What we believe

In a capitalist society money often gets in the way.

It’s at least a distraction; at worst quite painful. Our purpose at SentinelWealth is to remove the distraction or anxiety so that our clients are liberated to explore and live the lives they choose to live.

Why SentinelWealth?

Our process ensures we really get to know and understand what drives you.

By doing so we help you develop and implement practical financial strategies that align seamlessly with your values. You end up with a unique financial life plan. We also differ from others in that we are privately owned, we have no ties to financial institutions or their products and receive no commissions. We work solely on a transparent fee for service basis “selling” nothing but impartial advice that is given with your best interests in mind.

Who we are

Sentinel Wealth is the culmination of many years of life and financial experience.

Our Approach

We help you to make conscious choices not only about your money, but about your life.

Case Studies

A selection of our client success stories and experiences.

What do we think?

To find out what SentinelWealth thinks, have a read of our interesting and relevant articles that could either inform, inspire or introduce you to a new way of thinking.

Less, But Better

Subscribe Now!

Join our mailing list to receive insights and news about wealth building

Some examples of what our clients say

Read more client experiences here

“Justin is that rare combination of a great financial life planner and a visionary businessman.  I give him my highest recommendation if you are seeking a great financial life planning adviser!”

Sam Hull President & Founder of Whitewater Transitions, LLC

“I have worked with many professionals in my life, and I really say this with absolute sincerity-there is not one I would recommend higher than Justin Hooper. I really mean it.

Stephen LeibowitzExecutive Chairman of Retail Apparel Group

“I really mean it when I say I feel like I have relinquished the responsibility a little bit of tomorrow and that for me has really given me a lot of head space for other things…It’s lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.”

Trish Favretto-DicerExecutive Coach & Principal of Wisdom in One

“Justin’s style of investing gives clients a high probability that they will end up in the top 25 per cent of investors without the stress.”

The late Simon McDowall Business consultant & former MD of Goodman Fielder

Get the BIG picture

During British colonial rule in India, the government began to worry about the number of deaths caused by wild animals and in particular, venomous snakes. The government of the day decided to solve the problem by offering a reward for every cobra brought in to be killed.

Indian citizens didn’t take long to take advantage of the system and began breeding cobras. By the time the incentive was withdrawn, there were more cobras than at the start.

WHAT IS FEARED BECOMES THE FOCUS, AND THEN OFTEN THE OUTCOME

The Great Depression was a traumatic time and left a lasting impact on many who lived through it. Understandably, they feared ever having to live like that again.

These people, nowadays mostly over 70 years old, have always been extremely frugal in their spending and conservative in their investing. Even those who are in their 80’s and have more capital, remain frugal – keeping their money “for a rainy day”.

The irony is that by so badly wanting to avoid losing money, they have consistently worried about it and by being so frugal and conservative, lived materially inferior lives (compared to what they could have lived).

 PREVENTING FEAR BECOMING REALITY

So how do you prevent being the cause of your fear becoming your reality?

The British in India should probably have just accepted that cobras were a potential risk but statistically, not a very big one. Understanding more about cobra’s habits and the circumstances under which they became more dangerous would have reduced their anxiety – as education always does. And lastly, having a medical emergency plan to deal with bites.

Human beings are almost hardwired by the time they reach adulthood. It becomes very difficult to change, even when the desire is strong. Money, and their relationship with money, largely exacerbates this hard-wiring, especially when emotions are piqued.

A drop in the value of assets, and the corresponding emotional stress that is triggered, is just such a time. For some investors during this time, they lose control in their panic to protect their lifestyle, and by their actions, they create their nightmare.

THE MORE LIKELY AN EMOTIONAL REACTION, THE MORE NECESSARY A PLAN OF ACTION

Just like the British, investors who are susceptible to these types of emotional responses, should first, accept the fact that prices will fluctuate, then gain more understanding about how often it happens, how long it takes to recover, how to reduce the impact, and finally, have a plan to deal with an emergency, no matter how remote.

The answer is not to pretend the fear doesn’t exist or that’s it’s totally unreasonable. Either would result in more anxiety and ultimately, worse decisions. It’s preferable to accept the concern and treat it with ‘respect’. But at the same time, it’s useful to keep it in perspective. There are no absolute guarantees, but gaining a realistic understanding of the probabilities and mapping out a worst-case scenario goes a long way to remove the possibility of poor decisions.

I have personally found that when I stopped killing spiders and bugs, I began to fear them less. We fear what we don’t understand.

© Copyright - Sentinel Wealth 2018 ~ The information provided on this page is intended to provide general information only and the information has been prepared without taking into account any particular person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on such information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Please go to sentinelwealth.com.au to find out more about the services we offer.