money money money 912 startup equity, inheriting $1m, debt clean up, taking a pay cut & mortgage vs invest
Mar 23, 2026
Alex Luck, financial adviser and director at Everest Wealth who helps younger wealth builders with homes and portfolios. He discusses trading freelance pay for startup equity and why formal terms matter. He covers smart ways to use a $1M inheritance and the risks of single-stock bets. He explains when to prioritise paying down consumer or HELP debt and how to decide between mortgage paydown and investing.
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Don't Sacrifice Income For Undefined Startup Equity
- Avoid trading reliable freelance income and lifestyle for vague startup equity unless equity terms are formalized and culture fits your goals.
- Glen and Alex recommend prioritizing salary and saving for a home if buying in five years is the priority, not speculative equity.
Separate Career Bets From Investment Goals
- Career moves and investments should be separated: build your career to produce cash you can invest rather than hinging goals on promised equity.
- Glen advises freelancers to raise rates or find a market-rate job if they enjoy flexibility and need house-deposit savings.
Avoid Large Bets On A Single Bank Stock
- Don't put a large lump sum into a single bank stock; prefer diversified income ETFs or a basket of major banks to reduce concentration risk.
- Alex and Glen suggest VHY or diversified ETFs instead of committing $250K to CBA alone.
