Achieve Financial Freedom Sooner
Retiring early isn’t just a dream, it’s a strategic goal that requires the right financial approach. At Glasshouse Wealth, we specialise in creating tailored investment and wealth-building strategies that put you on the fast track to financial independence. By leveraging smart investment opportunities, tax-efficient strategies, and optimised asset management, we help you build a secure retirement plan that lets you enjoy life on your terms sooner.
Use the Rules to Your Advantage
Not the Other Way Around
Concessional (pre-tax) Cap
$30,000 per year from 1 July 2024 (and unchanged for 2025–26 at time of writing). Carry-forward of unused caps may apply if eligible.
Non-concessional (after-tax) Cap
$120,000 per year, or up to $360,000 using the bring-forward rule if eligible (age, Total Super Balance and timing rules apply).
Transition-to-Retirement (TTR)
A TTR can start from preservation age, allowing income from super while working, under ATO rules.
Transfer Balance Cap (tax-free pension phase)
$2.0m general cap from 1 July 2025 for first pensions commencing on/after that date.
How the Process Works with Glasshouse Wealth
No-Obligation
30-Minute Session
Understand your goals, constraints and appetite for risk (online or in-person).
Discovery Meeting
& Strategy Call
We refine your five-year vision and map the levers (super, investments, debt, tax).
Plan, Implement,
Review
We prepare your tailored plan, implement once agreed, then check in every 3–12 months to keep you on track.
The Investment Philosophy that Moves the Needle
Our Gold Philosophy
Plan B via insurance and estate planning
Early retirement hinges on small, compounding advantages: fee control, tax efficiency and (where suitable) strategic use of leverage. Our “Gold Philosophy” focuses on growing super, levelling up investments, defending wealth, and using government incentives wisely, while ensuring there’s a robust Plan B. If you want to see how a 1% performance difference compounds over time, read our explainer on why 1% can be worth seven figures.
Don’t Ignore the Downside: Insure the Plan
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What your 50–60 Cashflow Might Look Like
Funded from personal investments (managed portfolios, term deposits, investment bonds, or tax-aware structures).
use franking credits, capital-gains timing and spouse income strategies where appropriate.
salary sacrifice (within cap), potential bring-forward after-tax contributions, and catch-up concessional amounts if eligible, so super is ready to take over at 60.
Common Pitfalls we Help you Avoid
You generally can’t draw on it before preservation age without specific grounds.
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Once triggered, your cap for that three-year period is locked timing matters.
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A single health event can force asset sales that permanently dent compounding.
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The “right” mix of personal, super, and other structures is what makes retiring at 50 stick. See Pre-retirement Planning and Superannuation.
"Referred by a friend and has been the best decision Ive made to join Chris and put my trust in his financial acumen!!"
"We recently (within the last 12 months) began our journey with Chris as our financial planner, and I’ve found him to be thorough and detailed. He has taken the time to really understand my family’s financial situation and goals, which has provided a strong foundation for our planning. I feel confident that we are in good hands with Chris—he stays on top of market changes and keeps us updated on our progress, while guiding us through any adjustments needed along the way"
"Absolutely outstanding service! My financial advisor Chris took the time to truly understand my goals and provided clear, practical advice tailored to my needs. Communication was prompt and professional, and I always felt supported and confident in the decisions we made. I couldn’t recommend him more highly."
"Chris finance advice has set my future up for success we have nothing but appreciation for his guidance, the process was very quick and easy"
"Recommend Chris Carlin's Glasshouse Wealth as your first stop for financial advice. He is a professional who wants to help you look after your financial health - he also is a great ambassador for those who haven't been so lucky with previous Advisors in the past. Don't go past Glasshouse Wealth to stay financially healthy."
"Thanks to Chris, we have peace of mind knowing our family's financial future is secure. As a teacher and parents of two young kids, the advice and ongoing support have been invaluable. We feel confident in our financial decisions and are grateful for the guidance. Thank you, Chris, for helping us build a secure future for our family."
"Working with Chris has been incredibly beneficial for us. As a small business owner, I often overlooked personal finances, but Chris's guidance helped us set up for the future. For Emma, just starting her career as an optometrist, the advice on planning ahead has been invaluable. Chris's clear and simple explanations make financial concepts easy to understand. We are grateful for his ongoing support and look forward to a secure financial future."
"Working with Chris has given us peace of mind about our financial future. With two young kids and Mez being self employed, Chris's guidance has been invaluable. He breaks down complex concepts into simple terms, making it easy for us to understand and stay on track with our goals. Thank you, Chris, for being an essential part of our financial journey."
"We were shocked to discover that Mel didn't have any personal insurance cover. With our first child on the way it was important to us to know our family would be looked after if something was to happen to us. The fact Chris also maximised our super and we have plans for future investments was a bonus! Thankyou Chris!"
"In 2021, after a cancer diagnosis, Chris supported us through the insurance claim process, easing the financial stress during treatment. Thank you for making it so easy! Couldn't recommend a better financial planner."
Wall of Champions
Hear from those who have transformed their financial futures with Glasshouse Wealth
"Referred by a friend and has been the best decision Ive made to join Chris and put my trust in his financial acumen!!"
"We recently (within the last 12 months) began our journey with Chris as our financial planner, and I’ve found him to be thorough and detailed. He has taken the time to really understand my family’s financial situation and goals, which has provided a strong foundation for our planning. I feel confident that we are in good hands with Chris—he stays on top of market changes and keeps us updated on our progress, while guiding us through any adjustments needed along the way"
"Absolutely outstanding service! My financial advisor Chris took the time to truly understand my goals and provided clear, practical advice tailored to my needs. Communication was prompt and professional, and I always felt supported and confident in the decisions we made. I couldn’t recommend him more highly."
"Chris finance advice has set my future up for success we have nothing but appreciation for his guidance, the process was very quick and easy"
"Recommend Chris Carlin's Glasshouse Wealth as your first stop for financial advice. He is a professional who wants to help you look after your financial health - he also is a great ambassador for those who haven't been so lucky with previous Advisors in the past. Don't go past Glasshouse Wealth to stay financially healthy."
"Thanks to Chris, we have peace of mind knowing our family's financial future is secure. As a teacher, I wanted to ensure that we were prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. Chris's guidance has been invaluable in setting up a financial safety net, especially with two young kids. Anna and I have also appreciated the ongoing support and advice that have allowed us to make informed decisions about our finances. The ability to constantly turn to Chris for financial advice has made a significant difference. We no longer worry about our financial future because we know we are making wise decisions with Chris's help. Thank you, Chris, for being an essential part of our financial journey and for helping us build a secure future for our family."
"Working with Chris has been incredibly beneficial for us. As a small business owner, I often overlooked personal finances while focusing on growing my company. Chris's guidance on superannuation and insurance has given us peace of mind, knowing we are on the right track. For Emma, just starting her career as an optometrist, the financial advice has been invaluable. Transitioning from a university student to a full-time professional comes with significant financial changes, and Chris's expertise has made the process much smoother. Chris's ability to break down complex financial concepts into simple terms has helped us create a clear financial plan. We are saving for our first home, planning future travel, and securing our financial future. We are grateful for his ongoing support and personalized advice. Thank you, Chris, for being an essential part of our financial success."
"Working with Chris has been a game-changer for our family. My main concern was ensuring our family's financial security, especially with two young kids, and Chris's advice has given us the peace of mind we needed. Chris's guidance has been invaluable in navigating the financial challenges of being self-employed. His expertise has helped us stay on track with our financial goals, including contributing to our super and planning for our children's future. We appreciate Chris's ability to break down complex financial concepts into simple, understandable terms. It's comforting to know we have someone we can turn to for reliable advice and support. Thank you, Chris, for being an essential part of our financial journey.""
"We were shocked to discover that Mel didn't have any personal insurance cover. With our first child on the way it was important to us to know our family would be looked after if something was to happen to us. The fact Chris also maximised our super and we have plans for future investments was a bonus! Thankyou Chris!"
"Having a young family, personal insurance was a must have. In 2021, getting a cancer diagnosis was something that shocked my family and me. Chris was aware of my situation and his support in making an insurance claim eased the burden of financial stress during treatment. Thank you for making the claim process so easy! Couldn't recommend a better financial planner."
FAQs
You can invest either through your superannuation or in your personal name. As part of the advice process, we will determine the most appropriate structure for your situation and develop an investment philosophy tailored to your needs. Our goal is to ensure you have a clear and effective strategy that aligns with your financial aspirations.
It is highly likely that you cannot use your existing superannuation fund due to the limited investment options, especially with leverage. You may need to transfer to an alternative provider. Our preferred platforms are cost-competitive, easy to use, and transparent, having been around for a long time. If you have a self-managed super fund (SMSF), we can consider that too, but it is not required.
Absolutely. Investing in your personal name is a common approach and can be beneficial for various reasons, such as tax planning and asset ownership. However, it’s important to consider other structures like investment bonds, which might offer additional benefits depending on your situation. We will guide you through these options to find the best fit for you.
With 12 years of experience as a financial advisor, I specialize in helping aspirational accumulators. My expertise spans investment strategies, superannuation, retirement planning, and personal insurance. At Glasshouse Wealth, our team is dedicated to providing professional, personalized advice to help you navigate your financial journey.
Many people don’t realize that when working with a financial planner, you may not need to pay out of pocket, as the cost of advice can often be funded directly from your superannuation or investment portfolio.
At Glasshouse Wealth, we use a hybrid fee model, meaning we have a flat fee and a percentage of funds under management. We are an ongoing financial advice provider and do not offer once-off advice. The standard fees for the overwhelming majority of our clients are $1,100 plus 0.55% of funds under management as a once-off payment. Then, ongoing fees are $1,100 plus 0.55% of funds under management, renewable every 12 months. These fees can usually be funded 100% from your investment platform or superannuation if you implement all of our recommendations, unless advised otherwise.
Here are some examples:
• If you are a single 40-year-old with $200,000 in super, you will pay an initial advice fee of $2,200 upfront ($1,100 + 0.55% of $200,000 = $2,200) and $2,200pa for ongoing advice in the first 12 months, subject to market fluctuations.
• If your situation is more complex and you are part of a couple (e.g., John has $300,000 in super, Sally has $200,000 in super, and they have $100,000 in their personal name), total funds under management is $600,000. The fee would be $3,300 for three accounts plus 0.55% of $600,000 ($3,300), totaling $6,600 pa.
FAQs
Take Your Next Step
If retiring at 50 is your brief, we’ll show you the path—and walk it with you.
Book your consultation, bring your figures, and we’ll model a plan that balances growth, risk and cashflow—right through to, and beyond, age 60.