Quantum Wealth Summary
- A key reason my clients and I invest is to achieve financial freedom.
- In this dispatch, we look at what this means and paths to it.
- We review stocks and positions that could help prepare you for financial independence.
- We consider the risks and pitfalls you may encounter along the way.
Here in New Zealand, the median household income is around $75,000. The vast majority of this comes from salary and wages.
In Australia and the US, household income is around 60% higher.
If we look at the distribution of wage and salary income in New Zealand, this appears quite close to a bell curve. The sort of normal distribution that occurs routinely across populations:
Source: IRD
Most people earn somewhere between $30,000 and $110,000. Though there is a significant tail of people who earn beyond that.
Australia — and particularly the US — see longer tails of much higher earners.
While salaries can run much higher, earnings from financial assets likely play a greater role there.
By definition, if you seek a lifestyle that enables you to afford somewhat above the average, you need to generate income over $80,000 per year. Then you need to keep this income apace with inflation.
For investors seeking this level of financial independence and beyond, the key questions are:
- What level of capital is needed to generate enough income, growth, or years of drawings?
- What level of risk are you comfortable with?
- How can you effectively balance risk with return?
- What sort of positions in the financial markets could help you achieve income and growth goals while protecting your capital?
- What other considerations such as leaving an inheritance or providing for family need to be factored in?
In essence, financial independence requires a ‘flywheel’. A source of kinetic energy that keeps running regardless. Financially speaking, a flow of money that is perpetual.
In the work I do, this means assembling a robust portfolio.
Let’s take a look at how this can be done…
