, an exciting announcement about WealthLab’s new team member joining us in 2025 to enhance the services we provide to you.

Whether you’re reflecting on your own financial journey or gearing up for a strong start in 2025, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

In this episode of Wealth Lab, Scott and Phil sit down with professional photographer Lauren McAdam to discuss the value of engaging an expert versus doing things yourself. They dive into key moments in life—whether it’s capturing family traditions, legacy photography, or managing your finances—and explore when it makes sense to call in a pro. Learn how Lauren captures authentic family moments and how these lessons translate to financial planning, branding photography, and building a personal or business legacy.

They also delve into how professionals bring years of experience that DIY approaches can't match—whether it's managing retirement plans, taking professional headshots, or avoiding costly mistakes. Tune in to hear why investing in the right help can make all the difference!

In this episode, we delve into the allure and practicalities of cruise ship retirement—is it a genuine luxury retirement avenue or just a captivating myth? We compare the cost of retirement at sea to staying in a bustling city, equipping you with knowledge to make informed retirement decisions. Does living on a cruise truly lower the cost of retirement? We answer these pivotal questions, providing insights into achieving your retirement dreams.