What to Prepare Before a First Consultation

Your first meeting with a financial adviser works best when you arrive with a clear picture of your own situation. Most people walk in with a vague sense that they should be doing something different with their money, but without the documents and numbers that turn that feeling into a useful conversation. A little preparation changes the tone of the whole meeting.

Start with the basics: a list of your current accounts, including superannuation, savings, term deposits, and any investment accounts you hold. You do not need to bring statements for every account, but you should know roughly what is in each one and where it sits. The adviser is not checking up on you; they are trying to understand your starting point so the advice actually fits.

Next, write down your regular income and expenses. This does not need to be a detailed budget with every coffee counted. A simple monthly figure for take-home pay, rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending is enough. The point is to show cash flow, because most financial decisions come down to what you can redirect each month.

Think about your goals before the meeting, even if they are rough. Retirement age, a home renovation, paying off debt, or building a buffer for irregular income are all legitimate starting points. You do not need a polished five-year plan. A few sentences about what you want your money to do in the next decade gives the adviser something concrete to work with.

Finally, bring any existing insurance policies, loan documents, or employer super details if you have them handy. If you do not have them, say so. The first consultation is about identifying gaps, not completing paperwork. What matters most is that you leave with a clearer sense of what to tackle first and what to defer.

If you are still deciding whether advice is worth the cost, read about choosing a service format that actually fits your situation. And when you are ready to talk, contact us to set up a first meeting.