Matt Jacobs,Financial Adviser, with short brown hair and a beard, wearing a white shirt and dark blazer, sitting outdoors with a blurred green background.

Matt Jacobs

Financial Adviser
BCom, GradDipFinPlan

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

  • Bachelor of Commerce - Deakin University

  • Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning - Kaplan University

My fascination with personal finance comes from a simple belief: when you manage your money well, you give yourself the freedom to live life in line with your goals and values. We can’t have it all, but with the right guidance, anyone can improve their situation and live a life of "enough".

I joined Atkinson Saynor during the first COVID lockdowns in 2020, stepping into a paraplanner role while completing my Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning. I’d spent years in broking but wanted to move into something more meaningful, where I could see the difference advice makes in people’s lives. In August 2024, I completed my Professional Year to become a fully registered financial planner, and today I also manage the day-to-day operations at ASPW.

“I could see the difference advice makes in people’s lives.”

It’s common for people to come to us carrying a mix of worry and uncertainty, often with multiple things happening in their lives at once. When we take the time to lay everything out clearly and show a way forward, you can see the weight lift. Seeing that sense of relief in someone’s eyes is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

Outside the office, life is full and fun. My wife Caity and I have two gorgeous girls, Annie and Olivia, who keep us busy. I’m a loyal Geelong Cats supporter, which makes for some friendly rivalry at home since Caity barracks for Hawthorn. I love a round of golf with mates, reading, board games and am partial to good burger.

Over the years, I’ve also helped out with kids’ holiday programs, joined an international support mission visiting hospitals and local networks, and served on a risk committee for a not-for-profit organisation.

Up close and personal with Matt.

  • Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates and one of the world's greatest investors. His management style is fascinating, his investment principles are legendary, and he manages money for some of the wealthiest people and countries on the planet. I'd love to pick his brain.

  • I've listened to a lot of finance podcasts over the years, and one I return to regularly is the Afford Anything Podcast, which always opens with the line:

    "You can afford anything, but not everything." ~ Paula Pant

    I think that quote speaks well to the nature of personal finance. We're all faced with choices day in and day out, allocating our money to the things we want and need. Any allocation of funds to one item necessarily means you cannot afford something else. Conversely, if you sacrifice enough, save and invest for long enough, you really could afford just about anything.

  • Your money or your life - Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez

  • Bohemian Rapsidey by Queen.

  • Tokyo, I travelled to Japan as a young kid with my family and was captivated by the clash of old and new culture in a city of extremes.