For Steve and Annette, financial security and freedom have been at the core of their story with Navigate Advisory.
Over the years, they have navigated market shifts, planned for retirement, and built a future that aligns with their vision of a great life.
Steve and Annette have been clients of Managing Director, Harry Moustakas (and now Navigate Advisory) for 25 years, engaging in various financial services, that have supported them through different life stages.
From early investments in shares and managed funds to dealing with the complexities of home loans, market downturns like the GFC and the pandemic, and ultimately planning for retirement, their financial story has been deeply intertwined with Navigate’s guidance.
Thank you, Steve and Annette, for chatting with us today, we would love to hear how Navigate Advisory supports you.
“We started with them in our younger years with margin loans and investing in shares and managed funds,” Annette explains.
“Then, we got their help with our home loan, and they guided us through major market shifts. Now, as we approach retirement, their advice has been invaluable in minimising tax and reducing debt.”
KEEP READING: The story of how Annette started working with Harry is a pretty special one.
And while you have been working on your financial story since a young age, what does it mean to live a great life for you now?
“A great life is a meaningful life, great relationships with friends and family, good health, a sense of purpose and also the means to fulfil our passions,” says Annette.
“Also that is travel and adventure with the freedom to do whatever we want, whenever we want and I feel that is really an essential element to living a great life,” adds Steve.
They both shared this answer with a smile on their face and the excitement of an upcoming trip on their calendar.
So before working with Harry and the team, what were the financial challenges you were facing?
Annette shares: “I started with Harry after my dad passed away and left my mum with a small investment. I went with her to meet Dad’s financial adviser so she could learn to move forward on her own. As a result of that experience, I came away thinking ‘I really need to get my financial act together’. I made an appointment with Harry in 1999, he was recommended to me. I was 32 years old. My message is, it is never too early to start planning for your financial well-being. Making that appointment with Harry is the reason we are where we are today.”
How has Navigate Advisory helped you since?
“Harry and the team have been terrific. They provide us with well-researched advice in a timely manner, and we have honestly found dealing with the Navigate team that nothing has been too much trouble, the team is very responsive to our questions. It’s an extremely important relationship to us” says Annette.
Steve adds, “We have really valued the continuity that we have had with Harry, Jenna and the team, this has been a big part of our continued financial journey and what that has done is build a lot of trust. We talk to the same people about our finances.
They are more than financial advisers to us. Even though we now live in rural New South Wales, they still make the effort to visit in person, this means a lot to us.”
How do you feel about your financial future now? And what advice would you give to anyone watching this?
“We are very confident with our financial future and where we are headed,” says Annette.
Annette shares, “As for a message for somebody else, you can’t start your financial planning too early but I will also temper that by saying it is never too late to start.
“Finding the right financial adviser is key, the one that fits you and you fit them. We did and we’ve never looked back,” adds Steve.
Great advice. Are there any goals you’ve achieved that you didn’t think were possible before?
The goal both Steve and Annette have been able to achieve was “a debt-free, comfortable retirement…That was something I never believed could happen for us,” Steve reflects.
Achieving this goal has allowed them to continue to live a great life full of travel and time spent with family and friends.
How has getting financial advice impacted other areas of your life (stress levels, confidence, work-life balance)?
The couple have been able to go through life without financial worry.
“Having solid financial advice has meant no stress.
“Because we have the team behind us, we’ve never had to get into the weeds of financial management. Because we know we are being managed by professionals who know far more than we do,” says Annette.
Steve adds, “If we tried to do this on our own, we would not be in this comfortable position and I feel that is very enviable.”
What are your next steps? How will you continue to live your great life?
For Steve and Annette, the next chapter is all about travel and sharing their success with loved ones.
“We had multiple trips last year and have more planned this year. We are living our retirement just as we hoped to, seeing this fantastic planet,” says Annette.
“I would also add, for both of us, sharing our prosperity with our family and friends is important. We are known for our generosity and we are proud of that. My family will always remark there is always a sense of prosperity whenever Annette and I are around. And I love that. Family is number one for me and everything else falls into place around it,” adds Steve.
The pair shared that financial security isn’t just about numbers – it’s about freedom, adventure, and a life well-lived. Their journey with Navigate Advisory has given them the confidence to embrace life on their terms, knowing they have the right team supporting them every step of the way.
If you, like Steve and Annette, are looking for financial confidence, book in a call. We would love to see how we can help you get closer to your great life.